Writing Across the Profession Examining Disciplinary Texts

Frederic Murray Frederic Murray Assistant ProfessorAssistant ProfessorMLIS, University of British ColumbiaMLIS, University of British ColumbiaBA, Political Science, University of IowaBA, Political Science, University of Iowa

Instructional Services LibrarianInstructional Services LibrarianAl Harris Library Al Harris Library frederic.murray@swosu.edu

Examining Disciplinary Texts• A discipline's discourse (its text)

conceptualizes and communicates knowledge for its community.

Frans B.M. de Waal –Primatologist

E.O. Wilson – Myrmecologist

Thomas Kuhn -Philosopher of Science

John McPhee – Geology

Oliver Sacks – Neurologist

David Halberstam - Historian

Charles Bowden - Journalist

Charles Bowden is the author of eleven books including A Shadow in the City: Confessions of an Undercover Dog; Down By the River: Drugs, Money, Murder and Family; Juárez: The Laboratory of our Future; Blood Orchid: An Unnatural History of America; Desierto: Memories of the Future; Red Line; Blue Desert; and (with Michael Binstein) Trust Me: Charles Keating and the Missing Billions.

Michael E. Porter – Business

Examining Disciplinary Texts• Review your selected text • Locate 2 similar texts in assigned field • Utilize database 1(JSTOR)• Utilize website 1 (Openthesis)• Compare the 3 texts• Report back to the class

similarities/digressions• Be prepared to discuss

Examining Disciplinary Texts

• Frans B.M. de Waal – Primatology: We’re All Machiavellians• E.O. Wilson – Myrmecology/ Entomology: In the Company of Ants• Thomas Kuhn – Philosophy of Science: The Structure of Scientific

Revolutions• John McPhee – Geology: Basin & Range• Oliver Sacks – Neurology: A Bolt from the Blue • David Halberstam – History: A Warning at Unsan• Charles Bowden – Journalism/Law: Lord of the Drug Ring • Michael Porter – Business:

– Porter, Michael E. "WHY AMERICA NEEDS AN ECONOMIC STRATEGY." BusinessWeek 10 Nov. 2008: 38+. Business Source Complete. EBSCO. Web. 5 Feb. 2010

– Porter, Michael E., and Forest L. Reinhardt. "A Strategic Approach to Climate." Harvard Business Review 85.10 (2007): 22-26.Business Source Complete. EBSCO. Web. 5 Feb. 2010.

– Porter, Michael. "Leader as Strategist." Leadership Excellence 23.6 (2006): 6-7. Business Source Complete. EBSCO. Web. 5 Feb. 2010.

CitationsDe Wall, Frans B.M. “We’re All Machiavellians. ”The Best American Science Writing

2006. New York; Harper, 2006. Print. Wilson, E.O. “In the Company of Ants.” In Search of Nature. Washington D.C.;

Island Press, 1996. Print. Kuhn, Thomas. “Introduction: A Role for History.” The Structure of Scientific

Revolutions. Chicago; U of Chicago P, 1996. Print.McPhee, John. “Basin and Range.” The Second John McPhee Reader. New York;

Farrar, 1996. Print. Sacks, Oliver. “A Bolt from the Blue.” The Best American Science & Nature Writing

2008. Boston; Houghton, 2008. Print. Halberstam, David. “A Warning at Unsan.” The Coldest Winter. New York;

Hyperion, 2007. Print. Bowden, Charles. “Lord of the Drug Ring.” The Best American Crime Writing 2004.

New York; Pantheon, 2004. Print.Porter, Michael E. "WHY AMERICA NEEDS AN ECONOMIC

STRATEGY." BusinessWeek 10 Nov. 2008: 38+. Business Source Complete. EBSCO. Web. 5 Feb. 2010

Porter, Michael E., and Forest L. Reinhardt. "A Strategic Approach to Climate." Harvard Business Review 85.10 (2007): 22-26.Business Source Complete. EBSCO. Web. 5 Feb. 2010.

Porter, Michael. "Leader as Strategist." Leadership Excellence 23.6 (2006): 6-7. Business Source Complete. EBSCO. Web. 5 Feb. 2010.

Writing Your Paper

• Writing Center– Located in the basement of the

library– Call for appointment #774-7083

• MLA Style– Style Sheets– MLA Handbook at Reference &

Circulation Desk– http://www.dianahacker.com/resdoc/

Questions?

• Contact me:

• Frederic Murray• 774-7113• frederic.murray@swosu.edu

Thanks!