writing in the disciplines

Writing in the Disciplines

V. LeQuire, Department of English, Appalachian State University

Writers

Wanted

Writing in the Humanities

What are the Humanities?

• Academic disciplines that study the human condition

The Humanities include…• Ancient and Modern

Languages• Literature• History• Philosophy• Religion• Visual and Performing

Arts

Modes of Inquiry in the Humanities

• Methods are primarily analytical, critical, or speculative• Deal with questions for which

there are no definitive answers • Ex: What is justice? The nature

of friendship? The essence of God? The properties of truth?

Modes of Inquiry in the Humanities

• Evidence – is textual with close critical reading and interpretation of written and visual texts

• Pattern of Discourse - claim + textual support + discussion

Every discipline has a preferred writing style.

• In the Humanities…• Paragraphs are longer. • Sentences are longer and more eloquent. • Parallel structure is used to navigate long, complex

thoughts. • Imagery and metaphors are abundant. • Active, not passive, voice is most often employed.• Language and the way it is used in a paper is nearly as

important as that paper's content (Dartmouth).