What is a University?
Most people would probably answer that question something like this: "A university is a place where people go to learn stuff."
But that answer is incomplete. A better answer is this: "A university is a place where scholars get together to debate the big unanswered questions of the world."
Students who go to a university are not there to simply soak up knowledge like a sponge. Instead, students are expected to contribute to the world of knowledge by participating in the great academic debates of our time.
But that answer is incomplete. A better answer is this: "A university is a place where scholars get together to debate the big unanswered questions of the world."
Students who go to a university are not there to simply soak up knowledge like a sponge. Instead, students are expected to contribute to the world of knowledge by participating in the great academic debates of our time.
Why do we write academic papers?
Each time you write a paper, you are adding knowledge to the world.
And that is why we write academic papers. And that is why most of our papers must have a thesis.
Whenever you write an academic paper, you are—in essence—debating someone who holds an opposing point of view. And your thesis statement lets your reader know which side of the debate you are taking.
Your thesis may be right, or your thesis may be wrong. (You could be another Ptolemy, or you could be another Copernicus).
Either way, your contribution is valuable, because the adversarial method depends on people like you—people who are willing to debate the big unanswered questions of the world.
And that is why we write academic papers. And that is why most of our papers must have a thesis.
Whenever you write an academic paper, you are—in essence—debating someone who holds an opposing point of view. And your thesis statement lets your reader know which side of the debate you are taking.
Your thesis may be right, or your thesis may be wrong. (You could be another Ptolemy, or you could be another Copernicus).
Either way, your contribution is valuable, because the adversarial method depends on people like you—people who are willing to debate the big unanswered questions of the world.
The Meaning of a College Diploma
What is the meaning of a college diploma?
Most people would probably answer that question something like this: "A college diploma is a piece of paper that shows that you have learned a bunch of stuff."
But that answer is incomplete. A better answer is this: "A college diploma is a piece of paper that shows that you have contributed to the world of knowledge."
How do you contribute to the world of knowledge?
By writing academic papers.
Most people would probably answer that question something like this: "A college diploma is a piece of paper that shows that you have learned a bunch of stuff."
But that answer is incomplete. A better answer is this: "A college diploma is a piece of paper that shows that you have contributed to the world of knowledge."
How do you contribute to the world of knowledge?
By writing academic papers.
Instructions for the Quiz
Answer the Questions.