status quo
(noun)
A Latin term meaning the current or existing state of affairs; literally, "the state in which."
Examples of status quo in the following topics:
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Understanding the Academic Context of Your Topic
- "Status quo" refers to the existing and accepted body of academic research and discourse on a given topic.
- Academic papers rely on the status quo to inform and support the writer's argument.
- Identifying the status quo in the introduction serves several purposes.
- Examining the status quo is a good way of figuring out where to situate your specific insight on a topic.
- Explain the importance of including a discussion of the status quo in a paper
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Destabilizing the Status Quo
- Knowing the status quo will be very helpful when you are trying to explain your argument.
- There are several common strategies for destabilizing the status quo.
- When choosing how you want to destabilize the status quo, remember to be specific.
- You will need to use the status quo to generate consequences for readers, and the way to do so is to convince them that there is a problem in the status quo.
- Describe the value of destabilization in relation to writing about the status quo
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Turning Your Question Into a Claim
- A complete problem statement contains the following steps: a status quo, a moment when you point out a problem in the status quo, and the solution you have to that problem.
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Presenting the Prevailing Theories
- Think of it as the equivalent of the "status quo" in other disciplines – the purpose is to situate your work within the existing scholarly discussion.
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Critical Thinking
- In researching the status quo, you will probably come across work by other writers that you would like to use in your own writing.
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Establishing Why Your Claims Matter
- Do you need to find a moment that destabilizes the status quo in the current discussion of your topic?
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Explaining the Stakes and the Consequences
- Most changes to the status quo entail both costs and benefits.
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When to Use APA Style
- The guidelines for reducing bias in language have been updated over the years and provide practical guidance for writing about race, ethnicity, age, gender, sexual orientation, and disability status.
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Articulating Your Argument Up Front