This document offers helpful tips for writing your urban economics research paper and highlights some of the common mistakes made by students.
The purpose of writing an economic analysis of a metro area is to convey economic theory and empirical facts in a professional manner. Thus, your paper should not only include the relevant facts and data about your metro area, but you should tie these facts to urban economic theory (clusters, agglomeration, talent and creative class, externalities, central place, housing and other theories learned in class).
Your analysis should be written for an intelligent reader without a strong background in urban economics. Thus, when you write about clusters in the region you should first explain the concept (this may be based on your exam answers, notes, lectures, and readings during the course).
The paper should be double-spaced and 12-point font. You need a title page and running header with your name and metro region. The writing should be divided into at least four major sections (including an introduction and conclusion) and additional subsections where needed for readability.
The paper should have a clear theme that is stated in the introduction and woven into the text throughout the paper. The introduction (and/or executive summary) should explain the structure of the paper (referencing the major sections) and key findings.
The following points provide a guide to the writing style.
1. Generally, your analysis should not include personal opinions or anecdotes. For example, you should not include phrases such as, “I enjoyed reading this article,” or, “I did not previously know about this topic.”
In specific cases, you may be asked to summarize a body of research and draw a conclusion. Even in this scenario, your conclusion should be based on the existing research and not your personal opinion. Furthermore, the research used to draw your conclusion should be clearly represented and cited in your analysis.
An exception would be to start your paper with a personal anecdote or story to stimulate interest for the reader. You should check with the instructor to be sure the personal story is useful and appropriate.
2. As an undergraduate student, your assignment requires reviewing and summarizing existing economic research. This research should be clearly cited, both in the text and in a bibliography at the end of your writing. The only reason a statement or novel assertion would not require a citation is if it is based on your own original idea.
3. Use reputable sources and cite them correctly. Reputable sources include academic journal articles, news articles from major newspapers, and think tank reports. Once you find a reputable source, it is important to cite it it the reference section and give the author credit in the body of the text.
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5. Follow the referencing style used in the examples of the research papers posted on Blackboard. Be consistent.
6. Use a professional tone in your writing.
• Be careful with the use of capitalization. In general, capitalization is used for proper nouns, like the “New York metropolitan region.” Do not use caps for regular nouns. For example, you would not write “According to the theory of Agglomeration;” instead you would use lower case for “agglomeration/”
• Avoid contractions. For example, write “do not” instead of “don’t.”
• Avoid informal or vague language. For example, “In 2021, the Seattle government issued very few housing permits.” Not only is the use of “very few” is informal, it is also vague. Instead write, “The Seattle government issued 1,500 housing permits (Seattle Housing Authority, 2021).” Note that when you cite data, you need to reference the source.
7. Strive to favor shorter sentences and shorter paragraphs over long sentences and long paragraphs. Shorter sentences and paragraphs are easier to read and understand.
8. Plan the flow of your essay in advance. You should always have an introduction and a conclusion. Each paragraph should have a topic sentence. Changes in topic or thought should trigger a new paragraph.
9. Avoid the passive tense. Most of the time, using active tense will also result in shorter sentences (see #5 above).
Incorrect: “The tax is being levied by the local government.”
Correct: “The local government levies the tax.”
Incorrect: “The tax is going to be levied by the government.” Correct: “The government will levy the tax.”
10. In most all cases, adverbs are not needed in professional writing and should not be used.
Examples:
Obviously, the effects of climate change will continue to worsen over time. Interestingly, a carbon tax can be very inequitable.