Difference between qualifying, challenging and defending?

Question

I have to write a response to a paper for English, but I can't tell if the paper is qualifying or not. Does anyone know the difference between qualifying and challenging and defending?

Answer 1

The difference among the three is the purpose behind your writing.

A qualifying paper evaluates or analyzes something, much like a critique.  The very paper you wrote will reflect your ability to conduct a dissertation.

A challenging paper contests something.  For example, someone wrote that she is against divorce.  If you want to write a pro-divorce paper, then you are challenging what the other person has written about.

A defending paper meanwhile asserts your views on something.  A thesis or research is a defending paper in the sense that you have to defend your hypotheses, findings and conclusions to prove your point.

Hope this helps.