It’s midnight. Your paper is due at eight tomorrow, and your instructions say to use three outside sources. You haven’t incorporated a quote yet, having put off the final draft for the last moment when inspiration was sure to appear. What are you going to do? (Inspiration appears to have called it a day hours ago.)
One idea is to read your paper again and determine where additional support from the sources you’ve found would enhance the points you make, adding insight and proving what you say. Another idea is to pick at random, any bit of writing from any source, copy and paste, and drop it into the paper without using reason or logic at all. Which way is guaranteed to impress your professor?
I know that you are saying that no one would choose the second way because it doesn’t make sense. You are exactly correct; if you do not weave information smoothly into your writing, quotes or paraphrases might seem like afterthoughts, plugged-in, nonsensical verbiage.
Before midnight of the day before your paper is due arrives, your best bet is to read sources of information with a highlighter in hand, marking sections that might prove to be useful to support your ideas and add to the overall impact of what you plan to say. As you write your paper, note where the words or information from a source will best serve the purpose of your paper. Typing “Insert quote (or paraphrase) from X” is a good way to remind yourself of where the source can be used effectively.
"If it weren't for the last minute, I wouldn't get anything done." (Unknown) Tomorrow at eight in the morning will come, but the midnight before can find you smoothly integrating the right quotes in the right places for a great paper.
See you next time the breeze is cool, the sun is up, and the waves roll into view! My next entry is coming soon. ‘Til then, hang ten!
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Research Rules
Rules - whether we love them or not, they are in place so that systems can function smoothly. In research projects, students are required to cite sources that they’ve found to prove or back up their assertions or information. Giving credit to those sources involves some very definite and highly structured rules.
Instructors generally ask students to use APA (American Psychological Association) or MLA (Modern Language Association) formats for their papers and for bibliographical information. The two styles are similar and serve the same purpose, but there are differences. APA, for instance, puts greater emphasis on the timeliness of material used than does MLA, which regards literature as timeless. The best plan for a student to put into place is to find and use a book or website that spells out exactly how to punctuate each entry and what information has to be included (author, title, etc.) and in what exact order the information has to be written. Developing a References page (APA) or Works Cited page (MLA) involves finding the right models or guidelines for entries.
One difficulty students encounter is precise classification of sources. Is the source an on-line journal or an institute’s web page? If the student has an up-to-date manual or web site that provides the right models to follow, the problem is often solved by finding the best fit. At times, the search for a model that is correct takes some digging, but it can be done.
A wise move when conducting research is to keep a hardcopy of all passages found, any that might be used later as quotes or paraphrased material. Note cards, although somewhat old fashioned, are a handy way to write down the information needed to cite sources as they are located.
Both APA and MLA require having in-text (APA) or parenthetical (MLA) citations as well as the list of sources compiled in a References or Works Cited or page. After a passage has been quoted or paraphrased, a parenthesis is added at the end of the text to tell the reader that it comes from another writer. The main idea to keep in mind is that a reader can go from the identification of the source, usually brief, in the student’s in-text or parenthetical citation to find the full information of where the source can be found in the References or Works Cited page. If I see the name Adams in parenthesis after a quote or paraphrase in the research paper, I should be able to go to the References or Works Cited page and find an entry that also has Adams as the first word of the entry and by that means be able to locate the book, web page, or magazine for myself if I decide to read further and find out everything Adams says in the original document.
References and Works Cited page entries have to be in alphabetical order, in accordance with the starting letters of each entry. There are also certain rules for indenting any lines after the first for each entry. Accurate models for types of entries are necessary because it is almost impossible for a human being to remember exactly how to punctuate all the different kinds of entries. Most instructors provide guidelines, and tutors at the Stone Writing Center are prepared to help students who have questions. The SWC website also provides information on both APA and MLA formats and citations (Research).
Although following all the rules for giving credit to other writers may seem as hard as finding the absolutely perfect shell along a two-mile stretch of beach, with practice - gaining actual experience by compiling bibliographical information - the mind and eye soon know where to look and how to see exactly what is just so, completely and perfectly right (like the shell I found with a tiny hole at the top, the best place and size for a necklace chain).
See you next time the breeze is cool, the sun is up, and the waves roll into view! My next entry is coming soon. ‘Til then, hang ten!
Instructors generally ask students to use APA (American Psychological Association) or MLA (Modern Language Association) formats for their papers and for bibliographical information. The two styles are similar and serve the same purpose, but there are differences. APA, for instance, puts greater emphasis on the timeliness of material used than does MLA, which regards literature as timeless. The best plan for a student to put into place is to find and use a book or website that spells out exactly how to punctuate each entry and what information has to be included (author, title, etc.) and in what exact order the information has to be written. Developing a References page (APA) or Works Cited page (MLA) involves finding the right models or guidelines for entries.
One difficulty students encounter is precise classification of sources. Is the source an on-line journal or an institute’s web page? If the student has an up-to-date manual or web site that provides the right models to follow, the problem is often solved by finding the best fit. At times, the search for a model that is correct takes some digging, but it can be done.
A wise move when conducting research is to keep a hardcopy of all passages found, any that might be used later as quotes or paraphrased material. Note cards, although somewhat old fashioned, are a handy way to write down the information needed to cite sources as they are located.
Both APA and MLA require having in-text (APA) or parenthetical (MLA) citations as well as the list of sources compiled in a References or Works Cited or page. After a passage has been quoted or paraphrased, a parenthesis is added at the end of the text to tell the reader that it comes from another writer. The main idea to keep in mind is that a reader can go from the identification of the source, usually brief, in the student’s in-text or parenthetical citation to find the full information of where the source can be found in the References or Works Cited page. If I see the name Adams in parenthesis after a quote or paraphrase in the research paper, I should be able to go to the References or Works Cited page and find an entry that also has Adams as the first word of the entry and by that means be able to locate the book, web page, or magazine for myself if I decide to read further and find out everything Adams says in the original document.
References and Works Cited page entries have to be in alphabetical order, in accordance with the starting letters of each entry. There are also certain rules for indenting any lines after the first for each entry. Accurate models for types of entries are necessary because it is almost impossible for a human being to remember exactly how to punctuate all the different kinds of entries. Most instructors provide guidelines, and tutors at the Stone Writing Center are prepared to help students who have questions. The SWC website also provides information on both APA and MLA formats and citations (Research).
Although following all the rules for giving credit to other writers may seem as hard as finding the absolutely perfect shell along a two-mile stretch of beach, with practice - gaining actual experience by compiling bibliographical information - the mind and eye soon know where to look and how to see exactly what is just so, completely and perfectly right (like the shell I found with a tiny hole at the top, the best place and size for a necklace chain).
See you next time the breeze is cool, the sun is up, and the waves roll into view! My next entry is coming soon. ‘Til then, hang ten!
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
What It's Like
At times, especially at the beach, I hear someone say, “Yeah, it’s like, you know…,” and guess that the art of analogy has totally failed the speaker. Drawing effective comparisons involves at least two important elements: a striking image and a likeness that makes the analogy fairly rational.
Writing analogies is not as easy as falling off a log, not like taking candy from a baby. Having just used two old standby phrases, worn out and made trite through overuse, it is probably a good time to mention that a lack of originality can cause your analogy to fall as flat as a pancake. It is not a good idea to rely on others for analogies. Your comparisons should be fresh and new.
The words “like” and “as” generally lead into analogies. For instance, if I say, “Watching big waves roll in is like seeing carnival rides I want to try,” I have made a comparison of two different ideas with a similarity, which is anticipation of exciting rides.
A good analogy brightens a piece of writing, much like the glint of sunlight or moonlight on the tips of waves in the bay brightens their beauty, adding sparkle and light.
Finding a comparison between disparate ideas, making a connection between them, can be difficult but is worthwhile when your readers pay attention, their interest in what you have to say caught like a golden fish in the net of your essay’s flowing reason and wit.
Don’t overdo it, though. Too many analogies can turn a good bit of writing into a ridiculous test of the reader’s ability to follow what you are saying. It’s like, you know….
See you next time the breeze is cool, the sun is up, and the waves roll into view! My next entry is coming soon. ‘Til then, hang ten!
Writing analogies is not as easy as falling off a log, not like taking candy from a baby. Having just used two old standby phrases, worn out and made trite through overuse, it is probably a good time to mention that a lack of originality can cause your analogy to fall as flat as a pancake. It is not a good idea to rely on others for analogies. Your comparisons should be fresh and new.
The words “like” and “as” generally lead into analogies. For instance, if I say, “Watching big waves roll in is like seeing carnival rides I want to try,” I have made a comparison of two different ideas with a similarity, which is anticipation of exciting rides.
A good analogy brightens a piece of writing, much like the glint of sunlight or moonlight on the tips of waves in the bay brightens their beauty, adding sparkle and light.
Finding a comparison between disparate ideas, making a connection between them, can be difficult but is worthwhile when your readers pay attention, their interest in what you have to say caught like a golden fish in the net of your essay’s flowing reason and wit.
Don’t overdo it, though. Too many analogies can turn a good bit of writing into a ridiculous test of the reader’s ability to follow what you are saying. It’s like, you know….
See you next time the breeze is cool, the sun is up, and the waves roll into view! My next entry is coming soon. ‘Til then, hang ten!
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
It's a Balancing Act
Humans like balance, matching pieces, orderly sets, and identifiable patterns. When it comes to the subject of parallelism, the same holds true. Words flow smoothly together in lists, compound verbs, compound subjects, etc., when they are parallel.
For example, “running, jumping, and sitting” all end with “ing” and might describe favorite sports…well, maybe not the last one. If there is an oddity - running, jumping, and sit – the lack of parallelism actually does jump out at the reader because there is discordance in the pattern.
“Kindness and mercy” might be used as a parallel compound subject of a sentence since both words are nouns. However, “kindness and merciful” would jar the senses as a compound subject because they are not parallel. “Kindness” is a noun. “Merciful” is an adjective.
A memory device that is useful to remember parallelism is the following: “He came, he saw, he conquered.”
See you next time the breeze is cool, the sun is up, and the waves roll into view! My next entry is coming soon. ‘Til then, hang ten!
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Happy National Day on Writing!
October 20th is National Day on Writing!
To celebrate this occasion, we at the Stone Writing Center asked students and faculty to share with us why they write. We turned the responses into a slideshow; enjoy, as you reflect upon why you write.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EwomKwqkU3w
To celebrate this occasion, we at the Stone Writing Center asked students and faculty to share with us why they write. We turned the responses into a slideshow; enjoy, as you reflect upon why you write.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EwomKwqkU3w
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Another Bit of Punctuation: the Apostrophe
The difference between a simple plural and a possessive is an apostrophe. The main question to ask if there is indecision about whether or not to use the possessive form is whether or not any ownership is indicated. Once that part is established, the next question is how many own what it is that is owned.
“The shark’s passage” means one shark has the right of way and is moving through the water.
“The sharks’ passage” means more than one shark is involved.
Either way, it‘s a good time to sit out a wave or two.
Apostrophes are also used to form contractions. An apostrophe goes where the missing letter would have been. For informal writing, using contractions seems a bit less stilted, more casual. I do not, however, recommend using contractions for formal, academic essays. It’s OK, though, to use contractions in other writing.
There is often confusion about using an apostrophe when writing years. If I want to write about the 1800s and the 1900s, I don’t need to use an apostrophe; but if I did, I’d be consistent about it. Writers often do place an apostrophe in years.
Unlike the breakable rule for writing years, an apostrophe is correct when referring to words as words – “she had too many the’s in her sentence” - or when naming letters of the alphabet – “how many e’s are in this sentence?”
Like commas, the best guide is to have a real reason for adding an apostrophe. A quick look at a dictionary or grammar book can always clarify the rule and answer questions.
See you next time the breeze is cool, the sun is up, and the waves roll into view! My next entry is coming soon. ‘Til then, hang ten!
“The shark’s passage” means one shark has the right of way and is moving through the water.
“The sharks’ passage” means more than one shark is involved.
Either way, it‘s a good time to sit out a wave or two.
Apostrophes are also used to form contractions. An apostrophe goes where the missing letter would have been. For informal writing, using contractions seems a bit less stilted, more casual. I do not, however, recommend using contractions for formal, academic essays. It’s OK, though, to use contractions in other writing.
There is often confusion about using an apostrophe when writing years. If I want to write about the 1800s and the 1900s, I don’t need to use an apostrophe; but if I did, I’d be consistent about it. Writers often do place an apostrophe in years.
Unlike the breakable rule for writing years, an apostrophe is correct when referring to words as words – “she had too many the’s in her sentence” - or when naming letters of the alphabet – “how many e’s are in this sentence?”
Like commas, the best guide is to have a real reason for adding an apostrophe. A quick look at a dictionary or grammar book can always clarify the rule and answer questions.
See you next time the breeze is cool, the sun is up, and the waves roll into view! My next entry is coming soon. ‘Til then, hang ten!
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Dangling or Misplaced Modifiers
Some mistakes can be a bit funny. Dangling modifiers in particular can invoke some weird, odd, or strange images. Making the reader laugh is most likely not the usual goal of a writer whose assignment is a formal essay on a serious topic, so recognizing a dangling or misplaced modifier might help avoid unintentional humor.
When words that modify (describe) other words are placed far from the words modified or when what or who they modify is not clear, offbeat images may come to mind.
If I say “Walking along the beach, the clouds cooled the air,” the reader might find it hard to imagine clouds with legs and feet engaged in walking along the beach or anywhere else.
If I rephrase the sentence to “As I was walking along the beach, the clouds cooled the air” the reader doesn’t have to try to picture clouds walking. I have used the description -Walking along the beach - to modify the pronoun - I.
It is best to place all modifiers - adverbs, adjectives, phrases or clauses - as close to what they modify as possible in order to avoid both confusion and unwanted, curiously awry images.
Were those clouds going barefoot or wearing flip flops or sandals?
See you next time the breeze is cool, the sun is up, and the waves roll into view! My next entry is coming soon. ‘Til then, hang ten!
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