1. Explains the difference between a primary source and a secondary source. A primary source is one that provides information that the writer must then interpret such as stats. A secondary source is from a scholar or other reputable person that supports your argument. Also explains that citing your sources gives your writing credibility, allows the reader to find your sources, and shows that you appreciate your source.
2. This section discusses appropriate ways: summary, paraphrase, notes, and quotes, to integrate sources into a paper. It also defines the rules of using these techniques.
3. The “Citing Sources” section addresses when or when not to cite your sources and reasons for doing so. The section also provides examples of citations and explains which types of citations are appropriate for specific genres of writing.
4. This section is about the “Misuse of Sources.” It identifies some typical ways that writers misuse their sources; such as intentional and unintentional plagiarism or “misrepresenting” a source’s ideas to better suite the writer’s argument. It also examines the reasons writers may take part in these kinds of misuses, the consequences of doing so, and what to avoid so that the writer can produce original work.
5. “Styles of Documentation” lists the different styles of citing sources, as far as in-text and works cited pages, when writing for certain topics, such as humanities and sciences. It also lists rules for handling different types of sources within those topics, such as magazines, books, and electronic sources.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Souper Salad's em dash
An em dash is an easy thing to misuse. I think it resembles a pause or addition to people who are unaware of it's proper use. Before I knew how to use them, I would use em dashes as a sort of "um" in my paper. I thought I was saying, "I just thought of this, so I'm adding it spontaneously to this sentence."
I think that Souper Salad used an em dash to emphasize that what they are saying is interesting. The line "the first set is also used for defense" is not important to the overall message. But Souper Salad is emphasizing the idea that they are crab specialists, so we better eat at their restaurant.
I think that Souper Salad used an em dash to emphasize that what they are saying is interesting. The line "the first set is also used for defense" is not important to the overall message. But Souper Salad is emphasizing the idea that they are crab specialists, so we better eat at their restaurant.
The Writing Life Discussion Questions
1. When I am stuck, I walk. Walking clears my mind, slows everything down, and gets me breathing again. But to start writing, my ritual is mainly mental. I do not start writing until I am completely obsessed with my subject. When I am writing for a formal purpose, I take in as much information as I can (taking notes as I go) until I can go no where and do nothing without somehow applying it to my writing topic. And when I am writing for myself, I simply wait until something drives me crazy enough that it must come out of me. If I don't wait until I am thinking about my topic constantly, then my writing will have no passion. I must explode to write well.
2. I think bearing walls are mostly social constructions. Whether it be about form or subject, the writer is generally accountable for others' will. A writer may be expected to express themselves in a form that is unsuitable. This can challenge the writer and make them better because of it, but only if the writer can knock down the bearing walls enough to allow some room for themselves. This is also the case when a writing topic has a socially excepted opinion. The writer must find a way to knock down those ideas without alienating their readers.
3. I guess I could say I wind up the bomb (think Wiley coyote with me here) and hope that it explodes at some point before my deadline. I don't use a lot of metaphors in my writing. Dillard's use of imagery and metaphors is beautiful and inspiring. I will work on my own use of descriptive language.
4. I do share her mystical view of writing. I think that you have to have a belief that it, good writing and expression, will come. That you can do it. I may have to research my ideas or become inspired by what I am reading, but the form of expression will just magically pop into my head. The expression can be a spiritual experience.
5. I think Dillard is vague when she writes about writing because she wants to show her audience how to write. Don't tell, show. That is exactly what she does, she shows her inspiration, her inspiration "techniques," and her extraordinary ability to describe.
2. I think bearing walls are mostly social constructions. Whether it be about form or subject, the writer is generally accountable for others' will. A writer may be expected to express themselves in a form that is unsuitable. This can challenge the writer and make them better because of it, but only if the writer can knock down the bearing walls enough to allow some room for themselves. This is also the case when a writing topic has a socially excepted opinion. The writer must find a way to knock down those ideas without alienating their readers.
3. I guess I could say I wind up the bomb (think Wiley coyote with me here) and hope that it explodes at some point before my deadline. I don't use a lot of metaphors in my writing. Dillard's use of imagery and metaphors is beautiful and inspiring. I will work on my own use of descriptive language.
4. I do share her mystical view of writing. I think that you have to have a belief that it, good writing and expression, will come. That you can do it. I may have to research my ideas or become inspired by what I am reading, but the form of expression will just magically pop into my head. The expression can be a spiritual experience.
5. I think Dillard is vague when she writes about writing because she wants to show her audience how to write. Don't tell, show. That is exactly what she does, she shows her inspiration, her inspiration "techniques," and her extraordinary ability to describe.
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Punctuation Practice Questions
1. The flooding was worst at the point where New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania meet.
2. Because he loved to read, to write, and to edit, Mr. Diamond was considering a career in library work, marketing, or publishing.
3. Salinger's first novel, The Catcher in the Rye, captures the language and thoughts of teenagers.
4. He only has one ambition, to produce a Broadway musical.
5. If you blow out all your candles, your wish will come true.
6. The district managers represents four regions: Terry Smith, Rochester, NY; Chris Adler, Superior, WI; Kim Young, Chimayo, NM; and Pat Golden, Tallahassee, FL.
7. The weather report predicted high winds, freezing rain, and show the highway patrol advised caution when driving; yet, the storm blew out to sea.
8. My boss, who wears bright colors, is a cheerful person.
9. He hires people who are energetic, efficient, and polite.
10. When asked what she wanted to be later in life she replied, "An Olympic swimmer."
11. The governor issued this statement, "I have done nothing wrong; the IRS will find that my tax returns are all in order."
12. Scientists spotted large numbers of dolphins nurse, and great white sharks, and blue gray and humpback whales near the offshore station.
13. She loves her car, a red toyota.
14. If you drop by the doctor's office without an appointment; you can be sure of one thing, an icy reception.
15. His dog, a big Labrador retriever, is afraid of mice.
16. His recent painting, which is hanging in our local restaurant, shows dogs in various disguises.
17. His recent painting that is hanging in our local restaurant shows dogs in various disguises.
2. Because he loved to read, to write, and to edit, Mr. Diamond was considering a career in library work, marketing, or publishing.
3. Salinger's first novel, The Catcher in the Rye, captures the language and thoughts of teenagers.
4. He only has one ambition, to produce a Broadway musical.
5. If you blow out all your candles, your wish will come true.
6. The district managers represents four regions: Terry Smith, Rochester, NY; Chris Adler, Superior, WI; Kim Young, Chimayo, NM; and Pat Golden, Tallahassee, FL.
7. The weather report predicted high winds, freezing rain, and show the highway patrol advised caution when driving; yet, the storm blew out to sea.
8. My boss, who wears bright colors, is a cheerful person.
9. He hires people who are energetic, efficient, and polite.
10. When asked what she wanted to be later in life she replied, "An Olympic swimmer."
11. The governor issued this statement, "I have done nothing wrong; the IRS will find that my tax returns are all in order."
12. Scientists spotted large numbers of dolphins nurse, and great white sharks, and blue gray and humpback whales near the offshore station.
13. She loves her car, a red toyota.
14. If you drop by the doctor's office without an appointment; you can be sure of one thing, an icy reception.
15. His dog, a big Labrador retriever, is afraid of mice.
16. His recent painting, which is hanging in our local restaurant, shows dogs in various disguises.
17. His recent painting that is hanging in our local restaurant shows dogs in various disguises.
The "Real" World is Imperfect
I think that most people do not have a good understanding of punctuation. Everyone is a writer. We write for work and for personal reasons; but we do not always create fully formed sentences when we write. I do not use punctuation when I take a phone message or write a grocery list. Most people have forgotten their high school English classes because they don't use the knowledge everyday.
I think this may be why there are so many mistakes in these ads. However, the misused punctuation can still serve a purpose. When readers see "...lettuce, and tomatoes topped with crisp, hot bacon, swiss cheese, and our tangy Ranch..." (ad 3) it makes them linger. The advertiser wants our minds to linger and experience each ingredient or description separately. The reader contemplates each piece and it makes them feel like the sandwhich is getting tastier and they are getting more and more of it.
I think this may be why there are so many mistakes in these ads. However, the misused punctuation can still serve a purpose. When readers see "...lettuce, and tomatoes topped with crisp, hot bacon, swiss cheese, and our tangy Ranch..." (ad 3) it makes them linger. The advertiser wants our minds to linger and experience each ingredient or description separately. The reader contemplates each piece and it makes them feel like the sandwhich is getting tastier and they are getting more and more of it.
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