The Craft of Research Summaries
1. The Craft of Research stresses the importance of writing for an audience. It says that a writer must anticipate their reader’s arguments with their writing topic. As well as inviting a reader into the “conversation,” addressing readers’ arguments also gives the writer credibility because it shows that their writing topic is sound and that they have thought all aspects of it through.
2. The Craft of Research identified three different types of sources and how to use them. They are primary sources, secondary sources, and tertiary sources. A primary source is a pure source such as a book or “map” that provides information about a writing topic. This should not be confused with a secondary source which is an article or other writing by another author who supports or disagrees with the same or similar subject you are writing about. The tertiary source is an overview of a topic or secondary source. Both secondary sources and tertiary sources can help a writer come up with ideas: by looking at others’ arguments in secondary sources or getting a general idea about a topic in a tertiary source. Yet, the book says that Primary sources are the real evidence that supports a writer’s argument and must be used as much as possible.
3. The Craft of Research also defines the make-up of a successful argument. They assert that it should contain a “claim,” that is supported by “reasons,” that are backed-up by “evidence.” The “claim” is a thesis in which a writer supplies “reasons” for supporting. Further, The Craft of Research also says that the “evidence” is most effective if it comes from primary sources.
3 Ways The Craft of Research can help my writing:
1. I have addressed my audience's arguments in past papers. I wouldn't say that I have done it in every paper but I have been assigned to write a commentary and used that technique then. I think reading about this aspect of writing in such detail will make me much more aware of it in my future papers.
2. I never realized the difference between sources. I think I may have over used secondary sources in past papers. If I found an expert arguing something similar to myself, I would use them as back-up for my own argument. Now I will take the time to review their sources so I can round out my argument better.
3. I think that I usually write with a claim, reasons, and evidence. It is something that just gets drilled in, however subtly, when you are an English major. I think, however, that my writing will become better if I become conscious of this design. I will have an easier time staying on track. My recent paper, the academic critique, was suffering from such organization that I eventually fixed because of peer review. I could have save myself a lot of revisions, however, if I had been conscious of the "claim/reason/evidence" model.
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Apostrophe Practice Questions
1. Sons'-in-law homes
2. Arkansas' rivers
3. Jim and Joans' house
4. Ph.D.s' research
5. Mcgraw Hill, Inc's advertising
6. Fred the electrician’s estimate
7. Anyone else's idea
8. Witnesses' depositions
9. The airport's upper level
10. My friend's daughter
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1. The tree surgeon couldn't save the white spruce's limb.
2. The user's manual for the new software package was so confusing that most consumers returned it to the company.
3. Window's intuitive commands make it easy for users to move from one application to another.
4. I will be in Hawaii on Mother's Day, in New Mexico on April Fool's Day, and in California on Veterans’ Day.
5. Grover Cleveland was the peoples' choice.
6. Each participant filled out the Reader's Comment Form.
7. He has his bachelor's degree; now he plans to get his master's and possibly his doctorate.
8. The National Secretaries' Conference will be held in Houston this year.
9. For appearance’s sake, the feuding vice presidents kept their differences to themselves during the monthly staff meeting.
10. It's my brother's in law idea to have the family reunion at a spa.
11. We have been invited to a holiday party at the Roth's.
12. The telephone company's president’s idea was to offer discount rates to seniors.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Summaries of "Integrating Sources"
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.
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.
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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