Paraphrasing & Beginning Writing

3 Criteria for Good Paraphrasing Has the same meaning as the original Different enough to be considered your own writing!! Refers directly to (or cites) the original source

Paraphrasing Techniques Tell a Friend Method Read the article focusing on meaning Without looking at the article pretend you are telling someone about what you read. Check with original to make sure your meaning is still the same

Paraphrasing Techniques Chunk Method Read the article several times Divide the article into several chunks Explain each sections in your own words Combine these parts into sentences Be sure to consider how the parts are related as you connect them TIP: Print copies of the articles and write in the margin what each paragraph is talking about as you read – it will also help increase your comprehension

Beginning Writing Set paper for Times New Roman Font, size 12 Set page margins to 1” Create Running Heading (Purple Book p. 3) Create separate file to keep references as you use them in your paper

Introduction The introduction and conclusion are the two areas where you can be really creative so use the space (about ½ page) to really start and end with a *BANG* 1. Hook: start with something very general that will get the reader (me) interested in your paper. You don’t know if I’ll read your paper first or last, and by the end you want to be really interesting or I’m not going to care as much about your paper.

2. Narrow the topic from your general hook into something slightly more specific to your thesis. Think of this as a stepping sentence between the awesome hook and your detailed thesis. 3. End with your thesis statement (refer back to yesterday’s PPT if you need help writing or revising your thesis).

Background/Definition Paragraph One of the tricks to good academic writing is controlling the definitions of the paper. Use one short paragraph after the introduction to give a little background information or to control the definition of a key concept you will be using. Example: Homosexuals Serving in the Armed Forces Define that serving means in active military duty, with soldiers of both genders, and a variety of responsibilities from grunt to officer. Or explain the history of the debate to show why your argument is relevant.

Including Evidence When writing paragraphs that support your key points you must include evidence. The best way to include evidence is: 1. Write a sentence or two introducing the evidence. 2. Write the evidence (paraphrase or direct quote – only 2 direct quotes in entire paper and no more than 5 lines long) 3. Write 2-3 sentences explaining the evidence and how it relates to your thesis This way each piece of evidence will be at least a full paragraph and about ½ a page long and will always be connected to your thesis, creating a stronger paper.

HOMEWORK Find 4 sources to print and bring into class next week to read and paraphrase *Please buy a printing card and print in the library – it costs money but it will save you a lot of trouble in the long run. Complete 2 of the bundle sheets on the two articles you found last night Complete 2 pages for undergraduate 3 pages for graduate