USING QUOTATIONS AND PARAPHRASES EFFECTIVELY How to Write Good Well

Introduce Your Quotes and Paraphrases A quotation should not drop in from nowhere. Lead in---introduce the author, give credentials, name the source, and/or introduce the topic (TAG= title, author, genre) the first time you use the source. When you use the source again, lead in with the topic. (You do not need to re-introduce the source.) Poor example: Heroes need to be brave. “The mind I sway by and the heart I bear / Shall never sag with doubt nor shake with fear” (Macbeth I, v, 9-10). Better example: Valor is a quality of most heroes. The tragic hero Macbeth, in Shakespeare’s drama, for all his faults, was fearless even as he faced certain death. As the armies of Malcolm and Macduff surround his castle, he declares “The mind I sway... ” (Macbeth I, v, 9-10).

Non Fiction Quotations Poor example: Heroes should care about the suffering in our world. “’It’s not fair for (these) children to live in the prison because they haven’t done anything wrong,’ said Basnet” (Toner). Better example: Heroes should care about the suffering in our world. In “Pulling Children Out of Nepal’s Prisons,” CNN reporter Kathleen Toner highlights the work of Pushpa Basnet, an activist helping children who live in prison with incarcerated parents. Basnet has aided hundreds of children to get out of prison. She believes “[that] It’s not fair for these children to live in the prison because they haven’t done anything wrong” (Toner).

Introducing quotes, continued Naming the source is not a complete and satisfactory introduction to a quote. Poor example: A good quote from “Pulling children out of Nepal’s prisons” is when it says, “My mission is to make sure no child grows up behind prison walls” (Toner). Better example: (Include the topic idea in the lead for the quote) Pushpa Basnet exemplifies the determination of a hero when she declares “my mission is to make sure no child grows up behind prison walls” (Toner).

Discuss Your Quotes and Paraphrases The purpose of the quote or paraphrase is to support or illustrate your point (topic idea). All quotes/paraphrases must support the topic of the paragraph. Paragraphs must support the thesis idea. Quotes/paraphrases do not substitute for your own ideas. Quotes/paraphrases are not effective in isolation. Write a sentence to follow the quote which further develops the topic idea presented on the last slide.

Proper Documentation A standard citation is the author’s last name followed by a page number. (Toner 2) For poetry and dramas, line numbers, section numbers, and/ or act, scene and line numbers are included. Always introduce the source the first time you use it. Always include all sources in the Works Cited. Always document all sources, even if you have paraphrased the material (including interviews). Always use MLA format. Sample Works Cited entry Toner, Kathleen. “Pulling Children From Nepal’s Prisons.” CNN.com. 6 July Oct 2012

GETTING STARTED How to Write Good Well

Begin with the body of your paper. Follow your outline. Draft the background section of your paper first (even before your introduction). Remember your audience. The purpose of the background is to convince your audience that your subject is important and to give the reader important foundational information. The first paper deadline includes the following:  Introduction with thesis statement  Scholarly research portion of the paper (about 2/3 of the total length of paper)  Works Cited page  The second paper deadline will include your field research (time spent volunteering or job shadowing) and personal interviews. This is the final, completed version of your paper.  The deadline is November 2, It is a “rough” draft only because more will be added later. It must be well-written, grammatically correct, and documented.

WRITING AN EFFECTIVE INTRODUCTION How to Write Good Well

Introduction Begin with a time or space generalization—make it an attention-grabber. End with a thesis statement. Write from general to more specific ideas, ending with the “narrow” (specific) subject + opinion of the thesis. Write the introduction last---after developing the body and conclusion of the paper. Edit the working thesis statement before writing the rest of the introduction.

WRITING WITH PURPOSE AND STYLE How to Write Good Well

Everything’s a Persuasion Begin with a “hook” by targeting the interest of the audience with a connection (attention-getter). Build support with persuasive techniques—logic, emotion, and credibility. Arrange supporting paragraphs so that the strongest support is last, and the second strongest is first. Conclude with a call to action---ask the audience to do something---even if the something is to accept your strong opinion, develop a keener interest in your subject, or change their minds about your topic. For essays on literary topics, the conclusion should expand the thesis idea to a universal truth (theme).

Research Paper FAQs Do not include a title page with the paper. Begin with the standard heading on page 1. Center the title. Use the header with your last name and page number at the top right, starting with page 2. Double space the entire paper, including the Works Cited. Document all sources---even interviews Research papers must have a Works Cited page! Every source mentioned in the paper must also appear in the Works Cited. Example: Jones, Sharon. Personal Interview. 10 Nov