Final Exam Review Terms

Although the final exam may include any concept we covered this quarter, I intend to focus on the following:

I: Sentence level issues

            A. Commas

                        1. Separating items in a series

                        2. With coordinating conjunctions to form compound sentences

                        3. After introductory elements

                        4. With nonrestrictive elements

                        5. Comma splices

                        6. Fused sentences (run-ons)           

           

            B. Semicolons

                        1. To join independent clauses

                        2. To separate a series of items already containing commas

            C. Apostrophes

                        1. To indicate possession

                        2. With conjunctions

            D. Using punctuation with quotation marks

                        1. Placement of periods, commas, and question marks

                        2. Using ellipses to indicate omissions

                        3. Using square brackets to indicate changes

            E. Manuscript format           

            F.  Title format

                        1. Italics, underlining, quotation marks, capitalization

    

II. Paragraph and essay level issues

            A. Specific and concrete language

                        1. Avoiding generalizations and clichés

            B. Paragraph focus

                        1. Topic sentences

                        2. Supporting examples and development

                                    a. Sensory details, analogies, facts, statistics, testimony, metaphors

            C. Essay focus and argument

                        1. Thesis/claim

                        2. Evidence/support

                        3. Counterarguments

                        4. Types of appeals: logical, ethical, emotional

                    

Citing Indirect Sources

Citing Indirect Sources

A few people have asked how to deal with a situation where you want to use an idea or quotation that your source quotes from a second source.  This points to one of the main reasons we cite sources in the first place: so researchers like you can consult a works cited page and use that information to track down the original source.  Occasionally, however, this is not possible.  In one of these cases, use the MLA guidelines for citing what is called an indirect source.  Our handbook does not address this, but Purdue University's Online Writing Lab (a very useful website) provides the following guidelines:

Citing Indirect Sources

Sometimes you may have to use an indirect source. An indirect source is a source cited in another source. For such indirect quotations, use "qtd. in" to indicate the source you actually consulted. For example:

 

Ravitch argues that high schools are pressured to act as "social service centers, and they don't do that well" (qtd. in Weisman 259).

 

Note that, in most cases, a responsible researcher will attempt to find the original source, rather than citing an indirect source.

Final Essay Instructions

You've already done a significant amount of work on this assignment, but just to ensure that everyone knows what the final product should look like, here are the formal instructions:

Start with a topic that you genuinely want to know more about.  Once you've identified an area of interest, conduct enough research to make yourself something of an expert.  Using your new expertise, write a 1500-2000 word academic essay that:

1. Contains an original, arguable thesis.  Your essay should add something new to the discussion of your topic rather than simply summarize existing research.
2. Supports claims with examples from credible sources.
3. Uses a suitably professional tone.
4. Cites sources according to MLA guidelines.
5. Builds on the effective writing strategies already discussed in the course: specific examples, paragraph focus, essay focus, format/punctuation/mechanics, strong ethical appeal, thesis/support, etc.

This essay is due at the time of the final exam.  In addition to your final draft, you should submit all earlier drafts, outlines, brainstorming, research notes, etc.

For Thusday

Please write a short paragraph that accomplishes the following:

• Explains what your general topic and subtopic is. (Subtopic should be suitably specific.)
• Explains exactly what you want to find out about your subtopic.
• Explains why answering your question will contribute to our understanding of the topic.  (Remember this assignment is more than an informative report; your goal is to provide some new, original analysis.)

Here is a sample paragraph based on the condom article we looked at in class:

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is facing an epidemic of children as young as ten becoming pregnant or infected with sexually transmitted diseases.  Responses from city health organizations and the school district have generated significant controversy.  In my essay, I plan to understand the nature of this controversy and discover the key areas where conflict exists.  Understanding the key points of disagreement will help us to make the best decisions for our children's health.

Please contact me if you have any problems or questions.

Bottled Water Article

We may use this article in a future class.  You aren't formally assigned to read it yet, but feel free.

Essay Two Assignment

For this assignment, each member of the class will write an essay based on the same hypothetical situation. Please imagine the following scenario:

You work for a corporation that owns several amusement parks. Last week, you were sent to Ferretland--a ferret-themed amusement park in Zanesville, Ohio, which has been losing money for years. The purpose of your visit was to inspect the park and decide whether it should remain open. Zanesville residents are against closing the park because it has been a Zanesville landmark for over 85 years, and because the closing would cost the city over one hundred jobs. You interviewed dozens of employees and local residents and found many of their stories very moving. Upon completing the inspection, however, you determine that the park is riddled with problems that will make it next to impossible to keep open. These problems include: 1) the buildings and grounds are very old and in need of costly repairs, 2) the rides have been poorly maintained and their operators are not very well-trained, 3) the ferret theme does not generate enough interest to draw people to the park.

Your assignment is to write your report to your bosses, detailing a specific course of action. The bosses expect you make a final decision on the fate of the park, and provide reasons to support this decision. You will need to invent the details you use to support your conclusion.

Remember to use the skills we've discussed in the class so far: strive to write clear sentences, and well-developed paragraphs that provide focused support for the essay's thesis. Your essay should also demonstrate awareness of your rhetorical situation: your language, tone, and examples should be appropriate for your purpose and audience. You may choose to acknowledge and refute any counterarguments.

Length should be between 800 and 1000 words. Although a real business report would not be formatted according to MLA guidelines, please use MLA for this assignment.

This essay's due date will be announced. Have fun!

Meeting Times for 2/2

Hey, guys.  I think I can provide better feedback on your papers if we have one-on-one conferences tomorrow.  With that in mind, please come to class at the following times:

Kathryn and Chanel: 1:10 (normal time)
Abby and Amber: 1:55

Thanks.  See you tomorrow.