Feedback on Article Assignment

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Feedback on Article Assignment

• ELI 100(3)
• Fall 2001
• Tyler Hawkins

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Feedback on Article Assignment

• This presentation is available on the course Web
  site

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Outline Tips - Format

• Put a blank line in between your header and the
  title
• Example
• ELI 100(3)
• Aki Ross
• 10/11/01
• Using eBay to Become Fabulously Wealthy

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Outline Tips - Format

• Combine all three parts, with a heading for each
  section. Example
• Outline
• I. Introduction
• A. Background of Osama bin-Laden
• Summary
• In this article, the author gives a detailed
  explanation of the
• Critique
• After reading this article, I decided that I
  wanted to research more...

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Outline Tips - Format

• Put a MLA citation (see handout for format) for
  your article at the top of the paper
• Example
• Hawkins, Tyler. How to Get Rich Selling on
  eBay." Time June 18, 2000 38-48.

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Outline Tips

• Typically, outline information is organized
• from general to specific
• from abstract to concrete
• Your outline DOES NOT have to follow the same
  order as the article

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Outline Tips

• Use Roman numerals (I, II, III) for main sections
  capital letters (A, B, C) for subtopics
• Use numbers (1, 2, 3) and small letters (a,b,c)
  to give details

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Outline Tips

• Use the outline structure to break down the
  information and show a hierarchy
• This structure might not be EXPLICTLY stated in
  your article

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Outline Tips

• Using outline format will show me that you
  understand what you read
• You shouldnt have an outline item with several
  sentences in it
• In your outline, if you have A - you need B

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Outline Tips

• This is good information, but needs to be
  reorganized
• Example
• A. Osama bin Laden, who became a militant
  Islamic leader was one of the many religious
  fundamentalist extremist recruited, armed and
  financed by the CIA to drive Russians out of
  Afghanistan.

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Outline Tips

• This format shows that 1,2 3 are supporting
  details
• A. Osama bin Laden
• 1. Became a militant Islamic leader 2. Is a
  religious fundamentalist extremist
• 3. Was recruited, armed and financed by the
  CIA to drive Russians out of Afghanistan.

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Outline Tips

• If you are going to list something - its OK to
  use just a few words for a heading (see example)
• However, use full sentences for the details
• This shows me you that you understand what you
  read

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Outline Tips

• Example
• B. Main causes of cancer
• 1. Family history is the main factor
• 2. Lifestyle is also an important factor
• Note Some outlines require periods after
  sentences, some dont. For this assignment, you
  dont need them

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Plagiarism

• What is plagiarism?
• What does this definition mean?

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Plagiarism

• Do not just copy entire sentences directly from
  your article
• Its very obvious - I know the level of your
  writing

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Plagiarism

• VERY IMPORTANT The details in your outline and
  summary should be in your own words.
• If you just copy the article, I dont know that
  you understood it

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Plagiarism

• One thing that you CAN do is emulate (imitate)
  the style of good writers
• If you see a phrase or expression that you really
  like, its OK to try to use it in your own
  writing

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Plagiarism

• However, there is a fine line between using
  expressions or short phrases and plagiarism
• When in doubt, put it into your own words

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Plagiarism

• Using a few words or a special term is OK.
• Examples of special terms or useful phrases
• greenhouse effect
• nuclear transfer
• reign of terror
• On the one hand. However, on the other hand.
• senseless attack
• appropriate military response

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Plagiarism

• Examples
• OK
• The author mentions that Osama bin-Laden is a
  fundamental extremist.
• Not OK
• The author mentions that Osama bin-Laden is a
  fundamental extremist who was trained and
  financed by the CIA.

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Plagiarism

• If you want to use the exact words of the author,
  use quotation marks and put the page number.
• Example
• A. Reasons for Attack
• 1. Osama bin-Laden wants to destroy the
  corrupt American government (p. 183).

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Plagiarism

• If you plagiarize your article in your final
  draft, it will negatively affect your grade
• We will discuss plagiarism more during the
  research paper project

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Outline Tips

• Make sure your phrases give enough information to
  the reader. Example
• I. U.S. Plans for Attacking Afghanistan
• A. Bomb
• B. Soldier
• A and B do not give enough information

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Outline Tips

• Try this instead
• I. U.S. Plans for Attacking Afghanistan
• A. Constant air strikes
• B. Attacks by Special Forces troops
• These give the reader enough information

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Outline Tips

• For your outline subtopics (A, B, C) - instead of
  asking questions, phrase it as a sentence. It
  sounds more academic that way (see example)

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Outline Tips

• Example
• A. How will the U.S. respond to the 9/11 attack?
• Change this to
• A. Possible U.S. Responses to the 9/11 Attack

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Summary Tips

• When you tell your friend about a movie (e.g.,
  Titanic) you give the main ideas - not too many
  details or examples
• You dont need to tell your friend EVERY detail
  for them to understand the main point of the
  story

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Summary Tips

• Example (to a friend)
• Titanic is basically a love story that takes
  place on a luxury ship in the 1910s, which runs
  into an iceberg. There is a three-way love
  triangle between the characters played by
  Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Winslet and Billy Zane.
  In the end, Leos character saves the life of
  Kates character, but dies in the process. THE
  END

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Summary Tips

• In a summary
• Less is MORE.
• This means that writing a lot in a summary is not
  always a good thing

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Summary Tips

• Make sure you are giving only the main points
  that the reader needs to know
• Dont give a lot of examples or details - just
  what his needed
• Summarize the story in your own words

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Summary Tips

• Example (too many details for a summary)
• The writer describes several ways that consumers
  can help to protect the environment. For
  example, recycling newspapers, cans, plastic
  bottles, and glass can reduce the amount of trash
  in landfills. Also, the author recommends using
  smart technologies, such as energy-efficient
  appliances and fuel-efficient automobiles to
  reduce the amount of pollutants in the atmosphere.

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Summary Tips

• Example (just enough details for a summary)
• The writer mentions that recycling and the use of
  smart technologies (e.g., fuel-efficient cars)
  can have a beneficial impact on the environment.
• Note e.g. (for example) is used to efficiently
  provide a needed detail

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Critique Tips

• Your critique is a chance to show that you
  understand what the author is saying
• Use your analytical skills to uncover the
  authors meaning - it isnt always obvious

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Critique Tips

• If you disagree with the author, give your
  reasons
• Refer to specific parts of the story that you
  disagree with

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Critique Tips

• If you liked the article, why?
• Overall, what did you gain from reading this
  article?

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Critique Tips

• Mention a quote that particularly impressed you
• State its significance

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Final Thoughts

• As always, have a competent writer of English
  proofread your paper
• The Writing Workshop in Kuykendahl Hall is a good
  resource (make an appointment early)

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The End!