English 11 _ 3-3-2025

Class Structure and Workshop Day

• Thursday’s Class Overview

  • Class will be optional and serve as a workshop time for students.

  • The instructor will be available for:

    • Reviewing papers.

    • Answering questions or discussing issues.

  • Attendance is optional; students can choose whether to utilize this time.

  • Purpose: Enhance paper quality through feedback and revision work.

Peer Editing Process

• Students have submitted their papers and received two peer papers for review.

• Due date for peer reviews: Tonight.

• Important Note: Grades will be based on the quality of peer editing rather than the rough draft submission.

• Word Count for Peer Reviews:

  • There is no specific word count; focus should be on following the rubric with specific and substantive responses.

Assignment Deadlines

• Instructor suggests not extending deadlines due to upcoming spring break.

• Current assignments are due Saturday.

• Encouragement for early submission for additional revision time during spring break.

MLA Requirements and Citations

• Introduction to MLA Citations

  • Acknowledged as a crucial yet often boring subject.

  • Importance of understanding how knowledge systems are organized within the university setting, including the necessity of intellectual property protection.

  • Recognition of the evolving nature of citation formats, including updates for new forms of media like Zoom meetings and podcasts.

Attribution and Intellectual Property

• Understanding what needs attribution:

  • Direct Quotes: Must be cited accurately.

  • Paraphrased Information: Use quotation marks if borrowing unique phrases or formulations.

• Common Knowledge:

  • Information widely accepted within a field may not need citation (e.g., historical facts).

  • Students encouraged to verify whether information qualifies as common knowledge.

Building Credibility

• Use sources to:

  • Strengthen arguments by drawing from established experts.

  • Meet audience expectations, especially within specialized fields.

  • Offer a safeguard against information that may shift over time.

Attributive Tags

• Definition: Introduces quotations and provides context about the quoted source's authority.

• Examples emphasize the need for clarity and specificity to avoid vague references.

  • Use credible sources and avoid cliches (e.g., "some people say").

• Key elements of an attributive tag:

  • Include who the source is, when information was given, and why their perspective is crucial.

Importance of Word Choice

• Every word in a paper carries significance and nuances.

• The importance of varied language in attributive tags to convey the right tone and implication (e.g., "warned" vs. "agreed").

Quoting vs. Paraphrasing

• Quote material sparingly; use direct quotes when framing or phrasing is significant.

• For summarized or paraphrased material, always cite unique or noteworthy phrasing.

Paper Structure: Introductions

• Introductions should connect ideas as if introducing two friends.

• Establish context, connect important details, and frame the thesis or main argument clearly in the introduction.