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.

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