INCORPORATING QUOTES IN WRITING Avoiding the “bam effect” in essays

What does the Bam Effect look like? Socrates’ “method” of teaching encompasses his greatest contribution to philosophy. He gave people the tools of reason to reach “truths” on their own. Eventually Socrates was sentenced to death for his method. “The most subversive people are those who ask questions. Giving answers is not nearly as threatening. Any one question can be more explosive than a thousand answers” (Gaarder). Plato, one of Socrates’ students, went on to become a great philosopher.

What does the Bam Effect look like? Socrates’ “method” of teaching encompasses his greatest contribution to philosophy. He gave people the tools of reason to reach “truths” on their own. Eventually Socrates was sentenced to death for his method. “The most subversive people are those who ask questions. Giving answers is not nearly as threatening. Any one question can be more explosive than a thousand answers” (Gaarder). Plato, one of Socrates’ students, was deeply troubled by Socrates’ execution and went on to write several books about him.

How do we avoid the Bam Effect?  Context! Introductory Phrases! And Interpretation/explanation! Otherwise known as the “quote sandwich”

Now, let’s fix this. Context First.  Socrates’ “method” of teaching encompasses his greatest contribution to philosophy. He gave people the tools of reason to reach “truths” on their own. Eventually Socrates was sentenced to death for his method. In Jostein Gaarder’s novel, Sophie’s World, a young girl named Sophie receives philosophical lessons from a mysterious philosopher. In those lessons, Sophie learns about Socrates’ method and subsequent death. The philosopher explains that “the most subversive people are those who ask questions. Giving answers is not nearly as threatening. Any one question can be more explosive than a thousand answers” (Gaarder).

You Try!  In partners, pick a quote you plan to use in your essay that needs some context.  Contextualize the quote, keeping the prompt (describe the origins of philosophy) in mind.  I will randomly select two people to share the context that they created under the doc cam. (please write as legibly as possible)

Now, let’s interpret/explain!  The goal here is to connect the evidence back to your claim and therefore the prompt. (If your claim doesn’t answer the prompt that’s a whole other issue) Non-example: ■ Prompt: Describe the origins of the democratic process in the United States. ■ Claim: The democratic process in the United States can not function until there is legislation in place that will prevent large corporations from buying their way in to governmental proceedings.  There would be no good way to interpret this evidence because the claim isn’t related!

Interpretation/explanation  “the most subversive people are those who ask questions. Giving answers is not nearly as threatening. Any one question can be more explosive than a thousand answers” (Gaarder). Subversive and explode usually have negative connotations Questions promote thinking Gaarder presents Socrates in a really nice light though Trying to express the power in questions promoting critical thinking. So powerful that Socrates lost his life.

Interpretation in Sentences  By describing the power of questions with words such as “subversive” and “explosive,” Gaarder suggests the there are people who find the critical thinking that questions promote dangerously threatening. Unfortunately this threat led to Socrates’ death, but his questions left a legacy of questioners that continued to promote philosophical thought throughout history.

You Try!  With your partner, pick out some of the keywords and phrases  Analyze (think through) what these keywords are saying about the prompt in list form.  Turn your list into sentences.  I will randomly call upon two people to put their analysis under the doc cam. (write as legibly as possible)

All of it together  Socrates’ “method” of teaching encompasses his greatest contribution to philosophy. He gave people the tools of reason to reach “truths” on their own. Eventually Socrates was sentenced to death for his method. In Jostein Gaarder’s novel, Sophie’s World, a young girl named Sophie receives philosophical lessons from a mysterious philosopher. In those lessons, Sophie learns about Socrates’ method and subsequent death. The philosopher explains that “the most subversive people are those who ask questions. Giving answers is not nearly as threatening. Any one question can be more explosive than a thousand answers” (Gaarder). By describing the power of questions with words such as “subversive” and “explosive,” Gaarder suggests the there are people who find the critical thinking that questions promote dangerously threatening. Unfortunately this threat led to Socrates’ death, but his questions left a legacy of questioners that continued to promote philosophical thought throughout history. Plato, one of Socrates’ students, went on to become a great philosopher.