Time to Draft

What should I include in my introduction?

Hook or attention getter Necessary background information on your topic-don’t tell me everything in the intro about your topic Clear thesis statement that will guide your reader through the paper.

What should I not do in my introduction?

Start with a dull question such as, “Have you ever wondered what influences American culture?” (Acceptable ideas: anecdote, interesting fact, statistic, quote). Draw me in to your paper. Make me want to read it. Don’t use first person “I” any where in your paper. Don’t say things such as “In this paper, I’m going to tell you about... “ or “I’m going to prove... “ or “This paper is about...”

What should you accomplish with your introduction?

When I read your introduction, I should know two things: Where do you stand on your issue? What main ideas are you going to discuss in the paper?

What to do after the introduction? Use your thesis to guide your body paragraphs. What should I include in a body paragraph?

Topic Sentence (main idea of your paragraph) Supporting evidence integrated with your own words (in text citation in proper MLA format). Just as you have done for every essay you’ve written this year. REMEMBER: QUOTES SHOULD NEVER STAND ALONE. (DO NOT DUMP QUOTES). Commentary, analysis, explanation linking your evidence to your idea. Do NOT say “This quote means....” or “This quote shows...” (The word quote should not be in your paper.) Just say what you want to say without starting the commentary in this way.

So, what is the counterclaim and its purpose? The counterclaim is when you show the reader that you’ve thought about a different point of view other than your own, and you use that point of view to strengthen your argument by refuting the other point of view. Show why your perspective is better. This makes your argument more valid. Some good transitions into this: On the other hand, To the contrary, conversely, instead, likewise, on the contrary, rather, yet, but, however, still, nevertheless, in contrast.

Purpose of the conclusion? Reiterate your main points one final time. Leave your reader with a final thought about your topic. One idea is to do full circle writing where you go back to your introduction or title and tie the beginning of your paper to the end to leave a sense of full closure.

How do I know what to cite, where to cite and how to cite in the body of my paper?

What to cite : You must use a minimum of 4 database articles or books or a combination of the two. After you have your four that are required, you can add additional sources of various types, but they still should be credible and reliable:.gov,.org,.edu, and interviews are examples of credible, acceptable sources. What you should NOT use: Yahoo, Google,.com, Wikipedia, social media, or movies because even if the movie is based on a true event, it’s still fiction and acting. If you have a legitimate reason for wanting to use something other than what I’ve listed, you should ask during conferencing next week or me to ask if it’s ok.

Where to cite: At the end of the sentence where you have quoted or paraphrased information. You should never cite in the middle of a sentence. Things to note: ANYTHING ON YOUR WORKS CITED MUST BE USED IN THE PAPER! ANYTHING USED IN THE PAPER MUST BE ON YOUR WORKS CITED!

How to cite: If it’s a book, you always use the author’s last name and the page number. (Stevenson 87). If it’s a database, you only use the author’s last name. (Williams). *If you have multiple items from authors with same last name or from the same author, you must distinguish between them. If you don’t have an author’s last name, you use enough of the title in quotation marks in parentheses that I can match it to your Works Cited. (“Obesity and Fast Food”). *Use JCCC handbook on my web page or Owl Purdue Writing Lab website for MLA guidance.

What is a successful paper? One that is submitted on time and logically proves your thesis using research as support of YOUR IDEAS while meeting the basic requirements. Basics: 4 pages, 6 in-text citations, and using a minimum of 4 sources-print or databases. Can you have more? YES. Should you have more? Probably.

Final reminders: *Stay in third person throughout the entire paper. *Stay in literary present. *Read it aloud. *Check for a minimum of 6 supporting citations-not just 6 random quotes you selected from your sources to meet the requirement. *Use spellcheck and fix the errors that show up. *Revise after conferencing with me. (Leaving it as is will be a bigger deduction because it’s a waste of time for both of us. ) *ASK questions of anything you don’t know or understand. *Make sure you are registered for Turnitin.com and know your login/password BEFORE JANUARY 31. I have access to s, but not passwords. This is part of the submission.

SUBMISSIONS: All papers must have a Works Cited page in order to be graded. DUE DATE: *Friday, January 31- Bonus point day or Monday, February 3 for full credit. Whichever day you choose, you must submit to Turnitin.com by 11:59 for your paper to be counted as submitted on time for that day. *If you prefer, you may have your paper hand graded by also submitting a final draft in your manila envelope and writing “Hand grade” on the outside of the envelope. You should also include: grade sheet, notes, rough draft and any printed sources in your manila envelope. *If you prefer online grading, you should submit: grade sheet, notes, rough draft and any printed sources in your manila envelope. Questions: me