Essay Writing Some remarks on the first assignment

The purpose of the first assignment To show that you are able to analyze short passages of primary sources, place them in the context of the course readings and lectures in order to answer a particular question. To show that you are able to analyze short passages of primary sources, place them in the context of the course readings and lectures in order to answer a particular question. It is not sufficient to simply repeat what Wiseman has to say and then vaguely refer to the passages. It is not sufficient to simply repeat what Wiseman has to say and then vaguely refer to the passages. The purpose of the exercise was also not for you to simply regurgitate what I have said in lectures The purpose of the exercise was also not for you to simply regurgitate what I have said in lectures Wiseman and the lectures provide you with the tools to analyze and evaluate the primary passages in detail. Wiseman and the lectures provide you with the tools to analyze and evaluate the primary passages in detail.

Quotations and Citations Direct quotations should only be used if you want to make a particularly strong point which you cannot make in your own words. Direct quotations should only be used if you want to make a particularly strong point which you cannot make in your own words. Generally use them sparingly and paraphrase instead Generally use them sparingly and paraphrase instead Do not use quotations to the required essay page number – that is not how it works Do not use quotations to the required essay page number – that is not how it works Number of pages/total word count for an essay DOES NOT INCLUDE QUOTATIONS Number of pages/total word count for an essay DOES NOT INCLUDE QUOTATIONS If a quotation is longer than one or two lines, it must be indented and single-spaced If a quotation is longer than one or two lines, it must be indented and single-spaced A quotation must be quoted exactly as the original (you may shorten it by excluding words/sentences, but this must be indicated by ……) A quotation must be quoted exactly as the original (you may shorten it by excluding words/sentences, but this must be indicated by ……) Quotations also need to have citations Quotations also need to have citations

Why we need citations For any information, conclusions, arguments that you include in your paper and that are not YOUR OWN you must cite your sources. If you fail to do this you are actually plagiarizing For any information, conclusions, arguments that you include in your paper and that are not YOUR OWN you must cite your sources. If you fail to do this you are actually plagiarizing Whenever you present an argument it must be an informed one and you must document the sources on which you base your argument. If your argument is not documented by yours sources, then it is nothing more than opinion. Your reader must be able to review your sources in order to evaluate whether your argument is a valid one. Whenever you present an argument it must be an informed one and you must document the sources on which you base your argument. If your argument is not documented by yours sources, then it is nothing more than opinion. Your reader must be able to review your sources in order to evaluate whether your argument is a valid one.

In-text citations and footnotes In-text citations may be used if only one or two different sources are being used. More will clutter up the text. In-text citations may be used if only one or two different sources are being used. More will clutter up the text. An in text-citation is written in brackets at the end of a sentence. The period follows the brackets. An in text-citation is written in brackets at the end of a sentence. The period follows the brackets. In-text citation: The Etruscan art of augury became part of Roman cult practices (Wiseman, p. 15). In-text citation: The Etruscan art of augury became part of Roman cult practices (Wiseman, p. 15). Footnote: The Etruscan art of augury became part of Roman cult practices. 1 Footnote: The Etruscan art of augury became part of Roman cult practices. 1 Note: the footnote number (subscript) follows the period Note: the footnote number (subscript) follows the period

Appropriate Language Your word choice has to suit your audience and purpose Your word choice has to suit your audience and purpose Informal versus formal language Informal versus formal language An academic essay requires a more formal choice of language An academic essay requires a more formal choice of language Avoid colloquial language (language of casual conversation and informal writing) Avoid colloquial language (language of casual conversation and informal writing) Contractions should also not be used in a formal academic essay: Contractions should also not be used in a formal academic essay: It is not - instead of it isn’t It is not - instead of it isn’t Cannot - instead of can’t, etc., Cannot - instead of can’t, etc.,

Plurals and possessives Commonly confused in undergraduate essays Commonly confused in undergraduate essays Plural of Roman = Romans (no apostrophe) Plural of Roman = Romans (no apostrophe) The possessive case communicates ownership The possessive case communicates ownership There are two ways of indicating possession: There are two ways of indicating possession: 1. with an apostrophe: a Roman’s daily routine. 1. with an apostrophe: a Roman’s daily routine. Or 2. by a phrase that begins with of: the daily routine of a Roman. Or 2. by a phrase that begins with of: the daily routine of a Roman.

General rule of using Apostrophe Add –’s to nouns not ending in –s: He took the soldier’s sword. Add –’s to nouns not ending in –s: He took the soldier’s sword. Add –’s to singular nouns ending in –s: She added the princes’s gold coins. Add –’s to singular nouns ending in –s: She added the princes’s gold coins. Add only an apostrophe to plural nouns ending in –s: The Romans’ greed for land was unlimited. Add only an apostrophe to plural nouns ending in –s: The Romans’ greed for land was unlimited. NEVER DO THIS: 1. The Roman’s adopted and adapted many Greek myths. NEVER DO THIS: 1. The Roman’s adopted and adapted many Greek myths. 2. Odysseus’ made his way back to Ithaka. 2. Odysseus’ made his way back to Ithaka.

Common mistakes It’s - instead of its. It’s - instead of its. It’s is a contraction for it is. It’s is a contraction for it is. Its is already a possessive pronoun of it, just as hers and his are possessive pronouns of he and she. Its is already a possessive pronoun of it, just as hers and his are possessive pronouns of he and she. Never add a apostrophe at the end of a verb Never add a apostrophe at the end of a verb