1. THE BATMAN ESSAY

2. WHAT DID I SEE?  I saw a lot of things that need to be improved in your writing.  Although your thoughts and ideas were pretty good, some of you still need some practice in analyzing (Link).  There are also many fundamental issues in writing that need to be learned, or re-learned.

3. CONTRACTIONS  In a formal essay or research paper you should not use contractions. Instead of don’t, can’t, won’t, he’ll, wouldn’t, they’re… say do not, cannot, will not, he will, would not, they are. You know what I AM saying, DO YOU NOT?

4. TRANSITIONS  In order to have a great paper, you need great transitions. A great transition makes the paper flow and sound more formal and intelligent.  Great transitions… Initially Furthermore In the same light Similarly Moreover Write another great transition word/phrase of your own

5. CITATIONS  First and foremost, do not be lazy!!! Please use the website I gave you, and identify how to properly cite in the text and in your list of sources at the end of the paper. How do you find the website?  Example I saw in a paper… In the article (Superheroes Rise in Tough Times), “I think comic books and superheroes in particular provided an escapist form of entertainment that allowed the American public to go into a fantasy world where all the ills of the world were righted by these larger- than-life heroes” (Douglas Hyde). What is wrong with this?

6. LIST OF SOURCES  Examples I saw in papers… -Hyde, Douglas. Superheroes Rise In Tough Times: Superman, Batman, Others Born During Great Depression, Early World War II Years. CNN.com. N.d. What’s wrong with this? Hyde, Douglas. Superheroes Rise In Tough Times: Superman, Batman, Others Born During Great Depression, Early World War II Years. CNN.com. N.d. What’s wrong with this?

7. THE LINK  Main Idea: Batman played a significant role in the lives of Americans struggling in the Great Depression.  Evidence: Batman was known for “fighting for righteousness and apprehending the wrong doer” (Finger).  Now you write the link, whether you believe the main idea or not…

8. THE LINK  Main Idea: Bruce Wayne played a significant role in the lives of Americans struggling in the Great Depression.  Evidence: In the story of the Batman it is evident that Bruce Wayne is a very wealthy man, and he uses his wealth in order to become Batman and help those in need.  Now you write the link, whether you believe the main idea or not…

9. PARAPHRASING  Don’t quote EVERYTHING!!  You can use somebody’s ideas and words without directly quoting them, all you have to do is include the in text citation.  Quoting every piece of evidence or example can make you look like you don’t know what you are talking about. Only quote really interesting things that make for the strongest example or piece of evidence.  Now we are going to practice paraphrasing.

10. MAIN CAUSES OF WWII  As you read, identify the best evidence that will help you make the case for each cause of WWII.  Identify which cause was the most influential in starting WWII.  Write your main idea ( ______________ was the most influential cause of WWII).  Finally, pick three pieces of evidence that support your main idea, but DO NOT QUOTE them. Restate each piece of evidence in complete sentences, and IN YOUR OWN WORDS.