Discusion

1. Entering the Conversation English 101 September 22, 2008
2. To succeed with Paper #2, understand… How to introduce what others are saying How to summarize what others are saying How to quote (and cite) what others are saying How to respond to what others are saying How to signal the differences between what you are saying and what others are saying
3. Surprise! All of the items on that listare in chapters 1 through 5 of They Say/I Say However… You are also responsible for knowing how to use parenthetical citations and how to create a proper works cited list. See Maimon, A Writer’s Resource or another such handbook.
4. Entering the Conversation When we say “entering the conversation,” we mean that when you are responding to a text you must put it in context and interact with it asyou make your point(s). A REPORT simply restates what has been said. An ANALYSIS shows that you can break things apart and show how they fit together as a whole. A “conversation” requires both report and analysis but also your own assertions (the ARGUMENT).
5. Structuring the Conversation Provide context for your claim. Present your claim. Support your claim, which includes (but is not limitedto): Summarizing, framing, clarifying, pointing out flaws in, and amending “their” claims Remember to always keep what “they say” in view. Wrap it up.
6. “ They Say” – Context for Your Own Claim Common sense dictates that _____. Explain, then make your own claim I’ve always believed that ________. Explain, then make your own claim. Although not stated directly, A appears to believe _________.Explain, then make your own claim.
7. The Art of Summarizing C oncise A ccurate B rief I ndependent N eutral
8. The Art of Summarizing (cont’d) Understand what you are summarizing. Avoid LIST SUMMARIES. Use signal verbs. argue, assert, believe, claim, etc. acknowledge, agree, endorse, support, etc. complain, contend, question, refute, etc. demand, encourage, implore, urge, etc.
9. Citing a SummaryWhen you are summarizing a text, you still have to cite the page numbers you are summarizing, if you are summarizing only part of the text. Smilansky discusses gossips and terrorists to make a point about the contradictions inherent in moral complaints (92-93). Smilansky, Saul. “The Paradox of Moral Complaint.” 10 Moral Paradoxes . Malden, MA: Blackwell, 2007. 90-99. Print.
10. ParentheticalReferences Parenthetical references should point the user directly to the citation at the end. (Author Last Name Page #) -> (Smith 25) There should be an entry in the works cited for Smith’s text. However, if the author is already stated, the reference looks different: According to John Smith, we are “doomed” (51).
11. Parenthetical References The reference always appears at the end of the sentence inwhich the quotation or paraphrasing is located. The period goes after the parenthesis. There is no page number used for parenthetical references of web sites.
12. Works Cited ALWAYS refer to a handbook or a legitimate web site before creating your works cited page(s). All references in your text should match up with a citation in the works cited list. Entries are arranged alphabetically by theauthor's last name, or by the title of the work if there is no author Indent entries that break across lines. Entries are double-spaced
13. The Art of Quoting Write the arguments of others into your own text…literally. Provides credibility to your own argument Ensures your argument is fair and accurate Quotations act as evidence BE WARY! Do not quote too little quote too much
14. Quoting is Morethan Putting Words in Quotation Marks Quote relevant passages—but only quote what you need Frame every quotation; avoid “hit and run” quotations Use the QUOTATION SANDWICH Introduction Quotation Explanation
15. The Quotation Sandwich According to Smilansky , “a person cannot complain when others treat him or her in ways similar to those in which the complainer freely treats others” (91). In...