Quoting and Sources

1. Introduction: Citing sources in a paper is a very important thing to do. It acknowledges previous reporters, it proves creditability, and shows trustworthiness. It allows the reader to go out and find it for themselves; it provides evidence. It is an obligation to every writer to sight sources out of fairness and generosity. There are two types of sources, primary and secondary. A primary source is one that doesn’t discuss or analyze the subject. The writer needs to interpret and demonstrate its significance themselves. A secondary source is one that does discuss the subject, and has prior assumptions and claims. A secondary source can be accepted or challenged.

2. 1.1: There are three basic principles of integrating sources into a paper. The first principle explains that sources should not be overly used in a paper. The voice of the writer is more important than the voices of the sources, and sometimes a paper can get crowded when overused. A writer should summarize the information and convey it in his or her own words. Paraphrasing is also important. The second principle is always making sure the reader is aware when the writer is speaking or when the writer is drawing from a source. The third principle is always making it clear to the readers how each source relates to the writers argument.

3. 1.2: There are general principles for quoting material as well. The writer should only directly quote a source if it is extremely vivid or striking. Quotes should be inserted strategically, smoothly, and thoughtfully into a paper. The reader should be casually led into a quote; the announcing word is the most important. Quotes should be kept short, but it is important for the writer to not be lazy when quoting.

4. 1.3: If a quote is longer than 5 lines, it should be indented as a block. Quotation blocks do not need to be in quotations, it is already suggested by the indentation that it is a quote. When using quotation blocks, the reader should be aware who and why the person is speaking and being quoted. Like any quotation, the sentences and words leading up to it are very important. After the block quotation it is important to reflect and remind the readers why it was chosen.

5. 1.4: Footnotes or endnotes are a good tool to use when the writer wants to tell the reader additional information. Footnotes or endnotes can be used to, direct the reader to other sources, and explain more the meaning of or reason for choosing words or phrases.

6. 2.1: A writer should cite a source when using factual information, when quoting a source precisely, and when paraphrasing or summarizing other peoples words, ideas, opinions, or conclusions.

7. 2.2: A writer should not cite a source if it has already been cited earlier in the paragraph, when writing about “common knowledge”, every day speech, or information that has risen out of conversation with a friend or classmate.

8. 2.3: Sequential notes are one method used to cite sources. A number is inserted into a sentence wherever a source is being cited; this directs the reader to the footnotes and keeps them in number order. In-text citing is when a writer includes the author and page number of the cited material directly in the paper. Coding is the last method used to cite sources, and is when the writer uses symbols or markers to identify each source.

9. 2.4: If the writer drew any beneficial influence form a source not listed in the references, it should still be acknowledged. These sources are typically less formal, and can be acknowledged in a footnote or endnote of acknowledgement. An example is a conversation with a friend or family member.

10. 3.1: Plagiarism is when a writer uses another sources words and concepts and neglects to recognize that source. Plagiarism is untruthful, unfair, and ungenerous. It is stealing someone else’s work, and then lying about it. It is frowned upon, but it happens all the time.

11. 3.2: Misinterpreting evidence is another way of misusing sources. Time constraints are the main reasons why people fabricate evidence so it fits their interpretation. Improper collaboration is when two or more students submit identical work because of an assignment where they were allowed to work together. Overlapping submission is when a student submits an assignment to one class, then uses it again for another class.

12. 3.3: Online sources can be potentially risky. There is so much information out there, that it is so easy to just copy and paste information. It is important for the writer to pay attention to, analyze, and take good notes from each online document carefully. Untrustworthy material should not be used ever. If there is even a doubt that it is unreliable, the writer should not use it.
13. 3.4: The consequences for academic dishonesty are strict, brutal, and permanent.

14. 3.5: There are many ways to avoid high risk situations. Procrastination is definitely something a writer should avoid. Secondary sources should rarely be used, and advice from a professor should always be used. The writer should distinguish his or her words from the outside sources used. Actively taking notes is the best way to record reactions, hunches, and questions. It is important for a writer to write at a level he or she is comfortable with, trying to sound more sophisticated can sometimes ruin a paper. Borrowing of any kind without citing is extremely frowned upon.

15. 4.1: When citing an artwork or illustration it is important to include the artist, title, and date. If a source has two authors, the writer must use all the authors’ names each time the source is cited.

16. 4.2: Endnotes or references should be listed on separate pages. An entire footnote should fit all on one page. All lists should be titled.

Annie Dillard Discussion Questions

1. I do not have any pre-writing rituals. The only thing I make sure is that I am in a quiet place by myself. I cannot concentrate when there are people around me. I also like to read my stuff out loud but I do not like people to listen. If I am sick, my writing suffers. If I am healthy, my writing is good. If I am uninterested in the topic, my writing is boring. If I am sad, my writing is sad. However my mind and body are feeling that day is going to show up in my writing.
2. I enjoy writing about topics I pick myself. That does not happen very often when I am writing assignments for classes. I consider not being able to write freely a bearing wall set up by my professors. When I do write, I rewrite all the time. Sometimes it takes me an hour just to write an intro. I write my papers in stages, coming up with new material each stage. I think bearing walls are created by both me and by society (professors). I reread and edit my papers so they are just right, to prevent criticism of my professors.

3. I never use metaphors in my writing. That does not mean I do not think they are a useful tool, I enjoyed Dillard’s use of them. She is good at what she does, so her metaphors work. If I tried to use metaphors, they would not make sense.

4. I enjoy reading writing that is mysticism, but I am better at writing more concrete stuff.

5. I agree that Dillard’s thick prose, mystical descriptions, and constant use of metaphors is very interesting. I think that is why she does it; she knows how to entertain her audience. That is something that I hope to get good at. I want to be able to grow in my writing, to be able to recognize different discourse communities and write up to each of their standards.

Real World Gramatical Errors

I believe that the grammatical errors made in the real world advertisements were intentional. Advertisements need to catch the reader’s eyes. If an ad is boring, readers will just turn the page. Most of the advertisements were short, so the explanations had to be direct and to the point. A lot of the sentences were not complete and things were listed in bulleted form. The ads were written to match a specific discourse community. If the ads were intended for a formal and proper discourse community, then the writer would have written complete and perfect sentences. For example, the Jack and Coke ad is cool, mellow, and traditional. It proves to the reader that Jack Daniels is genuine. It speaks exactly the language it is supposed to for the discourse community it is after; it is persuasive. The Marie Callender’s ad is more formal. The sentences are longer, and more descriptive. The reason the writer did this was to introduce the history of Marie Callender. The information in the ad is more believable, and it tugs at a different emotion while reading it.

Practice Sentences

1. The flooding was worst at the point where New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania meet.

2. Because he loved to read, to write, and to edit, Mr. Diamond was considering a career in library work, marketing, or publishing.

3. Salinger’s first novel, The Catcher in the Rye, captures the language and thoughts of teenagers.

4. He has only one ambition, to produce a Broadway musical.

5. If you blow out all your candles, your wish will come true.

6. The district managers represent four regions: Terry Smith, Rochester, NY; Chris Adler, Superior, WI; Kim Young, Chimayo, NM; and Pat Golden, Tallahassee, FL.

7. The weather report predicted high winds, freezing rain, and snow; the highway patrol advised caution when driving, yet the storm blew out to sea.

8. My boss, who wears bright colors, is a cheerful person.

9. He hires people who are energetic, efficient, and polite.

10. When asked what she wanted to be later in life she replied, “An Olympic swimmer.”

11. The governor issued this statement, “I have done nothing wrong; the IRS will find that my tax returns are all in order.”

12. Scientists spotted large numbers of dolphins, nurse and great white sharks, and blue, gray, and humpback whales near the offshore station.

13. She loves her car, a red Toyota.

14. If you drop by the doctor’s office without an appointment you can be sure of one thing, an icy reception.

15. His dog, a big Labrador retriever, is afraid of mice.

16. His recent painting, which is hanging in our local restaurant, shows dogs in various disguises.

17. His recent painting that is hanging in our local restaurant shows dogs in various disguises.