English Coursework

For essay 3, the creative research paper, you can try to move beyond the typical academic paper structure, with introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion, to try to present in a more engaging way, as in Atlantic Magazine’s “The Overprotected Kid”  (next item in this module). Take a few minutes to read through this article (at least section 1), and below, write about the characteristics of this type of writing and how it might differ from the essays you’ve done so far for this class:
The type of writing of the article is unique as it applies prose and persuasive form of writing. The essence is to draw the attention of the reader and as well as make the article captivating. The writing also applies the use of short sentences all to make reading less boring. For the case of the article “The Overprotected Kid” the author is choosy on the words and does that deliberately to push the message at the back of the readers’ mind. The focus of the article in as far as it addresses social issues, it also covers pertinent issues about technology and the contemporary world as a whole . The author must be one exceptional mind that is all round . The article is not left behind on the political factors though on a lighter note.
 
 
 
Source review: Consider sources for your draft of essay #3 (will need 3 library sources, 1 other written source, and 3 pieces of field work from 2 of the following categories: interview, observation, and participation). Below, list sources or possible sources with your commentary.

 How do you feel about your sources? Do they provide the kinds of information you are looking for, and are they credible sources? Write below: 
I feel the sources chosen for the former essay are up to date and address the topic hybrid cars succinctly. The information captured from the sources are worth the assignment as the sources are self- satisfactory. The authors of the sources are one exceptional minds that believe in research and as such came up with precise information concerning the topic. 
The choice of the sources was ripe for the assignment despite the time of their publication. I may say that the authors of the article were in some way projecting about the future. They wrote information about hybrid cars that in the normal setting one would not imagine beyond. The writers must be great minds that had put in their resources into research to the extent that they visited areas of manufacturing and technology centers all to come up with correct and clear information concerning the topic. What a nice experience reading through their pieces? I applaud the authors wholly for their masterpieces.
Field Work: To conduct an interview, you must find subjects, do preliminary homework, prepare thoroughly, conduct the interview, and write up the interview. Keep in mind that your field work must include an observation or participation. An observation could be a public location, office environment, etc. Participation means doing something yourself. In a case, like euthanasia, where it is difficult to do an observation or participation, you could do research and write a story to try to imagine being in a circumstance. The observation, participation, or story must be planned with the same care and thoroughness as an interview.
 
Professor Fischer was kind enough to share selections from some of his student papers. Read through the sample papers and write here about what these samples have in common and how they differ (see next items in the module, “Student Samples.” What are diverse ways students have incorporated their interviews and other field work into their essays? What ideas does this give you about how you will write your paper? Write below: 
 
 
Thesis: In the article, “The Overprotected Kid,” what would you say is the thesis statement? How about the topic sentences? Are these implied? Write about this below:                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Identify your thesis statement for essay 3, which will be stated or implied. Your thesis statement will be a work in progress which I would expect to be revised as you work out your ideas. It should be a statement of opinion that answers the “so what?” question about your paper, and which makes a specific and somewhat surprising (not extremely obvious) assertion. It’s helpful to have a good thesis statement to direct your focus as you develop your paper. The thesis should be substantive. Rather than saying, “it is important to know the history of x topic to better understand the issue” or “this paper will show the history of x and analyze the issue y,” begin to actually show us that history and your understanding of the issue. The introduction is already part of your paper and should begin the work of setting forth your argument.
 
 
  Organizing the material: Below, compose a provisional outline as you plan out your draft. Think about how you want to organize your argument, including defending your main idea, possibly refuting an opposing view, and perhaps presenting a middle ground between views. If you favor one side of an issue, you can still acknowledge that opposing views should be considered and may have some validity. Think strategically about how you will order your materials for emphasis, such as putting your strongest points last. You will also want to limit the scope of your material so that you can treat it in sufficient detail in 6-8 pages. Rather than just covering the extensive material that you find, you need to select and explain it in a way that will make sense and be persuasive to your reader. Write your outline or list below: 
 
 
Incorporating sources: Students often have trouble incorporating sources as evidence into their essays. First, you need to make sure that you understand what the source is saying accurately so that you are using the evidence appropriately. Second, you need to consider how you are making use of this evidence. Is it backing up your point? Are you building upon what the author said by agreeing with it, or are you disagreeing with the author’s opinion in order to strengthen your own? As with any aspect of writing, you should incorporate sources only when it makes sense to do so (the author is saying something that will help you make your argument), not just to fill a requirement.
 
As stated the textbook FCTA,
            one leads into a quotation by giving
[optionally] the name of the author and (no less important)
clues signaling the content of the quotation and the purpose it serves in the present essay. (4th ed. 244)
Avoid “orphan quotations” which are inserted into the paper on their own and without being attached to your sentence. Also follow up the quotation and end a paragraph in your own words. In other words, your quote sandwich should have a quote in the middle, and your own words as bread on either side. Work on fixing the quotes in your draft and ask me if you’re not sure.