Think of this as coaching on how to meet this requirement. If you need for me to talk with you about this, just ask.
If a boss (or professor) asks you for the proof of something that you
said or wrote, you must be able to state: ·
The name of the reliable
source—one that the boss (or professor) considers reliable ·
Exactly where (a specific
page) in that source that each fact
came from (whether you wrote the words or the author did). With bosses (or professors), you cannot just
claim that a specific page provides evidence. If a reasonable person using a
reliable dictionary and reading the entire passage on that page would not
agree that you provided evidence, then neither will your boss (or professor). |
|
If you follow the method
for preparing to write a practical essay to read,
analyze, and create a short list of possible things you will cover, you will have your reminders
for what content you plan to cover and
the page number where you can find that content. For some people, it helps to use another sense (such as touching or
hearing) to help yourself spot your own errors: 1. With citations, by touching. You touch the fact in the source and then in your paper
(or in your list of what you plan to write in your paper). This method
shows how to use another sense (tactile) to help your brain pay attention. 2. With quotations, by touching and saying each syllable distinctly. You not only touch
each letter in the source and in your paper, but also say each syllable
aloud. Increasing numbers of students are making themselves (or the authors
they are quoting) sound illiterate. When you read things aloud, your ear
tells you what your inexperience with language and your eye can’t recognize.
When you are figuring out
the content and planning what you will write, double check to be sure: ·
That
the facts that you write in your own
words are in the source on the page you cite. ·
That
any quotation (“” around the author’s exact words) that you have used meets 2
requirements: ·
That
the facts that are in the author’s
words are unchanged – Do not change
the author’s meaning. Placing quotation marks (“”) around the author’s
words does not give you permission to change things. It increases your
obligation to be accurate. Details about Citations for
Facts That You Write in Your Own Words or Facts in the Author’s Words
(Quotations) Whether a fact in your own words or in the
author’s words (a quotation), there must be a specific place in the source as
evidence, beyond your own feelings or memory. Providing citations is not
enough. In this course, you cannot just assert that
a fact is true by providing a citation. I will compare your quotations with the
source. ·
The
quotation must be accurate according to the 2 requirements above. ·
If I
cannot find the meaning that you say the author had, you will need to show me
where you were reading. I will compare your writing and your
citations with the source: ·
The
citations must be accurate. ·
If I
cannot easily find a fact on the page you cited, you will need to show me
where you were reading. To repeat what is stated in the top of this
webpage, if a reasonable person using a reliable dictionary and reading the
entire passage on that page would not agree that you provided evidence, then
neither will your boss (or professor)—and neither will I. |
Copyright C. J. Bibus, Ed.D. 2003-2019 |
WCJC Department: |
History – Dr.
Bibus |
Contact
Information: |
281.239.1577 or bibusc@wcjc.edu
|
Last Updated: |
2019 |
WCJC Home: |