More about Checklist Item Number 5 and How to Work

Think of this as coaching on how to meet this requirement. If you need for me to talk with you about this, just ask.

5

With most written work for professors (or bosses), if asked, you must be able to state exactly where (a specific page) in the source that each fact came from—whether you wrote the words or the author did.

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. Do make sure to build double checking into your habits. 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. Caution: You cannot just assert that a fact is true. You must have evidence—a specific place in the source—beyond your own feelings or memory. Regardless of the requirements of your professor or your boss, you should always know where you found the facts that you say are true. It is the only safe way to think—and pass the course or keep your job. · That the facts that are in the author’s words are unchanged between the opening quotation mark (“) and the closing one (”) For some people, touching the fact in the source and in your list of what you plan to cover helps them. This visual might help. If you decide to do the alternative assignment which does require citations, I will provide instructions for you.

Copyright C. J. Bibus, Ed.D. 2003-2013

WCJC Department:	History – Dr. Bibus
Contact Information:	281.239.1577 or bibusc@wcjc.edu
Last Updated:	2013
WCJC Home:	http://www.wcjc.edu/