Notes After Grading the First Essay--More to Come

Except for the research essay, students can expect all future essays to be written in class. These will need to be written in blue or black ink and legible. You also have an option of bringing a laptop to class, composing on the laptop and emailing the paper to me when finished. I will make some allowances for the fact that you are facing a timed writing.

 A brief lesson on PLAGIARISM:

Plagiarism is more than simply copying verbatim; it is taking the ideas someone else has written, using them in one's own paper, with FAILURE to provide an internal citation, which indicates the full reference listed on the Works Cited Page.

Example:
 "The author says that Faith is “aptly named,” an ironic statement since she, later in the evening, is being received into the assembly of devil-worshippers as a new convert to the evil group."  ~ from 123helpme 
Used in a student's paper the quote became: "  . . . there is irony in the name of the character Faith. In the beginning she is described as a woman who is pure and youthful, with a name to match. Then later in the story she is seen at the altar worshiping the Devil."

Example:

"Irony is an important technique that writers often use to engage a reader's attention and often to help develop deeper levels of meaning in a text.  . . . when using irony a writer depends upon some form of 'shared understanding' between him or herself and the reader. For the irony to 'work' both writer and reader need to recognise that what is written is not quite what is meant . . . " ~ englishbiz.co.uk
Used in a student's paper the quote became: "Irony depends upon a 'shared understanding' between the reader and writer. Writers use irony to give subtle evidence that a deeper meaning is intended."

These two examples came from two different papers.

NOTE:  A serious problem with plagiarism is that even ONE confirmed instance of plagiarism (whether intentional or not)  throws doubt on all work submitted by the student.   PLAGIARISM IS NOT WORTH THE RISK. 
Refer to your syllabus for the penalty.
When you have to do a literary research paper, you will be expected to find relevant sources; in the meantime you should be the person analyzing, explaining, and making connections, NOT relying on paper mills or incomplete references. Notes taken in class, with what you should already know, along with the text should provide all that is necessary to write the first two essays.

ADDITIONAL NOTES:


1. NEVER write about something you do NOT fully understand. It is much better to take a topic that you understand and can analyze and fully support through specific detail from the text rather than take a topic and try to "bull****" your way through.
2. READ the stories about which you attempt to write. DO NOT rely on references about the story--particularly POOR references & think to "create" an adequate essay from them rather than spend time reading, analyzing, THINKING and writing.
3.  Make sure  you get the facts correct when you discuss and analyze the story. You have the book; you can take notes; you can refer to them. I have no sympathy for anyone who writes blatantly erroneous sentences like:
Mrs. Hopewell was blessed with three daughters, Joy, Glynese, and Carramae.