Papers
Frequent and thoughtful participation
in class discussions should enhance your ability to express yourself informally
in speech. But Freshman Studies also demands that you work on improving
your formal writing skills. Four short papers are thus required in the
course. These include: two 3-5 page essays, a longer 5-7 page paper, and
a thorough remake of one of these three . All should
present a clear, comparative point based
upon works assigned in class. Due dates are marked on the class
calendar.
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The first should juxtapose the Beak
of the Finch with the assigned journal article or The Structure
of Scientific Revolutions to show what makes an inquiry "scientific".
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The second should analyze two differing
interpretations of A Room of One's Own
to determine which seems the more
plausible.
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The third, long paper should compare
English and Ibo approaches to marriage
or family in Pride and Prejudice
and Things Fall Apart.
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The fourth should be a fully reconstructed
version of any one of the other papers.
You need to determine the point of the comparison before
creating each paper, not in the course of writing it. For the body of these
papers must take the form of an argument supporting the point
made. Obviously you cannot construct a good argument without knowing the
point to be argued. So you need to decide beforehand what you plan to assert.
Begin your search for a point to argue by reflecting on the question asked
about the works involved. Think of several, different ways you might answer
it. Then consider which of these answers seems most plausible or defensible.
Next draft a brief paragraph that succinctly states your preferred answer.
Finally distill this paragraph down to a single, declarative sentence that
expresses the point of the paper. Use this sentence as the basis of your
opening remarks in the paper. Refer to it, too, when crafting a title for
the essay: your title should state or evoke the precise point to be made--not
a broad topic. As a check, ask yourself if someone else could figure
out the point of the essay from the title alone.
Structure is another key element you need to consider
before writing your paper, because complex ideas need to be presented in
a clear, step-like sequence to be easily understood. So take time
to make a paragraph outline of the paper before you get deeply involved
in it. Usually the first paragraph introduces the over-all point to be
made, the intermediate paragraphs convey an argument supporting that point,
and a final paragraph draws some conclusion about it (note how essential
a clear point is to all three parts). Sketch out a list of the main
stages of the argument you plan to make as a basis for the middle portion
of this paragraph outline. Be careful to specify the exact claims
you intend to assert at each step of the way: precise statements
(unlike such generalities as "first point") easily translate into "topic"
sentences that will define and structure the intermediate paragraphs.
Good arguments need more than coherent logic: they must
rest on solid evidence. Make certain, therefore, that you back up each
stage of your argument with evidence, either in the form of textual passages
or quotes from recognized authorities. Special rules, explained in standard
style manuals, govern how you quote and cite such material. But, because
different disciplines have endorsed differing sets of rules, one kind cannot
serve for all, and you will ultimately have to abide by whatever
your major or field of work requires. The Modern Language Association (MLA)
and University of Chicago systems prevail in the Humanities, as do
the American Psychology Association (APA) rules in many social sciences
and the guidelines of the Biology Council of Editors in several natural
sciences. The Miami University of Ohio web site "Style
Manuals and Citation Guides" provides links to pages on all these standard
systems. Choose and use one set consistently. If in doubt, follow the guidelines
provided on the "MLA Style " web site
or in William Strunk's classic book, The Elements of
Style.
It goes without saying that spelling, punctuation, and
grammar need to be correct in these papers. Computer aids to check these
details provide a very useful first step, but you need to have some one
knowledgeable go over every paper to spot awkward as well as incorrect
usage. Tutors at the Lawrence
Writing Lab (ext. 6767) excel at this task, and I urge you to work
with one of them on a regular basis. Two have been assigned to our
section: Sarah Godek and Sandra Gresl, either of whom will be happy to
hear from you. The Lab also provides handouts on various aspects of writing
that will help you improve your writing, whatever your level of skill.
So find out what it offers and take advantage of its services
revised: January 24, 2000
Franklin.M.Doeringer@lawrence.edu
Freshman Studies