1 / 17

Steps to the Magnum Opus

Steps to the Magnum Opus. A.K.A. El Diablo. CHOOSE A TOPIC Interesting Manageable --Time --Resources Worthwhile Narrow. Cautions in Topic Choice. Too trivial Too subjective Too controversial Too familiar Too technical Too new. Preliminary Step. Write a research question.

laquinta-liz
Download Presentation

Steps to the Magnum Opus

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. Steps to the Magnum Opus A.K.A. El Diablo

  2. CHOOSE A TOPICInterestingManageable--Time--ResourcesWorthwhileNarrow

  3. Cautions in Topic Choice • Too trivial • Too subjective • Too controversial • Too familiar • Too technical • Too new

  4. Preliminary Step Write a research question. Read background information. Refine the question.

  5. Working Bibliography • Use the card catalog. • Use magazines and newspapers. • --Oplin • --Infohio • --Newspaper Indexes • (www.newsworks.com) • Interviews • Electronic (Internet)

  6. Electronic Sources cont’d • ---Use key words or phrases. • ---Try several variations of the word or phrase. • ---Use a directory like AltaVista or HotBot. • ---Use a metasearch engine: • www.dogpile.com • www.google.com • www.inference.com/ifind/ • www.isleuth.com • www.metacrawler.com (Use a minimum of three search engines.)

  7. Create a Working Outline • Controversy • Background • Point of Persuasion • Point of Persuasion. • Point of Persuasion • Refutation

  8. Take Notes(The biggest task) THE NOTECARD • Use a heading (slug). • Use one side. • Use ink • Identify source • Include page numbers • Limit information on the card.

  9. Take Notes: Warnings • Avoid taking too many from one or two sources. • Use relevant, timely sources. • Take notes only on what corresponds to the working outline or its revision. • Revise the working outline as needed

  10. VI. Sort Notecards and Create Final Outline Thesis statement • Avoid using a question • Avoid using statements beginning: “The purpose of this essay is. • Avoid using multiple main clauses. • Avoid using a statement of the topic.

  11. Final Outline Organization • Introduction • Background • Establishment of controversy • Refutation: before or after points • Points: place best argument last place second best first

  12. Final Outline: Structure • Divide into equal parts for balance. • Avoid illogical use of subheadings. • Avoid subdivisions if there is only one sentence. • Use parallel structure within a level. • Use conventional outline form: • Roman numerals arranged so periods align • Capital letters with periods at second level • Arabic numbers with periods at third level • First words capitalized at each level • Topic outline, NOT SENTENCE

  13. Draft • Hints: • Use temporary documentation. • Save all notecards even if you do • not use them. • Enclose direct quotes in quotation marks. • Document : quotes, others’ ideas, others’ opinions, facts. WHEN IN DOUBT, DOCUMENT. • Write focusing on content. • Try to write in one sitting.

  14. Revision Try to set the draft aside for at least a day. Answer the following questions as you review your essay: • Do I do what the thesis says? • Do I have all the required elements: introduction,background, • establishment of controversy, support, refutation, conclusion. • Are all the paragraphs well-written: • Topic sentence related to thesis • Sufficient supporting details related to topic sentence • Unity within paragraph • Transitional words, phrases • Accurate word choice with tone where appropriate • Variety of sentences in length and structure

  15. ? “” , ; : . Pro-ant, pro, SF, RO Editing • Check the following mechanical and usage errors: • Are the sentences sound: no run-ons, sentence fragments comma splices? • Are the commas, semicolons, colons, quotation marks, and apostrophes used correctly? • Are there any pronoun errors, pronoun-antecedent errors, parallel structure errors, diction errors? • Are there any documentation errors? • Is the Works Cited page alphabetical, double spaced, titled. • Does the Works contain all items cited and only items cited? • Are all internal documentations correct in form? • Are all necessary items documented?

  16. Publication • Be sure that the essay is in MLA format. • Appropriate margins, numbers, title. • Works page and outline page in correct format. • Cover page as specified in class. • Double check all requirements. • Follow turn in procedure. • Complete the final draft a day early to obviate potential disaster.

  17. IT IS DONE! YOU CAN RELAX!

More Related