1) Book reports that ID the the author’s thesis and summarize, but make no argument. Your argument cannot be “the author makes argument X.”
To fix it, create a clear thesis placed at the end of your into paragraph stating “the author effectively did _____, but was less successful in ______.”
2) analysis of selected evidence is missing.
To fix: Try reverse outlining. Locate all their evidence and their thesis statement, and plug it into the sample outline format below. Regardless of what you have in your first draft, explain how the evidence you selected supports your thesis in a sentence or two. Fill it back into your draft. Then it’s just a matter of making it fit.
Sample Outline:
I. Body paragraph: Main topic & how it connects to thesis (successful/unsuccessful)
a. Evidence 1: quote/paraphrase (with citation)
i. analyze quote: what part is relevant? how does it show the author’s argument?
****Note: analysis should take up several sentences, because it is the most important part of your argument. At least 2-3 sentences of analysis per quote
b. Evidence 2: quote/paraphrase (with citation)
i. analyze quote: what part is relevant? how does it show the author’s argument?
c. Bridge sentence: sum up your argument in this paragraph, and transition into the next one
3) massive quotes.
To fix: rule of thumb is 2 lines of text on the page. If you need more, they need to paraphrase and cite that. This one is easy to find and to correct.
4) Evidence without citations:
To fix: Anytime there is a quote, cite it. Anytime you paraphrase something, cite it. If you are trying to claim something is accurate to real life, cite the lecture or reading where you learned the fact. You can cite lectures like this: (Downs, week 6 lecture).
Only source that needs to be used is the actual book, other sources can be used but the book is a must
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