Question about the Paper
Professor Fishman,
In the meeting yesterday, you mentioned that our thoughts and points need to be grounded in the text we're writing about. How specific do we need to get with our references to the text? Do we have to include specific page numbers and quotes or just general ideas?
Thanks,
Brad
In the meeting yesterday, you mentioned that our thoughts and points need to be grounded in the text we're writing about. How specific do we need to get with our references to the text? Do we have to include specific page numbers and quotes or just general ideas?
Thanks,
Brad
posted by Anonymous at 4:53 PM
1 Comments:
Dear Brad,
Good question, and thanks for asking it here.
The answer is that you can make some references to general scenes and actions, but most of them should have page references or refer to specific quotes, dialogue, descriptions etc. Don't feel like you have to cite everything you talk about, but using specifics will make your arguments stronger. Here are some examples:
Ruth is hardly a more sympathetic character than "Rabbit" although like him, she had a less than ideal past. (All general, and ok as a "set-up" for specifics that will follow)In chapter X, we learn that Y and Z (those would be your specifics that would relate to the point you're making). When she says, "insert quote here" the reader can't help but feel sympathy for her (page #). In that example you go from general to specific, and from telling to showing. I hope that helps.
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