Key Terms
Topic
The subject of the writing Angle: the specific claim or perspective on that subject Sufficiency: whether there is enough
WEAK
"College students have experiences." STRONGER: "College students over 30 have different work experiences that benefit th
Default in US academic writing
Near the start of the essay.
Sufficiency
Is there ENOUGH detail to support the topic? Relatedness: Is the detail RELEVANT to the focus?
Primary source
Firsthand accounts or original documents; a research study, a historical letter, interview transcripts, original data.
Secondary source
Analysis, interpretation, or evaluation of primary sources; a scholarly essay about a research study, a biography, a new
Popular sources
Written for general audiences; may lack rigorous fact- checking. Scholarly sources: written by experts; peer-reviewed; f
Quoting
Use the author's exact words; put them in quotation marks; cite the page number or relevant info in parentheses.
Summarizing
Condense the source's main points into a shorter overview in your own words; still requires a citation.
Paraphrasing
Restate a specific passage in your own words; still requires a citation; if any original phrasing remains, it goes in qu
M - Main Idea
The point this paragraph makes
E - Evidence
The quote, paraphrase, or summary that supports it
L - Lead out / Link
Transition to the next idea; connect back to the thesis
They Say
Acknowledge what others argue ("X argues that...")
I Say
Add your perspective and response