Problems: Your students will tend to
- rely on superficial internet sources
- use research to reinforce pre-conceived ideas rather than for inquiry/learning
- plagiarize and have problems with paraphrasing
- have problems synthesizing quotes with their own prose
- display an uncanny resistance to understanding formal citation methods
Solutions:
1. Teach them how to do research: Do not assume they know how, because they don't. Demonstrate for them how to use the library catalog and websites/articles/databases by subject.
2. Limit types of sources: Either outlaw specific types of sources (websites, newspaper articles, internet sources) or require specific types of sources (books, scholarly articles)
3. Use Inquiry-based pre-writing assignments: (will cover in detail later)
- have them brainstorm arguments supporting 2-4 different stances on
their issue, develop these further with group work.
- have them develop general and specific questions for research, develop
these further with group work.
- have them practice both self-announcing and unfolding structure
4. Teach Plagiarism: Teach about, and provide examples of, the various forms of plagiarism.
- require them to turn in photocopies of sources used in the paper
5. Practice summarizing/paraphrasing: With an article you have all read from your text, have them practice summarizing and paraphrasing and share samples in class.
6. Annotated Bibliography: Assign an annotated bibliography to be completed 1-2 weeks before the paper is due.
7. Teach how to incorporate quotes into prose: Teach and demonstrate this rule of thumb: 1-3 sentences to set up and introduce the quote. A phrase attributing the quote and the quote itself. 1-3 sentences expanding on quote and showing how it supports that particular argument. Show samples from your own, or others work. Have them practice writing out a single paragraph with quotes in class and share samples.
8. Teach MLA Format, provide reference material: Teach them the basics of MLA format, and steer them toward reference texts. A good one is the MLA tutorial on the Bedford St. Martin's website http://dianahacker.com/resdoc/ and click on the humanities discipline link. Require annotated bibliography, due before the paper is due.
Download an RTF version of Working with Sources in English 102