Grammar & Punctuation
Integrating Sources
Writing Basics
Quoting & Paraphrasing
Citing Web Pages
100
True or false: A dependent clause can be a sentence.
False. It DEPENDS on something else to be a sentence. Dependent clauses are often missing a verb or subject.
100
By now, you know I hate dropping quotes. But what does "dropping a quote" mean, exactly?
Dropping a quote is letting it stand alone as its own sentence, without any attributive or signal phrase.
100
What are the important elements of a thesis? (Three possible answers)
A topic and a claim. Sometimes subpoints, too.
100
What exactly is a paraphrase? And why is it not plagiarizing?
A paraphrase is a passage borrowed from a source and rewritten in your own words. A paraphrase should be true to the original author's idea, but is rewritten in your own words and sentence structure. Since you are using someones else’s ideas and expressing them in your own words, it is very important to give credit to the source of the idea.
100
Instead of memorizing all the stupid citation rules, can you name one resource that will do the work for you?
Noodlebib, Citation Machine, Rules for Writers, etc.
200
When using a parenthetical citation, the final punctuation for the sentence comes:

A) Before the parenthetical
B) After the parenthetical citation
B
200
In terms of quoting, what is an attributive (or signal) phrase?
It's a phrase, clause, or even sentence which leads into a quotation or statistic. These generally include the speaker/author’s name and some justification for using him or her as an expert; it may also help explain why you're providing the quote/statistic.
200
In the passage below, the sentence in italics is an example of what?
In Kenya, it’s obligatory for students to treat teachers with respect. Students have to stand up when the teacher walks into the room and the whole class greeting her/him acapella saying hi and asking how he/she is doing. Students also have rights over teachers, but these rights are usually downplayed.

Although Kenya might have an upper hand with discipline in school, the fact that not everyone attends school is a bigger concern. If parents want their children to go to a good school and succeed in life, they must take them to a private school.
A transition.
200
Make a paraphrase sentence of the following quotation from Homer Simpson:
“How is education supposed to make me feel smarter? Besides, every time I learn something new, it pushes some old stuff out of my brain. Remember when I took that home winemaking course, and I forgot how to drive?”
On the topic of education, Homer Simpson comically suggested that we gain knowledge at the expense of past learning, citing the example of the time he forgot how to drive after taking a winemaking course.
200
Unfortunately, on many web pages it's impossible to identify the author or other info. What do you do?
Begin the entry with the title of the page. “Midnight Golf Changing Lives in the Motor City. Cybergolf. Orbit Enterprises, 2005. Web. 28 Oct 2005.
300
True or false:

A run-on sentence can always be corrected by inserting commas.
FALSE! If you have two independent clauses, you need a semi-colon!
300
What are square brackets [ ] used for, and why would you use them?
Square brackets are used when you change a word in a quotation. You might use them to make the sentence fit grammatically (changing a verb tense) or to clarify a subject (substitute a name for a pronoun).
300
When do you have to cite a source?
Any time you use words or ideas from somewhere else, including when you paraphrase, summarize, or quote.
300
Which is a better way to integrate this quote?

(A) In 2000, the legislature of Suffolk County passed a law restricting drivers' use of handheld phones. "The bill prohibits the use of a cell phone while driving unless it is equipped with an earpiece or can act like a speakerphone, leaving the driver's hands free" (Kelley 1).

(B) In 2000, the legislature of Suffolk County passed a law restricting drivers' use of handheld phones. According to journalist Tina Kelley, "The bill prohibits the use of a cell phone while driving unless it is equipped with an earpiece or can act like a speakerphone, leaving the driver's hands free" (1).
B
300
What do you put in the body of your text if you're citing a web site?
Whatever comes first on the works cited page, which is usually a last name or a title.
400
When listing items in a series, MLA style recommends using a comma between the last two items. This comma has two names. Tell me one of them.

Ex.:"John, Mark,and Paul" instead of "John, Mark and Paul."
The Oxford comma, or the serial comma.
400
Name five verbs you can use to introduce a quote ("argues" "concludes" "illustrates" etc.)
Acknowledges Adds Admits Addresses Argues Asserts Believes Claims Comments Compares Confirms Contends Declares Denies Disputes Emphasizes Endorses Grants Illustrates Implies Insists Notes Observes Points out Reasons Refutes Rejects Reports Responds Suggests Thinks Writes
400
What does it mean to say that an essay or paragraph is unified?
That is is organized around a clear, central thesis or topic sentence and that all the sentences and paragraphs are related to that thesis or topic sentence.
400
Read the original and paraphrase. Is this acceptable paraphrase or plagiarism?

Original passage: This whole day has been a disaster. I'm tired, hungry, and grumpy.

Paraphrase: The last 24 hours have been a failure. I haven't slept or eaten, and I'm irritated.
Plagiarism. Though a few words have been changed, the structure is virtually identical.
400
What is the significance of the final date in a web site works cited entry? Why is it important?

Grannis, Kerry. My Blog of Minutiae. N.p., 2010. Web. 20 Oct. 2010.
Web sites are not static--they can change. The date lets your reader know how recently the site reliably had your information.
500
Correctly punctuate this sentence:

Sarah my childhood friend moved to California a few years ago to become an actress now she's on Grey's Anatomy.
Sarah, my childhood friend, moved to California a few years ago to become an actress; now she's on Grey's Anatomy.

OR

Sarah, my childhood friend, moved to California a few years ago to become an actress. Now she's on Grey's Anatomy.

OR

Sarah, my childhood friend, moved to California a few years ago to become an actress, and now she's on Grey's Anatomy.
500
What's a block quote and when should it be used?
When the quote is longer than four lines, and it shouldn't be used very often. Only quote this much text when you're going to be analyzing in depth all of the text you're quoting.
500
What is the difference between concrete and abstract description?
Concrete details describe things that can be perceived with the 5 senses; abstract description uses ideas or concepts.
500
What are some of the reasons you might choose to quote rather than paraphrase, or vice versa?
  • Are the precise words of the quote vital, or do I really just need the idea?
  • Does the reader need to know who it is I'm quoting?
  • Would it be easier for the reader to understand if I put it in my own words?
  • Can the idea be said in fewer words if I paraphrase?
500
You look around in all the usual places--the top of the page, the bottom of the page, the "about this site" page--and you can't find a publisher or a sponsor for the site. What do you do on your works cited page?
Put N.p. (for no publisher) in the publisher/sponsor slot.

Grannis, Kerry. My Blog of Minutiae. N.p., 2010. Web. 20 Oct. 2010.
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