I've realized that I am guilty of including "list summarizes" that just use boring words like "and," "also," and "in addition to" so I should probably work on this in my future writing so that I do not bore my audience.
I found the section on summarizing satirically to be entertaining and I enjoy seeing it in others' writings, but I think that I would be too scared to actually use this approach in my own essays. I think that if I were to use this form of argument then I would have to be very confident in my opinion and criticism.
I think that the section on using signal verbs that better describe what the person is saying was useful. I feel that I always use the boring ways of introducing an opinion, and these examples will be helpful when writing my next research paper. It gives a lot more emotion to the essay and it makes it more interesting to read.
I have always found that I like to use quotations in my essays and other writings a lot more than summaries. I think that it is easier to include them in my writing and it shows the opinion of someone else clearly compared to my own opinion. I've found that when reading my peers' essays and if they include too many quotations and not enough analysis or explanation, it is frustrating to read. It's especially annoying when a quotation is at the end of a paragraph with no commentary about it. I think that it is very foolish to assume that a quotation says everything that you mean to say and to just leave it without any response.
I think that sometimes, however, I do include quotations that are not directly connected to my main points of my writing. I think that every writer needs to make sure that when their essay is done, the quotations they have included all tie in with their thesis.
It is also very important to keep in mind that every quotation needs to be introduced properly into the text and then followed by your own opinion. I think that creating a "hybrid text" is something everyone should try to do. The essay should be balanced and include enough evidence and commentary to show the author's point.
I think that I sometimes do include too much commentary, but I was glad to read that too much analysis of a quotation is more appreciated than having too little.
I found the templates that were included about introducing quotations also to be helpful. It is so boring to just say "he says" or "she thinks" and I think that I will use these next time I am writing an essay. Also, the templates on explaining quotations will also be useful next time I am composing a paper. I think that most of these templates provided in this book are very functional for writing essays and make it a lot easier.
You wrote, "I think that I sometimes do include too much commentary, but I was glad to read that too much analysis of a quotation is more appreciated than having too little."
ReplyDeleteI have always had the opposite problem and thought the quote said it all, what more could I add. I had to teach myself to add my own commentary, especially after the quote.