Be able to integrate their ideas with others using summary, paraphrase, quotation, analysis, and synthesis of relevant sources.
I believe that I had a good understanding of how to integrate quotes in a general sense. I knew to introduce the quote, how to quote and cite it, and to explain it after. When taking this class, I dove deeper into these methods and learned how to make my quotes more impactful on my essay, by working with both my perspective and the authors’, building stronger introductions using signal phrases, and more comprehensive and detailed explanations.
Body paragraph from essay #1
In the paragraph from essay #1, I used a lot of summary to introduce the quote, which was because I thought the quote needed that much context to make sense. Looking back, though, I could have left out the whole sentence about them getting married, because while true, it did not help reinforce the meaning of the quote I was trying to get across. Secondly, I used no signal phrase, just tried to embed the quote with a comma. You can see the edit Mr. Brod suggested in pink, which was to write who said the quote and use a signal phrase so it all comes together nicer. Then, I used a comma within the quote incorrectly, which I learned does not need to be there. Lastly, my analysis of the quote was not a sufficient explanation of how Phelps Roper’s relationship with C.G. related to my thesis about balancing the digital and physical world. I needed another sentence or maybe two to fully analyze that quote, and I should have also added a concluding sentence to tie up the paragraph.
Body / Barclay paragraph from essay #3
In the second work sample, I start the paragraph off with a thesis followed up by my opinion on the difficulty of joy. Then I introduce Ross Gay’s opinion with a full quote and proper citation. To explain the quote, I give a sentence long interpretation of what he said in my own words, then I use an example from my life that relates to how I find joy. As this is a Barclay paragraph, I use connective sentences afterward to connect the ideas between both of the authors and myself. I would say that my quote integration has improved from the beginning of the year. I’m more likely to notice small things that will make my essays sound more cohesive and clear. For example, I focus on a quick clarifying summary for context, using different types of quotes (example of paraphrase below), and integrating my own opinions along with the authors to compare and contrast ideas.
Body paragraph from essay #3
Using paraphrasing allows to me continue to use my voice while integrating sources into my writing. It allows for a more cohesive paragraph where you can really hear me speaking to the reader. Here I was explaining how spending your time with real life people rather than on your phone is better for your happiness, and I needed a source to back me up so I used her ideas as an example for what I was trying to explain.
