A Few Revision Suggestions

Hello all,

You have all done really excellent research for your Introductions--good work! I have a few general suggestions for the revision process, and they are listed below, in no particular order:

1. Read the comments that your peers are writing. Most of the comments are really helpful.

2. Avoid the use of "you." You may write in first person about yourself, but you should address a third person audience. (Some of you are accusing your reader of things; i.e. "You wouldn't expect to care about Native Americans" invokes a reader response of "How would you know what I think?")

3. Make sure that your thesis statement is located somewhere at the beginning of your Introduction. Many of you have it sitting in your Conclusion. Remember: No Stripper/Magician papers!

4.  Remember to avoid claiming that an idea or type of text is "rare" or "never seen"--just because you haven't seen it doesn't mean it doesn't exist. If you have done the research, then make the claim. Otherwise, explain how your text stands out *without* making comparisons to other texts.

5. Refer to the author by his or her last name throughout your paper.

6. You *must cite* all of your out-sourced knowledge. Use MLA properly in in-text citations and in your works cited list. Because these posts are public it is even more crucial that you show the world that you understand why it is important to give credit to the person from whom you got your information.