ENGL 101 Composition Practice 3 Plagiarism and Research Sources Assignment solutions complete answer

ENGL 101 Composition Practice 3 Plagiarism and Research Sources Assignment solutions complete answers

 

Directions: Sarah is planning to write an essay that investigates the vast increase in recent years of war veterans without permanent housing in her hometown of Lansing, Michigan. The following table shows the sources that Sarah will use in her research. Indicate whether each of Sarah’s sources is a primary or secondary source. 

Sarah’s Sources
Primary
Secondary
A survey Sarah conducted to see how many people without permanent housing in Lansing are war veterans
 
 
 
A journal article that discusses the reasons some veterans have trouble entering the work force after leaving the military
 
 
 
A recording of an interview of a local veteran who is without permanent housing
 
 
 
A book that analyzes causes of homelessness written by a prominent sociologist
 
 
 
The memoir of a war veteran who was without permanent housing in Lansing for a number of years but eventually became a successful businessperson
 
 
 
 

1 . Avoiding Plagiarism

When you incorporate research, or even a single quotation, into your own writing, you must be careful to avoid plagiarism—the use of another writer’s words or ideas without giving proper credit for them. The consequences for plagiarizing in an academic or professional setting can be very serious. Here is how to avoid it:

1.
When you are taking notes or collecting research, keep track of the source details for any information you might use.
2.
As you write your paper, include the documentation of your sources. This will usually include an in-text citation (as you write) and a list of references at the end of your paper. Typically, you will use a specific format and style, such as MLA (Modern Language Association).
3.
Before handing in your paper, review your writing to ensure that you correctly acknowledged and cited all of your sources. Remember, plagiarizing includes using ideas you learned elsewhere even if you put them into your own words!
 

Check your understanding of how to avoid plagiarism by answering the question below.

Since plagiarism occurs when you use someone else’s words or ideas without crediting the source, what can you do during the writing process to avoid this serious offense? Check all that apply.

Keep track of all the source information as you gather material for your paper.

Use as few outside sources as possible.

Correctly cite the sources in the body of your paper and at the end.

Put all sourced information in your own words; that way, you don’t have to reference the source.

Review your final draft to make sure you didn’t inadvertently pass off any sourced information as your own.

 

Read the following paragraphs. Paragraph A is taken from an original article. In paragraph B, the writer has plagiarized. Study the two paragraphs and decide which type of plagiarism has occurred: copying text, forgetting quotation marks, or restating ideas without citing them.

A. Cell phones make it easy for students who are motivated by anger, frustration, or malice to bully other students. This is a trend that should concern every parent and educator.

Source: "Cyber Bullying Statistics." Bullying Statistics, 2009, www.bullyingstatistics.org/category/bullying-statistics.

B. Cell phones make it simple for students who are angry, frustrated, or malicious to take out these feelings on others by bullying fellow students. Parents and educators alike should be worried by such incidents.

 

In paragraph B, the writer has plagiarized by:

Copying a complete sentence word for word from the original source and failing to include a citation

Restating information from the original paragraph and failing to include a citation

 

Plagiarism can happen accidentally; you may not do it on purpose, but if you are not careful with your material, you could inadvertently try to pass off someone else’s words or ideas as your own. What should you do as you write your paper to make sure you do not plagiarize? Check all that apply.

As a last step, re-read your final draft to make sure you didn’t accidentally miss any necessary citations.

Make sure you have the source details for any material you may use.

Put all ideas in your own words; therefore, you do not have to include source information.

Whenever you use information from any outside source, put it in quotation marks, whether or not it is the exact words of the original source.

As you write your paper, cite the sources as you use them, and then include them in a reference list at the end.

 

A. Cell phones should be banned from schools because they promote cyberbullying. According to the i-SAFE foundation, an Internet safety education group, cyberbullying is alarmingly common among adolescents and teens, with one in three young people having experienced online bullying firsthand.

Source: "Cyber Bullying Statistics." Bullying Statistics, 2009, www.bullyingstatistics.org/category/bullying-statistics.

B. Many students use their cell phones as tools to bully other students. According to the i-SAFE foundation, an Internet safety education group, cyberbullying is alarmingly common among adolescents and teens, with one in three young people having experienced cyberbullying firsthand. These statistics need to be changed.

 

Putting the information into his or her own words and failing to include a citation

Copying information word for word from the original source and failing to include quotation marks and a citation

 

In order to make sure you do not commit plagiarism in a paper, what steps should you take during the writing process? Check all that apply.

Copy the source details as you collect information.

Avoid the issue by only using your own ideas in your paper.

Document the sources within your paper and include a list of sources at the end.

When complete, review your paper to make sure you didn’t skip any necessary documentation.

Only use direct quotations when including source information.

 

A. Cyberbullying can be very damaging to adolescents and teens. It can lead to anxiety, depression, and even suicide. Also, once things are circulated on the Internet, they may never disappear, resurfacing at later times to renew the pain of cyberbullying.

Source: "Cyber Bullying Statistics." Bullying Statistics, 2009, www.bullyingstatistics.org/category/bullying-statistics.

B. Cyberbullying is a dangerous practice for teens that can lead to anxiety, depression, and even suicide. Also, once things are circulated on the Internet, they may never disappear, resurfacing at later times to renew the pain of cyber bullying. This kind of bullying is a very real problem on many school campuses.

 

Including word-for-word information from the original paragraph without quotation marks and a citation

 

2 . Conducting Research

Many people feel intimidated by large research projects in college, and the sheer amount of information available in the digital age can make even small research tasks feel daunting. But learning a few strategies to find and evaluate sources can help you explore topics that interest you and make intellectual contributions to your class, your colleagues, or society at large.

Directions: Watch the following humorous video about doing research and then answer the questions that follow.

Which of the following are purposes of research? Check all that apply.

To prove someone wrong

To acquire knowledge

To reach a conclusion

To solve a mystery

 

Which research technique did the princess in the video demonstrate?

Close observation of something

Data collection through a survey

Information gathering through books

Laboratory experimentation

 

Which of the following is not an example of research?

Putting a collection of something in alphabetical order

Reading a how-to book

Reading the ingredient label on a box of cereal

Tracing the history of dragons in literature

 

Identify the purposes of research below. Check all that apply.

To obtain knowledge

To unravel a mystery

To come to a conclusion

To disprove someone’s argument

 

Which research technique is demonstrated by the princess in the video?

Experimentation in a laboratory

Using a survey to collect data

Careful observation

Reading books in a library

 

Which strategy below is not an example of research?

Conducting interviews

Surveying people

Watching relevant films

Putting your sources in alphabetical order

 

Identify the reasons for conducting research.  Check all that apply.

To obtain information that identifies weaknesses in other arguments

To identify a conclusion

To solve a mystery

To uncover new knowledge

 

The princess used which research technique in the video?

Surveying participants in an experiment

Collecting information through books

Observation of her surroundings

Experimenting in a laboratory

 

Identify the strategy that is not an example of research.

Locating articles in a library database

Reading a book that outlines a process

Organizing sources by subtopic

Finding credible information on the internet

 

3 . Identifying Primary and Secondary Sources

Although research is a process consisting of multiple stages, it is most commonly associated with data gathering, also known as identifying sources. A source is the person, document, or artifact from which you obtain your information. They are typically divided into two categories: primary sources and secondary sources. Understanding the differences between the two types will help you locate and use information more effectively.

To learn more about primary and secondary sources, read the information that follows.

Identifying Primary and Secondary Sources

A primary source provides direct access to information that you must then analyze or interpret yourself.

Examples of primary sources include:

•
Interviews and surveys
•
Firsthand accounts and observations
•
Original documents and artifacts, such as photographs, birth records, diaries, or museum pieces
•
Creative works, such as novels or poems
Tip: You can create your own primary sources by conducting surveys and interviews. Sometimes the best data is the data you create yourself because it specifically targets what you are researching.

 

Directions: Read and answer the following question.

Noel is writing a paper on the effects of climate change in Antarctica. He would like to review the conclusions that have been reached so far by experts in environmental studies. Which type of sources would best suit Noel’s needs?

A secondary source, such as an article from an academic journal

A primary source, such as a questionnaire he creates himself

Observational analysis and corresponding notes

 

Directions: The local animal shelter has a no-kill policy. Leila plans to write an essay investigating the positive and negative effects of the policy thus far. The following table shows the sources that Leila will use in her research. Indicate whether each of Leila’s sources is a primary or secondary source.

Leila’s Sources
Primary
Secondary
An opinion article in the newspaper expounding on the moral obligation of animal shelters to end euthanasia practices
 
 
 
A face-to-face interview with the director of the animal shelter
 
 
 
The original accounting ledgers of the animal shelter for the year before the no-kill policy took effect and for the year after it took effect
 
 
 
A chapter from an urban planning book on animal welfare resources
 
 
 
Entries from the diary of a worker at the animal shelter
 
 



 

A secondary source provides indirect access to information that has already been analyzed or interpreted.

Examples of secondary sources include:

•
Websites
•
Online and print references works, such as encyclopedias
•
Articles from periodicals that are not considered artifacts or firsthand accounts
•
Scholarly articles and essays
Tip: Secondary sources can be an effective way to learn more about your topic and discover helpful primary sources. Use these to build background knowledge and support your own interpretations.

 

Anthony is interested in finding out how politically active students on his campus are. Which type of source might help him gather some initial data?

A secondary source, such as an article from a scholarly periodical

A newspaper editorial

A primary source, such a survey he creates himself

 

Directions: Dao is planning to write an essay that investigates the lasting effects of China’s one-child policy on his former home city of Shanghai. The following table shows the sources that Dao will use in his research. Indicate whether each of Dao’s sources is a primary or secondary source.

Dao’s Sources
Primary
Secondary
The results from a questionnaire about family dynamics that Dao created and sent to several of his former neighbors in Shanghai
 
 
 
A telephone interview with a magistrate from Shanghai
 
 
 
A history textbook covering events in Shanghai and the surrounding province from 1950 through the present
 
 
 
A series of government census reports for the Shanghai region
 
 
 
An opinion article in a newspaper analyzing the merits and flaws of the one-child policy
 
 
 
 

You can’t rely on the format of a source to tell you whether it’s primary or secondary. Focus on distinguishing between firsthand observed accounts and secondhand analysis or interpretation. If the information has already been analyzed or interpreted, it’s probably a secondary source.

For example, a television broadcast could be either:

Source
Type
Why?
Broadcast of a presidential debate
Primary
Firsthand account of an event
Broadcast of an analysis of a presidential debate
Secondary
Secondhand analysis of an event
Directions: Read and answer the following question.

 

Alyssa is researching the topic of depression amongst college students. She would like to collect data herself from students on her own campus. Which type of source would best suit Alyssa’s needs?

Her own personal diary

A secondary source, such as an article from an academic journal

A primary source, such a survey she creates herself

 

Directions: Sarah is planning to write an essay that investigates the vast increase in recent years of homeless war veterans in her hometown of Lansing, Michigan. The following table shows the sources that Sarah will use in her research. Indicate whether each of Sarah’s sources is a primary or secondary source. 

Sarah’s Sources
Primary
Secondary
A survey Sarah conducted to see how many homeless people in Lansing are war veterans
 
 
 
A journal article that discusses the reasons some veterans have trouble entering the work force after leaving the military
 
 
 
A recording of an interview of a local homeless veteran
 
 
 
A book that analyzes causes of homelessness written by a prominent sociologist
 
 
 
The memoir of a war veteran who was homeless in Lansing for a number of years but eventually became a successful businessman
 
 
 
 

4 . Choosing and Evaluating Sources

If you are assigned a research paper, you will be required to locate sources to use as support for your claims. You will most likely be finding sources through your library databases and online. Once you have found your sources, it is important that you evaluate your sources and the information presented within them. To evaluate a source means to analyze how, and by whom, its argument is presented, then come to your own conclusion regarding its credibility. You should consider the expertise of the author, the credibility of the publisher, and the validity of the information presented in the source.

 

Directions: Rajiv is researching the most effective treatments for drug addictions. The following are sources that he has found. Read the notes about each of the sources and answer the questions about them.

Notes on Source 1: The New York Times article “Effective Addiction Treatment.” The article cites a Columbia University study and experts, such as Dr. Mark Willenbring, a former director of treatment and recovery research at the National Institute for Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, to provide a comprehensive summary of challenges in effectively treating addiction.

Given the information recorded on this note card, which of the following make Source 1 credible? Check all that apply.

It is written by a person with expertise about the subject matter.

It is from a New York publication.

It presents valid research.

It is published in a major, well-known publication.

 

Notes on Source 2: Five-year national study involving thousands of participants published by the National Center for Addiction and Substance Abuse in 2013. It reveals most addiction treatment is not administered by medical professionals.

Given the information recorded on this note card, which of the following make Source 2 credible? Check all that apply.

It was conducted over a five-year period of time.

It presents valid research.

It is written by a person with expertise about substance abuse addiction.

It is published by a credible institution.

 

Notes on Source 3: Inside Rehab (2013) by respected health and medical writer Anne M. Fletcher, former executive editor and chief writer of the Tufts University Health & Nutrition Letter. Fletcher visited 15 addiction treatment facilities supporting various methods of rehabilitation and interviewed hundreds of their clients and staffers to expose the ineffectiveness of these methods.

Given the information recorded on this note card, which of the following make Source 3 credible? Check all that apply.

It presents valid research.

It is published by a well-known and credible publication.

It is written by a person with expertise about addiction treatment.

It is from an experienced writer and editor on this subject.

 

Notes on Source 4: A Wikipedia entry about addiction.

Given the information recorded on this note card, which of the following does not make Source 4 credible? Check all that apply.

Anyone can edit Wikipedia entries.

It is written by a person with expertise about addiction treatment.

It is published by a well-known and credible institution.

Wikipedia often lacks author credentials.

 

Directions: Marissa is researching the effects of stress on cancer. The following are sources that she has found. Read the notes about each of the sources and answer the questions about them.

Notes on Source 1: The Forbes Magazine article “New Study Shows How Stress Feeds Cancer Cells” that appeared in 2013. The article summarizes a new study about the ways stress affects cancer treatment.

 

Notes on Source 2: The National Cancer Institute fact sheet on cancer and psychological stress. Facts are based on peer-reviewed articles published between 2010 and 2012.

 

Notes on Source 3: A Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center study, headed and written by George Kulik, DVM, PhD, associate professor of cancer biology. The results of the study, published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation, tested the effects of behavioral stress in two different mouse models of prostate cancer.

 

Notes on Source 4: A Wikipedia entry about stress.

 

Directions: Juanita is researching the most effective ways to lose weight. The following are sources that she has found. Read the notes about each of the sources and answer the questions about them.

Notes on Source 1: The New York Times article “Really? Timing of Meals Can Affect Weight Loss” that appeared in 2013. The article summarizes the effects of when a person eats on his or her weight loss.

 

Notes on Source 2: A 2013 study performed by faculty at the departments of Physiology and Biology, University of Murcia and Harvard University. Research faculty reported the effects of eating times on 420 participants in a 20-week weight-loss program.

 

Notes on Source 3: A study by Dr. Jean-Phillippe Chaput, a medical researcher at Laval University, Quebec, that was published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal. Chaput’s study shows the effects of sleep on weight loss. Researchers followed 123 overweight or obese adults for seventeen weeks and found the amount of sleep participants got was linked with how much weight they lost.

 

Notes on Source 4: A Wikipedia entry about weight loss.

 

5 . Using Sources Effectively

Directions: Rashad has written the following paragraphs for a research paper about bee warfare through the ages. His rough draft has some issues. As you read each paragraph, pay attention to the way Rashad incorporates outside sources into his paragraphs. Then answer the questions that follow. 

 

What is the issue with the outside source used in paragraph 1? 

 

 

What is the issue with the outside source used in paragraph 2? 

 

 

What is the issue with the outside source used in paragraph 3? 

 

Directions: Jihae has written the following paragraphs for a research paper about assassin bug. Her rough draft has some issues. As you scroll through and read, pay attention to the way Jihae incorporates outside sources into her paragraphs. Then answer the questions that follow. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Directions: Lukas has written the following paragraphs for a research paper about fleas and disease. His rough draft has some issues. As you scroll through and read, pay attention to the way Lukas incorporates outside sources into his paragraphs. Then answer the questions that follow. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6 . Synthesizing Sources

When you gather large amounts of outside source material to support your claims, do not simply list these sources one after another in your paper. Instead, synthesize, or link, the information together to draw to your own conclusions. The following strategies can help you bridge connections between sources:

•
Read thoroughly: Review your sources carefully and thoroughly and think about what you have read. Make sure you have a clear understanding of the information.
•
Form connections: How does the source material resonate with your point of view? How does it help support the point you want to make? Make connections and form responses.
•
Consider all sides: Look at all points of view and consider any new ideas or opposing arguments.
•
Finalize connections and blend sources: Once you've looked through all of your source material and considered how ideas connect to your thesis and to one another, blend the material into your paper. Some writers find it useful to draw a concept map that illustrates the connections between their thesis, supporting ideas, and source material.
Imagine that you have been tasked to write an essay on the topic of royal weddings. You've gathered the three sources that appear in the following table. Read these three sources and answer the questions that follow.

Royal Weddings

 (1) Rania Al Yassin is a vision of loveliness, but what makes her beauty remarkable is her inner beauty and her hopes for the people of Jordan. Although she was considered to be a commoner when she married Prince Abdullah Bin Hussein on June 10, 1993, she has conducted herself as his equal and as a queen.

(2) Before she became queen, Rania attended the American University of Cairo, and afterwards, she went to work for a bank. She did not dream of becoming the Queen of Jordan, but after she met Prince Abdullah, her life was never the same.

(3) Now as his wife, she shares with him a vision of a brighter future for the Jordanian people and has devoted herself to providing educational and economic opportunities for her people. She has focused her efforts in five areas. First, she created the River Foundation to help stop child abuse in her country. Second, she has improved schools, launched teachers' academies, and opened a children's museum. Third, she served as chairperson for and has supported organizations that promote global education. Fourth, she encouraged people from different areas and cultures to meet and speak with one another to find peaceful solutions to conflicts. Last, she encouraged Jordanian youth to think about ways they can start businesses to contribute to the wealth and stability of Jordan's economy.

(4) Although born a commoner, Queen Rania has proven that royalty is not a matter of blood, but a matter of heart, spirit, and a hope for a future that is for the good of all.

Source: "Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah (Jordan)." UN Foundation. United Nations Foundation, 2012. Web. 25 Sept. 2013.

 

Which of the following is a paraphrase of the main idea of Source B?

Michiko Shoda's marriage to the Crown Prince of Japan, Prince Akihito, was a good match.

Michiko Shoda met her future husband, the Crown Prince of Japan, Prince Akihito, playing tennis.

Michiko Shoda's marriage to the Crown Prince of Japan, Prince Akihito, was resented by ten noble families.

 

Source A describes how a woman who married into a royal family can     on her country, and Source C describes how a woman who married into a royal family can     on her country.

 

The writer has attempted to synthesize the source information in the following paragraphs. Read each synthesis and look for the best one. Then complete the question that follows by selecting the best choice from the drop-down menu.

Synthesis 1
Synthesis 2
Synthesis 3
The marriage between royalty and commoners can be successful as in the case of Rania Al Yassin to Prince Abdullah Bin Hussein of Jordan and Michiko Shoda to the Crown Prince of Japan, Prince Akihito. These women were well-matched to their husbands, and they had positive influences on their countries. On the other hand, the union between Prince Edward of England and Wallis Simpson was not a healthy arrangement, and they had a negative influence on how the royal family was perceived.
The marriage between royalty and commoners can be successful, as in the case of Rania Al Yassin to Prince Abdullah Bin Hussein of Jordan and Michiko Shoda to the Crown Prince of Japan, Prince Akihito. These women were well-matched to their husbands. Queen Rania works very hard to help people start businesses in Jordan and to educate children. However, Michiko was the first commoner ever to marry into royalty in Japan and was not very popular with the ten noble families who had hoped the prince would choose one of their daughters.
The marriage between royalty and commoners can be successful, as in the case of Rania Al Yassin to Prince Abdullah Bin Hussein of Jordan and Michiko Shoda to the Crown Prince of Japan, Prince Akihito. However, these women were commoners who were not well-matched to their royal husbands. As evidence, consider the unhealthy relationship between Prince Edward and Wallis Simpson and the negative effect they had on the way the royal family was perceived. In addition, the ten noble families of Japan resented Michiko.
 

Of the above syntheses,     includes the perspective of all three sources.

 

Royal Weddings

 (1) Although she was a small girl, there was nothing delicate about Michiko Shoda's physical and mental strength. Standing only 5 feet, 2 inches tall, she was nonetheless a powerful figure on the tennis court. Equally, she was a force to contend with in the classroom, and her professors and teachers at the University of the Sacred Heart of Tokyo characterized her as a brilliant student.

(2) Perhaps these qualities were what attracted the Crown Prince of Japan, Prince Akihito, to pursue her. They met on the tennis court at the Karuizawa resort, and he was amazed by her strength and ability. In fact, when they played tennis, she beat him soundly. As he got to know her, he became equally fascinated by her brilliant mind.

(3) Born of a wealthy Japanese family in 1934, Michiko was nevertheless considered to be a commoner and an unlikely match for a prince. However, for the first time in Japanese history, in 1959 a prince married a commoner, a union based on the equality of minds and hearts. Although the ten noble families of Japan felt slighted that the prince did not choose one of their daughters, no one can deny that this young couple was well-matched on the tennis court and in life.

Source: "Japan: Crown Prince and Commoner."  Time. Time Inc., 1 Dec. 1958. Web. 25 Sept. 2013.

 

Which of the following is a paraphrase of the main idea of Source A?

Queen Rania Al Abdullah attended the American University of Cairo before she met Prince Abdullah.

Queen Rania Al Abdullah devotes some of her time to the cause of ending child abuse in Jordan.

Queen Rania Al Abdullah is devoted to improving the life of the Jordanian people.

 

Source B describes a(n)  royal marriage, and Source C describes a(n)  royal marriage.

 

Royal Weddings

 (1) How does a woman who is not young or attractive steal the heart of a king? No one really knows why Prince Edward became so obsessed with Wallis Simpson, a twice-divorced American woman, but on December 11, 1936, he gave up his right to ascend to the British throne to marry her.

(2) The scandal began when Prince Edward met Walls Simpson at a party given by the prince's lover, Lady Thelma Furness. It was soon obvious that the prince was fascinated by Simpson, and in spite of the fact that she was married, the two became lovers. Having an affair was not new to either one of them. Prince Edward was a much sought-after bachelor, well-known for having many affairs. Wallis had been married before, and after her divorce she had an affair with a married man, Ernest Simpson. Ernest divorced his wife, married Wallis, and they moved to England.

(3) In the end, their union was not a healthy one. Their relationship was neither harmonious nor peaceful, and it did not bring them the happiness they sought. Throughout their marriage, they still found comfort in the arms of other lovers.

Source: Jones, Chris. "Profile: Wallis Simpson." BBC News. BBC, 29 Jan. 2003. Web. 25 Sept. 2013.

 

Which of the following is a paraphrase of the main idea of Source C?

Prince Edward should not have given up the throne for Wallis Simpson.

Prince Edward and Wallis Simpson had affairs with other people after they were married.

The marriage of Prince Edward and Wallis Simpson did not bring the couple happiness.

 

Source A describes a commoner who became an  queen, and Source B describes a commoner who became an  queen.

 

7 . Incorporating Research into Your Writing
When incorporating research into your writing, look for opportunities to strengthen an idea or main point with a fact or statistic, expert opinion, or well-selected quotation from an outside source. You can use transitional words and phrases, such as according to and for example, to integrate research into your paragraph or essay. To avoid plagiarism (using the words or ideas of another as your own), it is extremely important that you always give credit to the author of any material you use. Consider the following example of using outside sources.

Isaac is writing a body paragraph for his research paper on the benefits of driving an electric car. He wants to include more information from outside sources to support his claim.

Read Isaac’s notes, clicking on the blue links to see how he turned his research into sentences. Next, read his paragraph to see how he incorporated his sentences into a paragraph.

Isaac’s Notes

Over time, owning an electric car saves you money. #1

• A Nissan Leaf (pure electric) sells for $35,430 and costs $1.74 to drive for 50 miles.

• A Toyota Corolla (gasoline) sells for $18,404 and costs $5.94 to drive for 50 miles.

• The author states, “Maintenance on an electric car is theoretically miniscule compared with gasoline cars.”

Evarts, Eric. “Leaf, Volt Tests Show Electric Cars Cost Less per Mile to Operate.” Consumer Reports, 8 Dec. 2011, www.consumerreports.org/cro/news/2011/12/leaf-volt-tests-show-electric-cars-cost-less-per-mile-to-operate/index.htm.

Over time, owning an electric car saves you money. #2

• $7,500 federal tax credit for electric cars purchased in or after 2010

United States, Department of Energy. Federal Tax Credits for All-Electric and Plug-in Hybrid Vehicles, www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/taxevb.shtml. Accessed 27 July 2016.

Isaac’s Paragraph

In addition to environmental benefits, driving an electric car can save an owner money. Although the price of one, on average, is higher than its gasoline-powered cousin, the associated fuel costs are significantly lower. In a test conducted by Consumer Reports, a Nissan Leaf, an electric car that sells for about $35,000, was driven for 50 miles at a total fuel cost of $1.74. In contrast, a Toyota Corolla, which is gasoline powered and sells for $18,000, traveled the same distance at more than three times the cost ($5.94). Over time, the difference in fuel costs can generate savings. Although plug-in technology is relatively new to the consumer car market, many owners are also noticing that their electric cars require less maintenance than vehicles with a traditional combustion engine, which can often require expensive replacement parts and continuous upkeep. As Eric Evarts states in his article on electric car ownership costs, “Maintenance on an electric car is theoretically miniscule compared with gasoline cars.” Lastly, the federal government and many states offer incentives to citizens who own or purchase electric cars. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, an owner of an electric car purchased in or after 2010 could qualify for a federal tax credit worth up to $7,500. Helping the planet has never been so financially rewarding.

 

When incorporating research a writer should strive to do which of the following? Check all that apply.

Use long quotations to help reach the required word count

Look for key information that strengthens his or her argument

Include interesting facts that may be irrelevant to the main point of the essay

Use transition words to show connections between ideas

Avoid plagiarism by properly citing sources

 

Directions: Read the passage and answer the question that follows.

(1) Children are quite vulnerable to victimization on the Internet. (2) I witnessed the vulnerability of children to Internet crime when my young niece became a victim of web stalking. (3) After my niece entered a chat room, an older man attempted to engage her in inappropriate conversation; he discovered her personal e-mail address and continually sent her e-mails and pictures. (4) My niece is certainly not alone in this frightening experience. (5) According to a report from the National Center for Victims of Crime, “the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children received 85,301 reports of child pornography and 8,787 reports of online enticement” in 2007. (6) In addition, a 2007 survey in the report indicated that 43% of middle and high school children have been bullied on the Internet, while 13% had received unwanted sexual solicitations online (Richmond). (7) Clearly, the victimization of children on the Internet is a growing problem in the United States.

 

Which of the following facts from the U.S. National Center for Victims of Crime in the passage above support the main point and add to the power of this paragraph? Check all that apply.

Forty-three percent of middle and high school students have experienced cyberbullying.

The writer’s niece is unique in her experience of online harassment.

The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children received 8,787 reports of unwanted online enticement of children in 2007.

Parents must be more responsible for their children’s online interactions.

 

To support an argument, writers should consider incorporating which of the following? Check all that apply.

Personal experiences

Expert opinions

Carefully chosen quotations

Facts or statistics

Author biographies

 

 (1) The potential risks of cell phone use may outweigh the many benefits. (2) Many people are aware of the risks of talking on a cell phone while driving, but fewer worry about the potential health risks of cell phone use. (3) The National Cancer Institute reports that researchers are investigating whether radio-frequency energy emitted by cell phones may cause brain cancer in users (“Cell Phones and Cancer Risk”). (4) Although a recent Interphone study concluded that cell phone use does not increase the risk of brain cancer, Dr. Joel Moskowitz of the University of California suggests that the findings remain unclear. (5) Typical U.S. cell phone users, he says, use their devices at least four times as much as the Interphone study participants (Dellorto). (6) Therefore, we cannot be certain that cell phones do not cause bodily harm.

 

Which of the following facts from outside sources support the main point and add to the persuasive power of this paragraph? Check all that apply.

The National Cancer Institute provides information about studies on cancer and cell phone use.

Dr. Joel Moskowitz questions the conclusions of the Interphone study.

Dr. Joel Moskowitz suggests that cell phones do not increase the risk of brain cancer in users.

Dr. Joel Moskowitz indicates that average people in the United States use their cell phones four times as much as the Interphone survey participants.

 

Ways to support a writer’s argument often includes incorporating which of the following? Check all that apply.

Source publication details

Personal thoughts about the essay topic

Carefully chosen quotations

Facts or statistics

Expert opinions

 

 (1) The United States government must retain the right to responsibly censor the Internet. (2) Although many people may not realize it, the U.S. government is already monitoring the Internet and has proven to do so in a responsible manner. (3) In fact, a recent report by Google states that the U.S. government submitted only 123 requests to remove content from the Internet between July 1 and December 31, 2009, and Google agreed to comply with 80% of them (Liedtke). (4) Further, according to Google’s top lawyer, David Drummond, the U.S. government primarily focuses only on extremely offensive online material: he says that the “vast majority of such requests are legitimate” (Guynn). (5) Clearly, the U.S. government is not abusing its powers in such cases, but is actually taking steps to prevent illegal material from spreading.

 

Which of the following facts from Google in the above passage support the main point and add to the persuasive power of this paragraph? Check all that apply.

The U.S. government made 123 requests to remove online content in the second half of 2009.

Google complied with 80% of the government’s requests to remove online content.

David Drummond was Google’s only lawyer from July 1 to December 31, 2009.

The U.S. government obviously does not abuse its powers to censor.

 

8 . Distinguishing Fact from Opinion
Directions: Indicate whether each statement is a fact or an opinion.

 

Directions: Read the following paragraph and then complete the table that follows by indicating whether each sentence is a fact or an opinion.

 

 

 

 

Directions: Read the following paragraph and then complete the table that follows by indicating whether each sentence is a fact or an opinion.

 

 

9 . Recognizing Opinions Disguised as Facts
Facts are pieces of information that are known to be true. They are not affected by personal feelings or judgments. Opinions are expressions of one’s belief or point of view about a subject. They cannot be proven beyond doubt as facts can, and they can be argued for or against.

Some writers give clues that they are about to state an opinion, using words or phrases such as the following:

apparently
I can imagine
it is believed
one explanation
as I see it
in my opinion
it is claimed
possibly
I believe/think/suppose
in my experience
my personal view is
personally, I think
Other writers, however, may try to make their opinions look like facts, so you must read carefully. Here is an example of an opinion disguised as a fact:

In 1852, the President of the United States, Franklin Pierce, formally offered to buy the island of Cuba because he was greedy to expand U.S. power.

The specific date suggests that the sentence states a fact, but instead of simply giving the reader the information of when an event happened, the author gives an opinion about why an event occurred (in this case, because Pierce was being greedy).

 

Directions: Use the dropdown lists in the following table to indicate which statements are facts and which are opinions.

Sentence
Fact or Opinion
The infamous Salem witch trials of 1692 show how much people in the 17th century believed in evil spirits.
 
During the Salem witchcraft trials in 1692, over 150 people were arrested, 19 people were hung for practicing witchcraft, and 4 died while in prison awaiting trial.
 
The Catholic Church was a major reason why so many people were tried and convicted.
 
 

Sentence
Fact or Opinion
Diamonds that come from Africa are often mined under terrible circumstances in very poor working conditions, so you should never buy diamonds.
 
Fine-jewelry sales in the U.S.—the world’s biggest market for diamond jewelry—have grown less than 2% from 2004 to 2013.
 
In 2014, the global diamond industry employed approximately 10 million people.
 
 

Sentence
Fact or Opinion
Cal Ripken Jr. played a record breaking streak of 2,632 straight games, but I doubt he would have ever set that record if he had been a catcher for many of those games.
 
Cal Ripken Jr. never played any position other than shortstop and third base while in the majors; however, he was originally a pitcher.
 
Cal Ripken Jr. received two MVP awards and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2007.
 
 

Sentence
Fact or Opinion
President Clinton visited China in 1998 to improve international relations.
 
President Clinton's visit to China in 1998 improved international relations.
 
President Clinton was the first U.S. president to visit to China since the crackdown in Tiananmen Square.
 
 

Sentence
Fact or Opinion
Andrew scored at least 2 goals in every game of his soccer tournament.
 
Andrew was exhausted, but excited about the trophy he won at the tournament.
 
Andrew's team won all of its games in the tournament.
 
 

Sentence
Fact or Opinion
The bombing of Pearl Harbor was a significant factor in helping to bring the United States into the WW II.
 
All eight U.S. Navy battleships stationed at Pearl Harbor were damaged in the attack, and four were sunk.
 
The attack on Pearl Harbor was a surprise, but Japan and the United States had been moving toward war for decades.