Open-ended Questions using MLA format, In-text Citation It is important to quote from a literary text when writing a critical analysis of that text. However, your opinion about the text is the most important part of the analysis. Therefore, you should comment on the importance of each quote you use. Be sure to select quotes that relate to what you want to say about the text. Random quotes that have nothing to do with your point are not acceptable. Choose quotes that allow you to make an important point about the text. Don t use too many quotes. Remember, the substance of the paper is your opinion about the work. Quotes should be selected to support your opinion not to summarize the work. AGAIN, HAVE A POINT! Don t include quotes that are too lengthy: Try to quote only one sentence at a time. Note below how to use ellipsis marks, brackets, and how to begin your quote with your own words using a signal phrase, a transition, or in your own way. Punctuation marks to use with direct quotes: Ellipsis Mark: You may use the ellipsis (...) to show that you have omitted words in a quote. If you omit a whole sentence, use four dots (....) Brackets: Use brackets [ ] to insert words into quoted material or to change existing words. Example: Original Passage in a book by Karl Davis on page 5: If the existence of a signing ape, who was raised in captivity, was unsettling for linguists, it was also startling news for animal behaviorists. Cited: As Karl Davis notes, the existence of a signing ape... was unsettling for linguists, [and] it was also startling news for animal behaviorists (5). You must always begin quotes with your own words. You may use a transition, a signal phrase, or begin the sentence in your own way:
Transitions: Consequently: as a result Furthermore: in addition However: replaces but Indeed: truly, or to show surprise Moreover: besides Nonetheless: same as nevertheless Subsequently: after the fact For example: for this sample In addition: means to add on information In other words: to make a statement clear On the contrary: to show the other viewpoint As a result: the end result of something. In fact: to state a fact Hence: from now on Incidentally: in connection with Likewise: similarly Nevertheless: despite some action Similarly: of the same sort Therefore: for this reason For instance: same as for example Signal phrases: In the words of researcher (author s full name), quote (page). As (author) has noted, quote (page). (author) points out that, quote (page). (author) offers the following argument: quote (page). Other words to use in signal phrases: admits, agrees, argues, asserts, believes, claims, compares, confirms, contends, declares, denies, emphasizes insists, notes, observes, points out, reasons, refutes, rejects, reports, responds, suggests, thinks, writes. Added Note about Sentence Structure You should also vary your sentence structure in any essay or paper. One method of combining is to combine two sentences with a semicolon and transition word. 1. English is my favorite subject; in fact, I love to write. 2. I passed the test; as a result, I passed the course. Another way to improve sentence structure is to use the correlative conjunctions. These are advanced conjunctions. Not only, but also I not only like to eat cake, but I also like to bake muffins. Either, or Neither, nor You can either use a transition, or a signal phrase to begin your sentence. The use of punishment is neither positive, nor beneficial to student development.
Sample Open-ended Question to support MLA skills Ray Bradbury s There Will Come Soft Rains (p. 215) 1. We are not sure what terrible event has happened in Ray Bradbury s fantasy story, There will Come Soft Rains, but it seems likely that a nuclear war has occurred. Which examples from the story suggest a nuclear disaster? How can the story be viewed as a warning? Although we are not sure what terrible event has happened in Ray Bradbury s fantasy story, There Will Come Soft Rains, it seems likely that a nuclear war has occurred. For example, the house described in this science fiction story stood alone in a city of rubble and ashes... [and was] the one house left standing (216). Moreover, it can be argued that only nuclear weapons could create such devastating damage. According to the narrator, At night the ruined city gave off a radioactive glow which could be seen for miles (216). This glow could certainly be the result of nuclear radiation. For these reasons, it is likely that the destroyed city is the result of a nuclear war. This story can also be viewed as a warning because if we are not careful about our relationships with other nations, we could face the kind of destruction that is described in the story. The society in the story is far more technologically advanced than our own; however, something must have gone wrong in their relationships with others to cause such a destructive war. Indeed, Bradbury s story not only warns us of the dangers of advanced technology, but also reveals that one day our ability to get along with others just may save the human race.
Grading Rubric for Open-Ended Questions Bullets One and Two: Topic sentence restated from the bullet question Specific support from the text (MLA format) Advanced sentence structure: (semicolons, transitions, coorelative conjunctions) Related, or personal anecdote. 20 points 40 points 20 points 20 points Total 100 points
Directions: on this sheet, complete the open-ended question using MLA format. Goodrich and Hackett s, The Diary of Anne Frank (p. 347) 1. In a play, we get to know the characters by watching what they do, by hearing what they say, and by observing how others respond to them. This is true even in the early scenes from Goodrich and Hackett s The Diary of Anne Frank. Describe one of the characters introduced in the first three scenes of Act I. Does the character s personality make it easy or difficult to get along with others?
Directions: on this sheet, complete the open-ended question using MLA format. In Goodrich and Hackett s The Diary of Anne Frank, Anne s character changes between Act I and Act II from a gossiping, moody, playful teenager to a young, thoughtful, caring adult. Which examples from the text support this change in Anne? Describe a time in your life when you felt like you were forced to grow up.
Directions: on this sheet, complete the open-ended question using MLA format Goodrich and Hackett s The Diary of Anne Frank, shows the cooperation that the inhabitants of the Annex had to display in order to remain hidden from the hatred and intolerance of the Nazi regime. Describe instances where characters cooperate in the play. Describe a time when you needed to cooperate with someone.
Directions: on this sheet, complete the open-ended question using MLA format Although Goodrich and Hackett s The Diary of Anne Frank takes place only within a small Annex, it gives us an inside view of what it was like to live as a Jew during Nazi Germany where characters represent targets (victims), heroes (people who help at great risk to themselves), perpetrators (those who act on prejudice), and bystanders (those who do nothing to help). Choose a character and show how they are a target, hero, perpetrator or bystander. If you were in the play, would you be a target, hero, perpetrator or bystander?
Directions: on this sheet, complete the open-ended question using MLA format Schnaebel s The Tragedy Revealed: A Heroine s Last Days (p. 419) A good report is uses facts and is objective, meaning it contains information that allows the reader to see all sides of the issue before taking a position. What positive language does Schnaebel use to describe the Franks and their protectors? What negative language does Schnaebel use to describe the Nazis?