Chapters 15 and 16

Chapter fifteen of the Bedford Researcher is all about using sources effectively. The first part of the chapter talks about how to use source information to achieve the purpose of your piece. It moves on to describe how to integrate quotes such as partial, complete, and block quotes, how to provide context for your information, how to integrate paraphrases and summaries, how to summarize a group of sources, and how to integrate unusual sources such as numerical information, images, audio, video, and animation. The second part of the chapter describes how to correctly source your information providing in text references, correct documentation, and how to distinguish your work and information, ideas and arguments from that of your sources. It also talks about using the correct documentation system depending on your project type.

The beginning of this chapter was a really nice follow up for the work we were doing with signal phrases and incorporating sources. It just went into greater detail about how to accomplish both of those things effectively. The second part of the chapter felt a little redundant, but was none the less a welcome redundancy. Correctly citing your sources and giving credit where it is due is one of those topics that needs to be repeated over and over not just so people can learn correct forms but also to make sure they don't forget.

Chapter sixteen is all about styling your writing. It talked about using active and passive voice as well as a constant perspective or point of view. The first part of the chapter talked about word choice in respect to the formal or informal language. The second part talked about polishing your writing style by focusing on sentence structure, creating effective transitions, avoiding sexist language, and effectively introducing other authors. It ends by suggesting the best way to improve your writing style is to read a wide variety of materials as often as you can to expose yourself too many variations of writing styles.

I think this chapter going to be very useful over the next couple weeks, especially after the work we've done with signal phrases and incorporating sources. This chapter really talked about something I think we tend to take for granted, your style is always one of those things that is just considered inevitable and obvious. This served as a really nice reminder that though you your style will be apparent regardless of what you write, you still have some control over the writing of your piece and you need to be careful about what you say.