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JOHN C. KINCHELOE Northern Virginia Community College
Kinch's Essay Writing Guide
The
purpose of writing is to communicate ideas to the reader in a
clear and straightforward way.
Express
yourself in a brief manner, while using significant evidence
to prove the main thesis.
What follows is a general outline of rules
that, if followed, will produce a quality paper worthy of your
abilities.
(Summaries
do not cut it here. Your ideas should be original!)
Before
writing:
-Decide on the main thesis of the paper.
(What you are trying to prove? This may change
over the course of the writing process.)
To write an effective paper you must make
an Argument.
Original ideas (no regurgitation)
-Decide what evidence you are going to use.
You have limited space. Use it well.
Structure:
-Title----------- Catch
the
reader’s attention.
-Introduction- Begin
the
paper by stating your thesis in a clear powerful
manner
State your argument!
Explain what you are
arguing, but do not use evidence or examples yet.
-Body-----------Prove you argument, using
examples and specifics from the various readings.
Focus on
proving your thesis with both ANALYSIS and EVIDENCE
(Evidence: names, dates, facts, #s,
quotes, examples)
-Conclusion---Do
not just restate your thesis, drive the nail into the coffin
of your argument.
Avoid new information, you are trying to
sum up your points here.
Flow:
-When you have finished writing:
Change the font /
Print it off / Read
the paper out loud
This
will trick your mind into thinking you have never seen the
text before and help you catch mistakes.
-or-
Have
someone else read over it.
-Use spellcheck.
****Check your Grammar.****
You will lose credit for grammatical mistakes.
-Read for the message.
Ask yourself: "What did I prove here?"
If
your essay argues something different than your introduction
states, then go rewrite the introduction.
(I do
this on a regular basis.)
Quoting
-There should be quotes and examples from primary
sources in your paper.
-Do not fill the paper with quotes: 2-3 per page max.
-It is better to put the writers ideas in you own words
and cite him/her.
Citation
-A full citation of all
ideas, not your own, need to be cited in footnote
form. - -
-Chicago
Style
citations are appropriate and necessary in historical writing.
http://libguides.nvcc.edu/ChicagoTurabian
Kinch’s
Pet Peeves.
Necessities of
formal writing
-Always use past
tense when discussing the past.
-Avoid passive
voice= "have been"/ "will be"/ "is going to be"
= Be Assertive!
-Never
write in the first person: “I” or “we.”
-Never use contractions:
can’t /
shouldn’t / it’s.
-Never
begin a sentence with the word “Because.”
-Never use the phrases: “In conclusion” /"In
summary" /"across time" /"throughout history"
-
Readers do NOT
care about you!
People will care
about your argument if you can convince them!
Required
Format.
-12pt. font
- Calibri
-1 in. margins
-Double spaced
Brevity
is the key to good writing!
TREES NEED LOVE TOO!
Other helpful writing advice:
-Charlie’s History Writing Center
http://www.ctevans.net/Nvcc/Writingcenter/Writingcenter.html
-Campus
Writing
and Learning Centers:
https://www.nvcc.edu/Loudoun/writing/index.html
Rubric for Essay Grading:
| A= |
-Clear original Argument -Well proven with evidence from primary and secondary sources -Historically accurate -Well written/ good grammar/ correct citations |
| B= |
-Argumentative -Uses all required sources with citations -Incorporates specific evidence -Historically accurate |
| C= |
-Historically accurate or Specific details
with no argument -Lacking clear writing or organization -Clear & Honest attempt. -Has citations |
| D= | -Little effort,
Short/unsubstantial, or Weak attempt -Does Not follow directions (length, subject, use of documents) |
| F= |
-Did not do correct
assignment -Minimal effort -Not historically accurate |
- -------------------------------Library
research guides for research projects--------------------------------------
- Western Civ: https://libguides.nvcc.edu/HIS101-102-Kincheloe
- World Civ: https://libguides.nvcc.edu/c.php?g=1345814
- US History: https://libguides.nvcc.edu/c.php?g=1345816
Use of AI Technology:
Tools such as Turnitin and ZeroGPT will be used to detect and flag instances of plagiarism and potential use of AI writing in your assignments. Students must complete their own work and provide attribution when using the words or ideas from a source. Unless otherwise explicitly instructed, students must not use AI writing and composition tools. If you are asked or required to use tools like ChatGPT, these must be cited in your submission.
----Any suspected violations will need to be justified in an oral interview with the professor.