Style Manuals

Depending on your subject area, you will be using one of several style manuals to help you get your paper and references in order. Both of the most popular style manuals had new editions this summer. The Modern Language Association (MLA) and the American Psychological Association (APA) manuals are commonly used on our campus.

We have copies of both on reserve in the library. If you are requested to use the APA style, it is important to know that there are many errors and typos in the first edition. We are hoping to receive the 2nd edition soon. In the meantime, you can go to their web site or read the following for updates.

http://supp.apa.org/style/pubman-reprint-corrections-for-2e.pdf

ENGL 292: Alternative Literature

"Alternative Literature" is outside the mainstream of traditional literature. It includes mysteries, sci fi, graphic novels, and lots of other genres. Join us for the NEW class starting Spring Semester 2010, Tuesday and Thursday from 8:30 - 9:50 am. We'll read a variety of works from short stories to plays to poems, and lots in between. Assignments will include more than just reading and discussion. Make a storyboard, do a powerpoint and compare a film and a book, put on a costumed mystery for others to solve - there will be lots to do as well as read. We're excited and hope you will be, too.

Controversial Issues

A common writing assignment for composition classes is the argumentative essay on a controversial issue. It is often quite easy to locate material on one side of the issue but not on the other. Particularly if you feel strongly one way or the other, it is difficult to order your thoughts to present the opposing opinion.

A new site to help you is on the library web site. On the Electronic Reference page http://www.ndscs.nodak.edu/library/reference.jsp you will find links to the ProCon site, under controversial issues. You should be able to read source material to help you on just about any issue that is currently making waves.

See more about Pro and Con support in the June 25 blog below.

Ray Bradbury and Books

As I said below, the more you read the better you write. It is particularly important to read books that are well written, with ideas to stimulate your thinking. One contemporary writer that has written many books that fascinate the imagination is Ray Bradbury. Arguably his most famous book is Fahrenheit 451 which discusses issues of censorship and intellectual freedom.

On Tuesday, Oct. 6 at 7:30, a panel of experts will discuss the issues presented in this book in the Fireside Lounge at MSCTC in Fergus Falls. Join in the discussion or just listen. There will be drawings for free books from The NEA Big Read, as well as refreshments. All are welcome.

The Big Read

As most writers will tell you, the best way to learn to write well is to read a lot. This year the library is participating in a nationwide reading community through the National Endowment for the Arts, "The Big Read."

The book we will be reading is Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury, a science fictional look at a future world where reading is discouraged and censorship controls the population. Watch for information about events related to this book, and to other books as well. You will have the opportunity to hear a well-known science fiction author (unfortunately not Bradbury) at the Stern Cultural Center in October.

Smarthinking

Do you know about Smarthinking? This is a service that NDSCS supports to give you 24/7 access to tutoring and topic helps. Among others, there is a Writing Lab that can help you with papers for any class. Some things they can help with are lab reports, business plans and literary analysis. You can forward them a paper and have them critique it with you.

You will need a password and login to set up your account, so first contact your instructor or the library to find out how to get started. The website is

http://www.smarthinking.com/

You will set up a new username and password to use whenever you access Smarthinking for tutoring. Then you can get help whenever you need it.

Pros and Cons

A common essay given to English classes is to take a stand on an issue, either pro or con, and defend that stand with support from articles and books by scholarly or expert individuals. If you are looking for materials that will help you in this type of paper, here are some sources to look at.

Opposing Viewpoints: http://www.ndscs.edu/library/magazine.jsp
Choose the Gale Group and click on the link to Opposing Viewpoints.

ProCon.org: http://www.procon.org

Also, we have books from the Opposing Viewpoints series in the library, another set on Clashing Views, and others. Check in the ODIN catalog for details.