river oaks [english]

Now that the first draft of the research paper has been completed, it's time to begin gathering evidence from secondary sources. As noted in class, we are simply adding evidence to your first draft, and that evidence will come from your book and from sources "outside" of the book. We'll soon discuss the process of finding and evaluating those sources -- in class, and on Monday at ULM's library. To get us started, I'd like for you to check out Purdue's Online Writing Lab , perhaps the most extensive source online for resources related to writing. I've linked the portion of the site titled "Using Modern Language Association (MLA) Format." You'll find information there that reinforces the concepts I've discussed so far. In addition, I would like for you to view and print out the sample research paper found on Diane Hacker's website. Her handbooks are used regularly in college classrooms around the country, and the site is a

We've talked a good bit about whether or not the novel is racist, and most of the class seems to agree that it is a product of its time. For example, it can be argued that the use of the N-word adds to the realism (or authenticity?) of the book. For more insight into the problem of racism in the 19th century (and beyond), check out The Authentic History Center's Teaching Diversity website. Prepare to be offended. According to the site, "these items reflect the history and societal values of the time period in which they were produced." However, it is hard to look at some of these images objectively, through a modern "lens." If you think the images are offensive, or if you think the images are funny (or a mixture of both), I want you to think about why . The images certainly don't represent reality, as in the way things actually are , but the stereotypes are very real. I would like you to form your own opinion. Please respond to the images in

For those of you who are interested, here's an essay by Twain on the subject of lynching . The essay is critical and serious, and relates to Colonel Sherburn's argument in Chapter 22 (page 123 for those reading the Modern Library edition). It's worth the read if you can stomach it. Twain's The United States of Lyncherdom