Paper-Writing Tips & Best Practices for BIS 310

For a Learning Journal, you will be writing an approximately 2-page response. This assignment
requires both analysis (using credible evidence from the texts, demonstrating that you read and
engaged with the material) and personal reflection on a topic related to the texts.

What you will be graded on:

• How well you answer each question—in terms of clarity, content, and organization. Two
pages is not much space, so edit your writing carefully. Know what want to say before you
start to write; I recommend writing a brief outline first. During and after your paper writing
process, check that you are addressing the prompt itself, and not a different question.

• Evidence that you did the readings and engaged with them at a deep level (at the very least,
you must include in-text citations in your response; use author(s)’ last name and page
number, or year if there are multiple pieces by the same author(s)). A formal Works
Cited list isn’t necessary, as long as you use in-text citations from only the
authors we have read.

o Do not use LONG direct quotes—even short quotes are not always necessary. Rather,
just paraphrase the author’s ideas along with their name and year of publication in
parentheses. If you must use quotes, PLEASE use correct citation format (quotation
marks and author name, at the very least). You run a risk of being reported for
plagiarism otherwise.

• Grammar and spelling should be as professional and polished as possible, and there should
be clear separation of ideas by organized paragraphs.

Other tips:

• Avoid using words or phrases from the readings that you wouldn’t normally use in your
academic papers. Write in your own voice, with your own vocabulary, and
demonstrate your learning with depth of reflection and analysis rather than a “fancier” way
of writing. Students find themselves in trouble with the plagiarism software (and my “sixth
sense” as an instructor) when their writing doesn’t sound authentic.

• Use the first paragraph to tell me where you are going. I suggest writing an outline first,
including a thesis statement or summary of your response in the first sentence or two.

• After finishing your first draft, read your paper out loud—seriously. This makes a huge
difference. Then go back through and revise, looking for phrases and paragraphs that are
incomplete, need transitions, better punctuation, etc.

• I highly recommend you use the Writing and Communication Center for help. Send
your paper to them for comments; it is worth it, even if you only have a day to do it and
revise. Fix what they advised you to fix, and if you have more time, send the revised copy
back to them and ask for another reading. If you do contact them, please include evidence of
your visit in your final paper (staple it, etc).
 Section 1 Learning Journal

This prompt has multiple parts, so please be sure to read each part carefully and then
respond to each one within your paper. You do not need to answer all the pieces
in order, but you do need to address all of them—and in as concise a manner as possible.
The page limit is approximately 2 pages; it would be difficult to craft an adequate
response in less space than that. Please do not write more than 2.5 pages maximum.
Use a standard font such as Times New Roman or Arial, font size 11 or 12, and 1”
margins around the edges. There is no need for a heading since this will be
turned in on Canvas; your name and class information will already be
attached to your submission.

Prompt: What does Mohanty (1991) mean by “Third World difference,”

and why is she critical of this concept? What commonalities do you see
between her main points and those of Abu-Lughod (2002) and Runyan
& Peterson (2014)? What suggestions does Mohanty make for
representing Global South women in a way that does not perpetuate
First/Third World power imbalances?