Outcome 2 (Integrating Ideas) – Be able to integrate their ideas with others using summary, paraphrase, quotation, analysis, and synthesis of relevant sources.

The integration of sources has been the focal point of all my essays this semester. Beginning with what “They Say” and moving into my understanding of the quote by explaining it with what “I Say.” I quickly noticed something that was working for me, which was Barclay paragraphs. It would help me integrate multiple sources while maintaining my own voice. Here’s an example of a paragraph where I integrated sources without a Barclay paragraph, and then I’ll give you an example of when I did use the outline. 

Essay #1 integrating Chen- beginning of 2nd paragraph

Essay #2 integrating Bloom and Wallace- beginning of 2nd paragraph

You can tell in the first example I only had one source, it would’ve been a much better paragraph if I could’ve brought in another point of view. So in the second essay, I focused on instead of just integrating sources, having the sources interact with one another. In the second example, I push back on Bloom and extend with specifics to make it more nuanced. I then compare it to David Foster Wallace and how it relates to Bloom’s controversial thoughts on empathy. 

This was the main focus for me as I went into Essay #2, and Essay #3, which is to have the sources interact with each other to strengthen my point, but also to not lose sight of my own voice. I think my essays improved significantly because of what I learned about integrating Barclay paragraphs and bringing in multiple viewpoints.