Reflecting on Paraphrase Practice

Learning Goals of Paraphrasing Activities:
1. Only use a direct quote when it adds power and style to my writing.
2. Always make it clear, from context, that I understand the full meaning of any quote I use.
3. Whether I quote or paraphrase, I must always be transparent about the source and how I'm using it. 4. If I use another author's exact words or phrases, to any extent, I have to use quotation marks and provide attribution, in the text, so that it’s perfectly clear which words are not my own.
5. If I use another author's presentation of facts or ideas, but put their ideas in my own words, (paraphrase) I must give credit and provide attribution, in the text, so that I show clearly exactly how I’m using the words of another author.
6. The issue of plagiarism is not simply a matter of formal source citation. In different disciplines, sources may be cited or credited in different ways but the key point is to achieve total transparency in my writing when I use the work of others.
7. I understand that an “oversight” on my part, when it comes to crediting a quote, paraphrase, and source (hyperlink or citation, as directed) is, in fact, plagiarism, regardless of my intentions.

I rate myself a 5 on the Likert Scale of understanding how to use sources appropriately. I am ready to be held accountable for my skill and knowledge.

Paraphrase Practice

"Lincoln believed slavery was immoral, but he also considered the 13th Amendment a masterstroke in cutting away the financial foundations of the Confederacy. I've rarely been more aware than during Steven Spielberg's "Lincoln" that Abraham Lincoln was a plain-spoken, practical, down-to-earth man from the farmlands of Kentucky, Indiana and Illinois. He had less than a year of formal education and taught himself through his hungry reading of great books."- Lincoln Review, Roger Ebert

My paraphrase of this selected passage:
Although Lincoln did not consider slavery virtuous, he thought up a very clever way to remove funding from the Confederacy, and this came in the form of the 13th Amendment. Steven Spielberg's "Lincoln" does a fantastic job of showing that Abraham Lincoln was a regular, level-headed farm-boy from Kentucky, Indiana, and Illinois, a fact which I had never thought much of until watching this film. Abraham Lincoln was only knowledgeable by choice, as he only had months of traditional schooling, but he learned about the world through his own desire to read many books. 

Thinkin' About Lincoln

The film "Lincoln" offers many instances that could lead one to make the argument that Abraham Lincoln is a hero. Generally, this argument would come down to the fact that Lincoln "abolished slavery" which isn't exactly true, though he was the biggest push behind the 13th Amendment, which did abolish slavery in America. In the film, Lincoln makes many sacrifices from his personal life to achieve the passing of the amendment. The most prominent example, in my opinion, comes from Lincoln's tumultuous relationship with his wife, which only grows more unstable as the movie progresses. She begins to resent him throughout various parts of the film, and he doesn't restrain himself very well either. He also shows the courage to stand for what he believes in when he discusses the Amendment with his friends, family, and Cabinet. He never strays from wanting the Amendment passed, and he makes it clear that he will go to extremes to get it passed, such as buying votes, which is much more common than some would like to believe. When it all boils down to it, one could easily make the argument that Lincoln was a hero, only in also pointing out that no hero is without their flaws.

Learning About the Confederacy

The Confederacy is a very touchy and interesting subject. For some people, the ones who still hold fondly onto things of the past, it can be a subject full of denial and defense. For others, who's ancestors may have been affected by the Confederacy, it can be a subject full of harsh and unnecessary responses. Most people view the Confederacy in a negative light, which is likely the proper response. In reading about the Confederacy's reasons for secession from the United States, you get the same type of answer, phrased differently, across the board. At the end of the day, the Confederacy was fighting for racial superiority. Many Confederate leaders and supporters have voiced their displeasure with their colleagues dancing around this subject. A fair portion of Confederates were not only unapologetic about their beliefs, but proud.

The Confederate flag is also quite fascinating, since there are so many varying opinions on it's modern definition. The "Confederate battle flag" is somewhat of a misnomer. There were many Confederate units who fought under various flags, not just the Stars and Bars. Nowadays, the commonly seen "Confederate flags" are actually not that, but rather a variation of it. The flag has been used in many ways, from the Ku Klux Klan to Dukes of Hazzard to everyday people. Personally, I believe it is possible, even necessary, to separate the battle flag of the Confederacy from the stated goals of the Confederacy itself. If we cannot disassociate the flag from the goals of the Confederacy, it becomes all too easy to make unfounded presumptions about people that we do not know. We must get to know people before we make harsh assumptions regarding their character.

Nowadays, the battle flag of the Confederacy is widely associated with country life or "good ol' boys." That's what I personally associate it with. I don't really care if somebody decides to fly that flag, as long as they know why they're flying it. Throughout the duration of my studies regarding the Confederacy, I have gained a more informed knowledge on the beliefs of the Confederacy and the origin of their battle flag, which has helped solidify my opinions regarding the Confederacy as a whole.