Clippings and Photocopied Material

This medium has caused a certain amount of controversy in the past. Sometimes other people say or show what needs to be said or shown better than we can. This is why we quote people even in a formal research paper. Sometimes it is even worth cutting an entire article out of a newspaper, or photocopying a chart or map or picture out of a book. The temptation is sometimes there, however (as evidenced by dozens of past Portfolios mostly full of Xeroxes), to let these excerpts do all the talking. Go ahead and copy away (always making sure to put in a footnote to give credit where credit is due), but remember that this is a Portfolio of YOUR learning, and your words and pictures are the only ones that can properly document that learning. If you include an article, dialogue with it; if you include a chart, explain its relevance and/or meaning in your Portfolio's context.

Workshop Discussion Sparks

The fine but important line between using and abusing resources

Inspired and Creative

Rigorous Training

Practice by writing about random articles you see in the newspaper.

AAAAAGGGHHHH!

This is not to say never use xeroxed material, just use it with a sense of balance.

See Also

Contribute to the Portfolio Resource Guide!!!

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