Homework HELP!!!!

[redhairedgirl]

I really need some help on this one, cause I don't know what to do.

I am taking a 400 level history class on the Pacific Northwest. I live in Maryland and only lived 4 years in Washington state, so I don't really have a lot of "common knowledge" about the area as someone who has lived there their entire life may have.
Thus, the present problem:
I am doing homework, which is based upon lectures and textbooks. I MUST have complete citations, otherwise I get kicked out of school for plagurism. However, because of the class and my inexperience with the area, coming up with an original thought is proving to be difficult. I am finding that majority of my answers are either citations or paraphrasing, but the instructor has stated that to receive anything higher than a C on homework, you must have an original thought.
For instance, a question may be: What and where is the Columbia Gorge and how is it historically significant?

Well, because I don't know what and where - I have to refer to my books. But I'm afraid that because all I am doing is mostly citation of some sort, that it's going to look like I don't have an original thought in my head.

Am I making this out to be something larger than it should be? Should I just go ahead, submit what I have and go from there? I can do an extra assignment if I screw this one up to replace it, grade wise. :banghead: I just feel like I'm making a bigger mess out of this than it should be - I mean, I only have limited knowledge and I can only answer a question that asks for facts in so many ways. :banghead:

Thanks for any help.

[Jessica]

To me, there are only so many ways of saying what and where is the Columbia Gorge! When I have questions like that, I usually paraphrase and cite. If you can come up with an interesting and unique way of describing it, to add to that, then go for it. As for the historical significance, what I usually do for questions like that is read what the books have to say, put them away for a day, and then write my answer without using books, trying to come up with something unique. Then I compare what I wrote to the books, and if it's too close to paraphrasing, I give up and cite it.

If that doesn't work for you, I'd turn in what you have. Like you said, at least you can do an extra assignment if necessary.

[redhairedgirl]

Thanks Jessica! I think maybe I'll do that. I'm just getting into too big of a fit over this. Perhaps I'll take a day's vacation from the books. :nod:

[Alysia]

Mandy~ My advice is to step back and take a deep breath! I think Jessica's suggestions are great! I would be stuck in a class like that too. I have only been in WA for about 3 years now.