Advice to Next Semester's Students

5:30

• Do your work!
• Put effort into your papers
• Arrive on time -- most of the information is in the beginning (like announcements)
• One must learn to take criticism and opinions on your writing and grammar, in both peer review, CLE/Smartthinking and Ms. Hoerth's comments
• Read the rubrics!
• Be organized! Otherwise, at the end of the semester, you'll be doing five essays!
• Don't procrastinate
• One must actually READ the assignments. They'll be quizzes, and the chapters actually help you with the essays, especially if you don't have a lot of experience
• Be sure to take notes. The examples are really helpful.
• Take advantage of the extra credit! 
• Own your writing. Make it interesting and write about what you want.
• Don't plagiarize! You'll get caught. 
• Don't throw away your work. Save your essays, especially.
• Don't leave early.
• Check the calendar for due dates. They're all there! 
• The blog is your best friend. Write down the right website (actually write it down. You can't google it).
• Have fun. 
• Get the book. You'll need it.
• Writing isn't as hard as it seems. Break it down into little steps and if you're lost, follow the formats
• Don't be afraid to voice your opinions. Speak up in class! And in your writing, too. 
• Learn to work with others and don't criticize them harshly. Constructive criticism is helpful, though

7:00

Don't procrastinate
Be like a sponge; absorb everything that's being taught
Dedication and willpower are needed
Take notes
Quizzes pop up at any time! Be ready.
Read the chapters ahead of time and buy the book on amazon (it's a lot cheaper)
Turn in all essays
You must have self-discipline when it comes to due dates
Be open to change and learn
Do not skip -- you miss out on important material and you get credit for assignments
Take advantage of extra credit
Read and observe essays of the same genre. They'll assist you in the production of your own
Remember why you're here. It'll keep you motivated and determined
Do not be lazy.
Do not be late. Announcements are in the beginning of class
Check the blogspot.
Give yourself enough time to work on each essay
Hit up the CLE often.
Don't be scared to ask questions.
Take part in peer review
Don't plagiarize -- you'll get caught.
It's a plus if you like poetry (most of the extra credits are poetry!).
Be creative because that's what catches the reader's eye, and that's what you need to be successful

Course Reflections

Folks:

We've come to the end of the road.

Before I send you off on your way, it's time to reflect a bit on the class, our goals, successes, and struggles.

      What DID you learn this semester?
      What struggles did you have?
 Looking back to the syllabus, these were the goals for the course:

Course Learning Outcomes:

1.      Students will demonstrate the steps in the writing process including invention, organization, drafting, revising, and editing.

2.      Students will demonstrate an awareness of audience and purpose in their communication choices.

3.      Students will write in multiple modes of expression.

4.      Students will understand the collaborative and social aspects of the writing process.

5.      Students will use appropriate research and documentation strategies.

  

 

 

     Quick Write Assignment -- Write independently:

                                                               i.      Write a brief letter to next year’s students. How would you describe this class? What does he or she need to know about this class? What can you tell him or her about writing, reading or learning for this class? What did you need to do to be successful in this course?

 

 

     Then, get into groups of 2-4 to share what you’ve written.

 

     As a group, develop a list of advice for next year’s students.

 

    As a class, we'll be making a collaborative blogpost about this that I can share with my next semester's students.

The Home Stretch!

 

We're almost there!

We're almost there, folks!

Over the Thanksgiving break, you'll want to begin looking at your portfolio and making necessary revisions to your papers. Here are the components required for a successful portfolio project:





Final Portfolio Requirements

Copies of each graded essay – (5 pts total)

1.     Descriptive

2.     Process Analysis

3.     Definition

4.     Cause and Effect

5.     Argumentative

If you’ve misplaced the copy I gave you with comments, simply write a ½ page discussion explaining in detail the revisions you’ve made.

Revised Copies of your essays – make suggested changes and any other you feel necessary (5 pts total)

1.     Descriptive

2.     Process Analysis

3.     Definition

4.     Cause and Effect

5.     Argumentative

Include a one page reflection on the course. Here are some questions you may choose to address in your response (5 pts).

What did you discover this semester about writing and the writing process?

How will you use this information in future coursework and your career?

Do you think the course was successful? What worked, and what didn’t? What could I have done better?

This will be due on December 9th, our last class day!

Note: We WILL have class on December 2nd. We are primarily meeting just to hand back and discuss the argumentative essays and reflecting on what we've learned. This will also be your last opportunity to turn in any missed essays (for half credit) and ask any last minute questions. Be sure to be in class! I will be taking attendance for a daily grade, and we will be doing an activity.

Stop! It's (Almost) Grammar Time!

If you get this reference you're old (aka awesome) like me

Since we haven't really focused on the mechanics of writing this semester, I thought now would be a good time to cover these pesky little details of language that often cause us to make errors in our writing. This is especially timely since you'll be working on proofreading your essays for the portfolio!

To review this, you will have an opportunity to give a mini-lesson on a particular grammar skill that I've noticed (through reading your papers of course) that you and your classmates might be having trouble with. For extra credit, why don't you volunteer to teach the class about one of these?

Your lesson will have to include 1. An explanation of the rules and 2. an activity to reinforce it with the class. You should expect to spend between 10-15 minutes. Volunteers who successfully present a "Grammar Time" lesson will receive 5 points to their final grade. It's pretty generous, I know.


Presentations will begin on Monday, November 18th and will conclude on Monday, November 25th. If you sign up for a presentation, come ready on the 18th

Up for grabs:

1.Then vs. Than
2. Identifying and Correcting Run-On Sentences
3. Properly Using Quotation Marks
4. Their, There, and They're



5. Using Semi Colons
6. To, Too, and Two
7. You're vs. Your
8. Apostrophes
9. Sentence Fragments
10. Double negatives

I'll be sending around a sign-up sheet in class today.

By the way, I WILL be looking at spelling/grammar/usage MLA business when it comes to your final portfolios. So please, do proofread. 

Attendance during presentation days is mandatory! I will be taking a daily grade.

Argumentative Peer Review

 

Don't be a scumbag! Give constructive criticism

Introduction:
 1. Is the issue indicated? Are there at least two sides?
2. What is the author's claim? Is it included?
3. Reasons -- are they outlined in the introduction?
4. Call to action -- what is it? Can be present here, but if not, should be included in the conclusion
5. Is there enough background information given? If not, suggest where they might elaborate.

Body Paragraphs
6. What pattern of organization to the body paragraphs follow?
7. Does each body paragraph have a topic sentence that includes a REASON?
8. Does each body paragraph have EVIDENCE?
9. How is the opposing viewpoint addressed? Does the author acknowledge, accommodate, or refute? Does he/she include EVIDENCE?

Conclusion
10. What is the paraphrased thesis?
11. How does the essay end? On a positive note? With a call to action?

Works Cited
12. Does the author include at least three sources? Each source here should be included, also, in the body of the paper.
13. Check for MLA formatting.

Overall Impression:
14. What are the essay's strengths?
15. What are the essay's areas for improvement?

If time permits -- Address MLA formatting issues and grammar, spelling, and punctuation.

Argumentative Outline Assignment

 

On Wednesday in class, we'll be working on creating an outline for our argumentative essays. Here is the suggested format (though of course, rule of thumb, not set in stone).

 

Before you leave class on Wednesday, you'll need to show me your outline for a daily grade.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Argumentative Essay Outline Format

I.                    Introduction

a.       Issue:

b.      Claim:

c.       Call to Action:

d.      Reasons:

Thesis statement: 

II.                  Reason 1:

a.       Evidence:

b.      Evidence:

c.       Evidence:

III.                Reason 2:

a.       Evidence:

b.      Evidence:

c.       Evidence:

IV.                Reason 3:

a.       Evidence:

b.      Evidence:

c.       Evidence:

V.                  Opposing Viewpoint

a.     Acknowledge, accommodate, or refute the counter-argument here.

b.      Evidence: 

VI. Conclusion -- 

Annotated Works Cited Pages

Yes, yes it is.

Folks:

The next step in doing our research papers is completing an annotated works cited page. An annotated works cited is where you list the sources you plan to use and give 1. a brief summary of it and 2. an explanation as to how you'll use this source in your own research.

The annotated works cited will be due 11/6.

We will be meeting in the library Wednesday, October 30th in room 220. This will give you an introduction to FINDING sources. You will need to find 3-5 of them, and at least one must be SCHOLARLY (from the library databases).

Not sure what an annotated works cited page looks like? Below is an example:

See how it has the usual MLA formatted citation, then a brief summary of the source? That's what you'll be creating.













If you need help creating the citations, there are several online websites that can help you generate them, such as:

EasyBib
SonofaCitationMachine
NoodleTools

So below are a few reminders for the next few days:

Wednesday, October 30th -- Meet in library, room 220

Monday, November 4th -- No class. This is your research work day

Wednesday, November 6th -- Your annotated works cited page is due

 

The Argumentative Essay (Our Last One!)

What kind of fallacy is this, oh students of mine???!

We're in the home stretch!

This is the last essay assignment for the semester, and it's a whopper. You'll be writing an argumentative essay.  Argumentative essays differ from narrative, expository, or analytical essays fundamentally in that you're writing to take a stand, to persuade your audience to accept a particular position, to convince your audience of a particular argument. Although in previous essay genres you're also making a point, the emphasis in argumentative essays is to make and prove an argument with convincing evidence and sound, logical reasoning. The purposes and requirements for this essay, therefore, are quite different from those for the previous essays. 

Your assignment is going to be to choose and issue and make a claim. This will be your thesis. Successful claims are supported with reasons and evidence (which tend to come from scholarly sources!). Good arguments also address (and perhaps refute) opposing viewpoints. These are the things I'll be looking for while grading your paper.

Want a more detailed list? Here's a RUBRIC.  

Feel free to choose your own topic, but be sure to choose something that is a claim (meaning that there are two sides) and that it's something specific enough that you'll be able to address in three to five pages. Here are a few examples of possible topics:

 Should drug tests be mandatory for high school athletes?

Should it be legal to burn an American flag?

Should the FBI be able to use racial profiling in terrorist cases?

Is the death penalty a good deterrent of crime?  

  Was the US justified in military action against Iraq?

Should states pay for social services to illegal immigrants?

Should homosexual couples be allowed to adopt children?

OR, think about the following topics and brainstorm an "issue" related to it:

Professional sports (e.x -- should professional that test positive for steroids be inducted into the hall of fame? Should athletes with criminal records be allowed to play?)
College policies (Should colleges go tobacco free? Should colleges use affirmative action in admissions decisions?)
Cell phones (Should texting while driving be made illegal? Should students be allowed to carry cell phones in high school?)
Movie ratings (Should minors be allowed to watch R rated movies? Should movie theaters kick out people who text/talk on their cell phones?)
Presidential campaigns (Should corporations be allowed to back presidential candidates financially? Should we eliminate the electoral college?)
 


Have an idea for another topic? Feel free to ask!

Final due date November 25th.

Mini-Due Dates!

Thesis Statement: 10/28
Annotated Works Cited: 11/6
Rough Draft I 11/13 (To Smartthinking/CLE)
Rough Draft II 11/15 (3 copies to class for peer review)
Revised Drafts 11/25


Video Clip for today's lecture

Cause/Effect Essay

Hah. Hah. Hah.

Our next essay focuses on cause and effect relationships.You'll be analyzing and explaining why events happen and have happens as a result of them.

Your cause/effect essay must include an introduction with a clear thesis statement (that lets the reader know if you're discussing cause, effect or both).
You'll also need developed body paragraphs that utilize a pattern of development. Make use of transition words, too.

MLA format is required for this assignment.

Here are a few options (more at the end of chapter 17/18):

1. Explain the causes of a bad day you recently experienced
2. Write an essay about the effects of winning a large cash prize
3.Young children frequently ask why. Chose a why question you have been asked by a child. Write an essay answering your question. Your audience is young children. (Example: Why is the sky blue?)
4. Write an essay explaining the effects of a stressful situation
5. Write a letter to the dean of academic affairs at your school about a problem. Discuss causes, effects, or both and propose a solution.

 And of course, how you'll be graded:

Cause and Effect Essay Rubric

For your rough drafts, we'll be doing conferences. Be sure to sign up for an appointment to meet with me! Draft is due during your meeting with me.
Revisions due on October 21st.

We'll be meeting in the classroom, but you only need to come to your scheduled conference time. I'll post up the schedule here on the blog once I get it solidified.

Professor/Student Conferences

Don't stand me up >:O

For the cause/effect essay, we'll be having one-to-one conferences to peer review your paper; therefore, next week, you'll only need to come on the day/time you've signed up for. If you haven't signed up for a time, please email me ASAP!

5:30 Class

Monday, October 14th

5:00 -- Mindy
5:10 -- Gyselle
5:20 -- Silvia
5:30 -- Lori R
5:40 -- Anahy
5:50 -- Jesus
6:00 -- Crystal
6:10 -- Lory
6:20 -- Mario
6:30 -- Hector
6:40 -- Gloria
6:50 -- Jessica

Wednesday, October 16th

5:00 --AVAILABLE
5:10 -- Melissa
5:20 -- Clare
5:30 -- Nora
5:40 -- Stefania
5:50 -- Arcelia
6:00 -- Rafael
6:10 -- John
6:20 -- Judith
6:30 -- AVAILABLE
6:40 -- Francisco
6:50 -- Ashley

7:00 Class

Monday, October 14th

7:00 --Wilfredo
7:10 -- Alex
7:20 -- Irasema
7:30 -- Daniel
7:40 -- Stephanie
7:50 -- Aime
8:00 -- Alejandra
8:10 -- Geena
8:20 -- Guadalupe
8:30 -- Ruben
8:40 --Walter

Wednesday, October 16th

7:00 -- Dominic
7:10 -- Stacy
7:20 -- Amanda
7:30 -- Anita
7:40 -- Javier
7:50 -- Anel
8:00 -- Cassandra
8:10 -- Jose
8:20 -- Rolando
8:30 -- Mark
8:40 -- Hector

Assignment from Wednesday

If you weren't in class on Wednesday, you're in luck. I'm posting our in class assignment, and you're welcome to finish it over the weekend and turn it in on Monday.

Instructions:

Fill in the article chart with the information from the following articles:

ARTICLE 1
ARTICLE 2
ARTICLE 3
ARTICLE 4
ARTICLE 5