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

In Class Assignment at the CLE Monday, Sept. 30th

We're meeting in the CLE mini-lab on Monday! But you already knew that, didn't you?

Your assignment for today will be to work MLA format. You'll be writing the introduction to your Definition/Example essay. Here are the instructions for MLA formatting:


Your First Page

Only the first page should include the whole heading and title. All margins--top, bottom, and sides--should be set to one inch (1") throughout the whole paper. Don't add extra spaces between the heading and the title, nor should there be extra spaces between the title and the body of the paragraph.

Use a reasonably-sized font: either 10 characters per inch or a 12 point font. And choose a font that is easy to read rather one that is decorative: "Arial," "Lucida," "Modern," "Palermo" or "Times New Roman" are some good choices. Scripted fonts are hard to read even if they do make your paper "look nice"; it is the content of the paper that is most important, and making it easy for your readers to understand that content is always a good choice.

All Following Pages:

Instead of the full heading, pages that follow the opening page should use a header in the upper right corner: your last name and the page number.
Do not add extra spaces between paragraphs--that is a business format. Instead, make sure to continue indenting paragraphs one-half inch (the usual tab default setting).






So your assignment, for today, will be to turn in a properly formatting MLA page that includes your introduction to your Definition/Example essay. Your introduction needs to have the following elements:

1. The extended definition (term, class, distinguishing characteristics and negation)
2. Your thesis statement (what you term is and why it's important)
3. An attention grabber.

Definition Essay

A definition essay, as outlined in chapter 16/17, is one that gives detailed information on a particular term or concept. Your next assignment will be to write this type of essay.

Definition essays include a standard definition and distinguishing characteristics (this information should be included in your introduction). They also include any background information needed.


Be sure that your essay follows one of the patterns of organization we've been discussing in class. Each body paragraph should have a topic sentence that pertains to a distinguishing characteristic. I'll also be looking for complete intros and conclusions.

For this essay (and all the rest of the year) MLA format is required.

As usual, 2 pages double spaced.

Instead of peer review, you'll be required to get feedback on your essay through either Smartthinking or the CLE. Plan ahead and be sure to do this! It's part of your grade.

Definition Essay Rubric

Here are some possible topics (others at the end of chapter 16/17):

Define your views on parenting
Write an essay defining the characteristics of a "perfect job" you hope to obtain after graduation
Define a term and demonstrate an issue in your community, such as racism or ethnic stereotyping
Define "American Democracy," but with fifth graders as your audience.

If you have another idea, feel free to ask!


DUE DATES:

Rough Draft Due to Smartthinking/CLE by
Revisions Due