The End is Near!

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 Wednesday, May 1st. NO LATE WORK!

Note: We will have class on Wednesday, April 24th. We are primarily meeting just to hand back and discuss the argumentative essays, in addition to filling out evaluations. This will also be your last opportunity to turn in any missed essays (for half credit) and ask any last minute questions. 

Argumentative Essay Peer Review

Today we're doing peer review for our argumentative papers. Use this time to get feedback! These are the main things to focus your discussions on:

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.

Organizing Your Argumentative Paper

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 -- 

Research?

This week, we'll be finding out just how true this is :-)

Students:

This is a reminder that we'll be meeting in the library on Thursday, April 3rd, classroom 220 on the second floor. The librarians will be going over research skills with us, and you will also have an opportunity to work on your annotated Works Cited page, which is due April 10th. Attendance is mandatory and for a grade this day, so you don't want to miss out!


Need an example of an annotated works cited page? Here's what one may look like:

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

You need between 3-5 sources for this assignment.

We also will not formally have class on Monday, April 8th. I am giving you that time a work day to complete your annotated works cited page. Please use this time wisely. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to ask.


See you in the library!

Argumentative Essay Assignment

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. Start with a question. 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?

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

Final due date April 22nd, no late work accepted!

Mini-Due Dates!
Thesis Statement: 4/3
Annotated Works Cited: 4/10
Rough Draft I 4/15 (Take to CLE/SMARTTHINKING)
Rough Draft II 4/17 -- Bring 3 copies to class for peer review
Revised Drafts 4/22 (no late work accepted!)


Logical Fallacies video

Professor/Student Conferences



Don't stand me up >:O


Folks:

On Wednesday, March 20th and Monday, March 25th we'll be having conferences. You only need to come on the day you've signed up for (yay!). Use the time off to work on your cause/effect essay.

Here's what you signed up for:

Wednesday, March 20th

5:30 -- Denise
5:40 -- Sergio
5:50 -- Kendra
6:00 -- Alfonso
6:10 -- Myra O
6:20 -- Stephanie
6:30 -- Sylvia
6:40 -- Carolina
6:50 -- Hercules
7:00 -- Jon
7:10 -- Jesse
Monday, March 25th

5:30 -- Mayra D.
5:40 -- Adolfo
5:50 -- Aimee
6:00 -- Veronica
6:10 -- Alan
6:20 -- Zayra
6:30 --  Daniel
6:40 -- Andy
6:50 -- Cesar
7:00 -- Juan

Cause and 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! Your draft will be due on March 18th, and your conference will be either the 20th or the 25th.

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.