Blog #6

I know this comes as a shock [note: sarcasm], but due this Friday at midnight (10/29) is your reflection for your Critical Analysis.

Here's the assignment:

Write a nice, long STANDARD reflection -- what did you like/dislike? What will you change? What won't you change? Etcetera, etcetera, etcetera ...

Really, your responses have been a little short. This was a long paper, so the reflection should be long.

Any questions at all -- call me :)

Blog #5

This entry is due Sunday, October 17th by midnight-ish.

Even without having your paper back (the Evaluative Summary), I would like you to think about what you could have done differently. What about using stronger verbs? Did you effectively discuss whether or not the article's argument was successful? Did you follow the assignment? Is your opinion in the paper? How did you get it there? Did you complete a summary of the article?

Use this reflection as a jumping point for your first revision. I know that it is hard to rewrite something you have considered complete. Good writers rewrite constantly! Aim for a complete rewrite while you keep the "essence" of your paper intact. Look for ways to better say what you said before. For example, try to write the entire paper without using "is, are, was, or were." Instead, use verbs that really demonstrate what you are trying to say. ACTIVE VERBS!

This assignment is due Friday, October 19th by midnight. You should bring your first revision of your evaluative summary to your conference on the 21st.

For Help on Rewrites

Here are the major points from the power point I showed you in class. This can help if you get stuck on your rewrites.

Paragraphs:

* Start with TSCD.
* Do I need to make new paragraphs? Where?
* Are there enough concrete details? Commentaries?
* Do I close every paragraph?
* Does everything I say in each paragraph relate to the topic sentence?
* Does every paragraph have a topic sentence?

Transitions:

* Is there a transition between every paragraph?
* What kind of transition?
* Is it located at the end of a paragraph or the beginning?
* Is it good there?
* Should I move it?

Diction/Word Choice:

* What about my verbs?
* Is every verb doing SOMETHING?

Relevance:

* Does everything -- EVERYTHING reply to my thesis?
* Is my thesis strong enough? Should I rewrite it?

Make sure to call me or e-mail me if you need some help or just someone to "whine" to. Remember that I've written "a few" papers in my time :)

Blog #4

YOU MUST HAVE THIS DONE BEFORE WE MEET IN THE COMPUTER LAB (Monday, October 11th or Thursday, October 14).

The success of any paper hinges on your interest in the topic and your willingness to pick a side.

In the interest of encouraging you to find new ideas, what follows is a list of topics I will not allow you to write on for your argument paper: steriod use, drug use, abortion, euthanasia, cigarette smoking (including smoking bans), alcohol use/abuse, suicide, child abuse, or the death penalty. These topics have been done to death and you really cannot say anything that I haven't already heard (on either side).

I have the last say on topics so aim for creative and interesting. For this assignment, post a blog entitled "Research Paper Free Write" in which you think about your outside interests. Are you active in sports? In a Greek organization? In a chess club? What issues do you talk about with your friends? What upsets you about the evening news? What encourages you in the newspaper? Are you interested in world affairs? Movies? Television? I want to know what you are thinking about every day. This post should be at least 2 or 3 long paragraphs. I will get back to each of you, individually, with topic ideas drawn from this post. Don't short change yourself in this assignment. Take it seriously and really think about those issues with which you come into contact every day.

I REALLY JUST WANT TO KNOW ABOUT YOUR INTERESTS AND LIKES. Free write a lot about these things.