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Monday, November 25, 2013

13.1 (11/25 and 11/26) Outlining a paper - using research


Today we'll talk about the "balancing act" of writing an analytical research paper. 

You'll need to include enough of everything, but not too much of anything.  You are ONLY writing 1000 words....Since you've just read tens of thousands of word on your topic, you know more than you could ever "fit" into a short(ish)  essay.
 
 Today you'll jump right in to outlining!

But wait ... too soon.  See, you have to make some decisions first.  What EXACTLY is your paper about, anyway?  And how many "subtopics" - or smaller parts - will your research support?  These might be "different relationships" or "various causes of an effect" or "stages in a progressions"  or even "opposing or divergent expert opinions/theories on a topic".  If its more than 4, can you cut or combine some of them.  If its less than 3, can you stretch somethings out - or do you need more research?

Here is a sample outline

Your paper will be at least 1000/words (about 4 pages).  I would aim for a distribution like this:

  • Intro (150 -200words)
  • 1st subtopic (250-350 words)
  • 2nd subtopic (250-350words)
  • 3rd subtopic (250-350 words)
  • Conclusion (100 -150 words)
OR
  • Intro (150 -200words)
  • 1st subtopic (200-250 words)
  • 2nd subtopic  (200-250 words)
  • 3rd subtopic  (200-250 words)
  • 4th subtopic (200-250 words)
  • Conclusion (100-150 words)
I suggest you use subheadings to keep your organziation clear and tight - at least in your first draft.

Make sure that, along the ways, you always keep a detailed, written track of where your information/paraphrases and quotes come from (last name of author, page number, source).  Also, any language not your wown (quoted) must always remain in " " marks.  Never decide to put them back in later! 

What's due 14.1 (aka the first class back after Thanksgiving)?

A typed draft of at least 750 words divided evenly into different subtopic categories.  It can be printed or merely available on a FULLY CHARGED tablet or laptop. Each subtopic category (except the intro) must reference at least 1 source.  Each paper must reference at least 3 different sources total.  Bring all sources to class for an in-class MLA citation workshop.  Bring in a technology that you can use to edit your work - either a a FULLY CHARGED tablet or laptop or  a printed draft with pen/pencil for handwritten changes.

Have a lovely and wonderful break with your families - well, except for the part where you have to write these research papers :)

Thursday, November 21, 2013

12.2 (11/20 and 11/21) - Annotated Bibliography

In class we will be working on annotated bibliographies.  The final, typed version in proper MLA format with at least 4 sources is due Week 13/Day 1 (aka next mon/tues)

draft my paper

Monday, November 18, 2013

12.1 (11/18 and 11/19) Research

Today we will talk about Academic Research!


Level I: Open Web (use with caution)
Level II: Print/Web Access (Reliable Books, Newspapers and Magazines - often both in print and online.
Level III: Closed Search Engines -  Here's the link to the Library
Level IV: Self-Conducted (First-Hand)

The research paper will have a

+Title Page
+ Body of at least 1,000 words (does not include multimodal elements, Works Cited, Title page, etc.)
+ At least 2 multimodal elements (embedded or linked)
+ An Annotated Bibliography
+ Works Cited Page

You will use a minimum of 5 valid and reliable sources to research and write your paper, not including those used for multimodal enhancement.

MLA Citation (in-text and in WC) must be done correctly.  It alone will account for 10% of the grade. 



Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Lets Woordle in class!

http://www.wordle.net/create

Schedule for rest of semester


Schedule for rest of semester

This weekend's HW: Preliminary topics and group affiliations due. Independant researchers must find one article on their topic as a "pass" to move forward. Every member of a group must find a dinstinct piece of research on the topic (2 members, 2 articles; 3 members, 3 articles etc).

From this point on in the semester, students are encouraged to bring any portable technology they have to class (laptops, tablets, smartphones) to aid with research projects.

12.1 (11/18 and 11/19) - Introduction to academic research, Part I.

HW. Locate and skim at additional sources on your topic. If available, reading just the abstract (carefully) is ok.
  • independants find 2-3 more
  • groups of 2 find 4-5
  • groups of 3 find 5-6
  • groups of 4 find 7-8
Bring printed articles or digital links you can access in class to next session.

12.2. (11/20 and 11/21) - Introduction to academic research, Part II.
  • Annotated bibliography Project
13. 1 (11/25 and 11/16) - Outlining and using research as evidence
hw. drafts due after break

13.2 Thanksgiving

14.1 (12/2 and 12/3) Drafts due; MLA Workshop

14.2 (12/4 and 12/5) - Final Drafts Due - Peer Review

Note:  From this point on, we will have class discussions, screen films, etc during class.  The deadline for ths project is staggered so that all students get their last paper returned asap in case they want to revise. Late penalties of 10 points a day will be applied, so do not be late.

15.1 (12/9; 12/10);Papers due - Red and Yellow

15. 2 (12/11; 12/12) Papers due (green and blue)

16. 1 (12/16; 12/17) Papers Due Purple.

16.2  (12/18; 12/19) Last day of class. Wrap it up and intro to 102.

11.2 (dates 11/13 and 11/14)

****Due to cancellation earlier in the week, Purple class will have day 11.1 on 11/14 .  Review prior post.  Purple class students do not have to do what follows***************




First we will have presentations by students, including

Red - Steven Ewart
Yellow - Lexi, Roxanne, Haider, Hieu, DJ, Raphael, Christy, Kyle and Kisha
Green - Melanie
Blue - Brittany and Noelle
Purple - TBA - postponed to the following week. Purple class will have day 11.1 on 11/14 . no HW.

Then we will discuss the film we watched and compile a master list of topic ideas. 

Schedule for rest of semester

This weekend's  HW: Preliminary topics and group affiliations due. Independant researchers must find one article on their topic as a "pass" to move forward. Every member of a group must find a dinstinct piece of research on the topic (2 members, 2 articles; 3 members, 3 articles etc).

XC Challenges 2 and 3 - Gratitude letters.  Worth 1 point per round.  Round 1 due 12.2. (11/20 and 11/21); Round 2 due 13. 1 (11/25 and 11/16)  
Compose one or more letters of gratitutde for someone. Total word count at least 500 words.  Letters must be sent.  Sent emails can be printed out.  Cards/physical letters must be brought to class - unsealed - with approporiate postage and envelope.  I will drop them in the mail for you.

From this point on in the semester, students are encouraged to bring any portable technology they have to class (laptops, tablets, smartphones) to aid with research projects.

12.1 (11/18 and 11/19) - Introduction to academic research, Part I. 

HW. Locate and skim at additional sources on your topic. If available, reading just the abstract (carefully) is ok.
  • independants find 2-3 more
  • groups of 2 find 4-5
  • groups of 3 find 5-6
  • groups of 4 find 7-8
Bring printed articles or digital links you can access in class to next session.

12.2. (11/20 and 11/21) - Introduction to academic research, Part II. 
  • Annotated bibliography Project
13. 1 (11/25 and 11/16) - Outlining and using research as evidence
hw. drafts due after break

13.2 Thanksgiving

14.1 (12/2 and 12/3) Drafts due;  MLA Workshop

14.2 (12/4 and 12/5) - Final Drafts Due - Peer Review


Note: From this point on, we will have class discussions, screen films, etc during class. The deadline for ths project is staggered so that all students get their last paper returned asap in case they want to revise. Late penalties of 10 points a day will be applied, so do not be late.

15.1 (12/9; 12/10);Papers due - Red and Yellow

15. 2 (12/11; 12/12) Papers due (green and blue)

16. 1 (12/16; 12/17) Papers Due Purple.

16.2 (12/18; 12/19) Last day of class. Wrap it up and intro to 102.


Monday, November 11, 2013

11.1 (dates 11/11 and 11/12)

Today we'll watch the documentary Happy via Netflix instant streaming.  If you can't make it to class, the film is available through Netflix.


Registration also starts today!  Woo-Hoo!


Here are my classes for winter and Spring 2014

Wintersession
  • The Short Story ENG206 CRN 10015
  • M,T, W,Th, F 9-1215 am

Spring 2014
Eng 102 - Intro to Lit (3 sections)
  • CRN 21534 meets MW 8 AM
  • CRN 21745 meets TR 930 AM
  • CRN 21843 meets TR 2 PM
ENG 131 Creative Writing (2 sections)
  • CRN 20618 meets Sundays 10 AM
  • CRN 21860 meets TR 1230 PM
ENG 221 The Art of Poetry
  • CRN 20720 meets MW 930AM

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

10.2

Today, we'll have presentations, then - if there's time - begin to watch this documentary...

http://www.youtube.com/v/JcMQmuvzPmI?autohide=1&version=3&autoplay=1&autohide=1&attribution_tag=nVFB-FZZQvmIdj5J-Ek4JQ&feature=share&showinfo=1

Hw - come up with 10 possible topics for research paper - not just for yourself for for someone else. Try to make them really diverse from one another.

Extra credit option #1 - Prepare and present your own "creative" product of some kind addressing the topic of happiness. This could be a work of literature (poem, story, scene) or some thing else with words (song. comedy routine, film script). You could also do something non-verbal (dance or paint or draw or play music or cook) , however in those cases you'd have to write a 200 word "artists statement" to show how the artwork/performance linked to the themes. This is time sensitive. Performances/presentations will be done on class w11 day 2

Monday, November 4, 2013

10.1

Today, we will share our new knowledge - garnered from the weekend's reading - via a "round robin."

Reading Group Codes here

15 min disscussion group (all As together, all B's etc)

Then remix into groups with one A,B,C,D and E as assigned to explain ideas to others.


HW.

+ Read a different essay from the group that caught your attention  and write 1 paragraph response to it.
+ Read and understand (and print out)  the short section about a great philosopher's views of happiness here:  http://www.pursuit-of-happiness.org/history-of-happiness/
You will be doing group presentations in class w10d2.

Reading groups
a) Buddha
b) Socrates
c) Confucius
d) Epicurus
e) Mencius