To remind you: Your Essay 4 first draft is due by the start of our next class period, this Wednesday, 4/1. Today, Monday, 3/30, is all about doing independent work in class, all with the goal of getting a first draft done. That's why we're working in the computer lab in room AA-444 all class period.
Here's my question to you: As you consider the work you were able to get done today, do you think it'll be useful to have more of these independent work periods? In other words, would it be helpful to you to get time in class to work on your remaining assignments (such as writing Essay 4 critiques, finishing Essay 4 second drafts, and revising Essays 1, 2, and 3) with me there to answer questions and address concerns? Please let me know, either in a comment on this post or in person.
Monday, March 30, 2015
Wednesday, March 25, 2015
Week 11 Homework
Here's your homework for next week.
=-=-=-=-=
First, since you're getting into your last and most involved major essay, Essay 4, I'll give you another week with no additional written home work.
So, between now and next week, all you need to work on is your Essay 4 first draft (due Wednesday, 4/1). The best idea would be to start by collecting articles. Shoot for at least four (the required minimum), and no more than six or seven (eight or more is way too much, and usually indicates that you're kind of fudging your research simply by listing more sources at the end). Work on each of these articles one by one, on its own. Build a kind of mini-argument, or at least a basic discussion and explanation set-up for each, then see if you can weave a bigger argument once you've got of all your mini-arguments/discussions written out.
Here's my request, though: Even if drafts are due Wednesday, I urge you to try to get some writing done before Monday, or even just planning if that's all you have time for. My suggestion: Have something ready to work with before you come to class, either saved online or on a flash drive that you can bring with you. On Monday, we'll be meeting in the computer lab in room AA-444. There, you can open up your draft, wherever you are in working on it, and I can come around and give you comments, or you can just work on your own. Whatever you prefer.
One more thing: Apparently all computer labs on campus have slightly limited seating. So if you have a laptop that you like to use when working on your essays, I encourage you to bring it with you. If you're comfortable typing and saving files on another device, such as an iPad, consider bringing that. Otherwise, we might end up with a pretty strict first-come-first-served situation at AA-444. (Only one person can work on an essay on a given computer at a time, right?)
=-=-=-=-=
As for reading homework, I'll just give you one article to read. But it's a decently sized one.
To think about both how a writer constructs a research paper by using "They Say / I Say" moves and staying in a single Stasis (the Stasis of Definition) and how he moves through his research sources one at a time and credits them fully wherever he can, read Atul Gawande's article, "Hellhole," all about how a doctor considers the practice of solitary confinement in US prisons:
http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2009/03/30/hellhole.
And that's it. Make sure you're prepared for class next week. Again, next class, Monday, 3/30, we'll meet in the computer lab in room AA-444, and we'll mostly work independently on Essay 4 first drafts. Attendance is still required. In other words, I will still assign points for being there and doing work. But on Wednesday, I'd like to focus on more course material and maybe have a discussion or two. And if I feel inclined, I might throw a pop quiz -- about anything! It could be either stuff we discussed in class previously or this article that I've provided above, or both.
As always, if you have questions or concerns, email me as soon as you can.
See you again soon.
=-=-=-=-=
First, since you're getting into your last and most involved major essay, Essay 4, I'll give you another week with no additional written home work.
So, between now and next week, all you need to work on is your Essay 4 first draft (due Wednesday, 4/1). The best idea would be to start by collecting articles. Shoot for at least four (the required minimum), and no more than six or seven (eight or more is way too much, and usually indicates that you're kind of fudging your research simply by listing more sources at the end). Work on each of these articles one by one, on its own. Build a kind of mini-argument, or at least a basic discussion and explanation set-up for each, then see if you can weave a bigger argument once you've got of all your mini-arguments/discussions written out.
Here's my request, though: Even if drafts are due Wednesday, I urge you to try to get some writing done before Monday, or even just planning if that's all you have time for. My suggestion: Have something ready to work with before you come to class, either saved online or on a flash drive that you can bring with you. On Monday, we'll be meeting in the computer lab in room AA-444. There, you can open up your draft, wherever you are in working on it, and I can come around and give you comments, or you can just work on your own. Whatever you prefer.
One more thing: Apparently all computer labs on campus have slightly limited seating. So if you have a laptop that you like to use when working on your essays, I encourage you to bring it with you. If you're comfortable typing and saving files on another device, such as an iPad, consider bringing that. Otherwise, we might end up with a pretty strict first-come-first-served situation at AA-444. (Only one person can work on an essay on a given computer at a time, right?)
=-=-=-=-=
As for reading homework, I'll just give you one article to read. But it's a decently sized one.
To think about both how a writer constructs a research paper by using "They Say / I Say" moves and staying in a single Stasis (the Stasis of Definition) and how he moves through his research sources one at a time and credits them fully wherever he can, read Atul Gawande's article, "Hellhole," all about how a doctor considers the practice of solitary confinement in US prisons:
http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2009/03/30/hellhole.
And that's it. Make sure you're prepared for class next week. Again, next class, Monday, 3/30, we'll meet in the computer lab in room AA-444, and we'll mostly work independently on Essay 4 first drafts. Attendance is still required. In other words, I will still assign points for being there and doing work. But on Wednesday, I'd like to focus on more course material and maybe have a discussion or two. And if I feel inclined, I might throw a pop quiz -- about anything! It could be either stuff we discussed in class previously or this article that I've provided above, or both.
As always, if you have questions or concerns, email me as soon as you can.
See you again soon.
Essay 4 (with Extra Handouts)
Here's the link for your last major essay assignment in this class, your argumentative research paper assignment, Essay 4:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B59oU02C12STNkN6RWVQUE1reGM/view?usp=sharing.
=-=-=-=-=
Now, since Essay 4 is a formal research paper assignment, let me give you a few links to help you with this kind of assignment.
First, here's the link to the school library website, where you can find all those databases that can help you search for articles to use in a research paper:
http://www.nvcc.edu/library/.
(Remember: Click on "Articles," then "Recommended Databases for Most Topics," and under this heading, you'll find a list of fairly general databases. The best and broadest of these are probably Academic Search Complete and Proquest.)
Okay, got a few articles to work with? Now, are you wondering how to start putting your materials together and work toward an essay? Here's a sample preliminary plan that a former NOVA student made for a research paper that she wrote:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B59oU02C12STR2g0d1NadnJQU2c/view?usp=sharing.
-- Feel free to use this student's example directly. But even if you don't follow this kind of organized plan for your essay, at least notice how this student builds her argument from all the essential pieces that a good research paper has.
Next, here's a link to a handout that shows you how a research paper is often organized in a college class:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B59oU02C12STN1NnNUJTRV9Wdms/view?usp=sharing.
-- Notice: This hand out is kind of jokey, kind of corny. But it shows you where everything goes, as well as how it looks, in a formal research paper.
The next handout that I want to show you is a sample research essay with marginal notes, to help you see what the writer is doing at every turn:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B59oU02C12STSjUtYkFaNWFld0E/view?usp=sharing.
-- Now, I'm not in love with everything this student does in this sample annotated essay, but I have to admit that the essential moves in this essay make for a decent overall piece of work.
The last link that I want to give you is for our very own library's MLA Citation Guide:
http://libguides.nvcc.edu/MLACitationStyle.
-- When use this guide, remember that you should start with specific articles that you're already looking at in your essay. This guide is intended mostly for getting your Works Cited citations and your in-text citations right.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B59oU02C12STNkN6RWVQUE1reGM/view?usp=sharing.
=-=-=-=-=
Now, since Essay 4 is a formal research paper assignment, let me give you a few links to help you with this kind of assignment.
First, here's the link to the school library website, where you can find all those databases that can help you search for articles to use in a research paper:
http://www.nvcc.edu/library/.
(Remember: Click on "Articles," then "Recommended Databases for Most Topics," and under this heading, you'll find a list of fairly general databases. The best and broadest of these are probably Academic Search Complete and Proquest.)
Okay, got a few articles to work with? Now, are you wondering how to start putting your materials together and work toward an essay? Here's a sample preliminary plan that a former NOVA student made for a research paper that she wrote:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B59oU02C12STR2g0d1NadnJQU2c/view?usp=sharing.
-- Feel free to use this student's example directly. But even if you don't follow this kind of organized plan for your essay, at least notice how this student builds her argument from all the essential pieces that a good research paper has.
Next, here's a link to a handout that shows you how a research paper is often organized in a college class:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B59oU02C12STN1NnNUJTRV9Wdms/view?usp=sharing.
-- Notice: This hand out is kind of jokey, kind of corny. But it shows you where everything goes, as well as how it looks, in a formal research paper.
The next handout that I want to show you is a sample research essay with marginal notes, to help you see what the writer is doing at every turn:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B59oU02C12STSjUtYkFaNWFld0E/view?usp=sharing.
-- Now, I'm not in love with everything this student does in this sample annotated essay, but I have to admit that the essential moves in this essay make for a decent overall piece of work.
The last link that I want to give you is for our very own library's MLA Citation Guide:
http://libguides.nvcc.edu/MLACitationStyle.
-- When use this guide, remember that you should start with specific articles that you're already looking at in your essay. This guide is intended mostly for getting your Works Cited citations and your in-text citations right.
Monday, March 23, 2015
Reminder: Essay 3 Second Draft Due Wednesday
This is just to remind you: Your Essay 3 second draft is due this Wednesday, 3/25. That means you've got to staple the whole packet together -- rubric on top, second draft next, then your partner's critique for you, then your first draft on the bottom -- and hand it in to me by the start of class. Any essays submitted later than 11:00am can be officially considered late. So try your best to have your essay ready, and please be on time.
Wednesday, March 18, 2015
Week 10 Homework
To start, let me just say that your most important piece of homework due next week is your Essay 3 second draft. Remember? That's the draft that you must submit to me for grading. If you can't manage to work on anything else, make sure you work on this. If you can get a finished second draft submitted on Wednesday next week, then that draft is considered on-time, which means that you can revise it for a better grade later. I assume you already know this, but I'm just refreshing your memory. Spring Break can take it out of you, that's all.
=-=-=-=-=
Now let me give you some reading homework to do.
First of all, regarding that extra rhetorical stuff we talked about, the stuff called Stasis Theory, here's a handout that I'd like you to skim:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B59oU02C12STajhhOFVYTk14VHM/view?usp=sharing.
-- As you skim this handout, think about which of the four Stases you think makes the most sense to you. Which Stasis do you tend to use when trying to discuss issues you care about? Maybe you use different Stases for different issues?
Next, I'd like you to reread that article we discussed in class this week, all about Narcissistic children, and here's a link to that:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/to-your-health/wp/2015/03/09/how-parents-create-narcissistic-children/?tid=hybrid_experimentrandom_1_na.
-- As you reread this article, see if you can imagine who the intended audience of this article is. Then, think about those "They Say / I Say" moves that we spotted in this article, as well as any others you can spot on your own. How do these moves appeal to the intended audience?
Lastly, I'd like you to read this next article, an article we haven't discussed in class before:
http://www.theatlantic.com/sponsored/allstate/what-we-dont-mention-about-unemployment/267/.
-- And as you read this article, consider closely which of the details presented here you can present as support for a point that you might argue. Which details would you quote? Which details would you paraphrase? What makes an idea or detail especially right for a paraphrase, or especially right for a quote?
=-=-=-=-=
And for your written homework, I'd like you to take that last article, and choose at least two ideas or details that you considered closely. On your own paper, write complete pieces of paragraphs to present each of these, as if you were writing parts of a research paper.
As you write each of these pieces, be sure to...
1) State your own idea that would lead into the idea or detail you're presenting.
2) Introduce the idea or detail as the work of the author, even if the author isn't mentioned. And say clearly how the author uses this idea or detail. Does she simply state it? Does she explain something? Does she summarize the research of others? Does she quote someone specific? And so on.
3) Present the idea or detail as a part of your own sentence. (Hint: Use that introduction as a lead-in to start your sentence, then present the idea or detail as the rest of the sentence.)
4) Explain what you take the idea or detail to mean. In other words, say exactly what you think this idea or detail means, what it says. If that means you're basically repeating what the idea or detail says, that's perfectly fine; that's what you're supposed to do.
5) Conclude in some way that shows how this idea or detail supports your own idea.
Make sure you do all five steps, one-by-one, for each of the pieces you take from the article.
=-=-=-=-=
And that's it. Except for your Essay 3 second draft, this homework is due Monday.
As always, if you have questions or concerns, email me.
=-=-=-=-=
Now let me give you some reading homework to do.
First of all, regarding that extra rhetorical stuff we talked about, the stuff called Stasis Theory, here's a handout that I'd like you to skim:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B59oU02C12STajhhOFVYTk14VHM/view?usp=sharing.
-- As you skim this handout, think about which of the four Stases you think makes the most sense to you. Which Stasis do you tend to use when trying to discuss issues you care about? Maybe you use different Stases for different issues?
Next, I'd like you to reread that article we discussed in class this week, all about Narcissistic children, and here's a link to that:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/to-your-health/wp/2015/03/09/how-parents-create-narcissistic-children/?tid=hybrid_experimentrandom_1_na.
-- As you reread this article, see if you can imagine who the intended audience of this article is. Then, think about those "They Say / I Say" moves that we spotted in this article, as well as any others you can spot on your own. How do these moves appeal to the intended audience?
Lastly, I'd like you to read this next article, an article we haven't discussed in class before:
http://www.theatlantic.com/sponsored/allstate/what-we-dont-mention-about-unemployment/267/.
-- And as you read this article, consider closely which of the details presented here you can present as support for a point that you might argue. Which details would you quote? Which details would you paraphrase? What makes an idea or detail especially right for a paraphrase, or especially right for a quote?
=-=-=-=-=
And for your written homework, I'd like you to take that last article, and choose at least two ideas or details that you considered closely. On your own paper, write complete pieces of paragraphs to present each of these, as if you were writing parts of a research paper.
As you write each of these pieces, be sure to...
1) State your own idea that would lead into the idea or detail you're presenting.
2) Introduce the idea or detail as the work of the author, even if the author isn't mentioned. And say clearly how the author uses this idea or detail. Does she simply state it? Does she explain something? Does she summarize the research of others? Does she quote someone specific? And so on.
3) Present the idea or detail as a part of your own sentence. (Hint: Use that introduction as a lead-in to start your sentence, then present the idea or detail as the rest of the sentence.)
4) Explain what you take the idea or detail to mean. In other words, say exactly what you think this idea or detail means, what it says. If that means you're basically repeating what the idea or detail says, that's perfectly fine; that's what you're supposed to do.
5) Conclude in some way that shows how this idea or detail supports your own idea.
Make sure you do all five steps, one-by-one, for each of the pieces you take from the article.
=-=-=-=-=
And that's it. Except for your Essay 3 second draft, this homework is due Monday.
As always, if you have questions or concerns, email me.
Monday, March 16, 2015
Reminder: Essay 3 Critiques due Wednesday
Quick reminder: Your critique for another classmate's Essay 3 first draft is due by the start of class on Wednesday, 3/18. As far as I know, you should all have drafts to work with. But please let me know if you don't have a draft for some reason, or if anything is holding you up.
Wednesday, March 4, 2015
Week 8 Homework (meaning, for Spring Break)
If you look at our course schedule, you'll notice that the week following our midterm week is Spring Break. Basically, you have the whole week off classes. The next time we meet is Monday, 3/16.
(By the way: Monday 3/16 marks the beginning of the second half of the semester. That's right; half of the semester has passed. So if you're behind on anything, now's the time to catch up.)
Your reading homework includes the next two chapters of They Say / I Say. The first of these chapters discusses how it's possible to switch to casual language in a formal essay, how it makes sense. The second of these chapters discusses the idea of metacommentary -- or, to put it in other words, coming in at certain points in your essay and telling your reader, "Let's make sure you get me right. This is what I'm trying to do here:..."
I also want you to read the following article, about a recent topic that came up in the twittersphere:
http://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2015/02/thedress-and-the-rise-of-attention-policing/386357/. This article is titled "#TheDress and the Rise of Attention Policing," and it's written by Megan Garber for The Atlantic.
And your written homework is: Critiques for Essay 3 first drafts. That's all. Other than that, you just have to read and, of course, think about how you're going to revise your Essays 1 and 2.
And be aware: We haven't had a quiz in a while, so I may be inclined to throw one. If I do throw a quiz, it will include materials from readings and lectures so far -- everything except the Stases and Stasis Theory (we haven't had enough time to get acquainted with this particular topic).
As always, if you have questions or concerns, email me as soon as possible.
Have a great Spring Break! I'll see you on Monday, 3/16!
(By the way: Monday 3/16 marks the beginning of the second half of the semester. That's right; half of the semester has passed. So if you're behind on anything, now's the time to catch up.)
Your reading homework includes the next two chapters of They Say / I Say. The first of these chapters discusses how it's possible to switch to casual language in a formal essay, how it makes sense. The second of these chapters discusses the idea of metacommentary -- or, to put it in other words, coming in at certain points in your essay and telling your reader, "Let's make sure you get me right. This is what I'm trying to do here:..."
I also want you to read the following article, about a recent topic that came up in the twittersphere:
http://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2015/02/thedress-and-the-rise-of-attention-policing/386357/. This article is titled "#TheDress and the Rise of Attention Policing," and it's written by Megan Garber for The Atlantic.
And your written homework is: Critiques for Essay 3 first drafts. That's all. Other than that, you just have to read and, of course, think about how you're going to revise your Essays 1 and 2.
And be aware: We haven't had a quiz in a while, so I may be inclined to throw one. If I do throw a quiz, it will include materials from readings and lectures so far -- everything except the Stases and Stasis Theory (we haven't had enough time to get acquainted with this particular topic).
As always, if you have questions or concerns, email me as soon as possible.
Have a great Spring Break! I'll see you on Monday, 3/16!
Tuesday, March 3, 2015
Reminder: Essay 3 First Draft Due Wednesday
To remind you, your Essay 3 first draft is due this Wednesday. But keep in mind that first drafts are important for the chance to write and receive critiques. With that in mind, I'm going to stick to the first-come-first-served policy for critique partners. In other words, those of you who make it to class on time will get critique partners who are also on time. Trust me, you want a critique partner who knows how to stick to deadlines.
On our last essay, some of you got into quite a mix-up by not having your first draft printed and ready on the first draft due date, or by not being there to receive someone else's first draft to write a critique for. Let's try and avoid unnecessary mix-ups that might hurt your grade. Be there tomorrow, and have your draft ready.
Also, I'm going to make another request: Please make sure to have your first draft as close to done as possible. On our last essay, some of you wrote very incomplete first drafts, and I'm worried that your critique partners lost points because they couldn't say enough. Don't get me wrong; there's always room to say more in a critique. But you should also not push someone else to his or her limits by not doing your job. Please, don't short-change your critique partner. Give him or her enough to describe, ask questions about, and make suggestions for.
Like I always say: A bad essay is always better than an unfinished essay, and often better than an essay that isn't ready to hand in on time.
(Of course, if you find that there are special circumstances keeping you from doing your work, let me know as soon as possible, and we'll try to figure out what we can do so that you can earn the best grade possible for you.)
On our last essay, some of you got into quite a mix-up by not having your first draft printed and ready on the first draft due date, or by not being there to receive someone else's first draft to write a critique for. Let's try and avoid unnecessary mix-ups that might hurt your grade. Be there tomorrow, and have your draft ready.
Also, I'm going to make another request: Please make sure to have your first draft as close to done as possible. On our last essay, some of you wrote very incomplete first drafts, and I'm worried that your critique partners lost points because they couldn't say enough. Don't get me wrong; there's always room to say more in a critique. But you should also not push someone else to his or her limits by not doing your job. Please, don't short-change your critique partner. Give him or her enough to describe, ask questions about, and make suggestions for.
Like I always say: A bad essay is always better than an unfinished essay, and often better than an essay that isn't ready to hand in on time.
(Of course, if you find that there are special circumstances keeping you from doing your work, let me know as soon as possible, and we'll try to figure out what we can do so that you can earn the best grade possible for you.)
Monday, March 2, 2015
Our Midterm Is Still On for Today
Folks, you'll notice that the college will open at 11:00am today. But that means our full class period is going to happen. So the midterm will still take place today, as planned. I'd like to see everyone in class. But if, for some urgent reason, you suddenly can't make it, no matter what, let me know immediately, and we'll schedule a make-up for you, either for later today or for tomorrow.
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