1102 Assignment for Thursday, April 2

Drafting time!

Please begin a draft of your position paper. (I know that many of you already have.) Do not feel as if you need to write "strong" prose at this point: I want you to begin structuring your outline into paragraph form. (Use page 326 as a fairly good guide to a position essay outline.)

Realize that any progress on a draft is better than none, so if you feel stymied in your writing, press onward with the points you'll make - paragraph by paragraph - in incomplete sentences.

In particular, pay attention to the areas giving you the most difficulty: your introduction? Thesis? Background? Sub-claims? Evidence? Further research?

Prepare a quick self-evaluation letter TO TURN IN on Wednesday that answers these questions:

1. How do you feel the start of your drafting process is going?

2. What part of your position paper are you finding easiest?

3. What areas cause you the most concern AND why?

4. What are some issues you'd like addressed in class in the coming week that will help you complete your paper?

At the top of the page, place your name, topic and the position you're taking.

See you Wednesday.

mc

1101 Assignment for Wed, April 1

Well done, folks, on finishing your last paper. I'm looking forward to reading your revisions.

Here's the low down on your assignment for Wednesday:

1. Read "Chapter 5: Writing a Review." I'll be scanning your eyes, looking for nods of affirmation suggesting you've read and digested the materialo.

2. Create a quick list of things you might evaluate. As you read the chapter, you may get some ideas. This is freewriting process work that will appear in your folder when you turn the paper in, so be sure to do it.

3. If you didn't get the assignment in class today, visit Blackboard to download the information.

4. Visit these previous Blog lists for some good "How-To" articles about how to write a book review, movie review, restaurant review, etc.

http://unccwriting.blogspot.com/2008/11/evaluative-how-tos.html

http://unccwriting.blogspot.com/2008/11/for-book-reviewers.html

1102 - Essay Clarification Answer

Hello everyone,

A question came in that might be of help to everyone.

Q - What type of essay are we writing? Is it more like the first assignment or more like the bibliography?

A - This paper is a full-fledged research paper. An example in structure of how your paper is to be written is the "Got Roddick" essay in our textbook. I think it's in the chapter on Rhetorical Analysis, but for sure the page numbers are on your assignment sheet.

The difference between your paper and the Got Roddick essay is that your paper is a position paper -- an argument you make on your issue -- and not an analysis, which is what the "Roddick" essay is.

The examples of argumentative/position papers in Chapter 13 are guides to what you're writing, though some of them might be longer than what's called for in your paper.

ALSO, note that there are examples of position essays in the chapter on Blackboard in assignment #1 (I think). Check out all your past reading and you'll get a sense of the charge.

Hope that helps everyone -- also hope that you're having a good week. I'm so happy that you're all working so hard on your essay, even as I write.

Malcolm

Hear me now: What is da homework?

Read your paper and process assignment sheets carefully. Make sure you write me with any questions now (vs. a day or so before the paper is due).

Here's your reading assignment: pages 18-19 on fallacies.

Chapter 13 on Writing a Position Paper

AND here's your process work homework:

Write one fallacy related to your argument for each type of fallacy listed on pages 18-19. This will force you to see the inherent flaws in some arguments you might be tempted to make in your position paper. Will head mistakes off beforehand, if you will.

Also, please consider adding some more thought to the exercises we did in class today.

For example, continue working on specific definitions related to your topic that you'll need in your paper. List any special terms that readers might not know. If your position involves discussion of legal decisions, be prepared to name the laws or applicable court decisions and to summarize the outcomes -- as they relate to your position.

Finally, think through the appeals you'll make. Brainstorm how you'll use emotional or logical appeals to the reader, in addition to ethos.

All of this material -- I PROMISE -- will help you write a better paper, as well as make the process much easier.

See you next time.
mc

1101 Revised Papers Due Monday 3/30

Allrighty,

Everyone has three extra days to turn their revisions in -- please turn them in on time. Ninety percent of you do, which is helpful.

Note that you've also been assigned reading for Monday: Chapter 5 in your textbook, "Writing a Review".

On Monday, I'm looking for a room full of sharp students who understand the basic terms addressed in your assignment sheet.

Last, you received an e-mail with two PDF's: One is the PowerPoint slide show I deleted by accident. The second is the Evaluation Paper assignment.

Let me know if you have questions. Good luck on your papers, keep it between the lines.

Malcolm

1102 Reading & Assignment

For Tuesday, please read Chapter 13 in your textbook about Position Arguments.

Also, prepare a "quick" outline of your intended coverage. For example,
1. Introduction - how you might introduce your argument
2. Primary Claim: Thesis that states/maps evidence to follow (Do you want to use the word "should"?)
3. Claim
(a) evidence
(b) evidence
4. Claim
(a) evidence
(b) evidence
5. Counterargument 1
(a) explain counterargument
(b) counter it...
6. Counterargument 2
(a) explain counterargument
(b) counter it...
7. Conclusion

Note, of course, that you can have as many claims/counterarguments, bits of evidence, etc. as your argument calls for. This is basically a quick outline for you to consider at this stage of your research.

Did I mention reading Chapter 13?

Have a great weekend.
mc

1101 REVISION materials

Thanks for making your appointments and spending time learning how you can improve your paper. I handed out one document, as you know, and mentioned a couple others to help.

First, on the back of your revision assignment sheet (on blackboard), there are two exercises that help with focusing your essay and creating a thesis.

Second, on Blackboard, also under Assignment #3, you'll find a document "Common Revision Elements" which gives some help on issues I see frequently.

Note that I"m also uploading a document called "Revision Issues for conference handout". This will help you with some of the techniques we discussed in conference -- especially the margin outline.

I know Spring Fever is beginning to hit. PLEASE don't start to slack off now. Your grades depend upon your active participation and ability to FOLLOW directions for the remainder of the semester. I'm impressed with your intelligence and want to see you all earn the grades that you're capable of earning.

FINALLY, we will SKIP PEER REVIEW for next Monday. Get started on your revisions right away; however, instead of peer review, I'll address some of the revision steps you need to consider plus be available to answer questions you have.

Thanks,
Malcolm

1101 CONFERENCE SIGN UPS

It's conference time to discuss your expository essays and suggestions for the revised essay, which is the next major paper assignment. Conferences will be held in the Ritaza coffee shop in the basement of Fretwell. (I'll have a table toward the back where I can plug in my laptop.)

We will NOT have class on Monday (3/16) and Wednesday (3/18); however, if you miss your conference, it will count as an absence. If you are late to conference, you will only have the time remaining until the next appointment.

The fairest way to sign up for conferences is to have a first-come, first-served process handled online. You can start signing up now. Directions are below. I will ALSO go over this in class tomorrow, so if you have any questions, we'll discuss them then.

DIRECTIONS:

1. Pick a day/time that you want to meet and then view the COMMENTS to see if that time has been taken.

2. If it hasn't, POST A COMMENT stating the day and time that you want.

3. INCLUDE your name because screen names don't help me. For example, "Malcolm Campbell, Monday 3/16 at 9:00 am."

4. Remember that the first one to claim a slot gets it, so be sure to check very carefully for conflicts. (If you don't look carefully and assume you got a slot but doubled-up, you'll be disappointed when you arrive for your conference.)

Periodically, I will come through and add names to the list so you can see the time slots; however, always be sure to check the comments carefully.

Monday, March 16 in Fretwell Ritaza

9:00 – 9:10 Taylor Ciucevich
9:10 – 9:20 Jay Gozum
9:20 – 9:30 Katie Pohlheber
9:30 – 9:40 Jessica Barton
9:40 – 9:50 Ashlei Elise
9:50 – 10:00
10:00 – 10:10 Marlita Howell
10:10 – 10:20 Wayne Dobken
10:20 – 10:30
10:30 – 10:40 Tom Ryan
10:40 – 10:50 Grace Jeffreys
10:50 – 11:00 Matt McAnally
11:00 – 11:10 Danielle Rowley-Jenkins
11:10 – 11:20 Clifford C.
11:20 – 11:30
11:30 – 11:40
11:40 – 11:50 Alex Walker
11:50 – 12:00 Ike Keziah
12:00 – 12:10 Nathalie Mendez
12:10 – 12:20 Eber Peña
12:20 – 12:30 Samantha Delzell

Wednesday, March 18 in Fretwell Ritaza
9:00 – 9:10 Anthony Bauer
9:10 – 9:20 Safia Abbas
9:20 – 9:30 Shayla Conley
9:30 – 9:40 Joseph Hawk
9:40 – 9:50 Adam Voncannon
9:50 – 10:00 Mercedes Miller
10:00 – 10:10 Mina Gerges
10:10 – 10:20 Tierra Lewis
10:20 – 10:30 Danielle Kee
10:30 – 10:40 Ashley Ferguson
10:40 – 10:50 Raquel Bullock
10:50 – 11:00 Sammy
11:00 – 11:10 LaTrice Young
11:10 – 11:20 Katrina McGann
11:20 – 11:30 Kyle Merville
11:30 – 11:40 Chee Xiong
11:40 – 11:50 Ashe Lyles
11:50 – 12:00 Katelyn Middleton
12:00 – 12:10 Kelsey Malin
12:10 – 12:20 Marcus Robinson
12:20 – 12:30 Lilia Shaforostov

1102 work for Thursday 3/05

Okay: we are NOT working in the library. Meet in our classroom. Bring your laptops, or bring a couple sources of material from which to read and brainstorm further research. (I'll explain in class.) You might bring an extra copy of your annotated bibliography.

Come prepared to research, research, research. Bring questions for me about anything related to research. Your goal this session is to leave with at least three new research sources that you can use in preparing your position paper.

For our next class:

1. Sketch out (outline and write) a background for your topic. Provide a detailed definition for your topic. (A good example is the Euthanasia article's first paragraph. Your topic may require a different approach; however, the goal is to define exactly what your topic is about.)
2. Continue a CLOSE reading of the Euthanasia article. Ask yourself: "What are her reasons for believing that euthanasia should be the patient's choice when faced with a terminal illness?" Look at every paragraph -- even every sentence -- and figure out how she's building her argument in favor of euthanasia. What words help the writer make her case? (Specific adjectives can be very powerful. Do you see any that help argue?) Does she make use of examples? Where? To make what points?
3. Come prepared to discuss the article.

Good work in class today. I was impressed with the reasons you came up with for both sides of each option -- the paper or process assignments.

See you Thursday

Malcolm