Dear students,
I have decided to give you the option to revise 1 of your essays from the semester in order to improve your score by as much as one whole letter grade.
You may revise either essays 1, 2, or 3 for this assignment. If you choose to revise your in-class essay, your revision must be typed and follow MLA formatting.
For revision, please improve your essay with my suggestions on the paper. In addition, I recommend meeting with me during my office hours to go over the essay.
These revisions will be due on the very last day of class before finals week, via email only. You will receive ONLY a graded letter on them, no notes, as I have already made extensive notes on both your rough drafts/outlines and your final drafts and will be busy grading your final projects as well.
You're welcome! :-)
Wednesday, October 28, 2015
Friday, October 23, 2015
In class essay details
For Wednesday's in class essay, you may:
Rewatch the episode of The Bachelor we watched in class before next wednesday's class (Season 18 with Juan Pablo, episode 1)
*please note that this is not the pre-show special
*I recommend purchasing the episode on Amazon streaming for a few bucks
Bring your notes on the book (tropes about women in reality tv) and the show to class to use as you write the essay
Rewatch the episode of The Bachelor we watched in class before next wednesday's class (Season 18 with Juan Pablo, episode 1)
*please note that this is not the pre-show special
*I recommend purchasing the episode on Amazon streaming for a few bucks
Bring your notes on the book (tropes about women in reality tv) and the show to class to use as you write the essay
In Class Essay Tips
The In-Class Essay:
Aim and Organization
AIM:
To successfully prove a clear, specific thesis. The thesis should, obviously, address one of the prompts given in class. Following directions here, as always, is crucial to receiving a passing grade.
ORGANIZATION:
An in-class essay is organized into five paragraphs. The first paragraph is the introduction, then comes three body paragraphs, then a concluding paragraph. No more—no less!
You will want to make a brief outline before you write your essay.* Make sure the body paragraphs appear in a logical order, not simply the order they came to your mind in. Build on the information as you go.
Introductory Paragraph: Make sure not to take too much time writing in introduction. This paragraph should be about five sentences long (give or take a sentence or two). Provide a clearly arguable, well-qualified, thesis.
Body Paragraph One: Don’t forget to provide clear examples to back up your argument, as well as a topic sentence at the beginning of the paragraph.
Body Paragraph Two: Don’t forget to provide clear examples to back up your argument, as well as a topic sentence at the beginning of the paragraph. And remember, Body Paragraph Two should follow Body Paragraph One in terms of building logically upon it.
Body Paragraph Three: Don’t forget to provide clear examples to back up your argument, as well a topic sentence as the beginning of the paragraph. And remember, Body Paragraph Three should follow Body Paragraph Two in terms of building logically upon it.
Concluding Paragraph: Re-state your thesis. Summarize what has been successfully argued in the essay. End with a thoughtful and strong statement. This paragraph, like your introductory paragraph, need not be longer than five sentences, but should also not be shorter.
Grammar and formatting: Make sure to check your grammar and spelling as you go along. There is a bit more room for error in an in-class essay, but your essay must be readable and legible (so make sure your handwriting is clear). Double-check your essay for errors before you turn it in. You may choose to double-space or single space an in-class essay (depending on what your teacher requests).
*You will be required to turn in your brief outline with your essay for your INTD100. See “Sample Outline” below for details.
SAMPLE OUTLINE FOR IN-CLASS ESSAY
Par. 1: THESIS: Write out thesis statement here.
Par. 2: TOPIC SENTENCE/MAIN IDEA: Write out topic sentence/main idea for Paragraph 1 here.
Par. 3: TOPIC SENTENCE/MAIN IDEA: Write out topic sentence/main idea for Paragraph 2 here.
Par. 4: TOPIC SENTENCE/MAIN IDEA: Write out topic sentence/main idea for Paragraph 3 here.
Par. 5: CONCLUSION: Final thought to leave reader with.
*Remember, this is just a sample outline—yours can differ slightly. Also, you obviously will want to fully develop your intro, body paragraphs, and conclusion—so while you are providing the main idea of these paragraphs here in the outline, you will flesh them out with evidence/support in your actual essay.
Wednesday, September 30, 2015
Outline Workshop
OUTLINE WORKSHOP QUESTIONS
Instructions: Please answer all of the following questions in detail for your partner in complete sentences, providing examples from their paper in your answers. You may not simply answer yes or no in your responses. This activity should take you around thirty minutes per person, not much less than that.
Before you begin writing, please make sure to share your work aloud.
1) Does the paper provide a clear thesis statement, sharing what game the writer will be analyzing, and from what angle they will be analyzing that game? Is the thesis specific, qualified, and clear? Give at least one suggestion for improvement.
2) What necessary background information is included? What further background information might be needed?
3) Suggest an opening hook that might capture the reader's attention.
4) Discuss the organization of the body paragraphs. What is the topic of each main paragraph? Are they in an order that makes sense, or should they be re-ordered somehow? Often, going from small to large (micro to macro) or vice-versa makes sense.
5) Are there clear examples from the games and from any outside research (if applicable) to back up the assertions made in the paper? Suggest places where more examples might be used. Also, discuss whether these examples are strong enough.
6) Point out any weakness in the analysis. What further questions do you have as a reader? Where can the writer dig deeper? Are there any logical fallacies in the paper?
Instructions: Please answer all of the following questions in detail for your partner in complete sentences, providing examples from their paper in your answers. You may not simply answer yes or no in your responses. This activity should take you around thirty minutes per person, not much less than that.
Before you begin writing, please make sure to share your work aloud.
1) Does the paper provide a clear thesis statement, sharing what game the writer will be analyzing, and from what angle they will be analyzing that game? Is the thesis specific, qualified, and clear? Give at least one suggestion for improvement.
2) What necessary background information is included? What further background information might be needed?
3) Suggest an opening hook that might capture the reader's attention.
4) Discuss the organization of the body paragraphs. What is the topic of each main paragraph? Are they in an order that makes sense, or should they be re-ordered somehow? Often, going from small to large (micro to macro) or vice-versa makes sense.
5) Are there clear examples from the games and from any outside research (if applicable) to back up the assertions made in the paper? Suggest places where more examples might be used. Also, discuss whether these examples are strong enough.
6) Point out any weakness in the analysis. What further questions do you have as a reader? Where can the writer dig deeper? Are there any logical fallacies in the paper?
Monday, September 28, 2015
Hi everyone,
A quick note to let you know that Emma (peer mentor in second section) pointed out that I had placed the outline due date next to the final draft due date. I've now adjusted the schedule so that your final draft is due one week from your rough draft, which ensures I will have time to return your outlines with my notes on them for you. You are also always free to meet during my office hours to go over the paper in advance of its due date, and you can send me questions through email at katedurbinteacher@gmail.com if you have them.
Best,
Prof D
A quick note to let you know that Emma (peer mentor in second section) pointed out that I had placed the outline due date next to the final draft due date. I've now adjusted the schedule so that your final draft is due one week from your rough draft, which ensures I will have time to return your outlines with my notes on them for you. You are also always free to meet during my office hours to go over the paper in advance of its due date, and you can send me questions through email at katedurbinteacher@gmail.com if you have them.
Best,
Prof D
Wednesday, September 23, 2015
Basic Outline Template
Par 1: Main idea/thesis
Background and introductory information
Par 2: Topic
Example / quote
Analysis
Example / quote
Analysis
Par 3: Topic
Example / quote
Analysis
Example / quote
Analysis
Par 4: Topic
Example / quote
Analysis
Example / quote
Analysis
And so on, until...
Conclusion
Final thought
Background and introductory information
Par 2: Topic
Example / quote
Analysis
Example / quote
Analysis
Par 3: Topic
Example / quote
Analysis
Example / quote
Analysis
Par 4: Topic
Example / quote
Analysis
Example / quote
Analysis
And so on, until...
Conclusion
Final thought
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