Lecture 24: Research and Proofreading

Proofreading is checking copy for
• Accuracy: spelling, grammar, punctuation, etc.
• Impression: tense, tone, intent
• Professionalism: overall appearance, clarity, conciseness

Lecture 23: Research Assignment Workshop

We'll spend most of today's class working on our research assignments, focussing on strong academic analysis and evaluation for the annotated bibliographies.



Here is an overview of the active and passive voice:
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/539/01/

Once you've read the above, complete the following quiz:

http://a4esl.org/q/h/vm/active-passive.html


**A reminder to please fill in the following survey about our library session:**

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=es32WE7fj5aFrEf7UC9SmQ_3d_3d

Lecture 22: Research Assignment Workshop

Today, as noted in our last class, we'll have time to complete the assignment from Tuesday (the "potty-mouth" annotation) and post it to the blog or hand in a hard copy.

What to include:
Summary:
Write 2-3 sentences about Smith’s essay.
Analysis:
Where is the author’s position/thesis statement? Write it in your own words.
Where are Smith’s reasons? Find them and number them.
What kind of evidence does Smith use as support for his position?
How does Smith arrange these reasons (what is the logic)? Write 1-2 sentences about the rationale you think Smith uses to choose and arrange the reasons.
Does Smith consider alternative views or opposing perspectives? Write a sentence about the effectiveness (or not!) of the placement.
Ethos/Evaluation:
How reliable is the author?
Who is he?
Would you trust his view?
Is Smith well informed? How do you know?
Does Smith tell how he is connected to the issue?



We'll then spend the remainder of the class working on our research assignments, focussing on strong academic analysis and evaluation for the annotated bibliographies.



*****Homework*****

For Tuesday (24th of November) please reach Chapter 22 in Handbook for Writers.

Lecture 21: Research and Annotation

Outline:
Pre-Reading Activity
Short Video
Read “Potty-Mouthed and Proud of It” (413)
Group Work
Homework




*****Homework*****
Bring all texts, articles, laptops, dictionaries to next class (Thursday 19th November) to help you work on your Research Assignment

Post “Potty-Mouthed” Dictionary Entry to the class blog BEFORE Thursday 9:30am (one entry per group, note all group members).






Note: Image from Linux Journal.

Library Research Session: Feedback Required

Following your library session, please fill in the following survey:

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=es32WE7fj5aFrEf7UC9SmQ_3d_3d

Lecture 20: Thesis Statements

Please add your thesis statement as a comment to this blog post. Remember, your thesis statement should pertain to your public discussion topic. If you'd like to choose a different topic, please let me know before you craft your thesis statement.

Since your thesis statements are drawn from your public discussion topics I'm asking you to imagine writing an "argumentative" essay. This type of essay usually:

"makes a claim about a topic and justifies this claim with specific evidence. The claim could be an opinion, a policy proposal, an evaluation, a cause-and-effect statement, or an interpretation. The goal of the argumentative paper is to convince the audience that the claim is true based on the evidence provided."


*****Example Thesis Statement*****

Example of an argumentative thesis statement:

High school graduates should be required to take a year off to pursue community service projects before entering college in order to increase their maturity and global awareness.


Read more about writing thesis statements at OWL and here and here.

Here is some interesting information on the "myths about thesis statements."


Note: Image from arghh_im_a_pirate on flickr.

Lecture 19: Library Research Session

Today we're meeting in the library, room 327, for a session devoted to finding scholarly materials for your research projects.