Independent Work Report, 4/10/2014

Remember: Today we're doing the same thing as last class -- working independently on our research papers and your critiques for your classmates' research paper drafts. I'll be in class again, too, during the usual class time, and I'll be ready to help you, if you need help.

A quick heads-up, though: Next week, all week, we'll be working on our Final Exam: Part I. On Tuesday, you will get one type of essay to read and respond to, and on Thursday, you'll get another type of essay. These are both types of essays that you've both read and written yourself. Your assignment, though, will be to write a critique in response to each of them. So be sure to work on effective critiques, with effective structure, and critical advice.

Lastly, just like last time, I'll need a short email report from you by 7:45 PM tonight (roughly 100-200 words):

Independent Work Report

1) What did you plan to work on either in-class or independently today?

2) What did you succeed in accomplishing in your in-class or independent work?

3) How has your task schedule been working for you? What can you do in the near future to improve your work habits in order not only to get your work done in a timely manner, but also to feel good about it?

Independent Work Report, 4/8/2014

Don't forget: Today is dedicated toward independent work on your research paper. If you like, you are welcome to work from home today, or wherever you might be comfortable working. Likewise, you are welcome to come to class and work there. I'll be in class during our usual class times, and I'll be ready to answer whatever questions or concerns you might have.

And, if you're in class, I'll be happy to talk to you one-on-one about your Essay 3. Just be aware: I will look only at one paragraph at a time; I will not read your whole essay and tell you what's good or bad. The reason: What you need to do this week (and all this semester, for that matter) is not only to develop a stronger essay, but also to develop effective research and writing practices for yourself. What I'll do is I'll try to give you an idea about one spot in your paper, then I'll let you figure out the deep solutions on your own.

Whatever you choose to do this week, I expect you to do some work on your Essay 3, during class time. And whether or not you come to class, I'll be expecting you to fill out and either hand or email me a short report (roughly 100-200 words total), by 7:45 PM tonight, that answers all the following questions:

Independent Work Report

1) What did you plan to work on either in-class or independently today?

2) What did you succeed in accomplishing in your in-class or independent work?

3) Based on your results today, what do you hope to accomplish on Thursday?

Essay 3 Draft 1 Points Report

Here's your score report for your Essay 3 Draft 1:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0Ap9oU02C12STdEMyZ0dqRjNnNlUtSW1hTEE4aHZfX1E#gid=0.

Remember that I'm giving credit to stating and supporting your thesis (2 points), introducing and integrating paraphrase and quotes from your research (2 points), and putting together a complete and effective Works Cited page (1 point).

If you have any questions or if you're concerned about how your Essay 3 is coming along -- especially if you received a score lower than 5/5 -- I suggest you come to class this week and talk to me about your essay.

For more about working on your Essay 3, as well as upcoming deadlines and assignments, check out the previous blog post here.

Taking Your Research Paper (Essay 3) to the Next Level

Over the next few weeks, we will have our Final Exam: Part I, and we'll do course evaluations, too. But the most important assignment, by far, is your Essay 3: Argumentative Research Paper. Be sure to look at the course schedule on the syllabus to keep up with drafts and critiques and our two-part final exam. Meanwhile, let me give you some reminders and structured advice.

First, be sure to take another look at the Essay 3 assignment and rubric:

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B59oU02C12STVjRuR1h3NTE4alU/edit.

Are you following all the directions in the assignment? Are you answering all the different grading points in the rubric? Go through your essay, verify, and revise accordingly.

Second, take a systematic look at your Essay 3 draft and develop it. The key to revising a longer, more carefully structured essay is to break down your approach. Here's a handout I've put together to help you revise your essay task-by-task:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1nl4wsqSJBQzu-2hDG1WcXCRjSEQUkIIOYo4ItujBzJ0/edit.

We'll take a look at this detailed revision handout in class, but you should take a look at it yourself, too. Especially since this week is geared toward independent work on Essay 3, the weight of the work is on you. So be sure to develop responsible practices for your independent work. 

Lastly, remember that what's due this week: Critiques! You have been assigned two critique partners, and your critiques are due by 11:59 PM Thursday night.

And if you have questions about any of the above, as always, email me.

In-Text Citations (or those notes that you leave in your writing itself to give credit to other writers' ideas)

Here is a carefully broken-down list of the rules for using in-text citations in your essay:
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B59oU02C12STUjVGNzhfN3p5QjA/edit.

Now let's try a simple exercise that compares correct and incorrect ways of citing sources in your essay:
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B59oU02C12STaE05OTVJcTI0YlU/edit.

Works Cited Page (or the page at the end of your essay, which lists the formal citations for your articles and other sources)

Here's the rules breakdown for putting together a Works Cited page at the end of your essay:
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B59oU02C12STRTJJd3NPQnNHU28/edit.

Notice: These are the old MLA format rules for putting together a Works Cited page, but the basics in these rules still apply.

Let's try an exercise that compares correct and incorrect ways of putting together a Works Cited page:
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B59oU02C12STLWZsZTBsZ2ZFUUU/edit.

About Research Essay Layout

Still thinking about how to put together your research essay? Here's another sample essay for you to look at:
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B59oU02C12STaTFsWUhVZHlXc3c/edit.

But now let's take a step back and think about how a research essay like this is organized. Here's a very basic breakdown of essay structure, in essay form:
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B59oU02C12STV0Z1U1pFNWJnWnc/edit.