Sunday 27 April 2014

Week 16

Learning Tasks for Monday, April 28

Essential Question:  How can writing and revising a rough draft improve my writing?

Objectives:  I can...
-provide constructive feedback to others' writing.
-revise my writing based using feedback from peers.

1.  Peer Review
You will be given a copy of an anonymous peer's paper.  Using a pen or highlighter, mark strengths and weaknesses that the writer should focus on during this week's revision.  At the end of the page (or on the back side), write a brief paragraph summarizing your feedback to the writer.

Key concepts to keep in mind:

  • thesis
  • organization
  • elaboration
  • transitions
  • staying focused
  • clarity


2.  Revision
Once you get your paper back, read through your peer's comments.  Based on their feedback, continue drafting/revising your paper.

Learning Tasks for Tuesday, April 29

Essential Question:  How can writing and revising a rough draft improve my writing?

Objectives:  I can...
-revise my writing based on feedback.

1.  Revision and Conferences
While you are revising your papers, Ms. Jones will meet with each of you one-on-one to discuss your writing.

Learning Tasks for Wednesday, April 30

Essential Question:  How can writing and revising a rough draft improve my writing?

Objectives:  I can...
-revise my writing based on feedback.

1.  Revision and Conferences
While you are revising your papers, Ms. Jones will meet with each of you one-on-one to discuss your writing.


Learning Tasks for Thursday, May 1

Essential Question:  How can writing and revising a rough draft improve my writing?

Objectives:  I can...
-revise my writing based on feedback.

1.  Revision and Conferences
While you are revising your papers, Ms. Jones will meet with each of you one-on-one to discuss your writing.

Learning Tasks for Friday, May 2

Essential Question:  How can writing and revising a rough draft improve my writing?

Objectives:  I can...
-provide constructive feedback to others' writing.
-revise my writing based using feedback from peers.

1.  Peer review



Monday 21 April 2014

Week 15

Learning Tasks for Tuesday, April 22

Essential Question:  Why is it important to first write a rough draft of your paper?

Objectives:  I can...
-identify and use a drafting technique that works for me.

1. Writing into the Day




2.  Research Paper - Conferences and Drafting
Using any of the drafting techniques posted on the classroom wall (by the windows!), begin writing your rough draft. Remember, a rough draft is NOT a perfect draft!

While you are working, Ms. Jones will meet with each of you one-on-one to discuss your papers.


Learning Tasks for Wednesday, April 23

Essential Question:  Why is it important to first write a rough draft of your paper?

Objectives:  I can...
-revise my writing to improve clarity and cohesion.
-write a rough draft of an extended research paper.


1.  Writing into the Day
  

2.  Research Paper - Conferences and Drafting
Using any of the drafting techniques posted on the classroom wall (by the windows!), begin writing your rough draft. Remember, a rough draft is NOT a perfect draft!

While you are working, Ms. Jones will meet with each of you one-on-one to discuss your papers.

Learning Tasks for Thursday, April 24

Essential Question:  Why is it important to first write a rough draft of your paper?

Objectives:  I can...
-receive and apply feedback to my writing.
-draft an organized essay.

1. Writing into the Day


2.  Research Paper - Conferences and Drafting
Using any of the drafting techniques posted on the classroom wall (by the windows!), begin writing your rough draft. Remember, a rough draft is NOT a perfect draft!

While you are working, Ms. Jones will meet with each of you one-on-one to discuss your papers.

STAY STRONG, STAY FOCUSED!!!




Learning Tasks for Friday, April 25

Essential Question: How can feedback improve your writing?

Objectives: I can...
-apply feedback to my writing.
-revise and edit my writing.

1. Writing into the Day 



2. Proofreading and Editing
On Blackboard, pull up your previous papers written for this course.  What aspects of your writing did Mr. Ziebart mark for improvement?  Make a list of the three issues that are most common in your previous papers (maybe commas? organization? length?).  Have you addressed those concerns in your current paper?

With a partner, you will proofread and edit your paper.  Pay attention to grammar, punctuation, formatting, and any other concerns that Mr. Ziebart noted in your previous papers.

2.  Revisions
Using feedback from your peers, Ms. Jones, and Mr. Ziebart, make any needed revisions to your paper before submitting your work to Blackboard.


3.  Submit your Work
Your rough draft is due today.  REMEMBER! It does not need to be a "good" or "perfect" paper yet.  Mr. Ziebart and I expect your writing to be less than par at this point.  That's the purpose of a ROUGH draft! :)

Saturday 12 April 2014

Week 14

Learning Tasks for Monday, April 14 and Wednesday, April 16


Essential Question:  How can outlines improve my writing?

Objectives:  I can...
-construct a detailed paper outline.
-organize information using research note cards.

1. Outlining a Research Paper


From Mr. Ziebart:  "I want you to choose an outline format that best fits your writing style. Please keep in mind that this does not mean I will accept an outline that is vague and incomplete. I want to see evidence of research and organization. There should be a clear thesis, relevant source material with 'discussion' points, and a working conclusion."

Here is a link to some examples of good outlines:  http://www.austincc.edu/tmthomas/sample%20outline%201.htm

Here's another option for my visual learners!:

Learning Tasks for Thursday, April 10

Essential Question:  How can writing and revising a rough draft improve my writing?

Objectives:  I can...
-create a draft of an extended research paper.
-develop a clear thesis statement that defines my stance on my research topic.

1.  Drafting
Using your essay outline and note cards, start developing your rough draft.  As we've discussed throughout the semester, there isn't a right or wrong way to draft... just get those ideas on paper!!!! We'll refine them later, so no worries. :)

Your rough draft is due by next Friday.  After that, Mr. Ziebart and I will provide you feedback so that you can touch up your writing before submitting your final draft on Monday, May 5.


Happy Spring Break 2.0!


Sunday 6 April 2014

Week 13

Learning Tasks for Monday, April 7


Essential Question:  How do literacy skills promote effective communication and understanding?

Objectives:  I can...
-reflect on what I have learned this semester in English 111.
-analyze the expectations of the Research Essay.
-provide thoughtful feedback to my peers' ideas.

1. Writing into the Day
Set a SMART goal for Week Ten.  How will achieving this goal benefit you?  What resources or support do you need in order to reach your goal?


2.  Note Cards



Why use note cards?
-Note Cards are a way to manage ALL THE THINGS when you are overwhelmed with research information.  Research papers require you to browse and sort through many, many articles, which can easily lead to information overload.  Note cards allow researchers to keep their information organized,  recall where they found the information, and select which information they will quote/paraphrase in their papers.



What information should I include on my note cards?
-Each note card will feature a quote or piece of information that you want to include in your research paper.

On the lined side of your note card, you will write the following:

  • Subtopic that the source addresses. Example:  if you are writing about poverty, you might put "History of poverty," "Poverty and race," or "Definition of poverty."  You should have only one or two note cards with the same subtopic. This information goes in the upper left-hand corner.
  • Quote, statistic, or paraphrased idea from the source.  Any information that is a direct quote needs to have quotation marks (" ").This information goes in the lines of the note card.
  • In-text/parenthetical citation.  This is usually the author's last name and page number, but can vary depending on the source you are using.  Example: (Jones 23).  This information goes in the lower right-hand corner.
  • Optional:  if you already know how you are organizing your paper, many researchers find it helpful to "code" sources by numbering them in the order they will be used in your paper (example: Source 1, Source 2, Source 1A, Source 1B, etc.).  This information goes in the upper right-hand corner.


On the unlined side of the note card, write the MLA citation that will eventually go on your Works Cited page.  Note that if you are making several note cards from the same source, you only need to write the citation once.



How many note cards should I have?
-You need twenty note cards to receive full credit for this assignment, but you can absolutely have more, if needed.



Learning Tasks for Tuesday, April 8

Essential Question:  How do literacy skills promote effective communication and understanding?

Objectives:  I can...
-reflect on what I have learned this semester in English 111.
-analyze the expectations of the Research Essay.
-provide thoughtful feedback to my peers' ideas.

1.Note Cards

Continue working on those note cards!  Your goal should be to finish AT LEAST four cards by the end of class.  

For every note card you finish, a cute baby animal is born....



Learning Tasks for Wednesday, April 9

Essential Question:  Why is it important to first write a rough draft of your paper?

Objectives:  I can...
-generate ideas for a paper.
-identify and use a drafting technique that works for me.

1.  Note Cards
Continue working on those note cards!  Your goal should be to finish AT LEAST four cards by the end of class.  



Learning Tasks for Thursday, April 10

Essential Question:  How can feedback improve your writing?

Objectives:  I can...
-receive and apply feedback to my writing.
-draft an organized essay.

1. Note Cards
Continue working on those note cards!  Your goal should be to finish AT LEAST four cards by the end of class.  

STAY STRONG, STAY FOCUSED!!!




Learning Tasks for Friday, April 11


Essential Question:  How can feedback improve your writing?

Objectives:  I can...
-receive and apply feedback to my writing.
-edit and revise my writing.

1.  Note Cards
Continue working on those note cards!  Your goal should be to finish AT LEAST four cards by the end of class.  


3.  Outline
When you finish your note cards, you can begin your paper outline (due Thursday, April 17).

From Mr. Ziebart:  "I want you to choose an outline format that best fits your writing style. Please keep in mind that this does not mean I will accept an outline that is vague and incomplete. I want to see evidence of research and organization. There should be a clear thesis, relevant source material with 'discussion' points, and a working conclusion."

Here is a link to some examples of good outlines: http://www.austincc.edu/tmthomas/sample%20outline%201.htm

Here's another option: