Days 6, 7, & 8: Introductions & Conclusions

Before starting everything below, we will finish discussing thesis statements. See day 5's post for the PPT and task.


1. Finish discussing thesis statements (day 6)
2. Introductions & Conclusions PPT
a.Introductins task (day 6)
b. Conclusions task (day 7)

HW: Read this Introductions PPT for different types of attention getters. We will not have time to discuss this in class but you will be expected to be familiar with these. That is I expect you to use these types of attention getters in each of your essays for ESL 115.

NO CLASS MONDAY! MONDAY'S LABOR DAY! :)

Reflective Essay 1 Structure, E-mails

Someone asked me in class today (9 AM) if the reflective essay needs an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. This is not necessary. This is not really an essay in the traditional sense. It is like a journal entry, so you can write one giant paragraph, a few paragraphs, etc. It really does not matter, so long as your write a careful reflection of your writing process in English. Also make sure to follow the right format, i.e. 12-point Times New Roman double-spaced. Points will be taken off if this format is not followed.

Another question I got today was about grammar in e-mails. You need not have perfect grammar. What I meant is that you should avoid being informal or causal, e.g. using abbreviations (lol, rofl, omg, etc.), spelling things wrong, not using punctuation.

Day 5: Academic E-mails & Thesis Statements

I will attempt to cover both academic e-mails and thesis statements today. However we might not finish thesis statements. We'll see how it goes. ;)

Academic E-mails
1. PPT: don't look over this before class or click ahead!
2. Task: do with a partner

Thesis Statements
1. PPT
2. Task: work in pairs

HW: Keep writing reflective essay 1 due Friday in dropbox by 11:59 PM. Remember to follow the right format (see Monday's post)!

First Person and the Reflective Essays

Hae Rim pointed out that I said in class never to use (except for personal examples & critique essays) first and second person in academic essays. I meant that this is true for the three essays we will write in this course. However for the reflective essays you need to use first person. This is because the reflective essays aren't true essays. Rather they are like journal entries. That is, you are 'reflecting' or thinking about something you do. This is compared with an argumentative essay where you make a claim and use research to back up that claim. The reflective essays are a completely different form of writing, i.e. a journal entry. Let me know if you still have questions. :)

Day 4: The Writing Process

1. PPT
a. Example Outline
2. Today's Tasks

Homework:
(1) Keep writing Reflection Paper 1 due in Dropbox by Friday September 2nd at 11:59 PM. Remember to just write in English and not worry about grammar, spelling, etc. Do be honest and detailed in your responses and follow the right format, i.e. 12-point font Times New Roman double-spaced.
(2) If you haven't yet registered for the course, register today. Please let me know if you're still not able to, e.g. you need your credit override form to go through.

REGISTRATION FOR ESL 115: We will do this in class on Friday August 25th!

Follow these instructions to register for ESL 115:

1) Go to this website and log in.

2) In UI integrate, select "Add/Drop Classes." Add a CRN for this course. CRNs are five-digit number sequences representing specific class sections; the CRN for this course is on the board.

3) On the Add/Drop Classes screen, you can add your ESL class by typing in the CRN (on the board), and then click "Submit Changes" at the bottom of the screen. If you are unable to register for the class, an error message will describe the reason you could not register. LET ME KNOW IF YOU CAN'T REGISTER!

Note: Be sure to enter CRN starting in the left-most box. If you skip the first box, the registration system will think you didn't enter any CRNs.

For a picture of how to do all of this, click on the following link:

http://registrar.illinois.edu/registration/help_add.html

I will write the CRN that you need on the board. Again if you can't register let me know!

Day 3: Registration, Writing and Culture, Outlining (time permitting)

Before starting anything today, register for ESL 115. Follow the instructions in the post above this one.

Today's primary objective: Gain a basic understanding of how academic essays are organized in the United States; practice this skill through outlining.

For today's lesson I'd first like to talk about culture and writing. Follow along with this PPT.

Now I'd like to talk about outlining.

1) PPT- don't click ahead!
a. Example Outline
b. Task

Homework: Begin writing Reflection Paper 1 due in Dropbox by Friday September 2nd at 11:59 PM.

Day 2: Diagnostic Essay Draft 1

Today in class we'll be taking the diagnostic exam. It's not really a test, as you're not graded for it. Nevertheless you need to work hard as this is the first draft of your first essay.

You will have 50 minutes to complete the exam. As soon as class starts log off the computer. You'll need the whole class period.

Day 1: Syllabus & Introductions

Hello and welcome to ESL 115!

1) Attendance
2) Course syllabus
3) Dropbx instructions
4) Lost on a Desert Island Instructions

HW: Upload a photo of yourself to Dropbox which will be worth 5 points and due by Wednesday at 11:59 PM.