Monday's Assignment

There's still some confusion about what's due Monday, so I'll clarify here:

1) Turn in your diagnostic essay. You can either (A) turn it in in class or (B) turn it in at 5PM to my office door (3142 FLB).

2) Write the citation and summary for the two sources under Task 2 on annotated bibliography. This is the beginning of your next major assignment. You'll still need to write the rest of the biography and find two more sources in the future but for Monday you just need to write the citation and summary.

Annotated Bibliography

1. PPT
2. Task 1
3. Task 2 Instructions
i. Source 1
ii. Source 2

HW: I know it's Friday and you have homework but the schedule just worked out that way! :( The good news is that by doing this homework, you get a head start on your next major assignment! :D

For homework you need to do two things:
1) Revise your diagnostic essay and have it ready to turn in (hard-copy and electronic) by Monday at 5 PM on my office door, 3142 FLB (NOTE: THIS LOCATION HAS CHANGED FROM MY MAILBOX!). Remember to turn in the last page of your peer review with your final draft.
2) Complete the citation and summary for the two sources in task 2 above. I will check Monday in class to make sure that you have completed this activity. If you haven't, then you will receive zero for your participation points.

P.I.E. Paragraph Structure

Today we'll be talking about a formula for structuring the supporting details in your body paragraphs. Though this is not the only way to write body paragraphs (you'll notice that very advanced writers don't always follow this formula), when you're beginning to write essays it's an excellent way to start. I recommend that you follow this formula for now, especially if I commented that you need to work on body paragraph structure. Please note that I'll be looking for this structure when I grade your diagnostic essays.

1. PPT
2. If you finish the activity, start looking at your diagnostic essay and labeling each body paragraph according to the P.I.E. structure. See the PPT for instructions.

Extra Materials:
-Watch this videoif you get a chance. Honestly it's pretty boring but it gives you a good idea of what a well-structured essay looks like.

Peer Review

I'm out with the flu so you'll be having a sub today. Be good! ;)

Here's today's instructions:

Find a partner. Preferably someone who doesn't sit next to you or you don't know well. Use this peer review form when reviewing their paper. Upload the form to dropbox and then e-mail it to your partner (you'll need to exchange e-mails). Then after you get your peer review form back, fill out the last page. On this page write a paragraph or two discussing the changes you made to your paper as a result of the peer review. Turn in this page with your final draft on October 3rd. If you don't have this page, points will be taken off your paper. If you have questions about this, hold off until Wednesday. I should (fingers crossed!!) be back then and will answer any questions.

If you have any other questions just e-mail me. I'll be on and off the computer today.

HW:
-Revise your diagnostic essay (due October 3rd)
-Also I'm giving everyone another chance to vote for the guided research paper topic, if you haven't yet. See the relevant post. Only 19 people have voted so far so please vote! Do this by Tuesday at midnight.

Peer Review Training

Announcements:
1) Your final draft for the diagnostic essay will be due October 3rd (see the diagnostic revision instructions to your left)
2) If you get a chance, please fill out mid-semester feedback for ESL 115. See the relevant post.
3) If you want your voice heard for the guided research paper topic, VOTE! See the relevant post.

Today you'll be learning how to peer review!

-Effective Peer Review Points
-Peer Review Comments HO
-Comments from a Peer Review HO

HW:
1) HAVE YOUR DIAGNOSTIC ESSAY READY FOR PEER REVIEW ON MONDAY IN-CLASS!
2) Read the peer review form for Monday. You'll be using this on Monday in-class so please read it and come with questions on anything you don't understand! Pay particular attention to #3. Make sure you understand this. If you don't, ask! :) Students have had trouble in the past, so it's no problem.

VOTE for the Guided Research Paper Topic (optional)

I have picked three possibilities which everyone can write about for the guided research paper. All of my students will write the SAME TOPIC. However you do have some power! Please use this survey to vote for a topic. Majority rules! This is of course optional but if you want a say in the topic, vote! :D

DEADLINE: Friday at NOON.

MID-SEMSETER FEEDBACK- Please complete!

I'd like to know what is helping you and isn't helping you in ESL 115. Please take a few minutes to fill out the mid-semester feedback. Answer the questions honestly! They are anonymous so I won't know who said what. Make sure to fill out the survey for the correct section:

If you are in section P (9 AM) fill out this survey.
If you are in section Q (11 AM) fill out this survey.

Problem-Solution Essay

Here are the materials for today:

-PPT
-Planning a Problem-Solution Essay
-Problem-Solution Essay Practice

HW: Read these two example problem-solution essays. Note that the first is better than the second. The second has many flaws which are noted in the margins.

Debate Skills: Lady Gaga

Today we're going to debate and I hope it will be fun! We'll try to learn debate skills by having a debate about whether or not Lady Gaga's clothes is fashion.

I've written student instructions for each of you today since today will be a bit complicated. Here are the instructions for section P and here are the instructions for section Q.


We'll begin with this brief PPT and a discussion. Then it'll be time to debate! If you get lost just look at the instructions above. :)

Evaluating Arguments

-PPT
-Task

A note about this lesson:
When evaluating claims and evidence things are not always black and white. That is sometimes it is can be argued by some that a piece of evidence supports a claim while others may say that the evidence does not. This is simply part of argumentative writing. You are making an argument, thus whether your argument is true is by nature arguable.

Keep this in mind when making your own argument. What I want you to do is find the best evidence possible. Make sure that your evidence is the best evidence you can find to support your claim. If it is not clear how it supports the claim, explain it. That is the purpose of today's lesson; i.e. examine your own evidence and be critical of it. Don't just look at your argument.

Coherence

Today we'll be doing things a bit differently. First we'll have a brief discussion. Then I'll have you read the lecture yourself and think of any questions you might have as you read the lecture. After that I will put you into a small group and you will do a task. At this time you can also ask your group about any questions you have in the PPT. The instructions for today are below:

-Today's Instructions

Here are the other materials you'll need for today:
-Coherence PPT
-Transitions Handout
-Coherence Paragraphs (Answer Key)

HW: Don't forget to write your paragraph (due Friday in Dropbox). Also please begin revising your diagnostic essay, if you haven't already.

Paragraph Structure

1. Handout
2. Practice

Here are the paragraphs we outlined in class:
-Section P's Paragraph
-Section Q's Paragraph

HW: Write your own paragraph. Look at the practice worksheet under 2 above. Upload your paragraph to Dropbox by Friday at 11:59 P.M.

Questions from Class Today

Here are some questions I got today:

(1) What should we name the file for the reflective essay?
Name the file 'reflectiveessay1'

(2) When will the second draft of the diagnostic essay be due?
I haven't set a date yet but likely within a week or two. Please keep the draft I handed back to you today! You will need this in order to write your second draft.

(3) Wait what? What exactly is the electoral college?
Take a look at this link. It's a crazy system that doesn't really make sense at first but I think this website will explain it better than I could.

Let me know if you have any more questions. I won't check my e-mail regularly this weekend but will get back to you as soon as I can.