Aphorism Project- Moving forward (Due Friday, October 9th)

For your Aphorism project, you have done the following things:
          - Identified an aphorism from The Alchemist 
          - Explained the meaning and the overall value addressed in The Alchemist 
          - Examined a non-profit organization and picked one that you feel that aligns with the value
            you identified in your aphorism
          - Identified 5+ specific pieces of evidence from the site that supports your argument that this specific aphorism would be an ideal message/slogan/aphorism for this non-profit..

Essentially... you have gone through steps 2-5 (and almost 6) of writing.

What is your research question?   What aphorism best represents the non-profit organization and why? 

Your Thesis:   The aphorism " ___________" best represents the ideals of ___________ non-profit because ___________________

Now... You have also come up with 5+ examples from the website that support your thesis. Can you "break up the topic"? Can they be linked under a larger topics (Think step 5 of writing).. Are these examples better served as actual examples (Think step 6)?

1. THEREFORE... FOR FRIDAY, October 9th.

*Please do an extended paragraph outline for your aphorism thesis (seen above)...
Outline... Fill it out.. do not write the paragraph.  You may need to revisit the website for another example(s) if possible.  Please include a brief warrant. As you start implement your backing, consult your secondary source.  This is a template.. .it may not fit EXACTLY to your needs for every point and example. Be able to adjust accordingly.

In the following structure, you need to address the COUNTER-CLAIM to your argument. Where would be the best location for its placement?

           I: Aphorism Thesis
                    A. Supporting point #1 (Broad point)
                                   1.  Example #1 (From website)
                                          -warrant
                                         - backing (secondary source)
                                   2. Example #2 (From website)
                                         - warrant
                                         - backing (secondary source)
                    B. Supporting point #2 (Broad point)
                                   1. Example #1 (From website)
                                          -warrant
                                          - backing (secondary source)
                                   2. Example #2 (From website)
                                          -warrant
                                         - backing (secondary source)
                   C. Supporting point #3 (Broad point)
                                 1. Example #1 (From website)
                                         - warrant
                                         - backing (secondary source)
                                2. Example #2 (From website)
                                          - warrant
                                         - backing (secondary source)

For class on TUESDAY, October 6th.

1. In order to be ready for the final step of writing, I need you to go through and take notes on the following links found under "Writing Links". Go through in the following order:

• "Cornell Guide to Sources"
• "What must be cited"
• "UNC Quote Integration"
• "Integrating quotes"
• "Integrating Quotes- Tag line examples" 

Take very thorough NOTES on the above links. 

I will be introducing STEP 8 on Tuesday. After this, things will move very quickly. You will be putting these skills into play. Makes sure that your notes are accessible for you! 

For Monday, October 5th

As of Monday morning (October 5th), the following things should be done:

1. You have taken a quiz over Steps 1-6 of Writing (from 10/1).
2. You have Steps 1-7 in your notes.
3. You have completed with your BOOT CAMP TOPICS: Steps 1-5 with ALL 5 topics.
4. You have completed with 3 of your BOOT CAMP TOPICS: Steps 6 and 7 (with 3 topics).
5. You have thoroughly reviewed the 4 major types of transitions.

THESIS/Claims... Gotta Care!

1. Remember, the ultimate aspect of success in thesis/claim writing comes from the care in which you approach the content. You must start caring and forming opinions about the world around you! Therefore, read the following articles. Please note the opinions of the authors do not necessarily reflect my own.. the purpose of these specific articles are to engage your opinions on timely subjects.

No One Cares About Climate Change

Average Cost of Raising a Child

Emma Watson- WP

Why India's Narendra Modi

For each article, draw a t-chart in your notes and on one side take notes on WHAT YOU LEARNED and on the other side write WHAT YOU THINK.

This is, of course, is a style of higher level annotation where you are not only keeping track of new information... but also starting to form opinions about what you are reading!!  As you are gathering the "what"... you are starting to think of the "why" and "how".

Be thinking about the formula of the thesis/claim and the checklist as you are doing this activity.

2. Write a thesis/claim for EACH of the Writing Boot Camp subjects.. Go through and check them against the formula and checklist.

Remember: MONDAY IS "TRAVEL DAY" for Homecoming! I expect you all to be dressed in full spirit mode!

Due: September 25th

In class:

1. Thesis/Claim practice and review.
2. Google Classroom- Op.Ed. articles. Read and identify the claim/thesis for the argument. Then you will need to find the major supporting topic sentences that support the claim.
3. READ the following links on how to SUMMARIZE:
               A.How to Summarize
               B. How to Summarize a Research Article
Take GOOD notes!
4. After reading the "summarizing" information, you will go back to your google doc. and write a summary of each op.ed. piece you read and essentially outlined.

Class today: September 18th

I have a sick baby today. Therefore, today we will be having class via chrome book.

1. You should have already submitted your breaking down the topic assignments on Classroom. 

2. Remember to have added Step 4 of Writing to your 5 working topics.

3. Take VERY good notes on the following material. I will go over it on Monday.

STEP 4 of Writing: Writing a THESIS OR CLAIM. 

Definition of THESIS: arguable main idea of a paper or paragraph

Purpose of Step 4: to provide analysis and argument of a topic, as well as providing a clear road map for the writer and the reader. 

Formula of a thesis: Subject + Attitude or Belief about this subject + Blueprint = Thesis

Checklist for evaluating a thesis:

1. Is the thesis/claim debatable? 

2. Does it answer an intellectual question? 

3. It is not a statement of fact (consider the audience). 

4.  Does it clearly point the direction of the argument (limiting it scope).

5. Is the language vivid and clear?

6. Is the point I’m making one that would generate discussion and argument, or is it one that would leave people asking, “So what?” (does it pass the "how" and "why" test?)

4. Review and take notes over the following links:

http://www.indiana.edu/~wts/pamphlets/thesis_statement.shtml 

http://www.csus.edu/englishta/ta/inclassactivities/Writing%20a%20strong%20thesis%20statement.doc 

** Try the revise exercise at the end.

5. You will have a quiz on Monday over the Steps of Writing, purpose of communication, and anything prior is fair game. 

Step 4 will be on the quiz, but only knowledge level questions. 

Email me with any questions. 

Class today: Monday, September 14th

1. Review the importance of audience awareness. Be able to identify the most important questions to understand your audience. Furthermore, you need to be able to explain why this is the first step of writing.

2. An important factor of audience awareness is TONE of your writing. Review the following link and take notes. Tone and Audience Awareness

3. Practice: I am your audience. You will be trying out your newly found awareness of audience assessment with this exercise. You will imagine you have been assigned/ you are deeply interested/ you are passionate about/ scared to think about... the following topics. Again, I am your audience. What do you have to do to write about such a topic? How do you get your audience to listen?  Review through the questions concerning audience, your notes, and the above link on tone...

You WILL be turning this in to me. Put it on a separate piece of paper-not in your notes. You will need to put a bullet point list of things you need to consider/not do/tone, etc...  Then, I want a short reflective paragraph for each topic addressing what you would perceive concerns/benefits of writing on this topic.

Your topics:
 a. Affirmative action in college
 b. Prayer in schools
 c. Purpose of homework
 d. Marriage equality

Now remember... it doesn't matter how I personally feel about these issues (one way or the other) when it comes to what side/stance you may take when you write. Audience awareness is NOT about changing your viewpoints to how your audience feels. It is about you being able to write in a manner that allows your audience to HEAR your ideas. Now.. keep in mind.. this exercise in other times... with other instructors MAY dictate your topic/stance, etc... You will hopefully be able to assess and adjust!