November 23

In class today we talked over introductions and conclusions - and the difference between writing to a "formula" (5-paragraph essays, 7 sentences in a paragraph, etc) and writing for a purpose and for a particular audience. We used this discussion to think about the audiences for your essays (me + people who endorse the perspective you are writing against)and your purposes for writing to those two audiences. We listed your purposes as meeting the criteria for the assignment (for me); demonstrating that you have learned the important concepts covered in class (for me); and persuading the "other side" of the validity of your view (for people who endorse the perspective you are writing against). I emphasized that for writing for school, the first two purposes are always there - and that the second purpose is often unstated but is almost always central in teachers minds as they grade.

We then listed on the board what you will want to do in the introduction to a persuasive essay where you are persuading people who disagree with you. We looked at the sample essays that argued issues in your text book, and noticed how these authors set up their arguments. We noted that when arguing "against" a perspective - most authors: 1) set up their position indirectly + after acknowledging the "other side" (as in the piece against legalizing marijuana), establishing their own authority (through citing facts, establishing group membership, or etc), or making a move to connect to the "emotions" surrounding the issue (like McKibben). In fact the introduction usually was organized so that writers used several paragraphs to set up the issues before identifying their position + the points they would argue.

We then looked at some sites on the Purdue OWL that dealt with how to build paragraphs, and how to use quotation, paraphrase, and summary. Paraphrasing and quotation are particularly important for this assignment since you need to refer to "facts" and the position of "the other side" in this essay. We reviewed how to introduce quotations + paraphrases, and discussed when to paraphrase + when to use quotations. You will probably want to quote the position you are arguing against - to ensure that you accurately report the points for their beliefs.

For Monday, November 30: turn in the completed draft for Project 2 as an attachment.

Have a great Thanksgiving and see you after break.

November 17

In class today you worked on making sure you had done the necessary pre-writing before beginning your essay.

You stated your position, identified the statement you would argue against, listed the points you would need to make to reply to the other side + develop your position, and identified the "facts" or supporting materials you would need to write your paper.

In the computer classroom we talked about how to find appropriate sites to support your position. For academic writing, you will want to use google scholar, or conduct searches of domains appropriate to your topic (eg .edu, .gov etc). We looked at how to conduct advanced searches that would help you find the kinds of references you needed.

For in-class work, you wrote a list of 3 sites you would use to provide supporting material (your works cited list), and developed some of the language - quotations or paraphrases - that you can use in yoru essay to state the other side's position, and support your position. This writing was due at the end of class.

For homework:
Begin writing sections of your essay. Write the sections where you sum up the arguments of the other side, as well as paragraphs that reply to several of the other side's points. Include the "facts" & support you found on the web sites in class.

On Tuesday, Nov 24, we will review the overall organization of the essay, and work on writing introductions + conclusions. Your complete draft for Project 2 will be due on Tuesday, December 1.

No class on Thursday, and have a good weekend.

Thursday, November 12

In class today you talked through what you will write about for your persuasive essay, and we looked at a sample persuasive essay to get an idea for the overall organization.

I've looked through the pre-writing assignment you did for homework, and many of you have not yet identified the particular statement you will argue against. As illustrated in the sample essays => the position you will argue against determines the points you will discuss in your paper.

Do some more pre-writing for your essay - only this time make it more specific. Develop a document where you:

1. state your position; include both your assumptions and your reasons (for example, to argue that the owners of teams + facilities, along with the sponsors in national organizations are responsible for stopping racism in soccer - you might need to assume that the people who run the games + receive financial benefit from them are responsible for respecting the players and the "values" that are enacted on the field and in the stadium . . . what else do you need to assume?)
2. quote the statement that you will argue against
3. identify the values that underly the position you are arguing against (do some writing to figure out why the other side holds the position it does)
4. list the points you will have to acknowledge to keep from alienating you readers
5. map out the organization for your essay

Bring a print copy of this writing to class.

In the first part of class you will workshop your pre-writing with classmates to make sure you have a solid organization to start your essay. You will also identify places where you will need to support / develop your argument with evidence. You will then work with classmates to develop a list of the kinds of sources that you will need (scientific facts, personal testimony, experience, testimony by expert witnesses etc.)

In the second part of class you will work on gathering some of the sources you will use as references, and on the proper patterns for quoting your sources.


For Tuesday:
Finish your portfolios.
Complete the assigned pre-writing & bring a written copy to class.

Have a good weekend.

Tuesday, November 10

In class today you focused on thinking about how you will write your persuasive essay. We analyzed the writing by McKibben + Bragg, and you spent some time in the computer lab thinking about your topic and looking for a position statement that you will argue for or against.

In general, you will want to find activist groups who oppose your position. Newspaper articles are supposed to be "unbaised" so in many cases they will point you to groups on both sides; you can then look up the "positions" of both groups.

For Thursday (homework), finish brainstorming you started in class (turn in everything you wrote). It should include:

1. your topic
2. a link to the statement you will argue against
3. the values that underly the position you are arguing against
4. the points you will make in support of your position

In the first half of class Thursday you will look at assignment sheet and do some writing to answer the following questions.

who is your audience?
what are their assumptions?
why do they oppose your position?
what moves will you need to make to convince them?
what logical points will you make?
what support will you need ?
describe the best way to organize your essay.

This writing is to prepare for the short presentations on your topic that each of you will give on Tuesday, Nov 17.

During the second half of class your will work on the reflective writing for your Project 1, and on completing your portfolio.

Although I originally said in class that the entire porfolio was due at the end of class on Thursday, I am going to back off and change the due date to Tuesday, November 17.

So to sum up:
Due Thursday, Nov 12: lists with topic & statement you will argue against; reflective writing for Portfolio (by the end of class).

Tuesday, Nov 17: Portfolio due; student presentations on Project 2 (you will work in class to map out the organization for your essay)

Thursday, Nov 19: no class

Coaching for writing

Monday: Monday 2-4 (Sam) 7-9 pm (Daria)
Tuesday: 10-11; 12-1:00; & 1:30 -4:00 (Laura, Tim, Taliesha + Danny)
Wednesday: 2- 4:30 (Daniella + Robin)
Thursday: 9:30 - 10:30 (Talisha)
Friday: 4-5:00 (Daria)
Saturday: (beginning Oct 31) 9:30 - 11:30 (Musheerah + Kenneischa)