Bunch o' Info!

I made so many announcements today! Here's a recap:

• Please give me a clean printed copy of your Project 3 (annotated bibliography). Steven the Librarian and I will both be very grateful.
• Get some blue books! Final's on Friday; you may need two books. Pick 'em up for free at the Student Union.
• Tomorrow, I'll ask you guys to share the most helpful bit of info/advice/criticism you got out of peer review. Think of something to share!
• Tomorrow's also the last day you'll be able to ask me paper questions in person. Get your questions ready!

That should cover it.

Oh, yeah, and send me drafts today if you'd like comments/revision suggestions. I can't promise I'll get to them tomorrow (thus the 24-hr rule on the syllabus).

Project 4 Peer Review

The BIG Stuff

1. How clear is the thesis? How debatable is it? Does it make a positive claim?
2. Does the thesis accurately preview the paper? Are any parts of the paper not a clear fit with the thesis?
3. Can you follow the argument clearly from start to finish? Does the paper's organization help you understand the necessary background information? Does the paper build up the argument and evidence persuasively?
4. Does everything in the draft lead to or follow from one central thesis? If not, which ideas appear to be out of place?
   Are the claims backed up with evidence? Is the evidence appropriate? Is it sufficient? Does any evidence need further explanation or context?
5. If there's an image, does the text explain it? Does it help you understand the argument or illustrate an important point?
6. What's the absolute awesomest thing about this paper? What do you think could use the most improvement?

The Pickier Stuff

1. Does the writer provide necessary background information about the source, including author and/or title for sources?
2. Throughout the essay, when referring to sources, does the writer supply necessary documentation?
   Are there clear transitions or connectives that connect the writer’s own ideas to those of sources?
3. Are there transitions between paragraphs? How smooth are they?
   Is the organizational plan or form appropriate for this kind of paper? If not, can you suggest another format?
   Does the writer open the paper in a way that catches the reader’s attention?
4. Does the conclusion amply restate the main idea? Does it offer new insights? Are the new insights too much for a conclusion?
5. Do the sentences flow? Is there a variety of lengths of sentences?
6. Is the word choice effective? Are the same words used to begin and end sentences? Are there positive or negative words or phrases that will make an impression on the reader?

Finally...

1. What 2 things most need improving about the paper?
2. What did you like most about the paper? 

London

I'm having a hard time grasping the extent of the London riots. It's London, after all. Certainly the city has deep-rooted social issues, but I still find the images of fires, looting, and violence to be completely surreal.

Imagine this scene around UNLV. It just seems so unlikely.

There's a connection to our class, too, in the stern rhetoric being used by British officials to discuss the situation. Even as they condemn the rioters, something about their rhetoric feels less inflammatory than what we might see on this side of the ocean. Maybe it's the quote about "fancying a new pair of trainers."

...and Week 5 Begins!

I do hope everyone's had a productive and not too stressful weekend!

Just a quick overview/reminder of what's left to do this week:

Monday: You're bringing in a Project 4 draft and will be going over it with a class-mate, who'll act as your first reader.
Tuesday: Bring in a draft of Project 4 with any revisions you needed to make after yesterday's peer review.
Wednesday: Last day before the paper's due, so last chance to talk to me in person about any questions or concerns you have. We'll also be sharing some of the common issues that have cropped up in peer review, so be ready to talk about whatever you've corrected, noticed, praised, etc.
Thursday: After collecting your Project 4 (It's done now!), I'll tell you all about the final. Assignment: For class, be sure to have read the Timed Writing Appendix in your textbook.
Friday: The final!

Please let me know if you have any questions about this week, or if there are any topics you'd like to cover.

I Wouldn't Lie to You...

See!

NY Times Vending Machine Story

Homework due 8/4

Today in class we discussed arguments in terms of claims, reasons, evidence, etc.

Your assignment is to start prewriting your paper by writing out 3 claims you will make and adding the reasons, evidence, or appeals you will use to support them. By prewriting in this way, you will have a bank of your own writing to draw from when you draft your paper.

I won't be collecting this homework, but that doesn't make it a free pass to not do it. By writing out claims, you'll start to recognize trouble spots that we can address before you have to produce a final paper. Trust me, this step in the process is to your benefit.

In-Class Reading 8/2

Here's the article we're reading in class today to discuss. A quick preview:

The article's long, but bear with me. I hope it's really interesting, and not just English-teacher interesting. I've been known to mistakenly assume that articles about gene-spliced seeds and organic farmers will be fascinating to the average person.