Jan 29 .. FRIDAY. Analyzing Argument Writing/Rough Draft Prep

WARM UP ...

Read and analyze the following quote - create a blog entry that includes the quote and your thoughts about it.  In your own words, explain what it means.  Do you agree with it or not?  Why?

"In a moment of decision, the best thing you can do is the right thing to do, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing."

– Theodore Roosevelt

TODAY ...

• Read the Argument MLA Paper Here: ARGUMENT PAPER - MLA FORMAT

• After you have read it once, go back and answer the following questions on a sheet of paper as you re-read it (as needed).  Analyze the paper and look for ways or tricks to use in your rough draft as we begin that phase of the research paper writing process on Monday.

1) Does the introduction effectively "grab" you as a reader? Explain why it does OR if it doesn't suggest how the writer could make it better. 

2) What did you find most interesting about this paper? Be specific. 

3) What did you find least interesting and what should the writer do to fix it? Be specific. 

4) How could the writer strengthen the conclusion?

5) List 8 specific strengths about this paper. 

6) List 3 areas that need improvement that have not been previously discussed. 

7) Overall, is this paper effective? Explain why or why not.

8) What elements of this paper (structurally or technically, not in terms of content since you will obviously have a different topic in most cases) can you use to make your own paper better as you draft?

• AFTER YOU FINISH AND TURN YOUR PAPER IN TO THE BASKET ... 
• Finish up anything you are still working on for your research and/or your working outline.  Make sure you submit SOMETHING in the way of a working outline by midnight tonight to EDMODO

Jan 28 ... Prepping to write the rough draft ...

WARM UP ...

• CWoD ... SKULDUGGERY

• Centered on the page - type the word and the definition
• Under that (To the LEFT) ... 2 synonyms that you are familiar with
• Under that (To the RIGHT) ... 2 antonyms that you are familiar with
• An example (from life or reading)
• A picture or symbol that you mentally connect with the word.
• Example below!

LAIR - resting place of a wild animal

SYNONYMS - Den, Hideaway ANTONYMS - Open Space, Trails

EXAMPLE - Wounded animals tend to try to get back to their lairs to escape.

PICTURES - 

TODAY ... 

• Finish your Research (Notes & Sources) ... turn in when finished.  I want to see where you are on the paper and on your research.  However, if you add more research and more sources AFTER the initial grade is input, I will adjust the grade accordingly.
• Finish your Working Outline ... submit through Edmodo when finished.
• THE EDMODO DEADLINE FOR BOTH RESEARCH AND THE OUTLINE HAS BEEN MOVED TO TODAY (1/28/16) DUE TO MY ABSENCES THIS WEEK.
• Today is a work day - tomorrow we will focus on getting ready to write the rough draft and on putting that together.
• Rough Drafts remain due on 2/5.  Final Drafts remain due on 2/17.  Stay on track and stay focused.

INFO YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE UPLOADING TO EDMODO ... 

• Anything uploaded to Edmodo MUST be in a Microsoft Word (or .docx) file format.
• From Word Online, all you need to do is click ... FILE ... SAVE AS ... DOWNLOAD A COPY (the Chromebooks will download a copy in the correct format to your downloads folder)
• From Google Docs, you will need to click ... FILE ... DOWNLOAD AS ... MICROSOFT WORD (.DOCX) ... that will download the correct file format for upload to your Chromebook Downloads Folder

CRUCIAL INFO FOR YOUR PAPER ... 

• Giving credit to your sources ... (aka parenthetical citations) ... 
• PLAGIARISM ... it has four forms
• Copying the work of another and claiming it as your own
• Quoting a source and not providing proper credit
• Paraphrasing or summarizing a source into your own words but not providing proper credit
• Writing a paper that is entirely quotes, paraphrases, and summaries (even if you provide proper credit)
• When we use information from our research, in order to avoid plagiarism, we MUST give appropriate credit to the original writers via parenthetical citations.
• Parenthetical Citation Basics
• MLA Sample Paper w/ Citations and Works Cited
• Like you will produce for your rough and final drafts
• The Basics of MLA In-Text Citations

Jan 27 ... Back to CWODs .. Finishing Notes, Sources, and the Working Outline

WARM UP ...

• Time to get back to CWoDs and the fun that goes with it.  Review the requirements for each entry below before you tackle today's CWoD ... 

COLLEGE WORD OF THE DAY ... REVIEW... Often as part of our warmup, we will have a "College Word of the Day" ... each time we have one, you will use the following strategy to create a concept map of the word in your blog ... see the example below for how to create yours.

• Centered on the page - type the word and the definition
• Under that (To the LEFT) ... 2 synonyms that you are familiar with
• Under that (To the RIGHT) ... 2 antonyms that you are familiar with
• An example (from life or reading)
• A picture or symbol that you mentally connect with the word.

LAIR - resting place of a wild animal

SYNONYMS - Den, Hideaway ANTONYMS - Open Space, Trails

EXAMPLE - Wounded animals tend to try to get back to their lairs to escape.

PICTURES - 

Based on that example, create a concept map like this for today's College Word of the Day (CWoD): BAUBLE

TODAY ... 

• Finish your Research (Notes & Sources) ... turn in when finished.  I want to see where you are on the paper and on your research.  However, if you add more research and more sources AFTER the initial grade is input, I will adjust the grade accordingly.
• Finish your Working Outline ... submit through Edmodo when finished.
• THE EDMODO DEADLINE FOR BOTH RESEARCH AND THE OUTLINE HAS BEEN MOVED TO 1/28/16 DUE TO MY ABSENCES THIS WEEK.
• Today is a work day - tomorrow and Friday we will focus on getting ready to write the rough draft and on putting that together.  So even though things are "due" tomorrow, don't expect much class time to work on it after today.
• Rough Drafts remain due on 2/5.  Final Drafts remain due on 2/17.  Stay on track and stay focused.

• Giving credit to your sources ... (aka parenthetical citations) ... 
• PLAGIARISM ... it has four forms
• Copying the work of another and claiming it as your own
• Quoting a source and not providing proper credit
• Paraphrasing or summarizing a source into your own words but not providing proper credit
• Writing a paper that is entirely quotes, paraphrases, and summaries (even if you provide proper credit)
• When we use information from our research, in order to avoid plagiarism, we MUST give appropriate credit to the original writers via parenthetical citations.
• Parenthetical Citation Basics
• MLA Sample Paper w/ Citations and Works Cited
• Like you will produce for your rough and final drafts

Jan 26 ... Research and Working Outlines Cont'd.

No warm-up. Get your Chromebooks and get back to work. 

Since I am not there to assist you, I am extending the deadlines for research sources and notes again until Wednesday - and the deadline for the working outline until Thursday.

Make sure you spend your time working and are respectful to the sub. Thank you. 

Jan 25 ... Research and Working Outlines (Sub)

No warm-up. Get your Chromebooks and get back to work. 

I am out due to food poisoning. Since I am not there to assist you, I am extending the deadlines for research sources and notes until Tuesday - and the deadline for the working outline until Wednesday.

Make sure you spend your time working and are respectful to the sub. Thank you. 

Jan 22 ... Back in the classroom ... Research, Working Outlines, and it's FRIDAY!

WARM-UP ...

Pick up and read over the handouts on the Working Outline from the top of the Chromebook cart.  You can also find that information online here: WORKING OUTLINE INFO


REMINDER ...

• An "A level" paper (meaning you start with a maximum grade of 100) has a minimum of 6 sources and 65 notes from those sources.

• A "B level" paper (meaning you start with a maximum grade of 89) has a minimum of 4 sources and 60 notes from those sources.

• A "C level" paper (meaning you start with a maximum grade of a 79) has a minimum of 3 sources and 50 notes from those sources.

TODAY ...

We should be finishing our research (due Monday 1/25 to Edmodo before Midnight).  You may also submit a printed copy of your work to me today or Monday ... it DOES NOT have to be submitted electronically.  But the due date is the due date.

Begin work on your working outline for your paper (the last step before we begin rough drafting).  We will discuss the requirements in class and this WILL be submitted electronically through Edmodo before Midnight on Tuesday 1/26.


Make note of the amended due dates for the major parts of the research paper below - and be aware that we will not spend every class day between now and the final draft due date on only the research paper.  We will have adequate class time to complete MOST of the requirements, but you may be required to work on something outside of our normal class time.

RESEARCH (Sources and Notes) - submitted to Edmodo before Midnight on Monday 1/25 (We will go over how to submit multiple files to Edmodo at one time on 1/25 in class).

• If you have your research saved to multiple files, you will need to:
• Select the "ATTACH FILES" icon in the submission box on Edmodo
• Hold down CTRL and then click individually on each of them
• Then complete the TURN IN process

WORKING OUTLINE (We will begin in class on Friday) - submitted to Edmodo before midnight on Tuesday 1/26

• WORKING OUTLINE INFO

ROUGH DRAFT (We will begin in class on Wednesday 1/27) - submitted to Edmodo before midnight on Friday 2/5 (We will be in the computer lab to print them that day as well)

EDITING - We will complete in class after rough drafts are due and while we are working on Final Drafts - Due Date(s) TBD

FINAL DRAFT - Submitted to Edmodo by Wednesday 2/17 (We will be in the computer lab to print them as well)

If you need to refer back to the original research packet, there may be some extra copies still available on top of the Chromebook Cart ... but you can also find it online here: 

• RESEARCH PAPER PACKET (amended due dates posted to this blog are correct)

Jan 21 ... RESEARCH PAPER DUE DATE UPDATES! (and more research)

WARM-UP ...

No warm-up.


Get back to work on your research.  Last day in the Library Lab.  Classroom tomorrow.  Note the following due dates ...

RESEARCH (Sources and Notes) - submitted to Edmodo before Midnight on Monday 1/25 (We will go over how to submit multiple files to Edmodo at one time on 1/25 in class).

WORKING OUTLINE (We will begin in class on Friday) - submitted to Edmodo before midnight on Tuesday 1/26

ROUGH DRAFT (We will begin in class on Wednesday 1/27) - submitted to Edmodo before midnight on Friday 2/5 (We will be in the computer lab to print them that day as well)

EDITING - We will complete in class after rough drafts are due and while we are working on Final Drafts - Due Date(s) TBD

FINAL DRAFT - Submitted to Edmodo by Wednesday 2/17 (We will be in the computer lab to print them as well)

TODAY ... 

• Continue using the library database to locate sources - we will meet in the library in A102 tomorrow so that we have access to print information.  However all the notetaking can be done online and then later printed to be turned in.  **NOTE ... YOU WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO TURN IN A ROUGH DRAFT OR FINAL DRAFT UNTIL YOU HAVE SHOWN ME YOUR NOTETAKING AND SOURCE INFO.

• Finding Sources ... the best avenue for finding sources is going to be through the library database.  You can get there by going to the district website (www.sfisd.org) and selecting Santa Fe High School ... then selecting Library ... then selecting either GALE or EBSCO database on the right side of the Library webpage (under LINKS).
• You can also click the following link to make life simpler: SFHS LIBRARY
• If you are logging in from home, you will need the following info: 
• For GALE ... Password: learn
• For EBSCO ... Username: santa ... Password: library

• Within the Gale Database, you will find a button for a collection called "OPPOSING VIEWPOINTS IN CONTEXT" ... It's the mostly white button that is 5th down on the right column.  Or click the link.

• Use the follwing as a guide for structuring your source and note information SOURCE AND NOTE EXAMPLE

• REMINDER ... RESEARCH PAPER PROPOSALS ARE LATE, BUT ARE STILL A MAJOR GRADE AND MUST BE TURNED IN ASAP!

• If you have a resource that is NOT from the Gale Database, you will need to use:
•  Citation Machine (Website)
• Copy and paste the URL of the webpage you are using and let the Citation Machine do the work and produce your Source Citation for you.  It may not find ALL fields that it has, so you will need to make a quick check to see if you can add that information in,.  If not (if it is not available), proceed without it.
• ALL NON LIBRARY DATABASE RESOURCES NEED TO BE CLEARED WITH ME FIRST!

Jan 20 ... Continuing Research ... Still

WARM-UP ...

No warm-up again.  Get back to work on your research - we're in the library today and tomorrow. Target date to finish and turn in your research remains this Friday (we will have at least part of the day on Friday in class to work).

TODAY ... 

• Continue using the library database to locate sources - we will meet in the library in A102 tomorrow so that we have access to print information.  However all the notetaking can be done online and then later printed to be turned in.  **NOTE ... YOU WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO TURN IN A ROUGH DRAFT OR FINAL DRAFT UNTIL YOU HAVE SHOWN ME YOUR NOTETAKING AND SOURCE INFO.

• Finding Sources ... the best avenue for finding sources is going to be through the library database.  You can get there by going to the district website (www.sfisd.org) and selecting Santa Fe High School ... then selecting Library ... then selecting either GALE or EBSCO database on the right side of the Library webpage (under LINKS).
• You can also click the following link to make life simpler: SFHS LIBRARY
• If you are logging in from home, you will need the following info: 
• For GALE ... Password: learn
• For EBSCO ... Username: santa ... Password: library

• Within the Gale Database, you will find a button for a collection called "OPPOSING VIEWPOINTS IN CONTEXT" ... It's the mostly white button that is 5th down on the right column.  Or click the link.

• Use the follwing as a guide for structuring your source and note information SOURCE AND NOTE EXAMPLE

• REMINDER ... RESEARCH PAPER PROPOSALS ARE LATE, BUT ARE STILL A MAJOR GRADE AND MUST BE TURNED IN ASAP!

• If you have a resource that is NOT from the Gale Database, you will need to use:
•  Citation Machine (Website)
• Copy and paste the URL of the webpage you are using and let the Citation Machine do the work and produce your Source Citation for you.  It may not find ALL fields that it has, so you will need to make a quick check to see if you can add that information in,.  If not (if it is not available), proceed without it.
• ALL NON LIBRARY DATABASE RESOURCES NEED TO BE CLEARED WITH ME FIRST!

Jan 19 ... Continuing Research

WARM-UP ...

No warm-up.  Get back to work on your research.  We will be in the library today, Wednesday, and Thursday.  Research needs to be wrapped up by Friday (we will have part of the day on Friday in class to work).

TODAY ... 

• Continue using the library database to locate sources - we will meet in the library in A102 tomorrow so that we have access to print information.  However all the notetaking can be done online and then later printed to be turned in.  **NOTE ... YOU WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO TURN IN A ROUGH DRAFT OR FINAL DRAFT UNTIL YOU HAVE SHOWN ME YOUR NOTETAKING AND SOURCE INFO.

• Finding Sources ... the best avenue for finding sources is going to be through the library database.  You can get there by going to the district website (www.sfisd.org) and selecting Santa Fe High School ... then selecting Library ... then selecting either GALE or EBSCO database on the right side of the Library webpage (under LINKS).
• You can also click the following link to make life simpler: SFHS LIBRARY
• If you are logging in from home, you will need the following info: 
• For GALE ... Password: learn
• For EBSCO ... Username: santa ... Password: library

• Within the Gale Database, you will find a button for a collection called "OPPOSING VIEWPOINTS IN CONTEXT" ... It's the mostly white button that is 5th down on the right column.  Or click the link.

• From there you can search the collections of articles on your topic - there will be MANY in most cases.  That's a great place to start today.  When you find an article you want to use as a possible source, you'll need to open a blank Word or Google Doc.  Everything in the notetaking process is copy and paste for us past this point.
• FIRST, find the SOURCE CITATION at the bottom of the article and copy that to the top of your blank document.
• Once you have that information - because you MUST have the source info first - you may begin to break down the article into thoughts or notes.  Number them for each article (see the example below) ... Each note should be a specific thought, but should not likely be longer than a sentence or two.  This is what we are replacing notecards with and keep in mind you will need 65+ of these to start your paper out at "A" level prior to deductions.
• See me if you have questions ... but check out my example page first ... create a separate document for EACH source (remember you need at least 6 to start on "A" level).  Keep them separate so the info doesn't get disorganized and so you will never be confused as to what came from each source.  It is YOUR responsibility to keep that organized.
• The example is here of what your source and note info should look like: SOURCE AND NOTE EXAMPLE

• REMINDER ... RESEARCH PAPER PROPOSALS ARE LATE, BUT ARE STILL A MAJOR GRADE AND MUST BE TURNED IN ASAP!

• If you have a resource that is NOT from the Gale Database, you will need to use:
•  Citation Machine (Website)
• Copy and paste the URL of the webpage you are using and let the Citation Machine do the work and produce your Source Citation for you.  It may not find ALL fields that it has, so you will need to make a quick check to see if you can add that information in,.  If not (if it is not available), proceed without it.
• ALL NON LIBRARY DATABASE RESOURCES NEED TO BE CLEARED WITH ME FIRST!

Jan 13 ... Thesis/Antithesis .. and Notetaking

WARM-UP ...

For your warm-up, we are going to post a working thesis (which you should be familiar with) to your blog and we are going to also write an antithesis - which is basically the thesis that someone who opposed your point of view would write.

If you need some review on thesis writing, though, click here: Thesis Writing Review

The following can serve as a guide to generating an antithesis:

Step 2: Consider the direct opposite of your working thesis. Assuming you do have a working thesis that you’ve begun to research and think about, the next step in generating ideas for a working thesis is to consider the opposite point of view. Sometimes, this can be as simple as changing the verb or modifying term from positive to negative (or vice-versa).

Consider these working theses and their opposites:


Working Thesis:

• Drug companies should be allowed to advertise prescription drugs on TV.

• The international community should not enact strict conservation measures to preserve fisheries.

The Opposite (Antithesis):

• Drug companies should not be allowed to advertise prescription drugs on TV.  

• The international community should enact strict conservation measures to preserve fisheries. 

In your blog ... write your working thesis and then create an antithesis for your topic as well.

TODAY ... 

• Begin using the library database to locate sources - we will meet in the library in A102 tomorrow so that we have access to print information.  However all the notetaking can be done online and then later printed to be turned in.  **NOTE ... YOU WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO TURN IN A ROUGH DRAFT OR FINAL DRAFT UNTIL YOU HAVE SHOWN ME YOUR NOTETAKING AND SOURCE INFO.

• Finding Sources ... the best avenue for finding sources is going to be through the library database.  You can get there by going to the district website (www.sfisd.org) and selecting Santa Fe High School ... then selecting Library ... then selecting either GALE or EBSCO database on the right side of the Library webpage (under LINKS).
• You can also click the following link to make life simpler: SFHS LIBRARY

• Within the Gale Database, you will find a button for a collection called "OPPOSING VIEWPOINTS IN CONTEXT" ... It's the mostly white button that is 5th down on the right column.  Or click the link.

• From there you can search the collections of articles on your topic - there will be MANY in most cases.  That's a great place to start today.  When you find an article you want to use as a possible source, you'll need to open a blank Word or Google Doc.  Everything in the notetaking process is copy and paste for us past this point.
• FIRST, find the SOURCE CITATION at the bottom of the article and copy that to the top of your blank document.
• Once you have that information - because you MUST have the source info first - you may begin to break down the article into thoughts or notes.  Number them for each article (see the example below) ... Each note should be a specific thought, but should not likely be longer than a sentence or two.  This is what we are replacing notecards with and keep in mind you will need 65+ of these to start your paper out at "A" level prior to deductions.
• See me if you have questions ... but check out my example page first ... create a separate document for EACH source (remember you need at least 6 to start on "A" level).  Keep them separate so the info doesn't get disorganized and so you will never be confused as to what came from each source.  It is YOUR responsibility to keep that organized.
• The example is here of what your source and note info should look like: SOURCE AND NOTE EXAMPLE

• REMINDER ... RESEARCH PAPER PROPOSALS ARE LATE, BUT ARE STILL A MAJOR GRADE AND MUST BE TURNED IN ASAP!

Jan 12 .. Submitting the Research Proposal

Warm-up...

In your blog, answer the following questions .. 

1) What makes your research topic "debatable" .. What arguments would someone who opposed your point of view make?

2) What obstacles do you foresee yourself encountering during this process and how will you seek to resolve them?

3) What have you learned so far about your topic?

Today ...

FINISH AND TURN IN YOUR RESEARCH PAPER PROPOSAL.

• Keep in mind it is a MAJOR grade
• It must be submitted in a .docx file format through Edmodo
• There are NO ACCEPTABLE excuses for not turning it in on time
• It must be turned in through Edmodo tonight before midnight

Make sure you can log on to Edmodo. See me if you don't remember your user ID OR if I need to reset your password.

If you need to create an Edmodo account, the class codes are as follows:

1st Period - weyrk6

2nd Period - qkjv3c

3rd Period - k5nb67

4th Period - qdgrgk

Once you have finished your Research Paper Proposal, you will need to follow the following steps...


If you worked in Word Online ...

Select FILE
Select SAVE AS
Select DOWNLOAD A COPY


If you worked in Google Docs (YOU MUST DO THIS TO MAKE YOUR WORK A .DOCX FILE - OR YOUR WORK WILL NOT BE READABLE)

Select FILE
Select DOWNLOAD AS ...
Select MICROSOFT WORD


Then ... log in to Edmodo and find the box for this class with the assignment name in it (it should be fairly high up in your timeline).


Click on the "TURN IN" option.

Select the file containing your work from the DOWNLOADS list.

Jan 11 ... Monday ... Beginning the Research Proposal

Warm-up ... 

Start working on the prewriting component for the research paper proposal - on the handout on top of the Chromebook cart.  Complete the first part "How do you feel about the topic" as well as the remainder of the questions addressed on the "BUILDING YOUR ARGUMENT" handout in your blog.

           

Today ... 

• Warm up

• Begin writing your Research Paper Proposal in either Word Online or in Google Docs.  We will have time today and tomorrow in class to get it completed.  Tomorrow, before the end of the day, you will be expected to post your work to Edmodo (we will review that process in class tomorrow).
• Be sure to read the expectations on the handout - and be sure each paragraph fully answers the questions that it is supposed to.
• Finally, the proposal should be typed in MLA format.
• THE DUE DATE FOR THE PROPOSAL ITSELF IS: 1/12 

• An example of what the proposal might look like format-wise (with some tips for your own proposal written into it ... especially for the 5th paragraph on methodology) can be found here: Research Paper Proposal

• Further reminders of MLA formatting can be found here in the MLA Sample Paper with colorful annotations provided: MLA Sample Paper w/ Annotations

• Each paragraph is worth 15 possible points (for a total of 75); MLA formatting is worth 15 possible points; grammar and mechanics are worth 10 possible points.
• Keep in mind, this is a major grade and your effort should reflect that level of importance.  Your grade on the proposal will be derived ONLY from what is posted electronically on Edmodo.  Again, we will review and allow time to check logins and passwords and stuff for Edmodo tomorrow in class.

Jan 8 ... Topic Selection Due

Warm-up ... 

If you don't have a blog set up yet, set up a blog using Blogger or WordPress (they're free).  Once you have set it up, click on the "View Blog" button ... then copy and paste the link/address in an email to me at Richard.Davis@sfisd.org ... if you need help with this, you need to see me or get assistance from a classmate.

If you have an existing blog ... answer, briefly, the following questions: 

What do you like the most about research?  What do you like the least?

           

Today ... 

• Topic Choice
• On a sheet of paper ... submit the following information
• 1) What topic do you want to research?
• 2) What are 5 possible PRO arguments?
• 3) What are 5 possible CON arguments?
• 4) Why did you choose this topic (why does it matter to you)?

• Quiz - Argumentation/Persuasion (last 10 minutes of class)

Jan 7 ... Beginning the Research Paper

Warm-up ... 

Get the handouts on top of the Chromebook cart - and go ahead a grab the Chromebook that corresponds to the number on your desk.  If you have never used them before, handle them gently - they DO break - and you are financially responsible for it.              

Today ... 

• Finish the close reading and writer's craft questions for "In Praise of the 'F' Word."

• Using the Chromebooks, visit the website ProCon.org and begin reviewing possible topics for research.  Your topic choice is due tomorrow 1/8 - we will discuss the expectations/requirements for topic submission in class tomorrow.
• The packet also shows a "Rhetorical Situation Paper" due tomorrow that is a quiz grade - we will REPLACE that with the quiz over the "Argumentation-Persuasion" packet tomorrow as well.

• If you have not logged on to the computers yet - you will need to create a Google account for your Chromebook login.  We will submit every part of the research paper that is a major grade through Edmodo - so keep that in mind in the coming days.

• We will write the research proposal in class on Monday.

Jan 6 ... Wednesday ... Analyzing Persuasive Writing & "In Praise of the 'F' Word"

Warm-up ... 

Get the handouts on top of the Chromebook cart - and think about the following quote: 

"Your school may have done away with winners and losers, but life HAS NOT. In some schools, they have abolished failing grades and they'll give you as MANY TIMES as you want to get the right answer. This doesn't bear the slightest resemblance to ANYTHING in real life."

- Bill Gates                

Today ... 

• Read the persuasive article "In Praise of the 'F' Word" in class.

• Working with a partner, answer (in complete sentences WITH evidence from the writing) the close reading and writing craft questions over the article.

• Turn them in when finished - then review the reading from yesterday with your partners to compare notes, highlights/underlines, areas of emphasis, etc.  We will quiz over that material tomorrow.

Jan 5 ... Tuesday ... And we're back ...

Warm-Up ...

No "official" warm-up today ... we will read over something together before we get started.

Message to Incoming (College) Freshmen

Make sure you have a copy of the handout on persuasive writing that's on the Chromebook cart.



Today ...we begin the research paper.  Sort of.

• Read, highlight, take notes from the handout - the copies are yours, so feel free to highlight or annotate as needed.  We will quiz over the material and it will not be open note or handout (just FYI).