Day 28: Peer Perception and End of the Semester Reflection

We did it! Everyone made it to the last day of class! We didn't lose a single member of our class! Woohoo! 

Ok, enough celebrating for now. We still have a few items of business left on the agenda before the semester ends. Once again, here is the link to the assignment description. If you haven't already, please be sure to read it! The assignment rubric can be found here. Finally, we'll be having individual conferences to discuss your papers next Monday - Wednesday. Here's the sign-up doc. 

Today we'll be doing a peer review of the second collection of body paragraphs for your IRPs (Solution #2: Description, Critique and Improvement). After that, we'll take some time to reflect on the journey we've almost completed and try and get some perspective on how far we've come during our time this semester. 

An outline of today's class can be found below

Peer Perception and Reflection

I. Brainstorming: IRP Requirements 

Consider the following questions about the IRP: what kind of paper is the IRP? How many pages should it be? What kind of reference page will it include, annotated or normal? How will your references be organized? What's the minimum amount of references that you need to include? How many paragraphs will the final essay be? How many sources should be cited in each body body paragraph? Should it include a title page? Where will you submit the final paper? What will happen if there is any suspected plagiarism? 

Do you have any other questions? Now's the time to ask! 

II: Peer Perception (Warm-Up)

Let's take a look at this short clip from the movie "Along Came Polly". As you are watching, after watching we'll discuss the questions on the handout. 

III. Peer Perception 

First, you'll be put into groups of three and asked to sit together. I will begin this section of the class by going around and checking to make sure everyone has their three body paragraphs for Solution #2. Anyone who does not will be marked absent. After you are in your groups, you will be asked to fill out this worksheet for one of your partners papers. Once you finish the worksheet, you can save it to their desktop with the file, "IRP_D2Comments_YourName". Then they can move it to their Dropbox. 

Once you finish, in the same groups, have a short discussion on the following questions: 

           -What did everyone in your group do well in their drafts?

           -What kinds of things could you improve on?

           -What advice would you give to some writing a similar paper? 

           -What kinds of things are still left to be done for each of you before
            submitting the final paper? 

Once you've had a chance to talk, we'll share some of your answers as a class. 

IV. Final Reflection

Based on the prompt you received, write a short reflective essay on what you've learned over the course of the semester. The essay should be between 350-500 words (or about 12-15 sentences). You will not be graded on grammar. Instead, you'll be graded on the amount of effort you put in. 

Housekeeping Details

-First Draft of Your IRP Due by Your Conference

Please print out and bring a completed first draft with you to your conference. Also, think of specific questions you would like to address during our meeting. 

-Final Draft of the IRP Due Next Friday (12/13) by 11:55 pm at SafeAssign

Day 27: Writing Effective Introductions

Today we begin our last full week of ESL 115C. Our class will revolve around a discussion of the characteristics of effective introductions for problem/solution research papers. Here is the schedule for our final week of classes:

4.5 (12/3)   Writing Effective Conclusions
4.6 (12/5)   Formatting/Peer Perception 
4.7 (12/9, 12/10, 12/11)  Individual Conferences (Mandatory)

On Thursday, there will be a sign-up sheet for individual conference times. These times will be during my usual office hours and during our normal class meeting time. Additional times will be made available to accommodate anyone who cannot make it to the blocks I've scheduled. Since I'll be canceling class next Tuesday, attendance at these conferences is mandatory. If you miss your conference, you will receive two absences. While attendance has not be an issue for anyone so far this semester, some of you have reached the maximum number of absences, so I urge everyone to attend their conference.

Once again, here are the requirements for the final IRP problem/solution research paper.

An outline of today's class can be found below:

Writing Effective Conclusions for Problem/Solution Research Papers

I. Brainstorming 
Let's begin by reviewing the characteristics of effective conclusions. What information should a conclusion include? Does this depend on the type of paper you've written? How so? What are some common features of all effective conclusions?

Before we begin our discussion of introductions, let's take a look at this short video clip. Do you feel that "Just Joe" provided a good self-introduction? Why or why not?

Now, discuss these questions about introductions with a partner. Once you've discussed the answers for a few minutes, update the doc with your group's perspective(s).

II. Identifying the Common Features of Effective Introductions 
Now, with a partner, take a look at this exercise that asks you to identify the common features shared by two example introductions. Following the directions, work your way through the three steps. Once, you've finished, we'll compare our answers as a class.

III. Compare and Contrast: Introductions and Conclusions
This graphic visualizer offers a nice summation of the different issues we've discussed pertaining to the creation of effective introductions and conclusions. Keep this information in mind as you begin to write your own.  

IV. Practice: Writing an Effective Introduction
This link takes you back to the rough outline that we created for our demo topic, the raising cost of college tuition at U.S. universities. Using the information from the outline and applying the techniques and strategies we've discussed about how to write effective introductions, take a few minutes and write an introduction for this paper. Once you've finished, you can share you work here.

V. ICES Evaluations
Here is your chance to evaluate me. Please place the completed evaluation forms back in the manila envelope and drop the folder into the campus mailbox in the South entryway to the FLB. The pencils should be returned to my office (FLB 4106).

Housekeeping Details and Homework for Thursday (12/5/13)
-If you haven't already, make sure your body paragraphs for Solution #2 (description, critique and improvement) are in your Dropbox folders. We will be using them for a peer review on Thursday. Anyone without these paragraphs will be marked absent for the day.

-Finish the first draft of your final essay by the Monday, December 9th. Upload it to the 'IRP' folder in your Dropbox.

-If you'd like to come in and talk about your essay this week, send me an email and let me know when you'd like to stop. Please bring specific questions and remember that I am unable to edit papers for you!

Day 26: Integrating Quotations and Writing Conclusions

Today we'll be finishing our discussion on how to best integrate quotations and paraphrases into your writing. After finishing this discussion, we'll transition into a discussion about how to write an effective conclusion, a skill that is deceptively tricky to acquire. Before we delve into our discussion, let's take a moment to review where we've come from and where we're going: 

Unit 4 Lessons
4.1 (11/12) In-text Citations

4.2 (11/14) Source Synthesis

4.3 (11/19) Paraphrasing/Quoting

4.4 (11/21) Introductions/Conclusions

4.5 (12/3)   Formatting/Review/ICES

4.6 (12/5)   Catch-Up/Peer Perception 

4.7 (12/10) Individual Conferences 

As you can see, after today, we only have two more class before individual conferences (which are mandatory). Please review this document to view the draft deadlines for your final paper (as well as an example paper). 

The first draft of the first three body paragraphs is due tomorrow at 11:55pm. For these drafts, I'd like you to focus on implementing PIE-C structure to your paragraphs as well as integrating your sources via quotes, paraphrases and summaries. 

An outline for today's class can be found below: 

For Part 1, please view the second half the lesson from Tuesday (Day 25) 

Part II: Writing an Effective Conclusion

I. Brainstorming

Take a look at the questions on this document. Discuss the questions with a partner. After you finish discussing, start adding your answers to the document. Be sure to use a different color font from the one chosen by other groups. 

II. Identifying the Common Features of Effective Conclusions

With a partner, take a look at this exercise that asks your to compare two example conclusions and identify three keys features. First, you are to highlight the commonalities and then, you should try and explain how they are similar. Afterwards, we'll share our findings as a class. 

III. Application: Brainstorming Your Conclusion

Now let's apply what we've been talking about to your own individual research papers. With the remaining class time, start brainstorming the information you will include in the conclusion to your essay using this organizer. 

Housekeeping Details and Homework for Tuesday (12/3/13)

-The first draft of your first three body paragraphs (Solution #1) is due tomorrow by 11:55pm. Again, this is only the first draft. I am mainly concerned to see how you well you've utilized the PIE-C structure and whether you are synthesizing your sources (and citing them correctly!). I'll try to have my comments to you by early next week. 

-The first draft of your second three body paragraphs (Solution #2) is due by Tuesday, December 3rd before class. 

Please remember that these drafts count towards your final IRP grade (you get full credit for submitting them)

HAVE A NICE BREAK! 

Day 25: Paraphrasing and Quoting

Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.

Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.

But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate -- we can not consecrate -- we can not hallow -- this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us -- that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion -- that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain -- that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.

Who is the man in the picture? How is he connected to the words below the picture? What is the importance to those words for the American people? Why do you think I chose to start class today with this discussion? 

The outline for today's class can be found below: 

Paraphrasing and Quoting

Paraphrasing

I. Brainstorming

In groups of three (determined by the randomizer), spend a few minutes discussing the questions found here. Once you've come to a group consensus, share your thoughts with the class via the GoogleDoc. If you have trouble coming up with the answers to the question, you can consult this link from OWL Purdue. 

II. How to Paraphrase (Part 1) 

You were asked to read this article on "gorilla poaching" for class today. What is "gorilla poaching"? What were your impressions after reading this article? We will use this article for the basis of our discussion on paraphrasing. 

First, take a look at this activity. Read the original passage taken from the article on gorilla poaching. Then read the paraphrased version. Try and come up with five ways that the two passages are different.  As a class, let's note these differences. 

III. How to Paraphrase (Part 2)

Now, with a partner, take the strips of paper you've been given and put them into the correct order. These strips of paper represent the eight steps on how to paraphrase effectively. After a few minutes, we'll compare these steps together as a class. 

IV. How to Paraphrase (Part 3)

Now, take a look at this doc. It asks you to create your own paraphrased version of a paragraph from the gorilla poaching article. Follow the steps and create your own paraphrased version. Once you finish, get into groups and compare your paraphrased versions. Chose the one you feel is best and upload it to the doc.

Quoting

I. Brainstorming
In new, random groups of three, discuss the questions found here. After discussing for a few minutes, share your answers with the class on the doc. 

II. Explaining the Differences Between Quoting, Paraphrasing and Summary
Now, let's fill out this chart that outlines the differences between the three ways of incorporating outside sources into our own work. I will call on the first person, they will call on the next and so on until the chart is completed. 

III. Dictogloss Activity
Now we are going to go over the fundamentals. I will read a short lecture and you will be asked to answer some questions afterwards. It is a good idea to take notes as we go through the short lecture. 

Now, after you've answered your questions, compare answers with a partner. This should be done verbally (with words). Once your finished, we'll compare answers as a class. 

IV. Quoting vs. Paraphrasing
This short activity explains the differences between in-text citations for quoting and paraphrasing with helpful examples.

Housekeeping Details and Homework for Thursday (11/21/2013)
-Familiarize yourself with this document on the details of how to quote. Be prepared for an open-note quiz on this material on Thursday.

-Re-read the assignment description for the final research paper found here.

-Your first draft of the three body paragraphs for "Solution #1" (description, critique and improvement) are due this Friday, by 11:55pm. This is a mandatory assignment which will contribute to your final grade for the individual research paper. Please save your work with the file name, "IRP_FirstDraft_YourName" and upload it to the IRP folder. I will give you comments on this draft that I hope will be applicable to the other body paragraphs.

Day 24: Source Synthesis

Today we will be talking about "source synthesis". This is an integral component of not only writing a good essay, but, writing and critical thinking in general. In order to write a high-quality, coherent, source based essay, you should be able to combine information from multiple sources into each of your paragraphs (and give appropriate credit to the individual authors of each source). 

An outline of today's class can be found below: 

Source Synthesis

Clarification on Jeopardy "disaster": Let's look at the final Jeopardy question one last time and compare it to what it says in the APA Student Handbook and OWL Purdue. I think all three say the same thing…

General Formula:

Author.+ (date of publication). + Article title (only capitalize first word and proper names). + Journal Name (italicized and capitalized),+ journal volume number + (journal issue number), journal page numbers.

I. Brainstorming

What does "synthesis" mean? Can you give an example to help illustrate that definition? What does "source synthesis" mean? Why is this an important concept? How can it improve your writing? 

II. Source Synthesis Defined 

Let's take a look at this short presentation that explains the concept of source synthesis. It begins with examples and then moves on to a more detailed explanation of what the concepts involved mean. It also explains about how to synthesize sources and the different reasons you might have for synthesizing. 

III. Source Synthesis Practice (Part I: PIE-C)

Look here for the outline for the IRP paper. In total, there will be 11 paragraphs in your essay (plus the title page and a final reference list). For each paragraph, you should incorporate at least one source. But  for many paragraphs, you will want to incorporate more than one source (in order to be as coherent as possible). Let's take a look at the following paragraphs from a research paper done last semester on protecting the rights of celebrities. In groups of three, identify the PIE-C structure for each of the three paragraphs. 

Use yellow  for the P's (Point/Topic Sentences)

Use green for the I's (Illustrations/Examples)

Use blue for the E' (Explanations (in the author's word)

Use pink for the C's (Concluding Sentences) 

Once you have finished highlighting, 'copy/paste' your work into this organizer. The 'Point' for the first paragraph has already been added as an example. We'll compare answers once everyone has finished. The answers can be found here.

IV. Source Synthesis Practice (Part II: Synthesizing Folk Tales)
Now, let's look at the different reasons why people synthesize sources in this short ppt. Once we've finished, we can move on to the practice activity.

To practice, first read these three folktales. Once you've read the stories get into groups of three and fill out this chart. The chart has three lessons. You group's job will involve two steps. Find information about each of these lessons from the stories. Be sure to put the information into your own words! Finally, choose one lesson and write a short paragraph on it based on the information you included in the chart. Be sure to follow the PIE-C structure. When you finish, please name the final "Synthesis Paragraph_GroupNames" and email me your paragraph (jk.esl.uiuc@gmail.com).

If there is time once everyone has finished, we will compare paragraphs here.

Housekeeping Details and Homework for Tuesday (11/19/2013)
-Do two (of the four) "Writer's Help" on "Integrating Sources into APA Papers". As usual, you need to receive an 80% to get credit for doing this assignment (these are our final two "Writer's Help" exercises this semester!).

-Please read this short article for our in-class activities on Tuesday.

-Fill out this source synthesis outline with quotes and paraphrases from your sources (making sure to include the appropriate bibliographic information). You will need to refer to your Pre-Research Portfolios to fill out this organizer. This will be due by class time and will count towards the final grade for the research paper.

Looking Ahead: Next Thursday (by 11:55pm), a first draft of your first three body paragraphs will be due. This will also count towards your final grade for the research paper.

Day 23: In-text Citations

Today, we begin the last component of ESL 115C: Unit 4. During this unit, we'll cover the remaining topics necessary for you to write your final problem/solution research papers. Here is a list of the upcoming modules we'll be covering during this unit: 

4.1 (11/12) In-text Citations

4.2 (11/14) Source Synthesis

4.3 (11/19) Paraphrasing/Quoting

4.4 (11/21) Introductions/Conclusions

4.5 (12/3)   Formatting/Review/ICES

4.6 (12/5)   Catch-Up/Peer Perception 

4.7 (12/10) Individual Conferences 

As one of the goals of this class is to help you view writing as a process, there will be several deadlines for different "chunks" of the paper. I will offer comments in writing and during our conferences and you will receive feedback from your classmates as well. It is imperative the you stay up to date and to encourage everyone to be on the same, I'll be keeping track of the draft work you do on this participation tracker. 

Finally, here is the information on the final assignment requirements, deadlines and the rubric I'll be using to evaluate your work. As always, please let me know if you have any questions. 

The outline for today's class can be found below: 

In-text Citations

I. Brainstorming 

What is the difference between quoting, paraphrasing and summarizing? Why would you choose to use one over another? Which ones do you have to cite? Why? Why citation style are we using for 115? 

II. In-Text Citations: The Basics

The following (short) presentation will cover the basic information you need to know in order to provide the correct in-text citation for the sources you'll be incorporating into your final problem/solution research papers. Much like formatting the final reference list, formatting in-text citations can be somewhat confusing, but as long as you know where to go to find the answers, you'll be fine! Below you'll find a couple of very useful resources: 

Purdue OWL: APA Formatting and Style

UIUC APA Student Handbook

III. In-text Citations: Practice 

Take a few minutes to fill out this short practice activity on formatting and practicing with in-text citations. You may fill out the majority of it individually if you so choose, but the last exercise requires you to interview a partner. Once you've created a quote (complete with in-text citation) for your partner, please upload it to this GoogleDoc.

IV. Review: In-text Citations vs. Reference Listings

Now we'll take a look at a short presentation that highlights the differences between in-text citations and reference listings. 

V. Jeopardy 

We'll finish our class today by playing review Jeopardy in teams. During this review, you'll be allowed to use any and all sources you can think of. The winning team will receive a prize! 

Housekeeping Details and Homework for Thursday (11/14/2013)

-Read the assignment information for the final problem/solution research paper found here

-Do the three "Writer's Help" exercises entitled "APA Documentation: In-text Citations 1-3". As always, you must receive an 80% to get credit for completing the assignments. 

-You will need to be able to access your five sources for class on Thursday. Either upload the journal articles as .pdf files or be able to access the links in class. We will be finding quotes from the articles to start filling out a quote/paraphrase/summary chart to help you synthesize your sources to help you write your drafts. 

Day 22: Finishing the Annotated Bibliography

Today is the last day of class that we'll spend discussing the Annotated Bibliography assignment. Here is a review of the requirements for the assignment: 

-A minimum of five (5) sources (three of them should be "academic" sources and the other two should, at the very least, be "reliable")

For each source, you will include: 

           -an APA citation

           -a source summary (4-5 sentences minimum)

           -a source relevancy statement (4-5 sentences)

           -a source reliability statement (2-3 sentences)

The final draft of your Annotated Bibliography is due on Monday (November 11th) by 5pm. You will be asked to submit your work via SafeAssign. I will give feedback to you on one of your completed entries by tomorrow at 5pm. I will also hold my usual office hours from 3-4 on Monday in case you find yourself with any last minute questions. As always, if you are unsure about something over the weekend, feel free to send me an email.

An outline of today's class can be found below:

Finishing the Annotated Bibliography: Questions, Formatting, Consolidating and Peer Review

I. Reviewing the Requirements
What are the assignment requirements for the Annotated Bibliography? How about length requirements? What is the minimum number of sources that should be included?  Let's take a look one more time at this example. Also, here is the link to the assignment rubric I will be using to grade your final submissions. *Note: plagiarism will not be tolerated on this assignment and will be met with a failing grade. 

Finally, I noticed that many of you haven't written your relevancy statements yet, which may or may not be due to some confusion as to exactly what's being asked of you, so let's view this short ppt about formatting the annotated bibliography and what kind of information should be included as part of your relevancy statements.

II. Formatting the Annotated Bibliography
Let's take a few minutes to properly format the work you've done so far. Open up your Dropbox folder and please follow these formatting instruction so as to compile all the work you've done into one document. 

1). Open an MS Word Doc 

2). 'Copy' and 'Paste' the title page with all your personal information that we created for the Diagnostic Analysis assignment. Don't forget to change the title to "Annotated Bibliography".

3). On the next page, you can begin 'copy/pasting' your Annotated Bibliography work into this new document. It should take the following order:
       
          -APA Citation
          -Summary (4-5 sentences minimum)
          -Relevancy Statement (4-5 sentences)
          -Reliability Statement (1-3 sentences)

4). Save your the new file with the title, "Annotated Bibliography_YourName" and upload it to your Dropbox folder (in the "Annotated Bibliography Work" sub-folder)

III. Peer Perception (Training)
Have you ever done peer review? What was it like? What did you enjoy/find useful? Was anything unenjoyable or not helpful? Today, we'll be doing some peer review in class, but before we begin we'll be doing some training. Let's start by looking at this sheet that asks you to judge how helpful certain elements of feedback are. Here are a few common mistakes that people often make when peer reviewing.

IV. Peer Perception 
Now that your work is properly formatted, we are going to spend some time doing some peer review. This way, your classmates can give you feedback on your work up to this point before I give you my feedback. As always, the more people able to take a look at your work and offer suggested improvements, the better the finished product! We will be using this handout to frame our peer perception work.

Housekeeping Details and Homework for Tuesday (11/12/13)
-Your final Annotated Bibliography assignments are due on Monday (11/11/13) at 5pm. Please submit the assignment via "SafeAssign", which can be accessed from your Compass 2G accounts.