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ENGL1A 30 January 2014. Real World Reading (RWR) groups. I need a volunteer from someone from groups 7, 8, or 9 to move to group 2. If no one volunteers, someone will be picked at random. RWR project details. See the blog: http://professordurfield.wordpress.com
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Real World Reading (RWR) groups • I need a volunteer from someone from groups 7, 8, or 9 to move to group 2. • If no one volunteers, someone will be picked at random.
RWR project details • See the blog: http://professordurfield.wordpress.com • RWR group master list is posted to the blog. • RWRs 1, 2, and 3 are now posted to the blog. • Hard copies will be distributed in class. • Group 1 presents Tuesday, February 4.
Concept • What is a concept? • Concept explanation activity • Draw a concept from the cup. • You have 10 minutes to write a paragraph explaining the concept. • This is worth 10 points. • Why is it important to be able to explain a concept?
Elements of a concept essay 1) A focused explanation • A principle, ideal or value: the American dream, justice, friendship, family • A theory: theory of relativity, theory of evolution • An idea: realism, utilitarianism • A condition: paranoia, neurosis • A specialized or technical term: high intensity interval training (in sports)
Elements of a concept essay Concepts are typically general notions that mean different things to different people. Effective writers narrow the general concept, providing an explanation that is focused on an aspect of the concept likely to be of interest to readers. Some concepts benefit from being examined in terms of their cultural context (e.g. beauty) or their historical context (e.g. marriage).
Elements of a concept essay 2) A readable plan • Divide the information into clearly distinguishable topics • Forecast the topics • Present the topics in a logical order • Give readers cues to guide them, such as topic sentences, transitions and summaries If your essay is full of unexplained jargon, heavily technical terminology, and/or other “dense” material, the reader may not find it appealing.
Elements of a concept essay 3) Appropriate explanatory strategies • Define key terms • Classify or group together related material • Compare/contrast • Narrate anecdotes or processes • Illustrate with examples, visuals or lists of facts and details • Report established causes/effects Consider your audience (reader); generally, it’s not safe to assume your reader knows what you’re talking about. When in doubt, define your terms.
Elements of a concept essay 4) Smooth integration of sources • Integration of sources establishes your credibility as a writer • How you treat sources depends on the writing situation (assignment requirements)
Semester Project • This semester, you will choose 1 concept and write all of your major essays based on it. • Essay 1: Concept • See a list of potential topics on p. 139 of our text. • Pick a concept that can ultimately be arguable • Essay 2: Profile • In this essay, you will write about a person or organization that is connected with your concept. • Essay 3: Argument • You will argue an issue related to your concept. • Essay 4: Devil’s Advocate • You will argue the opposite point of view of Essay 3. • Essay 5: Solution • You will propose a solution to the arguments put forth in essays 3 & 4
Example Project • Essay 1: Concept • Interest rates: I will explain what they are and how they function (as well as provide influence) in the American financial/banking system. • Essay 2: Profile • Janet Yellen, new head of the Federal Reserve • Essay 3: Argument • The Federal Reserve should not fix interest rates in the current (2013-2014) housing market in the United States. • Essay 4: Devil’s Advocate • The Federal Reserve should fix interest rates in the current (2013-2014) U.S. housing market. • Essay 5: Solution • I propose that the Fed fixes interest rates in the housing market for 2013-2014, but as of January 1, 2015, rates will not longer be fixed.
Recommendations • Pick a topic you’re interested in. It doesn’t have to be related to English. • You should love it enough that you can write about it for the entire semester. • Topics cannot be changed mid-way through the semester.
Conferences • Conference #1 is for you to present your Semester Project idea to Prof. Durfield and gain approval before beginning Essay 1. • Conferences with Prof. Durfield will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 4 (Group A), Thursday, Feb. 6 (Group B), and Tuesday, Feb. 11 (Group C). • Tuesday, Feb. 4 class agenda: • 2:00-2:30 Real World Reading group 1 • 2:30-2:40 Brief reminder of Semester Project • 2:40-3:20 Group A stays for conferences; Groups B and C dismissed.
Conferences (cont’d.) • Please come to class on Tues., Feb. 4 to participate in RWR and get your participation points for attendance. • On Feb. 6 and 11, you don’t have to come to class unless it is your conference day. • You will still get your 10 daily participation points, even if you’re not in class (because it’s not your conference day). • The conference itself is worth 100 points. • If you are late for your conference appointment or absent, you will forfeit your 100 points. • You may not reschedule your conference date for any reason. • You must complete the Semester Project Proposal (found on the Blog) and bring it with you to the conference. Failure to bring this completed form with you will result in your losing 25 points from your conference grade.
Mini-Essay #2 • Mini-Essay #2 is due on Thursday, February 13. • You will find assignment information on the Blog.