So, try as I might, I've only finished two classes worth of Rhetorical Analyses. So, while I am still collecting your rubrics tomorrow, you now have until Friday at midnight to turn your essays to turnitin.com.
Also! Make sure you have your works cited list at the end of your essay. I'm not going to judge it for MLA this time, but I do need an entry for each and every source used in your essay. That includes each article from the book.
~Prof. Peter
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Monday, March 21, 2011
Essay #3
The due date for Essay #3 is...
Still Wednesday. Sorry. I know you were hoping for an extension, but I want to get them graded over break. I do have somewhat good news. I don't need hard copies on Wednesday. Just bring the rubric with your name and the evaluations on back on Wednesday, and be sure to upload to turnitin.com.
By the way, several of you have not turned your rough drafts to turnitin.com, and those are worth a full 30 points. You have until Tuesday night to upload them before those 30 points go up in smoke. I will be checking the dates on turnitin.com.
Also, if you think "Cool! I can skip class on Wednesday and get started on Spring Break early," you might want to think again. I'm giving a sooperdooper quiz on Wednesday, covering anything we've read for the education section.
Still Wednesday. Sorry. I know you were hoping for an extension, but I want to get them graded over break. I do have somewhat good news. I don't need hard copies on Wednesday. Just bring the rubric with your name and the evaluations on back on Wednesday, and be sure to upload to turnitin.com.
By the way, several of you have not turned your rough drafts to turnitin.com, and those are worth a full 30 points. You have until Tuesday night to upload them before those 30 points go up in smoke. I will be checking the dates on turnitin.com.
Also, if you think "Cool! I can skip class on Wednesday and get started on Spring Break early," you might want to think again. I'm giving a sooperdooper quiz on Wednesday, covering anything we've read for the education section.
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Final Reminder: Library Visit
Monday we are not meeting in class. We're meeting in MLK 213. My 7:30 class should plan on being at the loading docks on 4th by 7:20. See you Monday.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
For Wednesday, 3/16/2011
Wednesday morning there will be an in class writing assignment:
After reading Anyon's Social Class discuss, for about a page, which one of those schools best reflects your own experience with K-12 education. Give specific examples from your education, such as assignments, teachers' attitudes, use of bells, and expectations.
After reading Anyon's Social Class discuss, for about a page, which one of those schools best reflects your own experience with K-12 education. Give specific examples from your education, such as assignments, teachers' attitudes, use of bells, and expectations.
Before you come to class on Wednesday consider this prompt.
Also, be sure to include a works cited page with your essay next week that includes all articles you've used.
Monday, March 14, 2011
Dictionary definitions
Did no one pay attention when I said that copying dictionary definitions did not demonstrate understanding? Doing so only demonstrates an ability to copy. No more dictionary definitions ever!
Monday, March 7, 2011
Your Research Paper
English 1B
Essay #6 Out of Class Proposal Essay
For this final essay you are going to write something meaningful. There is a dichotomy in this country wherein it seems we have both one of the best and one of the worst education systems in the world. People come to the United States from all over the world to participate in our education system, yet we continually under perform in areas like science and math. To that end, you are to write a proposal essay, in which you identify and research a specific problem in education, research and describe the history of that problem, research and supply support for your proposed solution, research and report on the feasibility of your solution, and finally research and refute possible objections to your solution.
Are you seeing a pattern here?
Requirements:
- 10 pages, double spaced, 12 pt times new roman, and STAPLED
- This essay must conform to MLA standards (http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/01/)
- You must have at least six resources used throughout your essay, but remember that this is just a minimum for passing. Use as many as you need.
- Your thesis statement must be the solution to the very specific problem you identify. Don't play coy.
- You must include the following sections in the body.
- Background/History
- Proposal
- Feasibility
- Possible Objections and Responses to Those Objections
- Conclusion should contain an impassioned plea for consideration of your proposal. (Pluck that pathos appeal!)
- The entire essay must clearly identify its target audience. (Hint: I am not your target audience.)
- Any essay without specific examples (Quotes, facts, and figures) will automatically fail. Assume your audience is unfamiliar with the material you are presenting, and thus explain, in depth, why your research is important. Quote liberally.
- Make sure you choose something you're passionate about. You obviously care something about education or you wouldn't be here. That care should be reflected in your topic.
Rough Draft Due Monday, May 2 (bring 3 copies)
Turn it into turnitin.com
Final Draft Due Monday, May. 16
Turn it into turnitin.com
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Schedule Updates
This will be announced in class:
Our library visit will be on Monday, March 21 in MLK room 213. Remember that this visit is required and will be worth participation points. Additionally, the readings scheduled for March 21 are now due on March 16. Essay #3 is still due on Wednesday the 23rd.
To my 7:30 class:
Because the library doesn't open until nine, we have to meet by 7:20 near the loading dock on 4th Street. Failure to show up on time can result in you being left out.
Our library visit will be on Monday, March 21 in MLK room 213. Remember that this visit is required and will be worth participation points. Additionally, the readings scheduled for March 21 are now due on March 16. Essay #3 is still due on Wednesday the 23rd.
To my 7:30 class:
Because the library doesn't open until nine, we have to meet by 7:20 near the loading dock on 4th Street. Failure to show up on time can result in you being left out.
Resources for Essay
As you know, you are expected to cite texts as your main source for evidence to support your definition of family. That said, you are also expected and encouraged to use the readings from class in those definitions. Here are some more resources to help you out.
- Gay Parenting
- History of Family (must be on SJSU server or signed in through library)
- Overview of Histories of Family (also JSTOR)
- New York Times Article 9.15.2010
- NYT Column 5.9.2010
- US News Report Blog Multigenerational Households
- What Is It About 20 Somethings? (Article from diagnostic- requires registration)
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
A statement about rough drafts
I got through a lot of your rough drafts, but not all. I apologize for that. Anyone who emailed me got priority. I do want to say, however, that it is an incredibly bad idea to wait until the night before an essay is due to email me asking for feedback. I have many avenues for helping you on your rough drafts, and comments on turnitin.com are only one. Some of you took advantage of conferences, and your grades will reflect that. Some of you blew off the appointment, and your grade might reflect that. Some of you took advantage of my office hours, and your grades will reflect that. Some of you said you'd be there, and again, blew off the appointment. Some of you took advantage of the in class workshop, and some of you blew that off.
Ultimately, you are responsible for your grade. I only fascilitate the process and then sit in judgment of the final result. If you want help, then communicate with me. Waiting passively until the very last minute is not the answer.
Ultimately, you are responsible for your grade. I only fascilitate the process and then sit in judgment of the final result. If you want help, then communicate with me. Waiting passively until the very last minute is not the answer.
Definition
In class we defined definition as something that limits; to define literally means "to make definite." That is the purpose of definition in any essay, to set the limits of your terms so that your readers are not confused by ambiguities inherent in the language or your use of the language. We also looked at three types of definitions: formal, operational, and example-based.
If you recall, formal definitions are descriptions of what something is, as seen in dictionaries and the openings of wikipedia entries. The operational was a standardized definition, usually agreed upon by a community of those with a vested interest in setting a quantitative limit for some concept that was otherwise subject to debate; we looked at binge drinking as this example: 4-5 drinks at a go for a man, 3-4 drinks for a woman, and as agreed by people who write studies on these things. You will most likely not need operational definitions until you get to your research project. Lastly, we looked at definition by example. What is bravery? A formal definition is almost useless here because it always brings up terms that themselves must be defined. An operational definition is silly, because there is no theoretical standard for bravery: e.g., save this many cats from trees and you are brave; however, a definition by example allows us to define bravery as "running into a burning building to save a baby." That is an example of bravery, and thus helps define it.
Definition by example is the meat of your definition essay. A definition essay, by its nature, is an argument for limiting a concept in a certain way by providing examples that support your definition. It's also a way of creating a somewhat formal definition for a concept in your thesis statement. Again, with our bravery example, we set up the following definition:
Bravery is an act that puts others above the self, ignores the weight of our fears, and exists in pursuit of the right thing.
This can be used in two ways. It can either be a thesis on its own, in which case you would find many examples to support this definition -- remember: the more examples the better -- or it can be the basis for proving that an example fits your definition, in which case you have to do double duty of showing that your example fits this definition and defending the definition with support.
Superman is brave because he puts others before himself, ingnores the weight of his own fears, and lives in pursuit of the right thing.
So what kind of examples can be used for a definition essay? Two kind work best here: specific, real world examples and textual support from your reading. Real world examples show that your definition exists in the world. Textual support shows that there is concensus for your ideas.
Finally, your essay must have some kind of organization. The following outline is a recommendation, and is not required. Bear in mind, however, that organization is going to be a huge part of the essay grade.
Definition Essay: recommended outline
Best of luck.
If you recall, formal definitions are descriptions of what something is, as seen in dictionaries and the openings of wikipedia entries. The operational was a standardized definition, usually agreed upon by a community of those with a vested interest in setting a quantitative limit for some concept that was otherwise subject to debate; we looked at binge drinking as this example: 4-5 drinks at a go for a man, 3-4 drinks for a woman, and as agreed by people who write studies on these things. You will most likely not need operational definitions until you get to your research project. Lastly, we looked at definition by example. What is bravery? A formal definition is almost useless here because it always brings up terms that themselves must be defined. An operational definition is silly, because there is no theoretical standard for bravery: e.g., save this many cats from trees and you are brave; however, a definition by example allows us to define bravery as "running into a burning building to save a baby." That is an example of bravery, and thus helps define it.
Definition by example is the meat of your definition essay. A definition essay, by its nature, is an argument for limiting a concept in a certain way by providing examples that support your definition. It's also a way of creating a somewhat formal definition for a concept in your thesis statement. Again, with our bravery example, we set up the following definition:
Bravery is an act that puts others above the self, ignores the weight of our fears, and exists in pursuit of the right thing.
This can be used in two ways. It can either be a thesis on its own, in which case you would find many examples to support this definition -- remember: the more examples the better -- or it can be the basis for proving that an example fits your definition, in which case you have to do double duty of showing that your example fits this definition and defending the definition with support.
Superman is brave because he puts others before himself, ingnores the weight of his own fears, and lives in pursuit of the right thing.
So what kind of examples can be used for a definition essay? Two kind work best here: specific, real world examples and textual support from your reading. Real world examples show that your definition exists in the world. Textual support shows that there is concensus for your ideas.
Finally, your essay must have some kind of organization. The following outline is a recommendation, and is not required. Bear in mind, however, that organization is going to be a huge part of the essay grade.
Definition Essay: recommended outline
- Introduction
- Background and Thesis
- Criterion 1
- Define Criterion 1
- Support using specifics
- Define Sub Criterion 1
- Define Sub Criterion 2
- Support Sub Criterion 1
- Support Sub Criterion 2
- Define Criterion 1
- Criterion 2
- Define Criterion 2
- Support using specifics
- Define Sub Criterion 1
- Define Sub Criterion 2
- Support Sub Criterion 1
- Support Sub Criterion 2
- Define Criterion 2
- Criterion 3
- Define Criterion 3
- Support using specifics
- Define Sub Criterion 1
- Define Sub Criterion 2
- Support Sub Criterion 1
- Support Sub Criterion 2
- Define Criterion 3
- Conclusion
- Summation Paragraph
- Summarize first two criteria and mention third
- Briefly address any objections to your definition
- Mention where you think the definition of family will go in the next ten years.
- Summation Paragraph
Best of luck.
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