Class - 3/30/11

 

1.     Roll/Study Recruitment (Jeannie)

2.     Questions on Draft 2.1?

3.     Discussion of Arguments and Thesis Statements

4.     Integrating Sources Exercise - Textbook Examples (examples of assignment and practice on example draft 2.1)

5.    Revision process - begin revisions now

5.     Discuss BA 7 –

Reading

Textbook: Chapter 8 p. 256-285.

Assignment: Brief Assignment 7

Objective: To practice integrating quotations and evaluating sources

Description: To complete this assignment, choose three passages (individual sentences or groups of sentences—not necessarily full paragraphs) from your 2.1 draft that cite sources. First, in paragraph form, evaluate how well these sources are integrated into your text. For example, do the sources as currently used help strengthen your argument? What role do they play? Do they help define a concept, explain or rebut a counterargument? Have you used too many sources, or used a few sources excessively? (See section 15f of your handbook for an example of excessive source use)

Next, discuss how you might integrate these sources in a manner that is more effective to your readers. For example, your readers should understand the purpose of the source material. That is, does the source help define, explain, inform, or highlight an idea? If so, consider using phrases such as “The author defines . . .” or “This article reveals…” A more complete list of these signal phrases is available in the green box at the bottom of section 15b in your handbook.

Finally, revise the passages based on your evaluations of the originals and discuss how these changes enhance the quality of your source integration. Be sure to label the original and the revised passages as original or revised.

Scoring Guide:

 C1: Issue Identification and Focus

Has the student made significant revisions? In other words, did he or she do more than change the signal phrase?

C3: Sources and Evidence

Have the student’s integrations improved his/her use of sources and evidence?  Make connections to the handbook. Refer writers to specific sections to show them how to revise and how to talk about revision. The green boxes are especially helpful in this respect.

C5: Own Perspective

Does the student discuss, specifically, the changes and the impact of those changes? Students often want to write something along the lines of " . . . I incorporated more direct quotes, so now my argument is stronger." They need to discuss why a change is more effective. Students need to understand the analysis is a critical element of this assignment.

C6: Conclusion

Does the student provide an evaluative statement which identifies the stronger passage and gives good reasons for this identification?

C7: Communication

Has the student clearly labeled all of the elements of the assignment (original passage, revised passage, and analysis)?  How effective is the student’s communication at the sentence level, especially in the revised passages and the analysis?

In addition to the above criteria, you should

Note if the writer has included all the elements of the assignment: original paragraph, revision, and evaluation.

Verify that the writer has made the changes that he or she claims to have made.

HW:

1. BA 7 by Monday at 11:59 p.m.

2. Bring two printed copies of revised draft 2.1 to class next week (homework grade - 100 points each)