Most of you have grabbed your copies of The Element. I will include the assignment here. Feel free to use your Twitter accounts in lieu of the Sticky-Notes.
For Tuesday have the introduction and Ch.1 read and be ready to discuss your thoughts on it. Can't wait to see what you guys come up with.
Sticky-Note Book Report and other assignments.
When looking for what to respond to in the book, examine some of the reader response starters below. Simply complete the sentences as they relate to the book. Additional points will be given if you choose to respond using any of the responses from the last four categories (in bold).
Reader Response Starters for Stick-Note Book Report
* Because this was intended for last semester's class, disregard the due dates, the book talk, and the research paper on this particular assignment sheet. Though we will write a research paper based on this book!
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Theme #4
Here is the topic for theme #4 -
* Choose a topic you are interested in. Then begin finding sources that allow you to explore the issue or topic in greater depth. As you learn more about your topic, choose a position on your topic. Using at least three sources, explore your position on that topic.
You do not have to draw any firm conclusions, as this is an exploratory essay. Maybe you want to weigh both sides of an issue. Maybe you want to play devil’s advocate on an issue. Maybe you want to just learn more about a subject you have never had a chance to explore. Maybe you want to convince yourself that you have selected the right major or college. Maybe you want to research a subject in order to prove someone you know wrong.
Whatever your position, be sure to use your three sources to help you explore your essay. Don't simply find three sources and cite them in order to get them out of the way. Instead, use the sources to help inform or guide the exploration of your position.
My example -
Like many, I've been watching the tragedies in Japan. I'm particularly worried about the damaged nuclear reactors. I would have to see a repeat of the Chernobyl disaster.
So for my essay, I plan to explore nuclear power plants. Now that is pretty broad. To help narrow that down, I'm going to develop a specific position on nuclear power plants. My position will be how to best prevent them from melting down and unleashing massive amounts of radiation. I will let that position drive my exploration of the topic.
Another example from past classes -
I recall one student who was fascinated by the new iPad. They took the perspective of wanting to know if it could replace their laptop. They used that perspective to drive their exploration of the the iPad.
Another student wanted to explore the reasons behind school internet filters. They took the perspective of arguing against school content filters. Again, they let this perspective drive their research.
A final example, a student wanted to convince their parents to let her attend a college far away from home. She researched the university and the program she wished to major in and used that research to help try and convince her parents.
* Choose a topic you are interested in. Then begin finding sources that allow you to explore the issue or topic in greater depth. As you learn more about your topic, choose a position on your topic. Using at least three sources, explore your position on that topic.
You do not have to draw any firm conclusions, as this is an exploratory essay. Maybe you want to weigh both sides of an issue. Maybe you want to play devil’s advocate on an issue. Maybe you want to just learn more about a subject you have never had a chance to explore. Maybe you want to convince yourself that you have selected the right major or college. Maybe you want to research a subject in order to prove someone you know wrong.
Whatever your position, be sure to use your three sources to help you explore your essay. Don't simply find three sources and cite them in order to get them out of the way. Instead, use the sources to help inform or guide the exploration of your position.
My example -
Like many, I've been watching the tragedies in Japan. I'm particularly worried about the damaged nuclear reactors. I would have to see a repeat of the Chernobyl disaster.
So for my essay, I plan to explore nuclear power plants. Now that is pretty broad. To help narrow that down, I'm going to develop a specific position on nuclear power plants. My position will be how to best prevent them from melting down and unleashing massive amounts of radiation. I will let that position drive my exploration of the topic.
Another example from past classes -
I recall one student who was fascinated by the new iPad. They took the perspective of wanting to know if it could replace their laptop. They used that perspective to drive their exploration of the the iPad.
Another student wanted to explore the reasons behind school internet filters. They took the perspective of arguing against school content filters. Again, they let this perspective drive their research.
A final example, a student wanted to convince their parents to let her attend a college far away from home. She researched the university and the program she wished to major in and used that research to help try and convince her parents.
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Exploratory Essay Examples
Here are several past exploratory essays.
Exploratory Essay - Death Penalty
Exploratory Essay-Macbook Air
Exploroatory Essay Imagination
Exploratory Essay - Death Penalty
Exploratory Essay-Macbook Air
Exploroatory Essay Imagination
Monday, March 7, 2011
Video for Happiness
Watch this TED talk video on Happiness and then comment on it. What strikes you as interesting? Do you buy the whole "genuine" versus "synthetic" happiness? Offer and example of each.
Theme #3 (definition essay)
Theme #3 (definition essay)
Here are the essays you've written so far -
Definition of beauty.
Definition of love.
These are, of course, in addition to the discussions and explorations of the concepts of "evil" and "happiness."
Now, for Wednesday, please write a definition essay (including one outside sources) in which you explore a term or concept of your own. Then upload it to Scribd.com and send me the link to your essay. I will then post it here. I have uploaded and embedded two sample definition essays below for you to read as examples.
Here is my example. I start off discussing my topic, "time," and then I focus on a personal experience, written as a personal narrative, that seeks to illustrate my personal definition of "time."
My Theme #2 (Time)
Here are the essays you've written so far -
Definition of beauty.
Definition of love.
These are, of course, in addition to the discussions and explorations of the concepts of "evil" and "happiness."
Now, for Wednesday, please write a definition essay (including one outside sources) in which you explore a term or concept of your own. Then upload it to Scribd.com and send me the link to your essay. I will then post it here. I have uploaded and embedded two sample definition essays below for you to read as examples.
Here is my example. I start off discussing my topic, "time," and then I focus on a personal experience, written as a personal narrative, that seeks to illustrate my personal definition of "time."
My Theme #2 (Time)
Essays for theme #3 (definition essay)
Here are the essays you've written so far -
Definition of beauty.
Definition of love.
These are, of course, in addition to the discussions and explorations of the concepts of "evil" and "happiness."
Now, for Wednesday, please write a definition essay (including one outside sources) in which you explore a term or concept of your own. Then upload it to Scribd.com and send me the link to your essay. I will then post it here. I have uploaded and embedded two sample definition essays below for you to read as examples.
Here is my example. I start off discussing my topic, "time," and then I focus on a personal experience, written as a personal narrative, that seeks to illustrate my personal definition of "time."
My Theme #2 (Time)
Definition of beauty.
Definition of love.
These are, of course, in addition to the discussions and explorations of the concepts of "evil" and "happiness."
Now, for Wednesday, please write a definition essay (including one outside sources) in which you explore a term or concept of your own. Then upload it to Scribd.com and send me the link to your essay. I will then post it here. I have uploaded and embedded two sample definition essays below for you to read as examples.
Here is my example. I start off discussing my topic, "time," and then I focus on a personal experience, written as a personal narrative, that seeks to illustrate my personal definition of "time."
My Theme #2 (Time)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)