Tuesday, April 2, 2013

Class Work

Nature: What is Mother Nature Telling Us?

With a partner, walk around the campus for 10 minutes and take 10 pictures that create a message.

Description of the picture – what did you see?	Message- what is it saying?
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An Inconvenient Truth – Questions

 

After viewing the documentary, answer the following questions.

1.   Why does the film open and close with serene images of nature: lush green leaves and a gently flowing river on a sunny day, followed by Al Gore’s voice-over about this peaceful place? What is the impact on the viewer?
2.       In this film, Gore narrates a moment in 1989 when his six-year-old son dropped his father’s hand, ran into the street, and was severely injured. How does this personal story relate to Gore’s mission?

3.     Much of the film consists of scientific facts and charts. Think back and answer the following:

• Why do we have global warming?
• What is the relationship between carbon dioxide and temperature?
• How does global warming contribute to an increase in the number and severity of storms, hurricanes, tornadoes, and typhoons?
• How can global warming cause both violent precipitation as well as droughts

4.  Explain the significance of each of these references from the film:

The findings of core drills

The thawing of the permafrost, the splitting of the Ward Hunt ice shelf, and the disappearance of the Larson ice shelf

The Arctic ice cap disappearing

The image of a canary in a coal mine

The image of the frog in the cooking pot

5.       Cite three ecological consequences of global warming in the animal and plant communities.

6.       Gore used quotations from several memorable people.  Explain how they apply to the topic of global warming.

Mark Twain: “What gets us into trouble is not what we don’t know; it’s what we know that just ain’t so.”

Upton Sinclair: “It is difficult to get a man to understand something when his salary depends upon his not understanding it.” Consider citing specific ways that this statement is illustrated throughout this film.
Stephen Pacala and Robert Socolow in Science magazine: “Humanity already possesses the fundamental scientific, technical, and industrial know-how to solve the carbon and climate problems.”

7.  Explain the significance of the film’s title An Inconvenient Truth.

Homework:
Continue your research on the topic of your choice.

 

 

Thursday, March 28, 2013

Class Work
1. What topics are you exploring? Remember, this will end up being a cause/effect paper with suggested solutions. You will need to define the problem. In other words, prove that a problem exists. You will also provide a bit of history of the problem. This will include the causes. Because the problem exists, there are effects. You will be sharing those. Finally, you will encourage the reading audience to be part of the solution. You will need to provide suggestions for action that can be done by the average American.

2. Let 's look at a couple of problem/solution essays.
Do you fish? Have you ever gone fishing? To you eat what you catch, or do you catch and release?
Read  "Evening the Odds" to consider the possibilities.

3. Take a look at the picture on your table. How could these cute animals possibly be pests?
Discuss, then read "Practical Wildlife Management." (handout only)
A. What is the problem?
B. What is the history of the problem?
C. What solutions are offered?
D. Are all possible solutions likely to be successful?
E. Were you convinced that the best solution was offered?

4. Just for fun, read, "So Mother Earth Had This Boyfriend." This clearly shows that humor can be used to persuade and possibly move one to action! (Handout and http://www.enotes.com/how-write-problem-solution-essay-how-to/how-write-problem-solution-essay) This originally appeared in Delta Sky Magazine.

5. Something to think about...more nature stuff.

"Forgive My Guilt"

by Robert P. Tristram Coffin

 

Not always sure what things called sins may be,

I am sure of one sin I have done,

It was years ago, and I was a boy,

I lay in the frostflowers with a gun,

The air ran blue as the flowers, I held my breath,

Two birds on golden legs slim as dream things

Ran like quicksilver on the golden sand,

My gun went off, they ran with broken wings

Into the sea, I ran to fetch them in,

But they swam with their heads high out to sea,

They cried like two sorrowful high flutes,

With jagged ivory bones where wings should be.

 

For days I heard them when I walked that headland

Crying out to their kind in the blue,

The other plovers were going over south

On silver wings leaving these broken two.

The cries went out one day; but I still hear them

Over all the sounds of sorrow in war or peace

I ever heard, time cannot drown them,

Those slender flutes of sorrow never cease.

Two airy things forever denied the air!

I never knew how their lives at last were spilt,

But I have hoped for years all that is wild,

Airy, and beautiful will forgive my guilt.

• Work with a group at your table.
• Decide on the five most important words in the selection.
• Select three words that are new to you. Create your own meaning for these words. Do NOT use a dictionary.
•  Now, write a short statement explaining what is going on in the poem.
• Share with the class.

6. In just 16 simple steps, you can plan and write a problem/solution essay.
http://www.enotes.com/how-write-problem-solution-essay-how-to/how-write-problem-solution-essay

7. Let's brainstorm possible topics.

Homework:  Continue to explore topics related to nature. Now is the time to select a problem that needs to be solved. L:ook for the history of the problem. Write a paragraph or two explaining the history. Include the source(s). (20 points)

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Class Work

It's time for a laugh! Our wonderful English language is ever changing and ever colorful!
http://news.yahoo.com/10-old-fashioned-swears-spice-cussin-070500556.html

1. Peer Review of the C/C essay.

Please edit/revise your essay as needed. Post the final copy in MyCompLab. It is due Thursday.
(100 pts.)

2. Causes and effect. Consider the following "what if" situation...
A. A person is late to work. (That is the event.)
What were the causes?
What are or might be the effects?

B. The power went out.
What might be the causes?
What effects might result?

3. Look at the following site:
http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/composition/cause_effect.htm

Homework: Read "Cold Comfort" and click on the magnifying glasses for additional writing tips.
http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/composition/cause/cause_frames.htm

4. More sample essays

• "The Bounty of the Sea" by Jacques Cousteau (Handout) or online @ http://lemon-sauce.deviantart.com/journal/The-Bounty-of-the-Sea-by-Jacques-Cousteau-231816293
• "Saving the Songs of the Sea" by Jean-Michael Cousteau (Handout only) "Save the Last Word for Me" activity...

5. Now that we know there is a problem. We know the causes. We know the effects. What can be done? Is there a solution?
http://glenniacampbell.typepad.com/silenti/2010/05/saving-the-oceans-with-jeanmichel-cousteau.html

6. Begin to think about possible topics. The topic must relate to nature or planet Earth in some way. What problems exist? What is worth investigating?

Explore two possibilities. Do a 10 minute Internet search of each topic. Which do you like best? Which seems to lead to the best information. Your assignment as a writer will be to convince the readers that a problem exists. You must provide causes, effects, and solutions. Bring your notes to class on Thursday.

Thursday

Class Work
1. Share your comparison/contrast chart at your table.
Questions?
Concerns?
2. Let's talk transitions...
http://www.studygs.net/wrtstr6.htm

Here's a game!
http://www.studygs.net/trans/wrtstr6a.htm

Here is a nice, tidy list!
http://www.smart-words.org/transition-words.html

And, a terrific chart!
http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/transitions.htm

Without the careful use of transitions, a comparison/contrast essay ends up sounding like a long list. You want your writing to be conversational.

3. Let's put some of the transitions into action! Try the following practice.
http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/quizzes/combining_quiz1.htm

4. What about voice? Does your paper lack personality? If so, consider this.
http://www.write101.com/lethamfind.htm

Let's practice a bit.
Exercise:  Go outside. Find something unfamiliar, something growing, something tossed away, something strange or wonderful! Bring it back to class. If it is not something you can carry, take a picture. Bring that.

Now, describe the object in such a way that the reader can tell that you love it!

Next, write a new description of the same object, only this time show that you hate the object!

Finally, write one more description of the same object and have a so-what attitude.

Post all three descriptions in MyCompLab.

5. How will you introduce your subjects?  How will you conclude?

6. Consider adding:

• Research: This might include statistics and numbers. For example, if you are comparing two vacation options, share the cost of each! Money talks.
• A famous quotation (Expert)
• A quotation from a classmate or friend (Ordinary person)
• Personal stories

7. Make it interesting.

Homework: Write the draft. Post it in MyCompLab by Tuesday, March 26th. Also, bring a paper copy to class to use for a peer editing activity. If you prefer, you may use an electronic copy. Just be sure you can access it.

Tuesday - March 19, 2012

Class Work
1. Welcome back...the space is available in MyCompLab for you to post the final copy of your Body Art essay.
2. What can be compared and contrasted? Take two minutes and write down all you can think of. Work with a partner if you wish. Share and list on the board.
3. How does one go about comparing and contrasting in writing?

• Patterns of organization...point by point or item by item
• Let's compare shoes!
• http://images.search.yahoo.com/images/view;_ylt=A2KJkPsn7kdRHH8A4giJzbkF;_ylu=X3oDMTBlMTQ4cGxyBHNlYwNzcgRzbGsDaW1n?back=http%3A%2F%2Fimages.search.yahoo.com%2Fsearch%2Fimages%3F_adv_prop%3Dimage%26va%3Dcomparison%2Band%2Bcontrast%2Bpatterns%2Bof%2Borganization%26fr%3Dyfp-t-900-s%26tab%3Dorganic%26ri%3D1&w=621&h=499&imgurl=www.elcamino.edu%2Ffaculty%2Fbpeppard%2Fenglish-b-textbook%2Fcomparison_and_contrast.png&rurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.elcamino.edu%2Ffaculty%2Fbpeppard%2Fenglish-b-textbook%2FParagraph%2520Development.html&size=41+KB&name=Typical+transition+words+for+%3Cb%3Ecomparison%3C%2Fb%3E%2F%3Cb%3Econtrast+%3C%2Fb%3Eparagraphs+are+...&p=comparison+and+contrast+patterns+of+organization&oid=64f50bab35fdb29d5954867ae9476f2a&fr2=&fr=yfp-t-900-s&tt=Typical%2Btransition%2Bwords%2Bfor%2B%253Cb%253Ecomparison%253C%252Fb%253E%252F%253Cb%253Econtrast%2B%253C%252Fb%253Eparagraphs%2Bare%2B...&b=0&ni=21&no=1&ts=&tab=organic&sigr=12ofb3eqg&sigb=14gd6h6d4&sigi=12gu1jdoh&.crumb=Qa.3Zhxk5ME

4. Let's study some samples:

• Mall shopping vs. shopping in a downtown area

http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/composition/comparison.htm

• "Neat People vs. Sloppy People" (Handout)
• www.iriscenter.com/tnm/Suina_essay.pdf "And Then I Went to School" by Joseph H. Sunia

Questions to consider:
A. Is there a thesis in this selection? What is the author's main point?
B. How do the children learn values in the Cochiti culture? How are values instilled in the white school Suina attended?
C. What patten of organization does the author use to compare the two methods of education?
D. Locate sensory details that are provided to compare the two cultures.
E. Did you notice any repetition? This is a writing technique that is sometimes used to highlight a point. It should be used sparingly.

Homework
1. Compare two web sites such as:

• Coke/Pepsi
• Niki/Converse
• Two sports teams
• Two candy companies
• Two car companies
• Two beauty products
• Etc.

Create a comparison/contrast chart. What will be the criteria? Which site is better?
Post your chart in MyCompLab. Use Word to create the "chart." Actual tables will not post to MyCompLab. No boxes are required. (35 points)

2. Think about what you would like to compare and contrast for this essay. Make a decision. Create a chart. This chart will serve as a guide for your research. Bring a paper copy of the chart to class on Thursday or be able to find it on a computer. (Jump drives or e-mail attachments should work fine.)

Happy Thursday!

Class Work

1. Please have a paper copy of your Body Art essay ready to share either electronically or on paper.
2. First, at your table, read your conclusion to the other students. Students, listen and decide if the message is clear. A good conclusion wraps things up or moves one to action. See pp. 425-426 in Write Now. Also see: http://leo.stcloudstate.edu/acadwrite/conclude.html
3. Provide praise and suggestions!

Pause...are there any questions about in-text citations? Here is a quick review: http://bcs.bedfordstmartins.com/resdoc5e/RES5e_ch08_s1-0001.html

4. Now, swap places with another student who is NOT at your table.
5. Read through the paper and look for the in-text citations. Highlight each. Look at the Works Cited page to see if you could find the entry. Also, make sure that the end punctuation for each in-text citation is OUTSIDE of the entry. Note changes that may be needed.
6. Comment on the content. Did the writer make a point? Was the message clear? Was a personal example included? Were enough experts cited? Did the writer help you to understand?

Homework: Polish, revise, and post the final copy of the Body Art essay in MyCompLab. Include the Works Cited page. (100 pts.) This is due before our next class on March 19th.

Now, let's just write.... This activity is designed to help you with fluency. Don't think too hard - just respond in writing.

If you missed class, send me an e-mail and I will send you the activity.

Tuesday

Class Work

1. Let's look at EasyBib and annotated bibliographies one more time.

www.easybib.com

Tips:
A. I asked for an annotated bibliography. That means that you write one or two sentences about each article read. On EasyBib, there is a place to do that. Let's find it.
B. Be sure you turn the document into a real Word document. There are two buttons that you must hit. Then you need to open Word. Your perfectly formatted Works Cited page will appear.
C. THEN, copy the entire document and paste it into the correct space in MyCompLab. The formatting should hold. Let's try!

More tips on annotated bibliographies:

http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/614/02/

http://writingcenter.unc.edu/handouts/annotated-bibliographies/

http://writingcenter.unc.edu/handouts/annotated-bibliographies/mla-examples/


Write Now: pp. 371-373

Practice:  Add two additional sites to your Works Cited page. Annotate. Post in the Works Cited spot for homework in MyCompLab. I sent your pages back to you. You need to resubmit.

2. Summarizing, paraphrasing, and using quotations... see pp. 375-382 in Write Now. Pay attention to the rules for modifying and punctuating quotations.

Homework: Complete Exercises 1  and 2 on p. 381. Your topic of interest must deal with Body Art.

3. Learn to create in-text citations...pp. 384-386. Also see:

http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/02/

http://leo.stcloudstate.edu/research/mlaparen.html

Here is a sample essay: pp. 394-399 in Write Now
AND

www.dianahacker.com/pdfs/hacker-Daly-MLA.pdf

4. The best way to get the hang of this is to give it a try. You have identified an audience who needs to know your opinion on body art. You have a personal story to include. You have located some excellent information about your topic. Now you need to write the draft for homework.

• Decide how to begin. By the end of the first paragraph, the reader should know your stance. You also need to capture the attention of the readers! You could use a quotation. You could tell your story. You could use numbers. It is possible to quote an expert! In short, make them want to read more.
• You are on your way. Decide what to discuss next. It is time for a quotation or summary or paraphrase from your research. CITE YOUR SOURCE with an in-text citation. For the next three paragraphs, try to include a quotation, summary, or paraphrase from your research.
• End the paper with power.
• Create a perfectly beautiful Works Cited page. Only include the sources you actually cited.

Bring a paper copy of the draft to class on Thursday or be able to pull it up on the computer. You can do this by saving to a jump-drive or sending an e-mail attachment to yourself. Your draft will be three-five pages.