Wednesday, February 25, 2015

February 25, 2015 - Wednesday

Class Work

This is where we left off on Monday:
New project - You will be working with up to five other classmates. You must select a topic to research. Consider yourself health reporters. You have been hired by a local interest group who wants to get the word out about the topic in order to warn and/or help others.
1. Select a topic
  • Immunizations (Measles is the headliner right now, but other diseases could be studied.)
  • Weight issues - diabetes is one problem related to this - there are others. Your group will need to focus your study.
  • The Internet and health - has the Internet improved our health?
  • Food - Healthy Eating . . . (Vegetarian/Vegan might fall in this category)
  • Other topics to consider . . .
    • Exercise
    • Electronic health gadgets - help or hindrance?
    • Eating disorders
    • Natural Cures/medicine
    • Diets (Pick one!- Caveman, Grapefruit, Gluten Free, etc. - or compare a couple)
    • Your choice . . . let's expand the list as a class.
2. Topics are listed on the boards. Decide which topic is of interest to you. Sign your name under the topic. You are about to become an expert!
3. Your group will be conducting research in preparation for your upcoming presentation and documented paper that will be presented to the class. Your research must be documented and must come from a variety of reliable sources.
  • If you are not already familiar with the resources at the EMCC library, this is a wonderful time to get acquainted. (yellow handout)
  • Your research will include:
    • Internet sources
    • Magazine and/or newspaper articles
    • Sources outside of the Internet - although databases and ebooks from the EMCC on-line library will count
    • Interview (Due Monday)
    • Video/news cast (Check local and national news sites along with the EMCC library page.)
    • art/music/story/poem (Due Monday)
Homework: Start your research by visiting the EMCC on-line library. Find five sources. Create an annotated bibliography of your search. Be ready to share your findings with your group on Wednesday. Post your annotated bibliography in CANVAS by Wednesday. (25 points)

Return to your group. Each group will complete the task chart noting individual assignments. Here is the sign-up sheet for your reference:


Health Issues – Problems and Solutions

Topic: _________________________________________________________

 

You have been hired by a local interest group who wants to get the word out about the topic in order to warn, encourage, or help others. Your task is to research your topic and locate information. Divide the work. You are personally responsible for the creation of your section of the presentation. However, you should also share useful information with the others in your group.  You will be preparing a PowerPoint presentation.  Each section will be from 2-5 slides. In addition, you will create a notes page for each slide that provides complete information. (More on this later – think of it as a mini essay.)

Slide 1: Include the title and the names of all group members.

Section I: __________________________________

Describe/ define the topic.  What is it? Why is it of interest? Why is it important? Why should the public know about this topic? Who needs to know your information? Quote experts.

Section II: _________________________________________________

What is the history of the topic? Where did it begin? What caused it to become an issue/item today? Quote experts.

Section III: _________________________________

What are the dangers associated with the topic? What are the risks? Be specific. Charts and graphs are useful here. Numbers really do talk! What are the parts of the problem? Quote experts.

Section IV: __________________________________

What are the advantages associated with the topic? What will society gain? What will individuals gain? Will life improve? Quote experts. What does the future hold?

Section V: __________________________________

What are the solutions? Now, call the audience to action. As a result of reading/hearing your report, what do you want people to do? Give clear steps. Why should they do the things you suggest? Keep in mind that solutions need to be do-able in terms of time and money. Why are the actions you suggest beneficial?

Part VI:  (All)

Provide information from your interviews. This information may be woven into the overall presentation, or it may be a stand-alone section compiled by one individual. Group size will determine this.

Last slide(s): Works Cited in MLA format
How to conduct an interview:
http://www.forbes.com/sites/shelisrael/2012/04/14/8-tips-on-conducting-great-interviews/

Creating good interview questions:
https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/559/06/
https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/559/04/

Homework:
1. Create seven to ten quality interview questions and conduct and interview with an expert on your topic, an interested party, or someone who has personal experience with your topic. You may conduct the interview in person, by phone, via e-mail, on Facebook, via text messages, etc. Post your questions and the answers in CANVAS by Monday.

Introduce the interviewee. Be sure to ask permission to use the name of the individual.

2. Continue to conduct research on the topic.  See if there is anything new. This time, go out on the world wide web! Keep track of your sources. Look for a video or current news story . Watch, listen, take notes. Also, see if you can find a story, poem, play, movie or book that features your topic. A general search is also fine. Just be sure that you are looking at reliable information from a reliable source. Do NOT include information from Wikipedia. Post in CANVAS. The URL is acceptable for now along with your notes. (5 new sources required - 25 points)



Monday, February 23, 2015

February 23, 2015 - Monday

Class Work

Notes from Wednesday - no class was held. What questions do you have?

If you are not assigned any papers to edit, please note that in your reflection as well. Sometimes CANVAS does not assign editing. I am not sure why, but I do know that it happens. That is not your fault. You will not have any points deducted from your grade. Feel free to work on revising your essay. It is due on Wednesday, February 25, 2015. A space will not be available in CANVAS until Monday, February 23, 2015. I want to go over the guidelines for MLA documentation one more time before you post the final copy.

In addition to the peer editing activity on CANVAS, read/view the five of following items. One is a video news cast. One is a poem. The rest are articles. This is in preparation for our next unit.

For the five items you select, complete the following:
  • Write down the title of the item viewed or read along with the author, if known.
  • Summarize the information in a paragraph.
  • State your opinion on the topic. Do you agree or disagree? Explain why. This is another paragraph.
  • Post in CANVAS by Monday, February 23, 2015. (75 points - 15 per item)


Health - It's In the News

A. Measles - to vaccinate or not to vaccinate - what are the advantages and disadvantages?  
 
Healthy eating - or not.
 
C. "Discrimination at Large" by Jennifer A. Coleman
 
D. "Diabesity," a Crisis in an Expanding Country
 
E. Six Rules for Eating Wisely
F. When the Patient Is a Googler
 Is There a Doctor in the Mouse? Read this if you read "F".
H.  Soft drink issues
"Coke" by Philip Dacey ( This is a poem, but could prove to be a good spring-board for your next essay topic.)
 
Today - Let's take another look at MLA documentation.
Your final copy should look like this.
If you like to type and want to create the Works Cited page yourself, see here.
 
If you would like your computer to create the Works Cited page for you, use EasyBib or other citation site.
If you use EasyBib, be sure to sign in and create a project. The site will keep it for you.

Post the final copy of your essay in CANVAS by the beginning of class on Wednesday, February 25, 2015. (100 pts. 75 possible for the essay/25 possible for the Works Cited page)
 
***************************************************************************
Let's take about the articles. Discuss at your table. (5 minutes - Select a reporter to share with the class.)
A. What articles did you read?
B. What were the top three most interesting things you learned?
C. What topics are of greatest interest to you?
D. What other topics related to health are important to our society and/or to you, your family, and your friends? Why are these topics important?
******************************************************************************
New project - You will be working with up to five other classmates. You must select a topic to research. Consider yourself health reporters. You have been hired by a local interest group who wants to get the word out about the topic in order to warn and/or help others.
1. Select a topic
  • Immunizations (Measles is the headliner right now, but other diseases could be studied.)
  • Weight issues - diabetes is one problem related to this - there are others. Your group will need to focus your study.
  • The Internet and health - has the Internet improved our health?
  • Food - Healthy Eating . . . (Vegetarian/Vegan might fall in this category)
  • Other topics to consider . . .
    • Exercise
    • Electronic health gadgets - help or hindrance?
    • Eating disorders
    • Natural Cures/medicine
    • Diets (Pick one!- Caveman, Grapefruit, Gluten Free, etc. - or compare a couple)
    • Your choice . . . let's expand the list as a class.
2. Topics are listed on the boards. Decide which topic is of interest to you. Sign your name under the topic. You are about to become an expert!
3. Your group will be conducting research in preparation for your upcoming presentation and documented paper that will be presented to the class. Your research must be documented and must come from a variety of reliable sources.
  • If you are not already familiar with the resources at the EMCC library, this is a wonderful time to get acquainted. (yellow handout)
  • Your research will include:
    • Internet sources
    • Magazine and/or newspaper articles
    • Sources outside of the Internet - although databases and ebooks from the EMCC on-line library will count
    • Interview (There will be more information about this on Wednesday.)
    • Video/news cast (Check local and national news sites along with the EMCC library page.)
    • art/music/story/poem
Homework: Start your research by visiting the EMCC on-line library. Find five sources. Create an annotated bibliography of your search. Be ready to share your findings with your group on Wednesday. Post your annotated bibliography in CANVAS by Wednesday. (25 points)
Sample: https://images.search.yahoo.com/images/view;_ylt=AwrTcYJ2ZOtUEgoACliJzbkF;_ylu=X3oDMTIydW5zMHZtBHNlYwNzcgRzbGsDaW1nBG9pZAMzYjBjM2FiZDVkMTBkMDhjZDAyMTU5NDE5NGI1OGJiNARncG9zAzIEaXQDYmluZw--?.origin=&back=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.search.yahoo.com%2Fsearch%2Fimages%3Fp%3DMla%2BAnnotated%2BBibliography%2BExample%26fr%3Dytff1-yff25%26tab%3Dorganic%26ri%3D2&w=1275&h=1650&imgurl=img.docstoccdn.com%2Fthumb%2Forig%2F15487106.png&rurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.docstoc.com%2Fdocs%2F15487106%2FMLA-Annotated-Bibliography-_Orlov_&size=110.4KB&name=%3Cb%3EMLA%3C%2Fb%3E+%3Cb%3EAnnotated%3C%2Fb%3E+%3Cb%3EBibliography%3C%2Fb%3E+_Orlov_&p=Mla+Annotated+Bibliography+Example&oid=3b0c3abd5d10d08cd021594194b58bb4&fr2=&fr=ytff1-yff25&tt=%3Cb%3EMLA%3C%2Fb%3E+%3Cb%3EAnnotated%3C%2Fb%3E+%3Cb%3EBibliography%3C%2Fb%3E+_Orlov_&b=0&ni=288&no=2&ts=&tab=organic&sigr=1271msso0&sigb=13ibhund4&sigi=11as01sme&sigt=11n4vp3oa&sign=11n4vp3oa&.crumb=8O5DXqfoIEH&fr=ytff1-yff25

or
https://images.search.yahoo.com/images/view;_ylt=AwrTcXb3ZOtUdLcAqPKJzbkF;_ylu=X3oDMTIzMDQ2MmppBHNlYwNzcgRzbGsDaW1nBG9pZAM3MzY0NDkzNmJmZTA1ZmIzMjAxMzE2Y2Y4YTBlNTgzZARncG9zAzczBGl0A2Jpbmc-?.origin=&back=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.search.yahoo.com%2Fsearch%2Fimages%3Fp%3DMla%2BAnnotated%2BBibliography%2BExample%26fr%3Dytff1-yff25%26nost%3D1%26tab%3Dorganic%26ri%3D73&w=1275&h=1650&imgurl=img.docstoccdn.com%2Fthumb%2Forig%2F127978184.png&rurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.docstoc.com%2Fdocs%2F127978184%2FAnnotated-Works-Cited-MLA&size=141.9KB&name=%3Cb%3EAnnotated%3C%2Fb%3E+Works+Cited+%3Cb%3EMLA%3C%2Fb%3E&p=Mla+Annotated+Bibliography+Example&oid=73644936bfe05fb3201316cf8a0e583d&fr2=&fr=ytff1-yff25&tt=%3Cb%3EAnnotated%3C%2Fb%3E+Works+Cited+%3Cb%3EMLA%3C%2Fb%3E&b=61&ni=72&no=73&ts=&tab=organic&sigr=11v1s2g4e&sigb=13qgngr4n&sigi=11b0rv2hg&sigt=117oarktj&sign=117oarktj&.crumb=8O5DXqfoIEH&fr=ytff1-yff25





 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Tuesday, February 17, 2015

Wednesday, February 18, 2015

Notice:  We will not be meeting as a class on Wednesday, February 18, 2015. I do apologize, but family business has called me out of town.

DO plan on finishing the following activities and readings.
Go to CANVAS and find the papers you have been assigned to edit. They will be available after 1:00 on Wednesday the 18th. Be sure you have submitted your own paper by that time!

1. You have been assigned a paper to edit. You will be reading for content. Be sure to write your comments in the comments space or use the editing feature of CANVAS/WORD to add comments.
1. Is the claim clear? Explain why or why not.
2. Has the author answered the "why" with two or three "because" reasons?
3. Is there evidence for each reason? Do you want to know more?
4. Did the author tell you where he or she found the information?
5. Is there a works cited page? Is it annotated?

Use these questions to comment on the papers assigned to you.
Also, use these questions to revise and expand your own paper.

For homework by Monday, reflect on the comments made by your peers and write a paragraph or two noting what else you plan to do to revise and polish your essay. Post the reflection in CANVAS. If you do not receive peer editing comments by the end of the day on Wednesday, just use the questions as guides to write the reflection and note that you did not receive peer editing comments. YOU will earn full credit.

If you are not assigned any papers to edit, please note that in your reflection as well. Sometimes CANVAS does not assign editing. I am not sure why, but I do know that it happens. That is not your fault. You will not have any points deducted from your grade.

Feel free to work on revising your essay. It is due on Wednesday, February 25, 2015. A space will not be available in CANVAS until Monday, February 23, 2015. I want to go over the guidelines for MLA documentation one more time before you post the final copy.

In addition to the peer editing activity on CANVAS, read/view the five of following items. One is a video news cast. One is a poem. The rest are articles. This is in preparation for our next unit.

For the five items you select, complete the following:
  • Write down the title of the item viewed or read along with the author, if known.
  • Summarize the information in a paragraph.
  • State your opinion on the topic. Do you agree or disagree? Explain why. This is another paragraph.
  • Post in CANVAS by Monday, February 23, 2015. (75 points - 15 per item)


Health - It's In the News

A. Measles - to vaccinate or not to vaccinate - what are the advantages and disadvantages?  
 
Healthy eating - or not.
 
C. "Discrimination at Large" by Jennifer A. Coleman
 
D. "Diabesity," a Crisis in an Expanding Country
 
E. Six Rules for Eating Wisely
F. When the Patient Is a Googler
G. Is There a Doctor in the Mouse? Read this if you read "F".
H. "Coke" by Philip Dacey ( This is a poem, but could prove to be a good spring-board for your next essay topic.)
 
Happy Reading and Writing! Contact me via CANVAS or on the school e-mail if you have questions. I will be checking both several times this week.  
 
 
 
 

Wednesday, February 11, 2015

Wednesday, February 11, 2014

Class Work

1. Take a look at the outlines. Call yours up on the computer.or get a paper copy ready to share.
  • Swap seats with another student.
  • Look at your partner's chart.
  • Can you see the logic of the placement of the information?
  • Is there enough evidence?
  • Do you know the author's point?
  • What else would you like to know? Ask at least two questions.
2. For homework, write the draft of your essay. In addition to the information on the chart, you need to include an amazing introduction. Capture the attention of the readers!
Tips - introduce the subject with . . .
  • interesting background information (history of the topic, perhaps)
  • an appropriate quotation (Feel free to use something from a citation site.)
  • an illustrative story or personal experience story
  • a question or a series of questions
  • startling statistics

See this site for examples: http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/intros.htm

Avoid the following when writing introductions:
  • Cliches
  • Apologies
  • Phrases such as:  I believe or I think or I would like to tell you about . . .
  • Say-nothing sentences such as: "Subject A and Subject B are alike and different in many ways.
  • According to the dictionary . ..
  • Rattle snakes are dangerous . . . (stating the obvious)
You also need to leave the reader with something memorable.  For tips on writing conclusions, please see: http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/intros.htm


Here is a check list for the draft:
This paper should include:

  • An attention-getting introduction
  • A clear claim (What's your point?)
  • Three reasons that answer "why/because."
  • One or two pieces of evidence for each reason. One of the pieces of evidence could be your personal body art story.
  • An outstanding conclusion.
The draft needs to be posted by 1:00 pm on 2/18/15- Wednesday. Peer editing is required. CANVAS will assign two peer editors for your paper. It MUST be posted on time.

In addition to posting your draft, read through the following information about in-text citations.
https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/02/

http://bcs.bedfordstmartins.com/resdoc5e/res5e_ch08_s1-0001.html

 Here is a sample essay:http://www.dianahacker.com/pdfs/hacker-daly-mla.pdf Read the "conversation bubbles." They explain how the in-text citations were created.

You will be adding in-text citations to your paper. Come to class with questions.
 



Reminder: The campus is closed on Monday. We will NOT have class on Monday.
Celebrate the presidents!

Monday, February 9, 2015

Monday, February 9, 2015

Class Work
1. Table/Class discussion

A. What president's inaugural address did you select?
B. Why?
C. Evaluate the inaugural address from 1-10 with 10 being the highest.
D. What techniques were used?
E. What did you like best about the address?
F. What did you like least?


2.Tattoo news - just in case you needed more information . . .


https://www.yahoo.com/health/the-psychology-of-tattoos-demonstrated-by-rex-110094437652.html

Would you "brand" yourself with your favorite team's logo? Why or why not?

3. Let's return to claims, reasons, and evidence. Did you select a topic?

Here were some possibilities.
Possible Topics  . .
  • Businesses should regulate the appearance of employees
  • Businesses should not regulate the appearance of employees ( tattoos, hair color, makeup, etc.)
  • Children should should not be able to get tattoos.
  • Convince someone to get a tattoo or other body modification.
  • Appearance matters _________________
  • Appearance should not matter ________________
  • Parents should/should not pierce the ears of their babies
  • Color/style of clothing matters . . . but should it?
  • People should stop getting inked!
  • More people should get inked!
A. Select a topic.
B. State a claim. http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/composition/thesis.htm
General Topic > Subject > Specific focus of your essay = Claim
C. Explain/answer "why" with a "because" statement. (Try to have 2-3 reasons.)
D. Provide proof for your reasons. (Provide 1-3 pieces of evidence for each reason. Keep track of your sources. Start a new project on EasyBib or other citation site.)

Make a wonderful chart to keep track of your information.

Claim:
 
 

 

Why?

Because:

Reason:
 
 
 
Reason:
Reason:

 

Facts and Proof!

1.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1.
1.
2.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2.
2.

What counts as evidence or proof?

Homework:
1. Fill in the chart. Bring a paper copy to class on Wednesday.
2. Create an MLS Works Cited page. Annotate your sites. (See EasyBib for options.) Avoid Wikipedia, random blogs, and other questionable sources. Bring a printed copy of your annotated Works Cited page to class along with the chart.

Make sure your sources are reliable!
See http://en.writecheck.com/finding-reputable-sources for tips.
Also see: http://homeworktips.about.com/od/paperassignments/a/Trustworthy-Sources.htm
Look at this one as well: http://ask.keuka.edu/uncategorized/whats-makes-a-research-source-reliable







Wednesday, February 4, 2015

Wednesday, February 4, 2015

Class Work

Review: Punctuating conversation.
A. Work with a partner.
B. Have a silent conversation on paper about ___________________. (We will brainstorm topics in class.)
C. All "talking" will be on paper or typed.
D. Swap conversations with another partnership.
E. Your job is to write the conversation in 3rd person.
F. Whenever you change speakers, begin a new paragraph.
G. Use commas and quotation marks correctly.

http://writingcenter.appstate.edu/sites/writingcenter.appstate.edu/files/Quotations%20handout13.pdf



1. Persuasive techniques . . . some the same as  advertising techniques
http://quizlet.com/4557967/examples-of-persuasive-techniques-flash-cards/
Work with a partner to see if you know the techniques. 

Let's look at two or three Super Bowl ads:

 https://screen.yahoo.com/big-game-ads/

or
http://www.rollingstone.com/tv/features/super-bowl-xlixs-best-and-worst-commercials-20150202


What were your favorites? Why? What techniques were used?

http://smallbusiness.chron.com/5-common-advertising-techniques-15273.html


Same song, different words . . .
http://www.buzzle.com/articles/advertising-techniques-and-examples.html

Just in case you missed a few . . .
http://blog.nlp-techniques.com/2010/06/17-of-the-worlds-most-powerful-written-persuasion-techniques/

****************************************

Learn about claims, reasons, and evidence.

http://college.cengage.com/english/raimes/digitalkeys/keyshtml/writin13.htm

Take notes . . .

***********************************************




2. Persuasive/argumentative writing  techniques to use to convince readers:

http://www.copyblogger.com/persuasive-writing/
Step by step
http://writetodone.com/a-step-by-step-approach-to-persuasive-writing/

Step by step
http://writetodone.com/a-step-by-step-approach-to-persuasive-writing/



3. Argumentative Writing

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

Homework:
  1. Read the sample essay - "Cry Wolf" http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/composition/crywolf3.htm Pay attention to the comments and notes in red ink in the margins.
  2. What was the writer's claim/thesis/point?
  3. What reasons did the writer provide to prove his point?
  4. What evidence did the author provide?
  5. What persuasive techniques were used.
Post the answers to questions 2, 3, 4, and 5 in CANVAS.

Assignment #2
Homework: Read and analyze a presidential inaugural speech. (Select the president of your choice.)

http://www.bartleby.com/124/

A. What techniques were used?
B. What does the president claim?
C. What reasons were given?
D. What evidence was provided to support the reasons?
Post your answers in CANVAS.


Start thinking about possible topics to argue. The topic you select must relate to body art.


Possible Topics  . .
  • Businesses should regulate the appearance of employees
  • Businesses should not regulate the appearance of employees ( tattoos, hair color, makeup, etc.)
  • Children should should not be able to get tattoos.
  • Convince someone to get a tattoo or other body modification.
  • Appearance matters _________________
  • Appearance should not matter ________________
  • Parents should/should not pierce the ears of their babies
  • Color of clothing matters . . . but should it?
  • People should stop getting inked!
  • More people should get inked!














Monday, February 2, 2015

Monday, February 2, 2015

Class Work

1. Please return to your groups. Polish/finish your presentation slides and notes.
  • Each student shares his or her portion of the presentation
  • Take notes on the other presentations (50 points.) You do not need to write anything by your topic.
  • Each group has between 3-10 minutes for the presentation
  • Hold your questions until the end of the presentation. Write your questions in the margins or on the back of the sheet.
2. If we finish the presentations, we will take a few minutes to share the body art stories that you wrote.
  • Find a partner at another table. The person with the longest hair reads first. Move by that computer.
  • The person with the shortest hair reads next.
  • Listen for the flow of the story.
  • Were the "characters" identified?
  • Did anybody speak? Scan the written/typed text. Were there any direct quotations?
  • Make at least one positive and specific remark.
  • Ask one question or give one suggestion.

Homework
 1. Read "Under My Skin" and answer the questions. (40 points)
  1. List three items of interest from the article.
  2. Look for the way the author uses first person "I" then shifts to second person "you." Why do you think the author did this? Is it effective?
  3. Find three examples of humor and list them here.
  4. Locate information that was probably researched. Explain if you think the researched information helped you, the reader, to better understand.
http://www.salon.com/1999/06/23/tattoo/
"Under My Skin"

2. Review the rules for punctuating direct quotations. (Due Wednesday.)
http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/marks/quotation.htm

Complete the practice quiz. Report your score on CANVAS. (25 pts._
Reflect in one or two sentences. What do you know how to do? On what do you need practice?
You receive full credit no matter the score. Be honest.
http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/quizzes/quotes_quiz.htm

We will save the advertising information until Wednesday.