Directions: Look back on the paper and the annotated bibliography you just wrote. Think about the process of topic and thesis discovery and explain in 200 words or less how this assignment was easier or more difficult than Revisiting Synthesis. What did you learn from this unit? What do you still want to know about reviewing databases and books? What do you still want to know about argument formation?
Due by 5pm on September 24th. Do not perform the blog until you have turned in your paper.
No reply to a classmate.
I believe that this paper was easier for me than Revisiting Synthesis. Being able to choose my own topic was the main reason for it being easier; I can write a lot more and a lot easier if I am writing about something that I am interested in. I also thought it was easier because we had a lot more direction and help from Ms. Taylor, such as how to use the database on the PPCC library website. It was also easier because Revisiting Synthesis provided us with practice and feedback of exactly what Ms. Taylor is looking for. I learned how to better write an academic paper with an educated thesis, and how to use the PPCC library database. I still would like to know how to more quickly find reliable sources, but I think that’s just going to take practice. I would still like to know how broad or narrow an argument needs to be, and how much I should assume that my audience already knows about my topic.
ReplyDeleteThis paper is much easier because I am familiar and passionate about my topic. I didn't do so well on the revisiting synthesis. They were difficult resources to read and something that I have no interest in. I haven't started to research many more sources but I'll be in library doing that this week. I did however received advise from Ms. Badovinac Taylor from the last blog regarding research that I'll put into action. This was my first peer review. It may seem odd but reading a peer's paper helped me focus on some of the work and research that I hadn't considered for my own topic. It also helped me figure out how to change the tone of my paper, at least a little. The next plan is to find a couple military written assessments to review, which I hope will further guide the way my paper speaks to my audience. I still need to find a way to form a counter argument. My introduction may need more substance to hold up with my argument, though I think what's there now needs some trimming. Now it simply feels like an incomplete project so it helps press the need to find more information. I look forward to getting feedback to see if I'm going in the right direction.
ReplyDeleteI think that the research paper phase one was more difficult than the revisiting synthesis mostly on the account of time and I think the topic I chose to write about. I've learned from this unit how to construct an annotated bibliography but I still need work on it all. One thing that I would still like to know about is, how to correctly cite our database articles. Whether to take the citation provided or to do it with my own knowledge of the article. I'm sure I still need real work on my formation, since when writing I ha difficulties constructing arguments with articles from the database. Sandra made it clear with the peer reviews that I would have been more clear if I had made my topic specific and not all over the place.
ReplyDeleteBeing able to chose a topic that I already knew I was interested in made this assignment easier for me. From this assignment I have picked up on the fact that writing annotated bibliographies is a weak point for me. I still struggle with in text citations and I feel like I need to make stronger arguments. The library databases are becoming much easier to use the more I work with them. I also found that going to the library and talking to a reference advisor helps.
ReplyDeleteFor the most part, I think I was more comfortable with how to put this paper together after having the practice with revisiting synthesis. I still struggled a little bit with getting started though. First I couldn’t find sources for my topic, but once I got my keyword search refined results started coming in. Then I picked two articles that I thought were good and started my paper, but they weren’t exactly what I was looking for so I had to scrap my paper at the last minute and start over with two different articles. In the end, I think I managed to get the start that I was looking for.
ReplyDeleteFor starters I believe this assignment was harder because I could not find any information on my topic so I had to change my topic question without completely changing my topic before I was able to narrow it down. Second I found it more enjoyable due to the fact we finally got into writing our first thesis topic. Choosing a topic I was interested in even after I redid my question made it go easier. I really felt I did a better job on the Phase One Paper than I did on the Revisiting Synthesis. I learned that I am still able to write a good argument however I need to work on my opening in order to let people know what my argument is about and my conclusion to bring it back to what my topic is about. Since I never used the library resources it was a new experience for me that I did enjoy. Thanks to Ms. Taylor I believe that I was able to learn more with this assignment and realize that even after years of being gone from college after 121 I still can write a good argument.
ReplyDeleteI believe this paper was more difficult than the Revisiting Synthesis because with the Revisiting Synthesis the topic and the evidence was already there for us, and with this assignment we had to come up with everything on our own. It was hard for me to come up with a topic that I could find the information for on the database, so I had to change my topic. I still want to know how to put in the correct key terms in order to get the information that I need. Ryan helped me to make sure my thesis was just a lot of blabber instead it was everything in my paper
ReplyDeleteI believe that this assignment was both more difficult as well as more easy. It was more difficult because I had a hard time figuring out a final topic and researching it. In the future I now know how to find more articles on a topic by wording myself in a specific way when searching. Although this is true, it was also much easier because I was able to change my topic and explore a lot more than the previous assignment. These assignments are definitely helping me expand my mind more when writing and researching for an essay.
ReplyDeleteThis paper was a difficult one for me, but it was because of the lack of attendance due to obligations for the reserves. I believe my paper could have warranted an A if I would have been in class during peer and professor review times. The research was not hard to find just tedious. I had a basic concept of what to do and the paper we finished before this was a great tool for transitioning into this assignment.
ReplyDeleteThis most recent assignment gave me confidence in comparison to the previous revisiting synthesis assignment. Although I received a satisfactory grade on the first paper, I was not personally satisfied with the effort put into the paper. On this assignment I felt the extra time allowed to me properly institute my personal writing process. I am a very structured person and follow a long drawn out process. Although nervous I felt more satisfaction out of turning in this assignment. Being able to go through three different rough drafts before turning in a final project eased my anxiety. I feel this assignment is really allowing me to build a strong base to carry with me into this next assignment. I feel more prepared for the next paper.
ReplyDeleteWell, I thought I did okay on the last paper, and tried really hard on it only to be disappointed and a little discouraged. It definitely took away some of my confidence as a writer, but I am not giving up! : ) This paper was cool because we got to choose our own topics. this made it a little more personal and interesting than the first paper. Plus we got to pick our own sources which is nice, because with the other paper I didn't really like one of the sources. I will not know how I did until I get my grade back, but I think I tried to make this paper more academic and used little to no authors voice. The voice is what got me in trouble the last time, I believe I was thinking too creatively and hard about the paper. Hopefully this paper will receive a bett er grade, regardless I'm gonna keep trying to become a successful academic writer.
ReplyDeleteI found this paper easier than the revisiting synthesis. It was nice to able to pick our own topics along as it was acceptable. I learned that databases are creditable and how to use it. I have never known how or had to work with it. Although, I felt like I was very limited on my research because I wanted to use other sources as well. I was wanting to go faster when we really we couldn't. Also, it was difficult for me to get an acceptable question. A question that didn't involve have my audience do something about it.
ReplyDeleteTopic and thesis discovery was slightly difficult for me, as I’m horribly indecisive. I jumped around on my topic a fair amount from things like Russian literature to culture stigma. I finally settled on American education, specifically charter schools. I also had a difficult time simply getting a thesis. I tried to support something that was complex and did not have any evidence to support it whatsoever. For me this was most definitely harder than Revisiting Synthesis mainly because I did not have to spend much time choosing my thesis and how I was going to go about my argument. I learned a small amount about research in general from this unit. It was nice to get better acquainted on the tools of the databases (shortcuts and easy citation). I think all I need to work on with databases is familiarizing myself with them. Reviewing articles, books, and databases can be fairly straightforward, but sometimes it can be difficult to judge the quality of articles and books, even if peer reviewed. I definitely need more work on argument formation, specifically in regards to planning out the evidence usage/organization of my paper; otherwise I just need to make my arguments more simple.
ReplyDeleteI learned from this unit the importance of the annotated bibliography. Unfortunately, I was not prepared enough for this in my ENG 121 class which I completed at UCCS. I found that this time around finding adequate and credible research that is relevant to your topic is definitely time consuming, and not all articles are applicable to your individual paper. Also, after completing this assignment I decided it would be best if I change my topic. Although this may seem dumb I am still struggling with the overall outline/structure of my topic. I begin with my thesis and end up getting sidetracked and onto a tangent that is relevant to my topic. I also wish I knew how to form an opinion/argument without being too biased and/or including "You", "I", "we" etc.
ReplyDelete