Contending Sources

Directions: in proper MLA format, cite your source. Underneath, write a 2-3 sentence summary of the source and a 1-2 sentence analysis of how you will use the source to support an argument that, in some significant way, opposes your argument.

Initial post due before class on Wednesday.

Reply to classmate: address a classmate's source and annotation. Determine whether or not the classmate has found a solid source to present the other side of the argument. If you believe your classmate has found a great source, state why in at least 2-3 sentences. If you believe your classmate's source sets up a straw man argument, or that it would be too difficult to disprove, then tell your classmate so in 2-3 sentences, and then offer a possible solution (+1 EC for the solution).

Reply to classmate by Friday, October 31st at 5pm.

Phase Two Reflection

Directions: Look back on your Phase Two paper and your Phase Two annotated bibliography. Think about the process of developing your rhetorical strategies, and the communication of your purpose to your audience. Explain in 200 words or less how this assignment helped you to gain a better understanding of your topic and how you would deliver your argument to your audience.

Some questions to consider: What did you learn from this unit? What do you still want to know about rhetoric and purpose? What do you still want to know about using websites or interviews for research materials?

Due by 5pm on October 22nd. Do not perform the blog until after you have turned in your paper.

No reply to a classmate.

Purpose and Rhetoric

Directions: after our discussion on Purpose and rhetorical effectiveness on Monday, write a 200 word or less description of the purpose of your essay. What is it that you want your audience to get out of your paper? What new ideas should they have about your topic once you have completed your argument? What is it that you want them to think, feel, and believe by the time they have finished reading your essay?

Due before class on Wednesday, October 15th.

Reply to Classmate: ask a question of clarification about your classmate's purpose. If you understand the purpose, ask a question of your classmate that might provoke deeper thought about the purpose and/or topic.

Direction of your Research

Directions: share with your classmates the successes and difficulties you've had in using your research for your context. Be detailed, but keep your response to 200 words or less.

Some questions to consider:

1. What source was your best resource for context? Where did you find it?
2. Did you blend sources for your context? How did that work out?
3. If you asked a question or used a narrative for your context, how will you answer that question/support the validity of that narrative in your text?
4. Did you find new sources for your context or did you use sources you already had?

Response due before class on October 8th.

Reply to Classmate: Look at your classmate's replies. If you see someone who is struggling to determine the focus of their context or their research, offer a piece of advice that you think would be helpful. If you see that someone has succeeded where you are struggling, try their method(s) and then report back to him/her as to how it worked out for you. If you are having a difficult time and you think a classmate might be able to help (based on his/her response), ask him/her a question.

Reply to classmate due by 5pm October 10th.

Searching on the Web

Directions: Answer the following questions in paragraph form. 200 words maximum. Be detailed and concise in your response.

1. Do you find that working with websites is easier or harder than finding articles in databases or information in books?
2. What methods did you try when searching for valid websites? 
3. Was the checklist helpful? Why or why not?
4. If you have begun data mining, where did you find the sources you intend to look up?
5. When searching the web, does researching seem easier or more difficult than it did before? How/why?

Response due before class on October 1st.

Reply to classmate: Look at your classmate's replies. If you see someone who is struggling, offer a piece of advice that you think would be helpful. If you see that someone has succeeded where you are struggling, try their method and then report back to him/her as to how it worked out for you. If you are having a difficult time and you think a classmate might be able to help (based on his/her response), ask him/her a question.

Extra credit opportunity!

You can earn up to 5 points. Reply to more than one classmate. You must follow the directions in the reply to earn the extra credit. Reply to a question or questions posed to you on your blog.

Reflection Phase One

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.

Reading and Assessing Sources

Directions: after your in-class search for one or two research articles, describe your experience of searching below...

Answer the following questions:

1. How did you cast your broad net? Why did you choose that method? Was it helpful? 
2. What databases did you search first? Why? What route did you take through the databases?
3. Once you got into the databases, was it difficult or easy to find what you were looking for? What made the process difficult or easy?
4. What do you think might help you in the future when searching databases?

You do not have to list your experience. State your experience in a way that is natural to you (though you will want to keep an academic tone). Let your classmates know where you are struggling and succeeding. Be specific!

Due by before class on September 17th

Reply to classmate: find a classmate whose struggle you can identify with and offer a solution that you have tried or that you believe might be helpful. If you cannot find a struggle you understand, find a classmate whose triumph you can learn from, try that classmate's method(s) and then let your classmate know how or why their shared experience helped you.

Reply due by 5pm on September 19th.