Lecture 14: Comparison Essays

The In-Class Position Paper Assignment

Function of the Essay Assignment: To assess students’ ability to apply learned invention, organisation, development, revision, and editing strategies efficiently without advance preparation with regard to the particular prompt.

To assess the proficiency students have gained regarding fundamentals of writing mechanics, syntax and style and ability to properly support a stance.

As part of the assignment, namely the capacity to edit and organise, I would like each of you to "mark" your essay. Look at the rubric below for some ideas of how to mark. I realise you might be tempted to give yourself an A++ however the purpose of this assignment is to show how you can improve your own writing and thinking. Take this opportunity to show me how you might change, develop and improve your writing.

A reminder about taking a stance:

• Understand your audience
• Support your opinion
• Know the various sides of your issue
• Respectfully address other points of view
• Find common ground with your audience
• Establish your credibility

 Read more here: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/media/ppt/20071017014427_696.ppt#296,5,Steps for Effective Persuasion

Lecture 13: Introduction to Compare and Contrast Essays

Compare and Contrast:

When you compare items, you look for their similarities--the things that make them the same.

For example:

Apples and oranges are both fruit.

They're both foods.

Both are made into juice.

Both grow on trees.


When you contrast items, you look at their differences.

For example:

Apples are red. Oranges are orange.

The fruits have different textures.

Oranges need a warmer place to grow, like Florida. Apples can grow in cooler places, like Alberta.



There are three strategies to organise comparison and contrast papers:

1. Whole-to-Whole, or Block

2. Similarities-to-Differences

3. Point-by-Point



*****Homework*****

Read Chapter 10 in Essay Writing.

Lecture 12: In-Class Position Paper

As you know, today is the day we complete our position papers in class. On Tuesday you had the opportunity to read and brainstorm. Your homework was to come prepared to today's class with any reference information or other resources (dictionary, computer, books) that will help craft your response essay.

Remember your essay should be well structured with an introduction, body paragraphs and a conclusion which sums up your final thoughts and thesis statement. We've practised using transitions so be sure to link your paragraphs together. If they flow clearly, your argument will be obvious to your reader.

It is especially important to include both evidence of your position AND a dissenting opinion. Remember, including an opposing view and then dismissing it (in a logical way - without pathos) serves to strengthen your own stance.

A reminder about the assignment:

Due: End of Thursday’s Class
Length: 5-8 Well Formed Paragraphs (2-3 pages), You may have more than 3 overall points to your argument, but you should not have fewer.
Style: Formal
Audience: Academic
Additional: Remember to use MLA style for references, include page numbers and your name on each page (top right header)

Refer to your Graphic Organisers, Notes, Text books, Dictionaries

Note: Image is from Graffiti Black Book here.

Lecture 11: Reaction and Response Essay

Outline:
Review
Begin Draft Position Paper (Final Due at the End of Thursday’s Class)
Homework

Review:
Read the Sample Student-Written Position Paper
Complete the Graphic Organiser

Essay Assignment:
Due: End of Thursday’s Class
Length: 5-8 Well Formed Paragraphs (2-3 pages)
Style: Formal
Audience: Academic
Additional: Remember to use MLA style for references, include page numbers and your name on each page (top right header)
Refer to your Graphic Organisers, Notes, Text books, Dictionaries

***Come Prepared to Complete Position Paper for end of Thursday’s Class***


NB: Image from University of Bonn.

Lecture 10: Reaction and Response, Using Evidence

In today's lesson we reviewed rules and then created evidence to support changes to rule. We used statistical and factual evidence and spoke about expert opinions.

After reading the Ted Byfield essay on Health Canada, we then filled in a graphic organiser with examples of evidence used.

For homework, please prepare for Tuesday's class in which we'll begin writing our position papers.

You can either come to class with a topic and source(s) for your position paper (newspaper opinion piece, journal article, film review,  must be at least two pages and include sources of evidence).

OR
Choose to write on "The Ticking Time Bomb" (247), "The Decline of Public Language" (367), or "Any Colour as Long as it's Shakespeare" (361)

Lecture 9: Reaction and Response

Today's Outline:
Taking a Position
Reacting and Responding
Read Response Essay
Reading Activity
Homework

Lecture 8: Introduction to Essay Writing Process