Not a PA#8: Class Discussion Notes

Carl Singleton's essay takes a very distinct attitude toward solving America's educational problems. Look again at his essay. Discover his underlying assumption(s).

Decide whether you agree or disagree with him. In class on Wednesday, we will, I hope have a free-wheeling discussion, but we won't have one unless you are prepared.

Consequently, please blog a set of discussion notes below.  The material doesn't have to be in paragraph (or even sentence) form. Just imagine arguments and counterarguments against his position and write them down.

Also, include some evidence for your point of view. If you are on Singleton's side, note that he does a pretty poor job of providing supporting evidence. Help him out.

If you want to argue against Singleton, thing of arguments and examples that would fuel a refutation.

No worries here. Just get some material down that you can use during the discussion.

Post your notes by Tuesday, 9-20, and bring them to class on Wednesday. They will become the basis for our class discussion that day.

PA#7: "They Say"

Read Chapter 2 of Writing from Sources (WFS) and the essay by Carl Singleton on pp. 192 - 94. You might also want to look at Chapter 2 of TSIS, especially the list of verbs at the end.

Write a paragraph summarizing Singleton's argument in the essay. Don't agree or disagree until the last sentence of the paragraph. Simply summarize his point of view. Be objective in your tone, language, and content.

Try to use and CORRECTLY introduce SHORT quotations from the essay when you think Singleton does a better job of writing his point of view than you can, but don't overdo it. Don't let Singleton do your writing for you.

Your paragraph should take the following form, which more or less follows the instructions given in WFS:

1. Summarize the main argument. Don't forget to work in Singleton's full name and the title of the essay. A typical template for that first sentence might be as follows. In [title of the essay], [author's full name] [verb from the list in TSIS] that [the author's main argument/ thesis].

2. Summarize the supporting arguments, each in their turn. Exclude examples and details for now. Just summarize the main supporting arguments. Use transitions to indicate the flow of the argument and the fact that Singleton and not you is arguing.

Here, you'll need to understand the underlying organizational principle of the essay. Writers don't always make them obvious. Use your understanding of that organizational principle to structure your summary.

3. State the underlying principle present in Singleton's essay -- the idea that makes the argument go. You can think of it as your or Singleton's thesis, but it is often unstated. Think of it as the idea that you will either defend or refute in subsequent paragraphs in the body of an essay that follows this introductory summary.

4. Finally, state your point of view as a response to Singleton's point of view. You will either be defending, refuting, or finding some middle ground.

WFS gives you excellent instructions on how to determine these matters. Use them.

Bring a copy of PA#7 to class on Monday, 9/19. Blog it by 5 PM on Sunday 9-18. I'm giving you some extra time on this one. Don't procrastinate.

PA#6 -- They say, but I say (refutation, part 1).

In PA#3 you established a point of view (a thesis) on a subject and divided your support of that point of view into separate sub-arguments.

In PA#4 you stated and supported one of those sub-arguments.

For PA#6, consider an argument against your position (a counter-argument). State it and explain it clearly and objectively. Then state an argument (a refutation) responding to the counter-argument. Them, explain your refutational argument and provide evidence that supports it.

1. Topic sentence/ statement of the counter-argument

2. Explanation of the counter-argument (Don't spend too much time here, but you should be clear and objective.)

3. State your refuting argument.

4. Explain it.

5. Provide some evidence that it is true.

Use the templates/ transitions in TSIS to indicate the moves you are making.

Upload the paragraph here as a comment below by Tuesday, 9/13/16, at 5 PM. Bring a hard copy to class on Wednesday.

PA#5 -- We say. I say.

Write a paragraph summarizing the topic of your wiki page. Discuss its proposed content, organization, divisions, and your part in it.

Your paragraph should have the following content in the order listed.

1. The topic of the wiki

2. Any explanation required to clarify the topic

3. The purpose of the wiki

4. Division into parts

5. The part that you will write about

6. The way your part helps fulfill the purpose

7. An example or detail from your part that illustrates how your part fulfills the purpose.

Upload your paragraph as a comment to this blog post by Sunday, 9/11 at 5 PM. As usual, bring a hard copy to class on Monday. Please note the deadlines. A few paragraphs have been coming in late, which makes it more difficult for me to prepare class. Also, a few of you are not posting paragraphs. Get with the program.

PA#4 I Say, They Say

In PA#3 you established a point of view (a thesis) on a subject and divided your support of that point of view into separate sub-arguments.

Note, for example, how Emily Poe does it in the sample. She claims in her thesis statement that "vegetarianism is clearly the better option for sustaining the Earth and all its inhabitants." She divides her support of that claim into three subtopics: environmental improvement, humane treatment of livestock, and improved personal health.

Presumably, in a paragraph that follows, she discusses the first of those sub-claims: That the vegetarian lifestyle improves the environment.

Look back at the introductory paragraph you wrote. Find your first sub-claim and write what would become the second paragraph of your essay. Note: You might not have established sub-claims. If you didn't, you might consider going back and revising PA#3. 

Use the following paragraph pattern:

1. Topic sentence/ statement of the claim,

2. Explanation of the claim (spend some time here),

3. Evidence by example and detail, and

4. Evidence by quotation

Use the templates/ transitions in TSIS to indicate the moves you are making.

Upload the paragraph here as a comment below by Thursday, 9/9/16, at 5 PM. Bring a hard copy to class on Friday. Really. I mean it this time. We'll definitely be spending some time in class making comments on each others' paragraphs.

PA#3: They Say, I Say (Knocking Down the Straw Man)

Write a paragraph using the basic pattern found on p. 14 - 15 of TSIS, both the second and third editions, (Assignment #1). Use the italicized words to structure what would essentially become an introductory paragraph to a larger essay.

Post your paragraph by Tuesday 9/6 at 5 PM, and bring a hard copy to class on Wednesday, 9/7.

PA#2 – Downshifting

  Hello, students,

Paragraph Assignment #2 – Basic Downshifting

Post the following paragraph in the comments section below by Sunday at 5 PM and bring a hard copy to class. In the meantime, observe your environment. Look around. Take some notes.

 Define and describe a problem here at Ohio Wesleyan. Start with a topic sentence that defines the problem. Then describe the problem in more detail in subsequent sentences. Finally, give a detailed example of the problem. Use the details to illuminate the description above.

 Write a well developed paragraph that follows the basic downshifting pattern we will discuss in class. Sometime over the weekend, post your paragraph to the blog as a "comment" to this assignment. Also, BRING A HARD COPY THE PARAGRAPH TO CLASS on Friday so that I can read them outside of class.

We will follow that basic pattern on all the paragraphs you write during the first weeks of the semester:

 

Day 1: Draft the paragraph. Blog it ASAP.

Next class day: Discuss the previous paragraph and assign the next one.