Wednesday, May 20, 2009

 

Congratuations!

Today in class we completed the Multiple-Choice Exam 2. It is similar to the MCE 1 at midterm. It is closed book. If you missed class or didn't finish come to L-235 between 12-3 and do so.

Before completing the second portfolio essay, don't forget to read the section on revision in Bedford Handbook. It is here that the five areas one should note when doing a global revision is located. You can copy it from the desktop and email it to yourself. If you have Diana Hacker's Rules for Writers, it is in the section called: Planning, page 27-39.

The checklist is on page 28:
Purpose and Audience: Does the draft accomplish its purpose--to inform readers,persuade them, entertain them, call them to action? Is the draft appropriate for its audience? Does it account for the audience's knowledge of the subject, level of interest in the subject, and possible attitudes toward the subject?

Focus: Is the thesis clear? Is it prominently placed? If there is no thesis,is there a good reason for omitting it? Are any ideas obviously off the point?

Organization: Are there enough organizational clues for readers (such as topic sentences and headings)? Are ideas presented in a logical order? Are any paragraphs too long or too short for easy reading?

Content: Is the supporting material relevant and persuasive? Which ideas need further development? Are the parts proportioned sensibly? Do major ideas receive enough attention? Where might material be deleted?

Point of View: Is the draft free of distracting shifts in POV? Is the dominant POV appropriate for writer's purpose and audience?

Check on the web>dianahacker.com/rules Writing Exercises E-ex 3-1 and 3-2

I will be in L-235 12 noon to 3 p.m. May 21, and 8-11 a.m. May 28. You have the option of turning in your portfolio the day of the final, if your final is Wednesday, May 27, 8-10 a.m. or Friday, May 29, at 12 noon.

I will give you another grade checklist the day of the final or when you drop off your paper copies Friday, May 29. I'll post it here also. Fill the form out and give it to me on the day of the final. Don't forget to email me the Parallel Structure essay by Tuesday, May 26.

Post the Bad Granny essay at the link here sometime between today and tomorrow, along with its attachments (error list per assignment handout). Email it to me also.

Students are making too many errors on their research essays and on the Pidd essays. Apply what you have learned about Pidd's essay analysis to your writing. Read the essays aloud and correct them before submitting and posting.

Your grade will reflect your ability to incorporate what you have learned about essay writing to your own final written work.

I want to congratulate everyone who has made it to the end of the course. The journey wasn't easy for many of you. Make sure your final work reflects your best effort. I am around next week and if you need to make arrangements regarding Pidd essays, such as Bad Granny or Parallel Structure, let me know. You can write one of these essays May 21, 12-3, the other, May 28, 8-11, while I am in L-235.

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