07 Jan Did reviewing the work

Week 1 discussion

DQ1

Exploring the Course Themes.

The four course themes of education, technology, family, and health and wellness are topics that touch each of our lives in some way. In this discussion, practice exploring the themes as a researcher would: by creating problem statements.

How do you do this? Ask and then answer the question using a sub-topic (see below). Here’s an example. “For whom is [school bullying] a problem?” In your post, provide the question and then the answer to the question. For example, “School bullying is a problem for victims of bullying because. . . .” Complete the statement based on your experience and knowledge.

Education

Technology

Family

Health and Wellness

School Bullies

Multitasking and Technology

Sexualization of Girls

College Students and Weight Issues

No Child Left Behind Act/Race to the Top

Technology and Social Isolation

Gender Discrimination

Childhood Obesity

Grade inflation

Perils of Social Networking

Unequal Rights in Marriage, Children

Fad Diets

College Students and Underage Drinking

Online Dating/ Online Predators/Sex Offenders

Children of Divorce

Junk Food

Student Debt

Illegal Downloading of Protected Content

Domestic Violence

Sedentary Lifestyles

College Students, Cheating and Plagiarism

Internet Censorship/ Classified Information Leaks

Cyberbullying

Teenage Pregnancy

College Dropout Rates

Identity Theft

Life-Work (Im)balance/ Flexible Work Schedules

Concussions in Athletes

High School Dropouts

Texting and Driving

Insurance Premiums for Smokers and Obese Employees

DQ2

Starting your Research Process

To develop your ideas about a selected topic, conduct an Internet search to find at least two articles that have been posted in the last month on one of the topics (i.e., bullying). The goal is to find articles that take clear positions on the topic. Include the name of the article, author, and URL. In addition, provide a brief summary of the articles and a reflection that describes your reaction to the viewpoints shared and the debate.

Week 2 discussion

DQ1

Argumentative Strategies

In research writing, what exactly do we mean by argument? Do we mean taking an extreme position and standing our ground, whether or not the facts support our position? Or do we mean instead convincing our audience by taking a reasonable stance on an issue and supporting our position with appropriate evidence? Define and explain the difference using examples.

DQ2

Summarizing Sources

Select an article from the Chamberlain Online Library that relates to your research topic. Provide the bibliographic data and a one-paragraph academic summary. Remember to include: 1) the main idea or argument of the article; 2) important subtopics or research questions; 3) a brief description of key examples and/or argumentative strategies.

Week 3 discussion

DQ1

Annotated Bibliography

In your textbook (pp. 325-326), you’ll find a model of an annotated bibliography. Review the model, focusing on the components of the entry: (1) the reference citation, (2) the summary, and (3) the assessment. Then draft one reference entry and two paragraphs from one of your sources. We’ll use the rest of the week to peer review the entries to prepare you for this week’s assignment.

DQ2

Argumentative Strategies

In presenting an argument, should a writer strive to be the final authority or a reasonable voice on an issue? Review Chapter 22 to understand the difference. Then, using your topic and one or more of your sources, define and provide an example of an arguable claim as opposed to a personal judgment.

Week 4 discussion

DQ1

Preparing the Outline

What are the major parts of an argumentative research paper? Using one of the resources from the Course Readings, provide an example of an outline for an argument. How is the author communicating key ideas? How does the reader know that the author is credible and is a trustworthy source?

DQ2

Presenting Ideas

Persuasive presenters have several traits in common. Browse through TED talks http://www.ted.com/talks (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. or American Rhetoric Website at http://www.americanrhetoric.com/ (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. to find notable speakers who demonstrate strong communication traits. Compare and contrast the ways these speakers meaningfully communicate ideas to their audiences. Include the URL link of the speaker you choose to write about. In a short paragraph, respond to a classmate’s post, indicating whether you agree or disagree with his or her choice, and why.

Week 5 discussion

DQ1

Analyzing a Sample Argument

In the textbook, review the student essay on p. 199, “Allowing Guns on Campus Will Prevent Shootings, Rape.” In an abbreviated format, the sample contains the elements that you will be including in your Course Project. The controversial subject matter (the content) may engage you right away. This is a sign that the writer is applying an argumentative strategy. Focus on the organization. What do you notice about the way the topic is introduced? How will your draft be similar or different?

DQ2

Organizational Patterns in Argument

Let’s look at samples of research-based writing: “Nervous Nellies” on p. 328; “From Degrading to De-Grading” on p. 254; and “How Many Zombies Do You Know?” on p. 290.

Review each selection and include in your post responses to these questions. What do you notice about how each is organized and presented? What kinds of appeals to the audience does each author use? How are sources used in text?

Reading Strategy Note: Unlike summary and paraphrase, which require close reading, for this discussion use the reading strategy of skimming. Carefully read the introductory paragraph, but then move quickly, reading only the topic sentence of each paragraph. The goal is to compare and contrast the differences in the presentation of the information in the document. Skim and review until you have an impression you can share in the discussion.

Week 6 discussion

DQ1

Rebuttals and Refutations

Anticipating readers’ objections is one way to determine what other sections to include and support in your paper. Practice writing a rebuttal or a refutation by taking your thesis and considering the point of view of someone who believes differently or even the opposite of the argument you are making. To do this, review Chapter 10, pp. 449-452 and post a paragraph that summarizes an oppositional point of view to your thesis and then refutes it. As peers, reply to one another explaining whether or not your classmates are presenting the opposition objectively and whether the refutation is logical. Give one another ideas or suggestions for points that may be left out or might need to be further developed. The paragraph you draft here can be used in a section of your Second Draft this week.

DQ2

Designing Your Course Project

While APA-style citation and format is required, you do have the flexibility in the design of your Course Project to include a visual element. Review Chapter 17, pp. 382-387. How does the use of visual elements enhance or detract from the presentation of research? Will you add graphs, charts, or images to your draft? Why or why not?

Week 7 discussion

DQ1

Peer Review Team

This week, we’ll be sharing our writing in a class peer review. In order to make this process run smoothly, please be sure to follow the instructions noted below.

Post your REVISED draft as you initial post. In your reply posts, leave feedback for your classmates with general information about your draft. Explain the current state of your draft, your plans to add content, and your revision plans. If you have specific questions for the peers who will review your draft, or want to provide them with any additional information, please do so in your initial post.

Attach your current draft to your initial post. This must be completed no later than Tuesday night.

Find the two peers who have posted after you in terms of time. Read their attached essays and any notes they left to accompany the draft. Download the Week 7 Peer Review Checklist (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.. Complete the form separately for each of the two peers whose drafts you will be reviewing.

Return your completed Peer Review Worksheet as an attachment in a response post to each of your peers separately. This must be completed no later than Friday night.

Continue to check into your group Discussion area in the event your peers pose any follow-up questions.

Be sure to ask me if you have any questions about the peer review process.

DQ2

APA Workshop

Each academic area of study has a particular style for documenting the ideas of other scholars. The standards of formatting document you’ve been using is from the American Psychological Association (APA). This is the preferred style in the social sciences. As you’ve noticed, there is a strong emphasis on the publication date. Why do you think there is such an emphasis on the date? As you work on revising your Course Project, what questions do you have about how to incorporate standard APA format and documentation guidelines into your essay? Are there any sources you are having a hard time documenting? Any questions about your reference entries?

Week 2 Information Literacy Module

The purpose of this assignment is to learn about information literacy by exploring the concept of peer review. You may be familiar with peer review in prior writing courses, but what does it mean when you talk about peer review in relation to academic source material? Click on the following link to a library page that lists presentation resources Research Basics: Resource Types: https://library.chamberlain.edu/c.php?g=429289&p=3729509 (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.

You may also wish to review the following document discussing Peer Review:

Link (PDF): Peer Review Guidelines (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.

After reviewing the page, compose a 2-paragraph response in which you address each of the following points:

In your own words, identify points in the peer review cycle that seem especially important and explain why.

How does an editor differ from a peer reviewer? Use at least two points to support your response.

Based on this information, explain whether your article for this week was peer reviewed? How can you determine this information?

As you work on your research in this class, where specifically can you look to find peer-reviewed information?

Week 2 Source Summary

The purpose of the Topic Selection and Academic Summary is to develop clear ideas for your course project, explore a potential argument and point of view, and begin your preliminary research.

For each part of the assignment, follow the instructions provided on the Course Project page. When you are finished, save the document as and submit it by the end of the week.

See the Course Project page for the following support documents:

An assignment template

The assignment grading rubric

View the tutorial on formatting a Word document.

Week 3 APA Assessment Module

For this assignment, you will review materials in the DeVry library to help gain a better understanding of APA citations.

View the following tutorial, or download and review the transcript on APA (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. and answer the questions below.

After reviewing the presentation, compose a 2-paragraph response in which you address each of the following points:

Why is APA style used to document ideas in writing? What is the purpose of the in-text citation? Demonstrate your understanding of the in-text citation by providing an in-text citation for the article you summarized for the week 2 assignment. (15 points)

In the article that you summarized in Week 2, you may have found some information that you want to quote directly. To demonstrate the process for citing a direct quote, provide an example of properly quoted material. (20 points)

Week 3 Annotated Bibliography

The annotated bibliography will present an introduction and five reference citations with annotations. The purpose of the annotated bibliography is to determine the appropriateness of the sources to the argument you are developing for the Course Project. The format of the proposal is an introductory paragraph followed by an alphabetized list of sources with two paragraphs of annotation after each source. Use APA documentation to document any sources referenced in your proposal. When you are finished, save the document as and submit it by the end of the week.

The Annotated Bibliography is worth 100 points. See the Course Project Overview for the following support documents.

An assignment template

The assignment grading rubric

Before you turn in your assignment, proofread and edit carefully for spelling, punctuation, and grammar. Not every error will be flagged automatically in word-processing programs, and some that are flagged as errors are actually correct.

View the tutorial on formatting a Word document

Week 4 Extended Outline

The extended outline will present the topic you have selected for your Course Project. The purpose of the outline is to develop ideas for your argument and create a preliminary structure that will help you build your draft in the coming weeks. The format of the assignment is a sentence outline. Use APA style to document any sources referenced in your outline. When you are finished, save the document as and submit it by the end of the week.

This assignment is worth 75 points. See the Course Project page for the following support documents.

An assignment template

The assignment grading rubric

Before you turn in your assignment, proofread and edit carefully for spelling, punctuation, and grammar. Not every error will be flagged automatically in word-processing programs, and some that are flagged as errors are actually correct.

View the tutorial on formatting a Word document.

Week 5 Course Project First Draft

The purpose of the first draft is to begin communicating your topic and to establish its relevance to a reader. The first draft will present an introduction (two to three paragraphs) and one section (two to three paragraphs) of the body of the paper. The first draft should include at least two of the sources you presented in your Annotated Bibliography. If you have made changes to your list of references, cite each new reference carefully both in the text and on the reference page. The length of the first draft is three to four pages of text, not including the title and References pages. The assignment includes a prewriting activity to plan the sections of the project, which is included on the “Week 5 First Draft Directions and Document Format” file. When you are finished, save the document as and submit it by the end of the week.

The Project First Draft is worth 75 points. See the Course Project page for the following support documents.

Week 5 First Draft Direction and Document Format

The assignment grading rubric

View the tutorial on formatting a Word document.

Week 6 Course Project Second Draft

The purpose of the second draft is to complete the draft presentation of your argument. The second draft will add Section II (two to three paragraphs), Section III (two to three paragraphs), Section IV and Section V (if needed), and the conclusion. The second draft should include at least five academic sources and may add an image, chart, or graph as appropriate. If you have made changes to your list of references, cite each new reference carefully, both in the text and on the References page. The length of the second draft includes last’s week content and will be 5-6 pages of text, not including the title and References pages.

When you are finished, save the document as and submit it by the end of the week.

The Project Second Draft is worth 80 points. See the Course Project Overview for the following support documents.

The assignment grading rubric

View the tutorial on formatting a Word document.

Week 7 Course Project Final Draft

The Final Draft assignment is due. It is worth 150 points and should be 6 to 8 pages, excluding the Title page and References page. There must be five sources at minimum in the References page.

To succeed with the Final Draft assignment, view the Week 7 Final Draft Directions and Document Format in in the Course Project Overview.

Submit your assignment by the due date.

Week 8 Course Project Reflective Postscript

Congratulations on the end of your journey in Advanced Composition. Hopefully, this will not be the end of your writing experiences!

For our last graded assignment, please respond to the questions posed below. They are designed to have you look back over the past eight weeks and reflect upon how the assignments, discussions, and peer reviews have helped you gain insight about your growth as a writer and your knowledge about writing.

How did you go about selecting a topic for the research paper? After devoting eight weeks to this topic throughout the course, do you still find this topic interesting? If so, what further areas within this topic would you like to know more about?

Reflect upon the research skills you have developed throughout this class. What key takeaways have you learned regarding research strategies?

Did you incorporate changes into your final essay based on your peers’ feedback? If so, please describe the types of changes you made and why you made them. If you did not incorporate changes, please explain why.

Did reviewing the work of your classmates help you to understand other points of view? Please explain why or how.

Did reviewing the work of your classmates provide you with additional writing strategies? Please explain how or why.

Assignment Requirements

Reply to each question above with at least one full paragraph, making your full postscript approximately 2 pages.

Because this assignment asks you to reflect on personal experiences, you do not need to incorporate research or an APA title page.

The postscript should be written in first person.

The post-script should be typed and submitted as a Microsoft Word 2010 document (.docx), with 12-point font and double spacing.

Submit your assignment by the due date.