07 Jan Your Writing Process

Week 1 discussion

DQ1 Practicing Critical Reading and Annotation Skills

In this discussion, you will be practicing close reading techniques you read about in Sections 1, 2, and 3. You will be working on identifying aspects of short stories. You will also practice annotation skills to help you perform close readings of digital material.

Choose an Aesop’s Fable from the selection below. Read several and choose one that interests you and one that you will be able to work with.

PDF Reading: Choice of fable: Aesop’s Fables

Read through the fable once to get the plot, character, and setting and moral down. You will be treating the moral as the theme of the fable, and you will want to demonstrate how the details of the fable support the theme.

There are four parts to this posting:

1. Annotate Your Fable. Start by using some of the provided strategies for reading: annotate the fable by highlighting and adding comments. If you are using a print copy, that’s fine. Just be sure to annotate it according to the provided strategies.

For example, as shown in the PDF on annotation, on the left side of your chosen fable, make a few comments where the key points of the story occur. For example, identify the key character(s) and what they do.

On the right side, make notes on the key word(s) which can answer the following question: What details of the fable support the abstract concept of the moral?

If you are able to do so, take a screenshot (or a picture if you’re using a print version) of your annotated fable. Save it as a PDF and attach it to your response in the discussion. LEO does not allow the copying of images directly into the textboxes.

2. Present a Summary. In your discussion posting, provide a one- to three-sentence summary of the fable. The summary should state just the facts, not any opinion or ideas. Then note which details support the moral; importantly, identify the keyword(s) that are present in the fable.

Reminder: Summarizing can help you understand more complex material. As you decide on what to include, remember to focus only on the key ideas. Identifying the keyword(s) first will help you with the writing of the summary. That’s where annotation helps!

3. Provide an Explanation. Once you have completed your analysis of the fable for details, consider how those details support the fable and write a brief explanation

Example: In “The Fox and the Grapes”, an important detail of the plot is that the fox failed to get the grapes, despite his repeated attempts. The grapes are an important detail as well because they were growing so high above the fox and he could not jump high enough; thus the setting of the grape arbor is important too.

One detail that is not present is whether the grapes taste sweet or sour. That specific detail is not provided to us by Aesop. However, the fox imposes that opinion on the grapes in order to justify his failure, thereby not focusing on how he failed but how he wouldn’t have wanted them anyway. He denies that he failed, and assumes that the grapes weren’t worth the effort anyway. In the video, then, we see Aesop’s daughter falling under the same parameters of failure: she cannot purchase the handbag because it is so expensive, so she decided she doesn’t like it anyway.

4. Your Annotation Strategy. Include a separate paragraph to explain the annotation strategy you used to develop your response. Also note how you may use this strategy for future readings of digital material. If you had any trouble issues or areas of concern working through this critical reading strategy, please note them as well.

DQ2 Reflection: Your Writing Process

Throughout the term, you will be asked to complete a weekly discussion that asks you to reflect on what you’re learning about your writing process. These discussions are required. These reflections will help you to develop and refine your writing process.

You may pick up some hints from your fellow students on how to tackle writing obstacles like procrastination or how to focus on your strengths. You may want to post on what you’re taking away from the weekly discussion or what you want to work on in the upcoming weeks of the course.

It will also help you to generate some thoughts for your writing reflections which are due along with Papers 1 and 2. Importantly, by the end of the course, you will want to be aware of your writing process and apply that writing process to any type of writing assignment you may have, whether in academic or business/professional.

In this first discussion on your writing process, post some thoughts on what you’re taking away from Week 1 and into Week 2. For example, have you thought about the connection between critical reading and writing? How do you read and take notes and then generate material?

Any and all reflections are welcome here.

Week 2 discussion

DQ1 Thesis and Outline for Paper 1

In this discussion, you will be bringing together all the information you read about in this week’s reading sections.

In this discussion post a working thesis statement, outline, and if you’re ready for it, an introductory paragraph for the Paper 1 assignment.

You will receive feedback on what you submit and be evaluated on your thesis statement and outline by your instructor. Remember: this paper is not due until the end of Week 4. You will have time to revise and work on your thesis so that it will be polished by the time you submit it as part of the final paper. You will be expected to use the feedback you receive here and throughout the upcoming weeks in your continuing development and revision of the paper.

DQ2 Reflection: Your Short Story and Writing Process

In this discussion, post your thoughts on the short story you chose for your paper.

Address any areas of the story and/or the theme. Here you can begin a conversation about your story–and engage in conversations about other students’ choices.

You can also reflect on your writing process so far. For example, is anything changing about the way you write?

Week 3 discussion

DQ1 Body Paragraphs, Paper 1

After you have completed the readings, develop your body paragraphs for Paper 1. You will be working on one of the paragraphs in the following discussion.

For this discussion, first post your current thesis.

Then post one of your paragraphs. You may want to choose a paragraph that is well developed—or you may want to choose one that you need some help with.

To help distinguish the various components of the paragraph, use different colored fonts to note the areas of your paragraph:

Red for the paragraph’s topic sentence

Green for the paragraph’s use of evidence

Blue for the paragraph’s explanation/warrant of the evidence

It is recommended that you copy and paste your paragraph from your word processing software so that you have your draft all in one place; the colored fonts will carry over into Leo.

However, you can also change the color of font in Leo by clicking on the “more” box in the upper-right hand corner of the discussion box (the three dots). The screenshot below shows where this button is located.

It will open into a new window with more word processing choices, like changing the color of your fonts.

Once you have this paragraph in good shape, you can apply what you have learned about paragraph development to the remaining body paragraphs in the paper.

You should post the paragraph posted by the deadline; of course, the earlier you are able to post it and receive feedback, the better—for you can then move on to your other paragraphs. Your goal is to have the body of the essay completed by the end of Week Three.

DQ2 Your Writing Process in Week 3

Per the work you are doing in Week 3, post any thoughts you have on your writing process that have come out of your work for Week 3.

Also feel free to use this discussion to ask any questions about the content in Week 3.

Week 4 discussion

DQ1 Introduction and Conclusion, Paper 1

It is helpful to look at your opening and closing paragraphs to determine if they “frame” your paper effectively and appropriately. Looking at them side-by-side gives you a different perspective. You can, for example, see if the paper has addressed the issues raised in the introduction–and that the conclusion finalizes your thoughts on those issues.

In the discussion, post your introduction and your conclusion.

Please provide a sentence or two explaining what strategy you chose for the writing your conclusion.

Address what you have in the introduction and for your thesis to demonstrate how the conclusion resolves, answers, or supports the idea of the conclusion.

DQ2 MLA Formatting and Your Writing Process

MLA formatting is required in this course because we use literature as our content.

What is your experience with documentation formats and styling? What is your strategy for being sure that you are using the correct style?

Do you document as you write–or do you wait? Does this method work for you? Why or why not?

Will you be changing any part of your documentation style as a result of the writing you have done in this class? Why or why not?

If you have any questions on MLA formatting for your paper (which includes the formatting of the paper, the in-text citations, and the Works Cited page), please post them here.

Week 5 discussion

DQ1 Thesis and Outline

After reviewing the above materials, develop a thesis and outline for Paper 2. You will have to go through all the steps you used in developing Paper 1, but you will also be including the second story.

identifying a second story

clearly stating the theme

summarizing the story

noting comparison and contrast within the stories to develop a comparison and contrast (how the two come together to develop the theme)

identifying the theme is demonstrated in both stories

doing additional brainstorming as needed

writing up a thesis that demonstrates your point of view on the theme and the short stories

producing an outline

Remember it may help you to write up the introduction so you fully understand the relationship between the two stories and the theme thereby helping to set up the discussion.

In your posting, note the second story you have chosen and the theme. Post the thesis (and introduction if you have it). The thesis should reflect that you are comparing the two stories for something. Then, post the outline.

As always, the earlier you post, the better, as it will allow time for you use the feedback you receive and also to move on to the development of the body paragraphs.

DQ2 Your Writing Process

You are more than half way through the course. Consider where you started and where you are now with your writing process.

What you would like to work on in the upcoming weeks? Is there something that you feel much better about, say how to write a thesis statement?

Use this discussion to reflect on what you have learned so far–and what you still want to focus on in the remaining weeks of the course.

Also feel free to use this discussion to ask any questions about the content in Week 5, including your second short story and how you are using it for the second paper.

Week 6 discussion

DQ1 Body Paragraph, Paper 2

Using your outline, develop your body paragraphs for Paper 2. You will want to practice different ways of developing your paragraphs, like providing a variety of ways to introduce material. You should include directly quoted material and paraphrased material. Both of these types of evidence need to be correctly introduced and documented.

Try to incorporate the evidence in your paragraphs using signal phrases from the previous commentary. Use at least one of the signal phrases to introduce the direct quotation or paraphrased material. The material you bring into the paragraph should be punctuated and documented correctly, such as providing quotation marks (for directly quoted material) and the parenthetical reference to show the source of the material.

Post one of your paragraphs. It will also be helpful for you to post the thesis of your paper.

Then, in a separate paragraph, note the following. If you’d rather, you could color code the paragraph, using the following color codes:

The paragraph’s topic sentence

At least one signal phrase for evidence that includes one of the templates from the commentary on signal phrases

At least one area where you bring in your own commentary (such as your explanation or analysis of the evidence)

Identify at least one keyword that is present in the paragraph and which you use elsewhere in the paper to provide unity

Remember—even though you are posting only one paragraph, you can use the feedback you receive on that paragraph to develop your other paragraphs.

DQ2 Your Thoughts on Signal Phrases

As you work through your body paragraphs for Paper 2, how are using signal phrases? For example, do they help you to organize your paragraphs and present clear references?

Importantly, consider you would use signal phrases in writing where you are using formal research material. Would the templates work there as well?

Do you have any challenges using them?

Post these thoughts here, as well as any questions you may have on the work for Week 6.

Week 7 discussion

DQ1 Revision Techniques

Part 1: You will want to choose a paragraph that includes a quotation. Review any feedback you received on it. Revise accordingly. For example, you may have to shorten a quotation or use a stronger signal phrase. You may have to move the quotation to a different place in the paragraph.

Per the information provided in the reading for Week 7, look carefully at the quotation to identify keywords in it that you can use in a paraphrase of the quotation. Part of your revision should include revision where you include paraphrase and use of the keyword.

Post your revised paragraph here. To help set the context for your paragraph, post your thesis statement.

Include a note explaining your revision process: what you revised and why, including how you revised the quotation. If you do not have any quoted material in the paragraph, post a quotation and a revision as a separate paragraph.

As you’re revising your paragraphs for content, consider the comments you received on Paper 1 for the development of your paragraphs. Consider how that feedback may apply to Paper 2. For instance, if you received a notation about stronger development, be sure to review Paper 2 for any areas that may need stronger development. Or if you received feedback that your topic sentences could be stronger, make sure that the topic sentences are clearly stated in Paper 2.

Part 2: You also will need to write a conclusion for your paper this week. Review the material on conclusions in Week 4, and any comments you may have received on your conclusion in Paper 1. Look for ways to revise the conclusion from Paper 1 to match your newly developed Paper 2. You can post your conclusion in your discussion posting to receive feedback on it.

When you post your paragraph, please also post the thesis of your paper. Thank you.

DQ2 Revision Strategies and your Writing Process

Consider how you have developed revisions strategies as a result of working through your papers for this course.

Has anything changed? Do you write and/or edit your writing differently?

What revision strategies will you be using in future writing projects?

Week 8 discussion

Your Writing Process

During the last seven weeks, you have been working on developing two papers. By spending time with various components of the paper, you should now have a well-developed paper that is ready to be proofed for sentence-level and MLA concerns.

For this week’s discussion, if you have any questions about a particular sentence or documentation of a source, post it in the discussion.

You should also post three key concepts about your reading and/or writing that you are taking away from the class.

What you learned in ENGL 102 about your writing process can be transferred to writing any task, from a paper to a work assignment. Keep the key concepts in mind as you develop papers for other classes.

What you’ve learned about literature and the human condition can last you a lifetime!