For WEDNESDAY, December 1st

Jack and Ahmed,

I have linked you (below) to a .PDF file for you to read before class on Wednesday. It is about Instant Messaging, which doesn't relate to either of your essays, but it is in proper MLA style and will serve as a helpful guide as you edit your papers.

Please read this file and pay careful attention to the notes made with regard to style. Also, keep in mind that this is copyrighted material and should only be used for class purposes (otherwise we could get in legal trouble!).

If you have any questions, let me know.

CLICK HERE FOR THE PDF FILE

Ben

Today's Class

Hi Jack & Ahmed,

Today we'll be talking about how to use sources in an essay; that means we'll be considering what is the purpose of sources, why they are necessary and the value they add to your essays. We'll be talking about these point in particular:

• How sources provide context
• How they strengthen your argument
• How sources make your paper more interesting
• Sources give you new ideas for your paper
• Sources reveal controversy--disagreements--about certain things
• That sources can help you understand how reasoned arguments work

We'll also look briefly at how to select sources. Now that we've got some general experience looking for sources in the library, we'll start focusing on how to find the best sources for your specific topics. This skill is particularly important because your homework that is due in class today was to have a completed draft of your essay. It is necessary to have the best sources possible in order to revise and expand your essay to its full potential by the end of term.

See you soon,

Ben

Outline Link

http://www.sthelens.k12.or.us/174320825162539897/lib/174320825162539897/Essay_Outline_Sample.htm

The OWL at Purdue

Friends, Romans, Countrymen...

As the semester progresses, it seems to me that the Online Writing Lab at Purdue University might be particularly useful to you all. Click here to go to the website; it has information about writing college papers, including how to organize a paper and how to write in MLA and APA styles. It's all free, too.

On Summary Writing...

Jack and Ahmed,

Here is a link with some information about how to write an effective summary.

Writing a Summary from Santa Monica College

Hope this helps.


Ben

Homework, due 01 November 2010

Hi Ahmed and Jack,

Here is your homework. It is due on Monday.

#1--write the introduction to your essay (a draft) and post it to YOUR BLOG
#2--find a book that is relevant to your essay, check it out at EKU's library
#3--write a summary of the book that is around 100 words and post it to THIS BLOG
#4--bring your library book to class on Monday


Ben

On Summary Writing...

Hello all,

Here is a link with some information about how to write an effective summary.

Writing a Summary from Santa Monica College

Hope this helps.


Ben

Creating an Outline

Everyone,

Here is a template to follow while working on your outlines. This template, which is from the St. Helen's School District in Oregon, exemplifies an outline quite well, except for Part A in the introduction. Remember what we discussed in class about creating introductions. You need to grab the reader's attention (and keep it) while providing information that both introduces your thesis and prepares the reader for the coming discussion.