Homework for Thursday, Dec. 6

December 4th, 2007 by Steve

Continue to work on your essay. I will have some time before the timed essay to answer questions.

APA requires all authors’ names in the in-text citation: (Johnson & Smith, 2003).

I checked the APA website for the format of the publication date in reference citations. It is still (Year, Month Day): (2007, September 25). The format given on the WilsonSelectDatabase seems to be incorrect.

Remember to add retrieval information after your reference citation for the database article: Retrieved December 1, 2007 from WilsonSelectPlus database.

Reminders for the final essay:

  • Papers are due in my box by 12:30 Friday; electronic submissions are also due at that time. Your essay may not receive a grade if you do not submit an electronic copy via Turnitin on Blackboard.
  • Attach copies of the outside sources you have used with the cited information highlighted.
  • Use APA format for in-text and reference citations.
  • Create a title page using APA format. An example can be found at: http://www.bridgewater.edu/WritingCenter/manual/APAtitle.htm

End-of-semester grades, Spring classes

December 3rd, 2007 by Steve

Fall grades will be available in Chris Dunsmore’s office starting December 11th at 12:00 noon and any day after that  until December 21st.   You may want to come later than the 11th if you plan to stay in town – avoid the possible line up outside Chris’s door.  Email requests for grades will not be answered at this time, so you need to see Chris before you leave or wait until after break.

ELI classes in spring semester will start on January 8th according to the ELI schedule.  All regular CMU courses including ENG 199 will start on the 7th as scheduled. 

If you are leaving town this weekend, you should see Chris as soon as possible to register for ELI classes upon your return to campus in January.  Any student staying around after this week can sign up for ELI classes for spring through Chris when you pick up your grades starting on December 11th.  If you wait until January, you may have to wait in long lines to sign up for classes.

Homework for Tuesday, Dec. 4

November 30th, 2007 by Steve

If you were unable to give feedback on the two essays I assigned to you, please go to your classmates’ blogs and do so.  Use the peer review sheet as a guideline to write a paragraph of feedback.

Continue working on your essay.  On Tuesday, we will be looking at your use of outside sources.  Do they support your ideas?  Are they cited using correct APA format?  Remember that you may use only two sources, one of which must be the article I assigned.

Feel free to use the writing center; if you need to meet with me please contact me to make an appointment.

DON’T “F” IT UP NOW

November 30th, 2007 by Steve

DON’T “F” IT UP NOW: A STUDENT LED FORUM ON ACADEMIC INTEGRITY A student led forum on academic integrity, “Don’t ‘F’ It Up  Now,” will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 4, in Anspach Hall 161. CMU students will lead a discussion about CMU’s policy on academic  integrity, discuss the importance of honesty in academic work, and will discuss strategies for studying and managing stress during exam  time. Copies of the student academic integrity handbook, the CMU Redbook, will be distributed. For more info, visit http://ethics.cmich.edu

Homework for Thursday, Nov. 29 (and Wednesday!)

November 27th, 2007 by Steve

1.  Review Chapter 12 on Noun Clauses for a quiz.  Try the noun clause review (at the right) to get an idea of what will be on the quiz.

2.  Complete a draft of your essay and post it by Wednesday night.  Be sure to allow comments on the post so that your classmates can give you feedback.  You do not need to use outside sources for this draft.  Try to write as much as possible using your own ideas. 

3.  Print out the “Argumentative Essay Peer Review” sheet at the right.  Read the two essays that I assigned to you in class and fill in the sheet.  On Thursday you will compare and discuss your Peer Review sheet with your partner and put feedback up on the author’s blog.

Homework for Tuesday, Nov. 27

November 20th, 2007 by Steve

1. Read the Argumentative Essay Assignment at the right. Note that you may only use two sources for this paper, one of which will be assigned. If you feel that you must use an additional source, please see me.

2. Complete an outline for your argumentative essay. Use the outline on p. 146 as a model for the kind of information you need to include, not necessarily as a model for the organization of your essay. Your outline should have a thesis statement, and your arguments and the opposing arguments should be clear. The outline should also include the support for your arguments and for the rebuttals.

Since the first draft is due on the following Thursday, I recommend that you begin to work on the essay itself; however, a rough draft of the essay cannot be substituted for the outline assignment above.

2. I have chosen an article that you must use in your paper. I would like you to print just the first page to show me that you have found the article. To find the article, you need to use the CMU Library’s “First Search” search engine. Go to the library website (www.lib.cmich.edu) and click on “Find an Article.” Choose “General/Multidisciplinary” as subject area, and choose the “Wilson Select” database. Search for your article as follows:

Gun Control: Use “gun control” as a keyword, “Gatehouse” as author, and 2006-2007 for the date.

Animal Experimentation: Use “Animal Experimentation” as a keyword and “Perry” as author.

Assisted Suicide: Use “assisted suicide” as a keyword, “Cohen” as author, and 2006-2007 as the date.

Using these search criteria, you should find only one article for your topic. If you find more than one, redo the search, paying close attention to the search terms. The articles may be very long; you may need to skim them for useful information.

3. If you have not submitted your last essay via Turnitin in blackboard, please do so.

Homework for Tuesday, Nov. 20

November 15th, 2007 by Steve

1.  Read pp. 147-148.  Do Practice 2 in the book.  Use EACH of these: however, although, even though, despite the fact that, and whereas. 

2.  Read Reading 2 pp. 154-155 and Reading 2 pp. 158-160 and answer the question in the book.  These are not model essays, but they should help you understand how to develop your arguments.

3.  Create a list of arguments for BOTH sides of the controversial topic you have chosen.  Be prepared to defend either side in an informal debate on Tuesday.

4.  Finish reading Chapter 12 and do Editing Practice (pp. 207-208) in the book.

5.  Please go to Blackboard and sumbit your survey essay (click “View/Complete” under “Assignments.”)

For extra credit, you may revise your summary.  Remember to submit the graded draft with your revision.

Homework for Thursday, Nov. 15

November 13th, 2007 by Steve

1. Here are the topics from our discussion Tuesday night. If you are not familiar with these issues, find some information about them. Please choose the two that you are most interested in. We will vote on Thursday.

gun control, animal experiementation, abortion, assisted suicide, capital punishment

2. Review pp. 201-204 and do Practices 4 and 5. Follow the instructions carefully.

3. Read pp. 142-146. Be prepared to discuss the questions p. 145. Do Practice 1 (outlining).

Homework for Tuesday, Nov. 13

November 8th, 2007 by Steve

1. Remember to post a journal entry about your opinion on a controversial topic (see homework for Nov. 8). You can find a list of topics with links to articles at http://www.twinlakes.k12.in.us/info/library/connection/contro.htm

2. Type (double-space) a summary of “The World Language” pp. 156-157. Be careful not to change the ideas in the original. Add an in-text citation at the end using APA format. Bring two copies to class. PRINT THEM BEFORE CLASS, NOT DURING!

3. Read pp. 198-200. Do Practices 2 and 3 on paper.

Important requirement for your essay!

November 6th, 2007 by Steve

I apologize for not putting this in the assignment.  I want you to attach the article you paraphrased from in your essay.  Please use a highlighter to highlight the material in the article that you have paraphrased.