HAPPY SPRING BREAK!

Your essay (with Works Cited page) is due online by 8 am on April 6. PLEASE USE CATEGORY: UNIT TWO FINAL DRAFT! 

I will be available for office hours ONE DAY over Spring Break– April 1 (not a joke!) To sign up, click THIS LINK . I will also email you some comments on your rough draft if you submitted it on time.

Resources for writing your final draft:

UNIT TWO ASSIGNMENT SHEET! 

If you are struggling with this paper, including  having enough to say to get to the word count, I very much suggest you look at

  1. Your mentor text– how did they make a long article? How did they find enough to say? Look to the mentor published author (and the outline you created) for tips! This can also help you with transitions, organizations and how to integrate research.
  2. THIS PARAGRAPH SLIDESHOW.  In the world of publishing and upper-level academia (junior and senior years), 1400 words is a pretty short article.  My guess is if your article is too short, you are lacking either Information, or most likely: explanation.  Look to this slide show for how to expand. This is also helpful if you are struggling with organization.
  3. On that same note, take a look at this  QUOTE SANDWICH HANDOUT  Sandwiches, pie, what do they have in common? They ask you to explain!! If your paper is too short, it is most likely because you are not summarizing and explaining your sources!  Also handy for everyone to review!
  4. The CITY TECH WRITING CENTER.  These folks are great.  They can help you with any of your struggles– but make sure to make an appointment in advance!

You have two options for citing sources. In both cases you will need to make a bibliography. You can use EasyBib.org for this.  The bibliography does NOT count toward your word count!:

  1. The first option is to use hyperlinks. This is how modern online journalists cite sources.  That is, when they use an outside source, they link to it directly (as I have done above, although please do not use all caps!) Look to published articles to see how this is done, but it’s very simple.  They might say: “In a 1999 study on dieting, researchers found that more is, in fact less. That is, according to researcher Bob Dobbs, ‘the more meals you eat a day, the less weight you gain.” The part I’ve put in bold (the first mention of the study) is where I would hyperlink the original article.  You notice that I also still mention the researcher by name.  If you use this method, you have to make sure your links work. You still need a bibliography.
  2. The second option is MLA format. This HANDOUT ON IN-TEXT CITATION  may be useful. Please note: the reason you can use hyperlinks here is because you are writing an online article, and that is the citation format for online articles. Many of your professors will insist on MLA formatting, so this may be helpful to you.  It also has good info about what to cite no matter what format you use.  You still need a bibliography.

Some other helpful resources:

  1. This SLIDESHOW ON THE NUTSHELL PARAGRAPH
  2. This SLIDESHOW ON REVISION
  3. This SLIDESHOW ON RESEARCH 

 

Grading Criteria

  • Genre & Audience Awareness. Have you written in a genre that will effectively reach your intended audience?  Does your article seem like a good fit for the publication you’ve chosen? Have you paid attention to your mentor article to find the features of this style of writing?
  • Completion and use of research.  Did you dig deep in your research and find relevant and credible sources? Does your research reflect a thorough understanding of the problem you are trying to impact? How were you able to integrate this research into your own article and argument? 
  • Organization and analysis: Is the piece well-organized, with clear, thought-out points that are backed up by information and explanation?
  • Is it convincing? The goal was to convince your audience to begin making a particular change to benefit your community.  Does your article convince them to do so?
  • At least 1400 Words