Author: Carrie Hall (Page 4 of 9)

More time to “tidy up” your Unit Two article. You will definitely want to make sure you have a compelling intro that hooks the reader.  Click on the image above to get to the slideshow we watched in class on Tuesday for help in writing intros and linking them to the nutshell paragraph.

You can update your Unit Two Final draft by simply clicking “edit” at the bottom of the blog post (info how to do this HERE)– or you can resubmit a new Word or PDF doc.  (Please make sure you are using the category: Unit 2 Final Draft. Otherwise your paper might get lost!) 

You will also want to proofread and check your citations.  I suggest the following steps:

• Write a new introduction, using the slideshow as your guide.  You might try a couple of these intro strategies and pick the one you like best. You’re welcome to keep the intro you already have if you prefer, but make sure you have one!
• Go through your essay and proofread it. By this, I mean, look for sentence-level issues. If you know you have a problem with run-ons, look for ONLY that issue. (And run spell-check!) 
• After you have proofread once, read your essay out loud! Really! Do it with a pen or pencil in your hand and mark sentences that sound strange. Go back and fix them! Take out words that sound extra or “fluffy” (meaning they are just there to add to the word count.) The word count is there so your article has enough meaning, not so it has just a bunch of words! At this point, forget about the word count. Just make it sound good and mean something.
• Now, go back and make sure you have done your citations. Remember, you may either hyperlink or use MLA.
• Make sure you have done a bibliography. I suggest using Easybib.com
• If you want, add a few images– or a better title.  Think about the things that draw you to an article when you’re reading.

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