Homework for Tuesday, May 17

Hi Class,

Write a short Journal 6 for Tuesday: Using the Summary Blueprint, write 8 sentences maximum on the Tipping article. Pay attention to precision and using compound sentences. Typed and double-spaced.

Prof. Scanlan

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Homework for Thursday, May 12

Final Draft of Essay 3 is due on Thursday, May 12th.

In a folder:

  1. Essay with Annotated Bibliography attached
  2. Drafts
  3. Photocopy of each direct quotation source
  4. Assignment details

Please have your folder ready at the beginning of class.

Email any questions that you have.

Best,

Prof. Scanlan

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The Portfolio and First Page

First Page of Research Essay is due on Thursday.

Try to get as far as you can by Thursday. Remember to begin the introduction by either a personal account of the place’s importance to you or by using a brief (precisely cited) quotation. Then work on an argument thesis (while X, I think Y). And then write a method statement.

Portfolios:

The Portfolio is your chance to try to understand how you write and what you have learned this semester about writing styles and strategies and blueprints. This is an assignment for reflecting on your critical writing and thinking process.

STEPS:

  1. Read over all your freewrites since the beginning of the semester
  2. Select your three favorite freewrites, make a photocopy or retype them.
  3. Write a 300 word review/reflection of your writing successes and frustrations. The aim of this assignment is to help you to reflect on what you have learned about your own writing techniques and strategies. What works for you? At some point in your reflection you are to provide a few sentences on your freewrites: what did they help you to accomplish?  Was freewriting helpful for generating ideas? Turn in the three freewrites with the Reflection.

Due Date: at the beginning of class Thursday, May 5.

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Homework for May 3

Hi class–have a wonderful Spring Break!

For Tuesday’s (5/3) class, bring in a typed draft of the annotated bibliography.

Make sure to have seven quality sources! Look at the student sample for help.

**Email me about any questions about topics or arguments.

Cheers,

Prof. Scanlan

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Interview Information

 

THE INTERVIEW:

For Essay 3, I recommend making use of an interview. You may find an interview that has already been published, or you may conduct your own interview with a person connected to your site/subject. In either case, the interview is an excellent way to include a PRIMARY resource in your essay (and in your annotated bibliography). Please note that you need at least one primary resource.

Conducting an Interview:

1. Determine your purpose, and be sure it relates to your research question and perhaps even your hypothesis.

2. Set up the interview in advance. Introduce yourself cordially and professionally. State who you are and why you want to conduct an interview.  Specify how long it will take (15 minutes is a fine length), and if you wish to record the session–always ask permission to record or photograph. I do not recommend recording it as paper/pencil is friendlier and less invasive. Remember, Email interviews are really, really awesome. They are easy, and they leave an easy-to-quote text record.

3. Prepare a written list of factual and open-ended questions. Brainstorming or freewriting can help you come up with questions. Leave plenty of space for notes after each question. If the interview proceeds in a new or different direction, don’t panic, let the person speak. Do not feel that you have to be prepared for every question or response. I like this follow-up: “Wow, I didn’t know that…can you explain that a bit more?”

4. Record the subject, date, time, and place of the interview.

5. Thank the person that you interview (in person or by email). Be professional in all interactions.

6. Very important: right after the interview, sit down and rewrite your notes and reflect on the interview. If you do not do this now, you will forget vital information. Do this while it is fresh.

Cheers,

Prof. Scanlan

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For Tuesday, April 19

Hi Class,

Read on your place/topic for 2 hours. I think that a good goal is to take 2-3 full pages of notes. On Thursday, be prepared to provide a brief talk on what you have found. Be specific and detailed–and make sure to be able to tell the class WHAT THE SOURCE OF YOUR INFORMATION IS.

Best,

Prof. Scanlan

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Homework for Thursday, April 14

Hi,

Due Thursday–Journal 5: Essay 3 topic/place summary followed by 5 questions that you need to know about your topic/place. Make sure to provide brief answers to the questions. 250 words minimum.

Best,

Prof. Scanlan

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Homework for Tuesday, April 12

Hi class,

If you have not already done so, read the Wikipedia article “New York City,” and then select two references and trace them out. In your notebook, more specifically:

  1. Which reference did you chose?
  2. Why did you select that reference?
  3. Where did the reference lead you? ie: what is the reference, and did you find it?
  4. Does our library have a copy of it?

Good luck with this mystery solving exercise.

Keep thinking about possible places to explore for Essay 3. Email any ideas or questions.

Best,
Prof. Scanlan

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Photo contest for CUNY students

If you are interested, enter a photo:

http://www.cuny.edu/news/features/photo-contest.html

 

Good luck,

Prof. Scanlan

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Homework for Thursday, April 7

Journal 4 is due on Thursday. Read Egan, and on page 265, answer question 2 (Discussion Question). Then read Deak, and on page 273, answer question 3 (Discussion Question). 250 words Total, typed, following the format.

Best,

Prof. Scanlan

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