In-Class Work: Unit 3 Plan/Schedule and Finding a Mentor-Text

Part 1

Write a plan and schedule for your Unit 3 Assignment. Give yourself specific deadlines (dates and times) by which to complete aspects of your Unit 3 assignment. This will include (but is not limited to) any additional research you may need to do, finding a mentor-text, learning how to use a particular software and/or application, and composing your Unit 3 assignment. For each deadline, you should lay out a brief plan that details what you expect you will need to complete by that date/time.

Part 2

Sometimes, if we are trying to write in a particular genre, or for a particular publication, we study a particular source that fits that category so we can write in that same style. We call this a “mentor text.”

Last week, we looked at publications and online forums where you might want to publish or present your work. Now, let’s look a little closer. Go back to this site (magazine, webpage, youtube channel etc) and find a SPECIFIC source that you like. It SHOULD NOT be about your topic. You’re not looking at it for that! You’re just looking at what features make this text fit this publication (and this genre!) This can be an article, TED Talk, You Tube Video, etc…

Remember: You’re not looking for any old article. You’re looking for an article that can be published in the magazine you want your work to be published in, or a youtube video that fits on the channel you want your video to go on… get it? This should be something that you want to emulate.

Once you’ve found your mentor text, answer the following questions:

  • What tone/ type of language does this example use?
  • How does this source use research? Do they quote from outside sources, use a lot of statistics, etc…
  • What can you tell us about this source visually (and auditorily, if applicable)? Does it use a lot of imagery and color? Is the layout very clean? Is there a soundtrack?
  • How long is it? (Words, pages, minutes)
  • Who do you think is the audience of this source? What makes you think that?
  • What aspects of this source would you like to emulate in your own writing? How might you do that?
  • What aspects of this source would you like to avoid in your own writing? How will you do that?

**Include a link to your mentor text (or upload the file)**

Post your answers (and link/file) to the openlab under the category “In-Class Writing”. Whatever you do not complete today you can finish at home. 

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