Engl. 2/Research Writing (section 001)
Jan. 28 (Thur): First
class. Introduction to English 2, the writing requirement at
Drew, and the on-line syllabus. General technology concerns, writing concerns,
etc.
In class diagnostic test.
Homework: E-mail me (sjamieso@drew.edu)
by noon on Monday telling me two things you do well as a writer and two
things you'd like to strengthen (these can be research related or not.
Don't tell me what other people think about your writing, though, tell
me what you think!). I'll send a reply before Tuesday's class, so check
your e-mail before class.
Feb. 2 (Tue): BRING
YOUR COMPUTER AND LAN CABLES TO CLASS (learn your LAN password if you haven't
already!). Introduction to the Internet (how to find quick facts
and information with more depth; how to guess site addresses; the role
of the Internet in the life of a researcher.) Brief discussion of diagnostic
test (which I will return at the end of class).
Homework: Send me an e-mail
message telling me how you feel about research. Describe any memorable
research projects -- good or bad -- and also describe topics you might
be interested in conducting research into this semester. I need to receive
this by noon on Wednesday. Again, I'll send a reply before class on Thursday,
so check your e-mail before you come to class.
Feb. 4 (Thur):BRING YOUR COMPUTER AND LAN
CABLES TO CLASS. In class, list two things you know a lot about
and two things you know nothing about. Now find sites for all four on the
Internet. Select one of the topics you know about and one of the topics
you don't know about and look at what the Internet teaches you about them.
Write a summary of the information you found on each topic (one summary
for each topic).
Homework: Complete the summary project
begun in class. Two summaries (typed, double spaced) are due in class on
Tuesday. [Check out the Web Resources for "Summary
Writing"]
Feb. 9 (Tue): BRING
YOUR COMPUTER AND LAN CABLES TO CLASS. Summaries
due in class today. Discuss the difference between researching about
a topic you already know about and exploring a new topic. Discussion of
how to structure comparison papers [for more on this, check out the web
site for a link to "Writing
Comparisons."] Write an in-class outline for a paper comparing the
kinds of information you found (your focus can be on the difference between
researching topics you know about and topics you don't, the difference
between university sites and general sites, the difference between good
and bad sites, or some other difference that intrigues or vaguely interests
you). Your paper will draw on your analytical
skills and your ability to synthesize
information [the web site has information on both of these skills.]
Homework: Complete the paper you started
working on in class today (due in class on Tuesday 16th).
Feb. 11 (Thur): Discuss research topics. Identify possible topics
and research teams (students will conduct research and review drafts in
teams of three or four, although each student will adopt a different thesis,
write a separate paper, and may use different information in the final
paper).
SIGN UP FOR LIBRARY SESSION SOMETIME BETWEEN
2/15-2/18.
Homework: Meet as a team (on-line or face
to face) and discuss what Internet information you have found on your topic
(remember to make book marks to good sites *and* write out the address
or print out the first page).
2/15-2/19: LIBRARY
sessions this week -- don't forget to show up!
Feb. 16 (Tue): BRING YOUR COMPUTER AND
LAN CABLES TO CLASS. Comparison paper due
in class. The research
proposal. Groups will work together to help each individual member
draft a research proposal. Using the library and the Internet teams will
come up with a list of 40 possible sources.
Homework: Work on finding sources for
your group bibliography and familiarizing yourselves with the sources available
(explore as wide a range of sources as possible including books, academic
journals, Internet sources, newsmagazines, newspapers, audio-visual sources,
etc. where appropriate).
Feb. 18 (Thur): BRING YOUR COMPUTER AND
LAN CABLES TO CLASS. Discuss research proposals.
Writing annotated
bibliographies. For each source that you decide to use, write an annotated
bibliography entry. Practice in class writing an entry for an Internet
site. Group critiques.
SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT
WITH ME FOR FRIDAY OR MONDAY (for me to hand back work, and for us to discuss
your progress and your research topic).
Homework: Continue working on your list
and your annotated bibliography (starting with the Internet sources you
found and any background information you identified in your library session).
Feb. 23 (Tue): BRING
YOUR COMPUTER AND LAN CABLES TO CLASS. In-class Internet research,
annotations, and discussion of problems encountered so far.
Homework: Work on your annotated bibliography.
The list of 40 sources and the individual annotated bibliographies (at
least 10 sources) are due in class Thursday.
Feb. 25 (Thur): First set of annotated
bibliographies and list of 40 sources due. Okay, so now you are
all experts in your new field! Time to write up what you know. Background
synthesis [Check out the web site for a link to "Synthesis Writing--the
background synthesis"] In class writing (urgh).
Homework: Use today's in-class writing
to help you write a background synthesis on your topic. Your task is to
tell us all about it so that we know enough to start forming an opinion.
Due in class Tuesday March 2.
Mar. 2 (Tue): Last
day to drop the course without a 'W' on the transcript.
Background synthesis due in class today.
I will return the annotated bibliographies in class today. Discussion of
forming a thesis and developing an argument about the topics selected.
Using Enthymeme's to generate outlines. Groups brainstorm and discuss each
member's possible thesis.
Homework: Write out a thesis
enthymeme (or two if you can't decide . . . or three...) Send it to
me via e-mail by Wednesday at noon. Bring a written out copy to class Thursday.
Mar. 4 (Thur): BRING YOUR COMPUTER
AND LAN CABLES TO CLASS. Thesis enthymeme
due in class today. Developing an argument and paper
structure (not your usual outline).
Introduction of the hypertext paper option. Discussion of topic
sentences, organizational patterns, paragraph
development and so on for a hypertext paper and a linear paper.
Homework: Plan out your paper using whatever
method makes the most sense to you. The plan is due in class Tuesday.
Mar. 9 (Tue): BRING
YOUR COMPUTER AND LAN CABLES TO CLASS. Group analysis of research
paper plans, discussion of thesis
(again--and check
out this source if you're still stuck!), evidence,
counter-evidence,
how to get
started (and get over writer's
block/procrastination). You might want to check out this discussion
of logic, too. Begin work on drafting your introduction
to the paper in class. You might want ot check out an outline
template to get you started. If
you need to work on citation of electronic sources, check out this
web site (scroll down and use the index and it will tell you everything
you need to know!)
SCHEDULE APPOINTMENTS
WITH ME TO DISCUSS YOUR PAPER THIS WEEK (before you leave for the
break)
Homework: Complete the draft of the introduction,
send it to me over e-mail before noon Wed., and bring it to class Thursday.
If you get inspired and want to keep writing, go ahead!
Mar. 11 (Thur): Last class. Bring
introduction and whatever else you hyave written so far to class today.
Discuss introductions, drafts, evidence, problems, overall
strategies, revision
strategies, ways to avoid accidental
plagiarism, etc. Evaluations of the class. Don't forget to talk to
me in person or on e-mail as you work on the papers! Final portfolio will
include all of the work you have done this semester including the research
paper, and will be introduced by a brief introduction in which you discuss
your attitudes to research and the progress and quality of the work in
the portfolio.
March 13-21 Spring recess -- no classes
March 25-- Final
portfolio due at my office by 5pm today
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