In-Class Exercise: QR

Directions: First read the following directions. Then examine the chart on the next page, making notes where useful. Finally, write a response that summarizes, interprets, and connects the information in the chart.

-          Summary/summarizing: explains the information for a reader who has not seen it yet.

·         hint: be sure to address what the information says as well as how it measures and presents its data

·         does the graph communicate any pattern, trend, or story?

-           Interpret/interpreting: explains the information for a reader wondering what it means.

·         hint: interpretation requires that you explain the significance of something: why is this data important? Who should care about it?

·         Can you imagine reasons that would explain any pattern, trend, or story in the graph?

-          Connect/connecting: explains the information’s links to an idea, issue, or claim from class or course text.

·         hint: return to your class notes or class text, and explain the significance of the data for the idea, issue, or claim you choose. 

(if you have time…)

-          Critique/critiquing: explains the chart for what’s missing, unclear, or inaccurate.

·         hint: is there a problem in the way this chart presents its information, methods, or sources?

(Source: Southern Poverty Law Center, accessed February 11, 2013, http://www.splcenter.org/blog/2010/08/26/wave-of-hate-crimes-directed-at-muslims-breaks-out/)

Remember: Instagram Assignment Two due Today!

If you still need to post a picture to your account or blog, click here.

Class Agenda 5.5

1. Quiz: How has your reading experience of Zeitoun been so far?

2. Announcements: Essay due; essay extension requests by several. Blog 4 due. Instagram Assignment Due.

3. Class Activity: Let's look at a few key passages from Zeitoun. Keep notes that would be readable to a student in the class wanting to know what was happening, and also how they might think about it.

4. Tweet: Using the hashtag #zeitoun, summarize the passage you read and then develop a claim about the passage you related. Favorite at least one other tweet, and reply to at least two more. In your reply, consider either asking a question, making a counter-argument, or agreeing/disagree with a reason (I agree/disagree because...)

5. Blog: Make a claim about Zeitoun and defend it using textual evidence. Be sure to explain how the textual evidence supports your claim (consider quote sandwich rules).

6. Discussion: Zeitoun.

Zeitoun website (with plot summaries!!!)

[click here]

If you miss(ed) Friday 5.2

The paper is due Monday
Without peer review comments you will lose five points. You can make up these points by taking the paper to the Writing Center. There doesn't seem to be much time for this. If you've already taken essay two to the Writing Center, let me know.

Maybe you missed because of the derailment. You may want to apply for a 3-day extension; see the syllabus. 

Peer Review Essay 2

Peer Review Guidelines

1. Move into your PR groups.
2. Determine who will read in what order.
3. Budget 10-15 minutes per person and no more.
4. The reader reads their paper aloud.
5. Give written feedback that offers specific criticism according to criteria below.
6. Put your name on this feedback and give it to the writer.
7. Keep your written feedback and staple it to your final draft.

Writing Feedback Directions (from the text Tutoring Writing)

1. Open with a general statement of assessment about the essay's relationship to the assignment. Be clear about which parts fulfill the assignment and which parts need improvement.
2. Present comments so the writer knows which problems with text are most important and which are of lesser importance.
3. Use comments primarily to call attention to strengths and weaknesses in the piece, and be clear about the precise points where they occur.
4. Don't feel obligated to do all the 'fixing.' Refrain from focusing on grammar unless it impedes your ability to understand the piece.
5. Write comments that are text-specific, and uniquely aimed at the blog and the writer.

Strategies

1. Pose at least two questions that ask for clarification or that seek other possible views or more information on the subject.
2. Let the writer know what specific lines, ideas, and stylistic touches you find pleasing.
3. When you make a specific, concrete suggestion for improvement, try couching it in a qualifier: "You might try..." or "Why don't you add..." or "Another way of writing the lead might be..."
4. If you notice a pattern of errors (incorrect use of commas, etc) comment on it in a global way at the end of the piece.
Evaluate the essays in your peer review groups by responding thoughtfully to each of the following criteria. Focus on the criteria you feel students should most address in their drafts.  

Responses must be specific in order to count. 

Attach written suggestions from your peers to your final drafts for full peer review credit.

1. Thesis: Contains a central assertion that places a central idea at the forefront of the essay  (30%)

2. Structure: Essay organized around topic sentences; each paragraph provides context; essay explains direct quotations (30%)

3. Evidence: Essay successfully places direct quotes into each body paragraph; essay cites those quotes correctly according to MLA guidelines; essay contains a bibliography (20%)

4. Critical Thinking: Essay interprets quotes in original ways that go beyond class discussion; essay connects main ideas to other texts or moments in text; essay utilizes keywords and defines them (20%)

Class Agenda 5.2

1. Announcements
2. Peer Review
3. EXTRA CREDIT: I have to cut class early today for a special conference on community college students. The link is here: [click here] . It's at the Graduate Center at 34th and 5th and starts at 3.15pm (C Level Room 198). If anyone wants to go, they can ride the train with me there, or go on their own. It'll be an hour long panel. If you write a blog about it, you can get extra credit: 20 quiz points. If you can't make it or can't go into the city today, that's understandable. There will be other extra credit opportunities.