Monday, April 24, 2017

Week #6

Week #6 -
April 24, 2017


Week #6 - Assignment #1 (75 points) You will need this information next week when you revise your draft. I will be reading and commenting this week. )



A. Read through the sample MLA 8 paper and read the general guidelines.  Be sure to carefully study the information in the bubble-boxes.

 Now, list 10 things you learned about MLA formatting. (50 points)

B. Review the guidelines for MLA Works Cited pages: Works Cited guidelines: https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/05/

What are the top five tips? List them.(25 points)

Feel free to use EasyBib or other citation machine. EasyBib works IF you hit all of the buttons to get to the Word Document page. Don't quit too early.



Week #6 - Assignment #=2  What is a memoir? (50 points) 

Your first task is to find out how professionals write memoirs. Read "How to Write a Memoir."


https://theamericanscholar.org/how-to-write-a-memoir/#.WAhZ-48rKUk

Make a "Top 10" list of the best tips offered by William Zinssar. These tips should guide your own memoir writing. Explain how you will apply each tip to your own writing or share why it will improve your writing. 

Sample:  Zinssar wrote about the history of his own father's writing.  "He just wrote the way he talked, and now, when I read his sentences, I hear his personality and his humor, his idioms and his usages, many of them an echo of his college years in the early 1900s."  

Personal Application: 
 That line would make my Top 10 ." When writing a memoir, I try to remember that I am telling a story about me. I mentally pretend to tell the story to one of my own children or grandchildren, or someone far off in the future! I try to  talk on paper the same way I speak.



Week #6 - Assignment #3  - Sample Memoirs (65 points)

If a picture is worth a thousand words, some sample essays are prieless!  

Week #6 - Assignment #4 - Memoir Writing (50 points)
Review:
1. A memoir is a true story.
2. You are the star of the story!
3. Conversation is more informal than formal. In other words, people sound the same way they talk. However, please used correct punctuation.
4.  A memoir is brief - 2 or 3 pages.
5. Use past tense - this is a story from the past. 
5. The memoir teaches a lesson of some sort. It makes a point. 

Some additional information and one more sample:   http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/composition/personal.htm

Now,  it is your turn. Think of an event from your past that you would like to pass on to friends or family. I once wrote the story of the first fish I ever caught while fishing in Yellowstone with my dad.  I was about five at the time. I gave that story to my dad as a Father's Day gift years ago. He still talks about it. 

Here is a brief checklist to use after you have written your memoir. 
A. What is your point? What lesson did you try to teach?
B. What was the conflict> (You need one!)
C. Did you tell the story from your point of view? (1st person)
D. Did you tell where and when the story took place?
E. Did you tell the story in chronological order? 
F. What did you do to capture the attention of the reader in your opening paragraph? Look back at the sample essays for ideas. 

If you can check off A through F, then you are ready to post the draft! 

Week #6 - Assignment #5 - Discussion Board (50 points)

Saturday was Earth Day. How did you "celebrate," or did you? Is Earth Day important? Can humans make a difference? Is Global Warming a hoax? What environmental issues do we face in Arizona, if any? 

and/or 

Sunday was Shakespeare's birthday and death day. What do you think about Shakespeare's works? Have you ever seen a Shakespearean play?  Do you have a favorite? Maybe your high school experience left you confused and thankful when the unit was over. 

Share your first post by midnight on Thursday. Respond to three others by 6:00 am next Monday. 

Happy Writing! 







Monday, April 17, 2017

Week #5 - April 17

Welcome to Week #5! You are officially half way through this course. Congratulations!  


Week #5 - Assignment #1 (70 points)

This is a research assignment. Consult at least five reliable sources. Wikipedia is not acceptable. 

When taking notes, your may summarize, paraphrase, or use the information just as it is. Please review the following for information about avoiding plagarism:

See:
and 

Be sure to click on the reddish items on the upper right hand side of the screen for specific examples.  
Task A:  In your own words, explain the differences among paraphrases, summaries, and direct quotations and common knowledge. How would each be documented, or would it?

 Task B: Search for information about the convenience of the item. People will be persuaded to use or avoid items based on the ease of use. Summarize, paraphrase, or directly quote the information.  Punctuate properly. Give credit to the source(s) in MLA style.
Task C: Search for information about the cost of the item. Include the cost to purchase and the cost to use. Money talks! People often make decisions based on the cost associated with ownership. Again, summarize, paraphrase, or directly quote the information. Give credit to the source(s) in MLA style.
Task D. Search for information about the safety of the item. 
Again, summarize, paraphrase, or directly quote the information.
 Give credit to the source(s) in MLA style.
Task F: Search for information about the environmental impact associated with making, using, and discarding the item. Summarize, paraphrase, or directly quote the information. Give credit to the source(s) in MLA style.
Task G: Search for information about the impact that the item had or is having on society. How has society changed as a result of the use of the item? Summarize, paraphrase, or directly quote the information.  Give credit to the source(s) in MLA style. 
Task H: Search for information about the ethical concerns associated with the item. Summarize, paraphrase, or directly quote the information. Give credit to the source(s) in MLA style. 

Week #5 - Assignment #2 - Looking and evaluating a sample essay. (65 total points)

You are almost ready to write the draft of your persuasive essay. Before you begin, study the information at the following site. 


A. Learn how and why to use the following items in your writing. At the site, click on each for details. Pay attention to the information about correct citation. Summarize the information in a sentence or two. (25 points)
  • Citing Authorities
  • Using Personal Experiences
  • Using Statistics
  • Using Facts
  • Using Analogies 
  • Anticipating the opposition
 B. Carefully study the sample essay, "Cry Wolf." Pay attention to the annotations in the boxes. By studying the paper, you will get an idea of how to write and document a persuasive essay.

OR

Study this sample essay written to persuade readers that cell phone use needs to be regulated on the highway.  Again, pay special attention to the annotations in the boxes.


After reading and studying one of these essays, write a paragraph explaining what you observed, liked, or disliked about the essay. (20 points)

Write another paragraph explaining how you plan to go about organizing and documenting your own essay. (20 points)

Week #5: Assignment #3 - Write your draft. Post it! Here are the directions again: (100 points for the draft)
Technology – Friend or Foe?
For this essay, you are writing to convince the opposition. Consider the dangers and advantages of technology. For this essay, you must pick a side. Think of this essay as a debate on paper. You must know what the opposition thinks, but you do not support that point of view.
I.                    Introduction –
a.       Identify the specific technology you will be discussing – cell phone, computer, automobile, dishwasher, microwave, GPS, video games, etc.
b.      Capture the attention of the audience in the normal way with startling statistics, an interesting anecdote, a quotation from an expert, lines from a song or poem, a thought provoking question, etc. In short, make sure that what you say makes the reader want to know more.
II.                  In addition, state your thesis – make your point of view clear!
III.                The body of the paper will do several things –
a.       Convince the reader that they either need or do not need the technology.
b.      Provide a brief history of the specific technology you plan to discuss. What was life like before its invention? When was it invented? How has it evolved? What is its story?
c.       Provide clear evidence to support your point of view. You must have proof from at least four of the following:
                                                               i.      At least three experts/sources. You may use the articles studied in class and articles that specifically relate to your chosen technology.
                                                             ii.      A current news source such as a newspaper or magazine article or news cast.
                                                            iii.      An interview with at least one user.
                                                           iv.      A personal anecdote.
                                                             v.      Lines from literature – poem, short story, or novel. “There Will Come Soft Rains”  was a homework assignment.  You may use other SciFi literature.
                                                           vi.      A work of art
                                                          vii.      Strong statistics from an expert source.
The body of the paper will be several paragraphs in length.
IV.                Conclusion –
Wrap it up for the readers. Leave them with a call to action to either give up or get the gadget you are supporting. Be sure they know why they need or do not need one. Consider:
a.       Convenience
b.      Cost
c.       Safety
d.      Environmental impact
e.      Impact on society
f.        Ethical concerns

Week #5 – Assignment #4: Watch a movie that includes technology or the future of technology – your choice. The movie may be new, or feel free to watch something old for free on YouTube. I offer the following links to give possibilities for viewing. Feel free to select what you wish.
Oldies but goodies: Time Machine, Frankenstein – any version,  Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde (Any version including the Broadway musical of Jekyll & Hyde), War of the Worlds (Try the 1950s version for variety!), From the Earth to the Moon, Journey to the Center of the Earth, any Star Trek or Star Wars, etc.

1.     View the movie and pay attention to the use of technology.
2.     Write a one- two page review of the movie and its use of technology.
3.     Include a one-paragraph summary of the movie.
4.     In addition, note the message about technology. Is it our friend, or is it our foe? Will it be the salvation humanity, or will we be lost?
5.     Share your personal thoughts about the future of technology and the future of humanity.
(100 points)
Week#5 - Assignment #5- Discussion Board - (50 points)

Oprah has her favorite things. In The Sound of Music the character, Maria, sings about her favorite things. Some people have favorite places, pets, or activities. For this week's discussion, share your favorite person, place, thing, or activity! Maybe you love beaches. Perhaps your furry or feathered friend brings you joy. Sky diving might give you the thrill you need to carry on.  Whatever it is, please share. Tell the who, what, when, where, why, and/or how of the favorite.

Make your initial post by midnight on Thursday.
Respond to three other posts by 6:00 am on Monday.

Monday, April 10, 2017

Week #4

Week #4 - Assignment #1- Readings

You are now an expert on persuasive techniques in advertising and speaking. The same techniques are used when writing to convince others of your point of view or to convince others to do or change or support something.

We live in a world of technology. For some, the inventions are wonderful. Others warn that humanity is being lost because of machines. This week, you are going to explore technology and decide if it is our friend or our foe.

A.  "The Whole World Is Watching" by Thomas L. Friedman http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/27/opinion/27friedman.html?_r=0
  Answer the following questions.
1. Friedman claims that we are all "more transparent" now in this "transparent world." What aspects of transparency are positive? What aspects are negative? 
2. Friedman mentions a book by Dov Seidman. In the book, Seidman talks about a digital fingerprint. To what extent are our digital fingerprints impacting work and socializing? Should future employers be able to use your Facebook, Twitter, or other posts when deciding to offer a position to a new employee or  fire a current employee? Explain.
 

 B. 
“I Can’t Think” by  Sharon Begley’s February 27, 2011, in Newsweek. http://www.sharonlbegley.com/the-science-of-making-decisions )

As you read the article, look for the and define these  terms. They are in order. 
1.        Information Overload

2.        Info-paralysis


3.        Information fatigue


4.        Addicted to incoming texts and tweets
5.        Decision science

6.        Torrent of data


7.        Total failure to decide

8.        Many diminishing returns
9.        False god if immediacy

10.     “Recency” Trumps Quality

11.     The neglected unconscious

12.     Info-glut


13.     Experience based decision making. . .
14.     Sufficers  vs. maximizers

 
Write two or three paragraphs where you agree or disagree with Beagly. Consider these questions.
What do you think, or can you?. Is our culture Twitterized? Are our brains frozen? Do we have trouble making decisions? Support what you think with examples from life and from this article.

******************************************************************************

Week #4 - Assignment #2  - Literature
"There Will Come Soft Rains" by Ray Bradbury - as you read the 1950s story, keep track of the" futuristic inventions" that are just the norm today


For example, In the living room the voice-clock sang, Tick-tock, seven o'clock, time to get up, time to get up, seven o'clock! Do we have clocks that talk?  Later in the story you will read, The gentle sprinkler rain filled the garden with falling light.  Do we have anything that automatically waters the lawn or garden?
As you read, you will find many "inventions" that are similar to the gadgets in our current homes.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LzhlU8rXgHc Story read by Leonard Nimoy

After reading and listing, make a list of all of the technology you use in a 24 hour period. You list might include items as simple as a hair dryer or as complicated as the electronic wonders on your phone or in your car.  After creating the list of technology used in 24 hours, react to this prompt in a Quick Write of 15 minutes.

Prompt: For 24 hours, electricity no longer works in any form - no current comes into your home, there are no working batteries, and generators are frozen. Describe how life would be different. Would it be better or would it cause chaos?

Week #4 - Assignment #3 - Health and Technology

What about your health? Is technology helpful or invasive? Read one person's opinion.
"When the Patient Is a Googler" by Scott Haighttp://content.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1681838,00.html
Questions:
1. What reasons does Haig give to explain why he does not want googlers as patients?

2. I a paragraph or two, agree or disagree with Haig. Should patients research their symptoms on the Internet before seeking medical advice? What are the dangers? What are the advantages?

3. Make a list of all of the health related technology you can think of or that you use. For example, do you wear a "FitBit" or other health-tracking device? Do you or does someone you know regularly check blood pressure at home? Do you own a treadmill or other fitness equipment? Do you or does someone you know have a gym membership?

4. Does technology make us healthier? Explain in a one page response essay. (30 points)

Week #4 - Assignment #4 – Technology Persuasive Research

This is the full assignment so that you can see where you are headed. 

The instructions for this week follow the overview.
Technology – Friend or Foe?
For this essay, you are writing to convince the opposition. Consider the dangers and advantages of technology. For this essay, you must pick a side. Think of this essay as a debate on paper. You must know what the opposition thinks, but you do not support that point of view.
I.                    Introduction –
a.       Identify the specific technology you will be discussing – cell phone, computer, automobile, dishwasher, microwave, GPS, video games, etc.
b.      Capture the attention of the audience in the normal way with startling statistics, an interesting anecdote, a quotation from an expert, lines from a song or poem, a thought provoking question, etc. In short, make sure that what you say makes the reader want to know more.
c.       In addition, state your thesis – make your point of view clear! (Some of you may be taking a creative approach. See me if this is the case.)
II.                  The body of the paper will do several things –
a.       Convince the reader that they either need or do not need the technology.
b.      Provide a brief history of the specific technology you plan to discuss. What was life like before its invention? When was it invented? How has it evolved? What is its story?
c.       Provide clear evidence to support your point of view. You must have proof from at least four of the following:
·         At least three experts/sources. You may use the articles studied in class and articles that specifically relate to your chosen technology.
·         A current news source such as a newspaper or magazine article or news cast.
·         An interview with at least one user.
·         A personal anecdote.
·         Lines from literature – poem, short story, or novel. “There Will Come Soft Rains”  was assigned. You may use other SciFi literature or movies.
·         A work of art
·         Strong statistics from an expert source.
The body of the paper will be several paragraphs in length.
III.                Conclusion –
Wrap it up for the readers. Leave them with a call to action to either give up or get the gadget you are supporting. Be sure they know why they need or do not need one. Consider:
a.       Convenience
b.      Cost
c.       Safety
d.      Environmental impact
e.      Impact on society
f.        Ethical concerns

Your assignment this week is to identify the technology you will be using as the focus of your study and to conduct research to get ready to write.
A. Consult two sources and find out the history of the item. Summarize the information. Post your summary and the sources consulted. Do not simply copy/paste from a site. Use your own words. (25 points)
B. Locate a work of art that features your item. Answer these questions: 
Looking at Art
· What is the title of the work? How does the title help you to understand the message? What is the message?
· How does this work relate to your topic? Discuss.
· What is the most obvious image in the work. To where is your eye drawn?
· Look at the colors. Are they symbolic? Would the message be different if the colors were different? Explain.
· Study the shading and shadowing. How do these elements impact the overall message?
· How do the lines and angles impact your eye as you study the work?
· Who is the artist? When was the work created? Is the artist's message about a specific event in history? What was going on in the world when the work was created? Is the art universal - speaks to people of all times and in all places, or is it limited to the audience for whom it was created.
· How does the work relate to us in 21st century America? (40 points)
C. Interview someone who owns and/or uses the item. Create five questions and record the responses. (You conducted an interview on body art a couple of weeks ago. Use the same techniques.) 25 points
D. Take 10 minutes to jot down your initial thoughts about the item. Is is your friend or is it a foe? 10 points.  

Week #4 - Assignment #5 - Discussion Board 

Talk about technology. What do you like about technology? What is negative? What is your favorite item? Could you survive without your cell phone? Are you old enough to have lived without the Internet or without a cell phone? Do you know anyone who lived in a time or place without television? 

These are some of the many ideas you could discuss about technology.

Your first post should be complete by midnight on Thursday, April 13, 2017. At least three response posts need to be completed by 6:00 am on Monday, April 17.