What to do this week...

I hope you're all doing well...here's a quick reminder about what is due when this week...

Tuesday: Please remember that class does not meet this Tuesday.  For those of you who received group assignments (in our last class), please remember to complete that exercise.  If you were not in class last Thursday, you did not receive a group assignment.  If that is the case, please contact me directly for a make-up assignment. 

Thursday:  Your CD Paper is due.  Please bring a typed, stapled copy that follows the guidelines discussed in class.  During class, we will introduce the annotated bibliography project, and look ahead at narrowing our research down further.

Thanks!

Thursday In-Class Writing Exercise

I know that grammar exercises in class can be just about the most boring activity of all time, so instead I thought we'd try them online, where you can complete them from home on your own.

Please read each of these pages, and complete the exercises on them.  Then, by midnight tonight, post a comment here with a brief description of how you did, and what you learned (if anything).  This sort of writing work will help ensure that your paper is polished on the surface and solid in its content. Thanks!

Conciseness (complete all three exercises at the bottom): http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/concise.htm

and/or

Conciseness (complete all three): http://owl.english.purdue.edu/exercises/6/9

and

Paraphrasing: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/exercises/28/12/33

Just a reminder about class...

Please remember that...

1.  For tomorrow (Thursday), you should come to class knowing your three GBs for the CD Paper, and having all of your reseach.

2.  There is no class on Tuesday, 8/16.  However, there will be an exercise that night...details to be announced soon.

3.  You can email me at any point with any questions.

Thanks!

Tuesday In Class Research Exercise

Tonight, we discussed your first paper--the Cross Disciplinary Paper.  For that project, you will explore three of the GBs.  For each, you will tell us who they are, and then explain an academic discipline they connect to (outside of their own), using examples.

In class, we went over samples for this sort of work, so I hope it is clear--please don't hesitate to contact me with any questions.  For tonight, I would like you to start your research.  Pick three GBs (these can be the people you use for the CD paper...or it may change later), and locate a credible source per GB.

In the comments below, please list the following information by midnight tonight:

1.  Your name
2.  Name of first groundbreaker, the name of the source you found, and a brief summary of that source.
3.  Repeat #2 for the second GB.
4.  Repeat #2 for the third GB.

If you need to leave more than one comment due to space constraints, that's fine.  Take your time--this exercise is designed to help lead you to your paper!

Then, for Thursday, please come to class knowing (positively) the three GBs you will use.  Also, please bring all of your research with you (six sources).  Thanks!

Using MLA Citation Format

MLA citations


As mentioned in class, we will be using MLA citation format for your paper. With MLA format, you will be citing sources in text using parenthetical citations. The best way to become familiar with this approach is to simply read about it, take it in, try it out, and refer back to the guide for assistance. (Of course, I am happy to help, as well--I have simply found that people who actively seek out the format learn it more quickly and hold onto that knowledge even more).

Please check out this wonderful site for information on MLA format in all its glory: in text citations, works cited . . . even paper lay out. There are a number of links and sections from this main page--please check it all out!


http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/01/

What's coming up tomorrow (Tuesday)

Hi Everyone--

I hope you had a nice weekend...I just wanted to take a moment here to give you a heads up about tomorrow night's session.  Here's the plan:

*  I will discuss some suggestions for what to do once you find good research.

*  We will share your "Four Groundbreakers" exercise, which is due in class.

*  I will introduce the "Cross Disciplinary" paper.

*  I will discuss the most common mistakes writers make in academic essays.

*  You will begin research for your "CD Paper."

Be sure to bring your assignment, and the Reader...see you tomorrow at six!

Thursday Night In-Class Library Exercise

As discussed in class, half of Thursday's class will be our library "orientation"--an online training experience designed to get you familiar with how to use the library.  Even if you have used the library before, please complete this exercise.  Often, people don't realize every possible way to utilize library resources and conduct research effectively.

Please go to the tutorial found here: http://www.lib.uci.edu/uc-research-tutorial/begin.html .  Please note that this is a different one than listed in the course reader assignment sheet, as it was literally just posted online.  The previous one is good (Searchpath), but in evaluating them both, I think this new one is even more user-friendly.

Once you go to that site, please complete all aspects of the tutorial.  There are a handful of overall "chapters" (as indicated by the multi-color bars near the top of the page), and within them, a number of "slides."  Each "chapter" culminates in a "quiz"--be sure to take this to test out what you've learned and know.

By 10 pm Thursday, please post a comment to this post below, including your name, and at least two things you learned through the tutorial.  Hopefully, you will gather numerous helpful tools for research through the exercise, but for the purposes here, just listing two is fine.

Knowing how to use the library effectively will make a huge impact on your ability to find sources.  Take your time with the tutorial...

Thanks!