The argument rubric

I forgot to post this before - you don't need it for the draft, but please make sure to print it out when you turn in your final draft at the final exam.

Argument rubric

Very Important, please read!

I have changed the due date for your argument paper! The final draft of your argument is now due at the final - for this class that will be December 10, 2009. This will be your final, so expect to show up and turn in your argument, then leave.
J Moody

What is due on Tuesday (12/3)

3 sources from the library website, copied, with the annotation sheet stapled to the front (one sheet per source). Please staple these before class because I am not lugging around a stapler. The information for the annotation can be found on the argument assignment in the blog post below.

On Tuesday, we will talk about doing the in-text citations as well as about logical fallacies and claims and assumptions - we have a lot to cover!

For those of you who were not in class, please do the library information literacy modules on finding sources:

Information Literacy Module

You must obtain a score of 90% or higher in order to pass this module - feel free to use the tutorials below to help you before you take the assessment.
Finding Journal Articles by Subject
Finding Electronic Journal Articles

Possible argument topics

9-11 trials – how easy would this be to research?
FCAT in elementary schools?
Overfishing in Florida?
Should states adopt a welfare-to-work program?
Should we adopt a standard global currency?
Should we have socialized medicine?
Should we adopt a national healthcare policy?
Should people be allowed to adopt dogs if they work all day?
Are we wasting time in Congress talking about steroids in sports?
Should football players be hit in practice?
Should Congress get involved in football practices?

Feel free to add possible topics as a comment under this post.

The argument paper

Today we will go over what an argument is, and how to structure an argument. I will assign the argument paper, and will give you some reading (ACW 517-534 and Lunsford 105-146). For Tuesday, please have your topic posted on your blog, and be prepared to come in and do some research - we'll be looking at the library site and learning how to find peer-reviewed articles.

Argument Assignment

Bring your Lunsford book on Tuesday!

For Thursday

The final copy of your review paper, with the rubric (I didn't give you a copy of that initially, so here it is so that you can print it: Review Rubric).

On Thursday I will also be assigning the argument paper. On Tuesday we WILL be having class, and we will be doing the MLA workshop, which is a very important class. I understand that this is Thanksgiving week, but we don't have much time to pack this all in, and this workshop, while not particularly scintillating, is really helpful. It will also help you research in other classes, so I don't recommend that you leave early for the holidays.

Peer Review

Purpose:

Students should be able to identify parts of the review and revise.

Process:

Directions: Get into pairs and exchange review papers. First just read the review once, not taking notes. Then, read over the questions and answer the questions below. Finally, discuss your findings with your partner.

1. Underline the thesis. Does the thesis provide an evaluation of the object being reviewed? Is this evaluation positive or negative? How do you know this?

2. Does the evaluation summarize or describe the subject thoroughly? (Where might the summary or description be unnecessary or unrelated to the main idea?)

3. Where does the writer support broad evaluative claims with specific details about the subject? Are there any places where there are specific details that don’t support a particular claim (a detail that is not necessary, perhaps)?

4. Are the evaluative claims important to the audience? Are these points of criteria that the audience cares about?

5. Point out any places where the paragraphs shift without a smooth transition.

6. Point out paragraphs that have excellent details to support a single point of criteria.

7. Does the reader gain information or value from reading this review?

8. Consider the following technical aspects to the paper: (Circle each area of concern)

· What sentences contain wordy phrases

· Where can the writer change linking verbs to active verbs

· Where is the writer overusing the words “I” and “You”

· Where is the writer using passive voice