Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Drafting in 407

Welcome to drafting! This means the hardest part of your senior paper is behind you. You've already
  • Reasearched
  • Formed an opinion
  • Organized your information
  • Started writing

All of this means that with some diligence, you will soon be finished drafting your essay.

Today, you should continue writing where you left off. Remember, you should have 3 pages when you arrive in class. At the end of the period, please print what you have (even if you stop mid-sentence) and turn it into the substitute. Understand that I am assuming, from experience, that in a 45 minute period, you can write about one more page.

I will briefly go over these tonight and return to you tomorrow.

I am avaliable after school today. At 4:30, I will be at the front desk. Until then, you can find me in 306.

Please note that any misbehavior will be recorded by the substitute and will result in points lost off this assignment (3 page check-in, worth 25 homework points).

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Introductions and Teacher Meetings

For the next three days, you'll be working independently (either in the lab or classroom) while I meet with you each about your outlines.

Your task today, in our 26 minute class, is to write the first draft of your introduction. Remember the triangle diagram--your intro should start with a broad statement. Each subsequent statement should get closer and closer to the point (which, for some of you, is your thesis--others, it will be the beginning of a necessary history).

It should be at least one paragraph and typed by the end of class. Print and hand in!

Here are some websites to help you--
http://www.ehow.com/how_2192068_write-introduction-essay.html
http://lklivingston.tripod.com/essay/intro.html
http://www.gradschools.com/Article/essay-intro/123.html

Tuesday, March 23, 2010


Practice: Identify and evaluate the logical fallacy in each of the following statements. Then change the statements to correct the logical fallacies.

1. I've never favored our high school's adopting a uniform dress policy because I've always disliked the idea.

2. Either we choose the kind of clothes we want to wear to school, or our rights as citizens will be demolished.

3. No one wants to wear the same outfit every day.

4. The only reason people want a dress code is to try to control our tastes.

5. Those who support the idea are unimaginative and controlling.