Schilb and Clifford recommend eight strategies for close reading: “make predictions as you read; reread the text; test the text against your own experiences; look for patterns in the text and disruptions of them; note ambiguities; consider the author’s alternatives; ask questions; jot down possible answer” (73). Let’s start with the first one. In your own words, why is it important to “make predictions as you read”?
What are some important strategies for rereading a text?
How do Schilb and Clifford, in your own words, explain the process of “testing the text against your own experiences”?
What are some patterns (and disruptions) in a text that Schilb and Clifford discuss?
What are ambiguities, and why do they matter when we are reading a text closely?
What does it mean “consider the author’s alternatives”?
Why should we ask questions as we read?
Schilb and Clifford recommend that we “jot down possible answers” to questions that we have about a text. List and explain the five specific things they say readers can do as they answer the questions.
For what purpose do Schilb and Clifford include Sharon Olds’ poem, “Summer Solstice, New York City”? (74).
Read the poem, and complete the following: 10A: How does the poem complete or fulfill your predictions? 10B: How does it match or diverge from your personal background? 10C: What are the poem’s patterns, and where does it break from those patterns? 10D: Where are the places where the poem is puzzling, ambiguous, or unclear? 10E: Identify at least one choice the author made. 10F: What are some questions you have about the poem that might have more than one answer that might be worth addressing in a paper? 10G: What are some tentative answers to those questions?
Schilb and Clifford recommend annotation as another method of close reading. What is annotation?
Why do they include “Girls Online” by Emily Skillings?
Read Mia Benton’s annotations of the poem, as well as the paragraphs she wrote based on those annotations. How does Mia make predictions and reflect on her own background?
How does she read for patterns and breaks in patterns?
How does she read for ambiguities?
How does she read for the author’s choices?
What tentative answers does she contribute?
Another close reading method is to look at topics of literary studies. List ten of these topics, as pointed out by Schilb and Clifford.
Why do Schilb and Clifford include Lynda Hull’s “Night Waitress”?
After you read “Night Waitress, complete the following exercise: do a ten-minute freewrite in which you try to identify how the poem relates to one or more of the topics mentioned on pages 8384.
Another way to read a literary text closely is “identify the speech acts in it” (Schilb and Clifford 89). What does this mean?
Why do Schilb and Clifford include Frost’s “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening” and Bishop’s “One Art”?
Choose one article from the three scholarly articles presented below:
First, on your paper, please identify the title and main topic of your favorite article. Then answer the following prompts:
Describe the key findings or arguments presented in your favorite article. What stood out to you the most?
Why did you choose this particular article as your favorite in comparison to the other two? What was it about the topic, methodology, or writing style that resonated with you?
Reflect on how your understanding of the topic was deepened or challenged by reading your favorite article. Did it change any of your previous assumptions or beliefs?
Paper Guidelines
Write at least 250 words total (for all three questions) roughly one double-spaced page.
Double-space.
Number your answers 1-3.
There is no need to rewrite the questions.
Each answer is worth 8 points for a total of 24 points.
Resource
The document below will give you tips on how to read/digest a scholarly article with minimal effort. What could be better?
Learning Outcomes
These prompts encourage students to critically engage with their favorite scholarly article, analyze its content and methodology, and reflect on its broader implications for their academic and professional growth.
Rubric
Favorite Scholarly Article
Favorite Scholarly Article
Criteria
Ratings
Pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeKey FindingsWhat are the key findings and what stood out the most?
8 ptsFull CreditStudent clearly and thoroughly answered the prompt.3.84 ptsHalf CreditStudent answered prompt but only on a cursory level.
0 ptsNo CreditStudent did not adequately answer prompt.
8 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeArticle ChoiceWhy did you choose this particular article as your favorite in comparison to the other two? What was it about the topic, methodology, or writing style that resonated with you?
8 ptsFull CreditStudent clearly and thoroughly answered the prompt.4 ptsHalf CreditStudent answered prompt but only on a cursory level.
0 ptsNo CreditStudent did not adequately answer prompt.
8 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeUnderstanding of TopicReflect on how your understanding of the topic was deepened or challenged by reading your favorite article. Did it change any of your previous assumptions or beliefs?
8 ptsFull CreditStudent clearly and thoroughly answered the prompt.4 ptsHalf CreditStudent answered prompt but only on a cursory level.
0 ptsNo CreditStudent did not adequately answer prompt.
For this assignment, you need to submit a one-page paper with one paragraph that follows with . Your paragraph should be exactly seven sentences. You need to submit this assignment as a document (.docx). See the rubric below for grading criteria.
You need to include these things in your paragraph. Each item 1.- 6. corresponds to 1.-6. in the rubric.
Topic Sentence: The first sentence of your paragraph should be a topic sentence that clearly expresses the main idea of your paragraph. The topic of your paragraph is how to make a certain kind of food in exactly five steps. See ” Topic Sentence” in . has several examples of how-to paragraphs that explain how to make certain foods.
Supporting Details: Your paragraph should include exactly five major supporting detailsthat directly support the main idea in your topic sentence. Because your paragraph is about how to make a certain kind of food in exactly five steps, each step is a major supporting detail. Do not include any minor supporting details. See to review supporting details.
Concluding Sentence: The last sentence of your paragraph should be a concluding sentence that restates the main idea in your topic sentence. For a how-to paragraph, your concluding sentence can also tell the reader what will happen after completing all the steps; see “Concluding Sentence” in .
Sentence Structure: All sentences in your paragraph should be correctly punctuated . All sentences should have subject-verb agreement. You should use for each step (=each major supporting detail).
Verb Tenses: All verbs in your topic sentence and concluding sentence should be in the . You should use for each step (=supporting detail) in your paragraph.
Word Forms: Correctly use a different for each of the five steps (=five supporting details) in your paragraph, for example, first, second, third, next, then, after that, finally.
Title
The title for this assignment should begin with “Writing Assignment #4: How to” followed by additional information related to the topic of your paragraph, for example:
Writing Assignment #4: How to Make a Sandwich
Writing Assignment #4: How to Bake a Chocolate Cake in Five Steps
Writing Assignment #4: How to Make Pasta in Five Steps
Review and for correct title format.
Assignment Comments
Sue-Jin will provide comments on assignments submitted at least 24 hours before the due date. Read Sue-Jin’s comments so that you can revise, edit, and resubmit your revised draft before the due date, if needed.
Always do your own work. Work done by another person and work that has been copied and pasted from another source, including work you have previously submitted for another class, will be considered plagiarism and will receive a zero (no points). See Academic Honesty and Plagiarism in the Syllabus.
The purpose of the consultation draft is to have a mostly completed essay written a week before the final deadline. Consultation drafts are important for several reasons:
They allow students a break between finishing the essay and revising/editing it.
They allow time for peer and instructor review and feedback.
They deter plagiarism and inappropriate AI use, and give students time to correct flagrant issues that will prevent them from passing the course
Helps the grading process for final essays.
The Consultation Draft is the first draft of your research essay and is worth 10% of your grade. You must turn this assignment in on time to earn full credit. Due to time constraints, there is only a three-day grace period for turning in this draft. After the three-day grace period, students will earn a zero for the assignment, and final drafts will be examined more carefully.
Consultation Draft
Your essay should be 60% complete (minimum of 6 pages, including work cited)
You should also include a half-page reflection stating
How is your writing going?
What challenges are you currently facing? Are you feeling confident at this point?
What source changes have you made since you completed the annotated bibliography?
Has your thesis statement changed since you completed the annotated bibliography?
What other obstacles are you currently facing as you head into the revision and editing process?
Checklist
The essay is formatted according to MLA or APA guidelines. (APA style requires a cover page)
; a minimum of 3.
Essay is 10 pages (2,000 words), double-spaced in 12-point Times New Roman (preferably). The entire document is in one consistent font.
The introduction narrows focus to a specific, argumentative thesis statement
Minimum of seven sources, with five sources coming from the Annotated Bibliography
are correctly formatted
MLA (Jones 39) if print source or numbered online source; (Jones) if online source.
APA (Jones, 2023).
Signal phrases introduce source material:
According to Jones
In Article Title, George Jones states . . .
In-text citations correspond to the Work Cited (MLA) or References (APA) page.
Work Cited (MLA) or References (APA) page in correct format included. Do not include summaries from the AB assignment.
Source citations should be flush left with hanging indents.
Final essays that do not include a Works Cited page will receive a zero.
Body Paragraphs should adhere to the MEAL Plan (Main Idea, Evidence, Analysis, Lead-Out)
Appropriate signal phrases and transitions used
Each main idea is supported by multiple sources
The essay is organized point by point rather than source by source.
Turning in Assignments Created in Google Docs: (ECC and Waubonsee Students)
All work for this class must be written in Google Docs from start to finish. While I prefer you use your ECC Google Docs account, your personal account will do as long as all your documents include your first and last name and you name your documents Last Name – Assignment Title.
Watch this video:
When you create your document, follow these steps:
Click on Share
Set the role to Editor
Copy the link
When you turn in your document on D2L, follow these steps:
Click Add File. Then click Google Drive. Choose the Google Doc youre turning in.
Copy/Paste the Share link in the comments.
Create a Google Doc for this assignment (COD Students)
All work for this class must be written in Google Docs from start to finish. Since COD doesn’t use Google products, you’ll need to create or use your already-created Google account. Your documents should include your first and last name, and you should name your documents Last Name – Assignment Title.
Turning in Assignments Created in Google Docs:
When you create your document, follow these steps:
Click on Share
Set the role to Editor
Copy the link
When you turn in your document on Blackboard Ultra, follow these steps:
Go to File in your Google Doc. Download your file as a Word Doc or PDF file.
In Blackboard Ultra, click Add File paper clip above and choose your document.
Copy/Paste the Share link in the comments.
Consultation Draft Rubric (100 points)
The content of the essay is not graded; this rubric is used to assess whether these features are present.
Category
Present
Emerging
Below Expectations
APA or MLA guidelines followed
Correctly formatted in either APA or MLA style with no errors. (10 points)
(5 points)
Is not correctly formatted in either APA or MLA style
(0 points)
Introduction and Thesis Statement
Writer introduces the topic, and the introduction ends with a thesis statement that states the writers argument. The thesis is reasonably consistent with the thesis statement included in the annotated bib or student includes an explanation for the change in thesis in the reflection (10 points)
(5 points)
(0 points)
Essay Organization
Essay flows from section to section, paragraph to paragraph, with paragraphs of reasonable length and depth and synthesized material present
(10 points)
(5 points)
(0 points)
Paragraph Organization
Paragraphs follow the MEAL plan: main idea, evidence, analysis, lead in. Topic sentences and source synthesis present.
(10 points)
(5 points)
(0 points)
Source Material
Essay contains substantial synthesized material drawn from a minimum of seven sources, with at least five coming from the annotated bibliography.
(10 points)
(5 points)
(0 points)
In-text Citations
Source material is properly introduced, and citations appear at the end of sentences as needed. Citations match the Work Cited page (10 points)
(5 points)
(0 points)
Work Cited/References
Includes bibliographic list, titled Work Cited or References in correct format on separate page (but in the same document). Page is clean looking and not simply a copy of the annotated bibliography. Minimum of seven sources with at least 5 coming from the AB (10 points)
(5 points)
(0 points)
Visuals
Includes a minimum of 3 graphics of appropriate size and with appropriate placement or a plan for visuals that is included in the reflection and also highlighted so its easy to see.
I have to write a research argument. And I want to write about Leftwich Tennis Center. Requirements:
Approximately six pages (excluding works cited)
A separate citation page: Works Cited, Bibliography or Reference
Must include five academic or government sources
MLA or APA format
Topic related to Memphis, so Leftwich Tennis Center related to it.
My research paper question is: How does the Leftwich Tennis Center impact community development and sports tourism in Memphis? Primary source: As a Division I tennis player, I can use my firsthand experience to explain how high-quality facilities like the Leftwich Tennis Center support athlete development, improve training conditions, and increase participation in tennis.
Secondary sources are:
so these are the links but feel free to find some more links if its works better. Also, no AI generator or others stuff.
Read these instructions carefully. A draft of Assignment 3 will be due for peer review next week. The final Assignment 3 will be due at the end of this unit.
Overview
For this assignment, you will write a proposal argument in response to a problem that you would like to be solved. A proposal argument defines a problem and calls for action by presenting a viable solution to that problem. Successful proposals are specific in both their description of a problem and the details required to solve that problem. Proposals should address practical considerations about the costs, feasibility, acceptability, and benefits of a specific solution. A proposal outlines the steps or processes required to bring a solution to action.
Processes, which describe the order in which certain action is supposed to be taken, require you to think about the resources and constraints available when applying or implementing certain ideas or actions. Because actions have consequences, you should also think about the implications of your recommendations. Consequences often present ethical, moral, and practical challenges or objections to proposed solutions or parts of a solution. These challenges must be resolved before most audiences will accept your proposal.
Formatting Details
Formatting your proposal argument will differ from essay format in that your proposal will contain front matter, body text and end matter. Your proposal argument may also utilize headings and visuals.
Your front matter will include:
A title page. Includes the title of your proposal, to audience of your report, who wrote the report, and the date. Type each of these items on a separate line and center each line.
An executive summary. Your executive summary includes the title of the proposal and your name at the top. Then, it describes the problem and your solution in a single paragraph.
The body of your proposal will contain the following information. Create your own informative headings to distinguish between sections.
A statement of the problem. Introduces the problem and establishes the relevance of the problem for your audience.
A description of the solution. Describes the solution and the steps needed to implement it.
An explanation of reasons. Provides your reasoning and/or your evidence in support of your proposed solution. You will also address any available alternatives, as well as possible counterarguments to your solution.
A conclusion. This section summarizes and reinforces your main points, considers the larger implications of your solution, indicates if there are any further solutions to consider, and/or issues a call to action.
The following content will comprise your end matter:
A works cited. Be sure to follow exactly the citation guide in your textbook. The works cited list is never numbered but is always alphabetized. Every reference on the list should match a clearly labeled in-text citation in the body of your proposal.
An appendix (optional). Any documents or visuals that might be too large for the body of your proposal may be included in an appendix. Be sure to label each item.
Your final draft should include 2 pages for front matter, 4-5 double-spaced pages for body content and at least 1 page for end matter (works cited): a total of 7-10 pages. You are encouraged to include headings in the body text and visuals if relevant. When citing your outside sources, follow MLA (see The New Harbrace Guide Chapter 22 and/or the PSU Libraries Citation Research Guide:
Recommended Process
Following these steps will help you draft your assignment.
Identifying a Problem
First, identify a problem that you would like to see solved. This should be a problem that has special interest to you but is manageable in scope. Problems that are too large or abstract will be difficult to write about in a detailed and precise manner given the length constraints of this assignment. If you have selected a large-scale topic (U.S. immigration, global warming), consider how you can narrow your focus to make your topic more manageable.
Proposals often contain one (or more) of the following argumentative structures:
Something may be wrong that needs to be changed or corrected. Example: To provide a better climate for learning, the Altoona School District should create a peer tutoring program.
Something may be lacking that needs to be added. Example: The Little Lions Swim Club should hire a full-time coach.
Something worthwhile may not be working properly and needs to be improved. Example: Ferguson Township’s recycling program should be expanded to include curbside pick-up.
A situation may need to be redefined in order to find new approaches or solutions. Example: The benefits program for employees of MacLean’s HealthCare Association should be revised to create a fairer maternity/family leave policy.
Conducting Background Research
Before you get too far on your project, do some preliminary research to identify what solutions have already been proposed to solve this problem. What you like or dislike about these proposed solutions? Do you have something new to offer to these conversations? If no solution has been previously discussed, consider the reasons for why this is. Remember: if your audience doesn’t think a problem exists, youll need to convince them of that first.
Identifying a Solution
After studying existing positions and solutions surrounding your selected problem, formulate a solution that will address that problem. Your solution does not necessarily have to resolve the entirety of a problem. In your introduction, explain the problem and address an audience who can benefit from and participate in the solution your proposal addresses.
Creating A Step-By-Step Plan
Provide a detailed description of your solution in your body paragraphs. Your proposed plan of action should explore the costs and benefits (the feasibility) of your solution. Each step in your proposal must be well-researched and credible. You will need to include evidence that supports your claims and anticipates the objections that readers might have.
Use the library resources available to you but you may also conduct field research to support your position (e.g. interviewing an expert, surveying a representative group of people, observing patterns). At least one of your outside sources should focus an alternative solution to your problem or should speak to why this problem has not already been solved.
Note: Avoid any research which might lead you to violate fieldwork ethics; that is, any research where you might observe participants in an unsafe environment and/or ask participants to reveal sensitive information about themselves, such as mental or physical health and/or risk-taking activities. See .
Finishing Strong
By the end of your proposal, your audience should have a clear plan of action that is feasible and relevant to them. Your solution should be mutually beneficial for both you and your audience.
Grading Criteria
Your proposal argument will be evaluated according to the PWR Grading Standards (and according to the following criteria:
The proposal defines a problem for a real group of people and outlines a plan of action for resolving this problem.
The proposal is directed to a specific individual or group of people who are named in the proposal and whose interests, values, priorities, and abilities shape the argument.
The body of your proposal uses rhetorical techniques and relevant research to persuade readers that a problem exists and that the proposed solution is feasible.
The proposal includes a minimum of three credible sources and cites these sources properly both in the body text and the Works Cited page.