Word of the day on Monday: "Persnickety." Today we reviewed the requirements for the research essay that is due on Thursday, May 2.  Then we reviewed the grading rubric for this essay, and we reviewed how to correctly do MLA formatting and Works Cited page.

DUE DATE: THURSDAY, MAY 2: Research essay with Works Cited Page

First draft of research essays were due in class Thursday.  We peer-edited them.  Then we learned MLA format for the Works Cited page and looked at a sample Works Cited page.  The final draft, with a Works Cited page is due on Thursday, May 2.

On Monday, the word of the day was "surreal." Then we read another sample research essay and looked at how to format essays correctly.  Then we watched a powerpoint presentation on correct MLA formatting.

DUE DATE: First draft of the research essay is due Thursday, April 25 in class.  We will be peer-editing in class.

Today in Writer's Workshop, the word of the day was "diaphanous."

Then we looked at a sample outline for a research paper and then we looked at a sample research essay based on that outline.  We discussed the outline and essay.  Then I handed out a model outline and another model outline with a template.  Then I returned students' research that they handed in on Monday and for the last half hour of class, students wrote their own outlines for their research essay.  The first draft of this essay is due on Thursday, April 25.

On Monday, April 15, the Word of the Day was superfluous.  We then brainstormed (wrote) about everything we knew about our research topic and then I collected the 7 text-marked articles.

On Tuesday, April 16, the Word of the Day was ingratiate.  We then had WITS lesson #5.  Students should see me for the make up work.

UPCOMING DUE DATES:

On Thursday, April 18, we will complete an outline for the research essay IN CLASS.  You will be given sample outlines and your articles will be returned to you so that you can write your outline in class.

On Thursday, April 25, the first draft (including citations and works cited page) of your research essay is due. We will peer-edit in class on this day.

Don't forget these due dates:

Monday, April 15: 7 text-marked articles
Thursday, April 18: Essay Outline
Thursday, April 25: First Draft of Essay
Thursday, May 2: Final Draft of Essay

On Thursday, the word of the day was "garrulous."  We had our 2nd WITS session on Thursday.  Students will have to see me for make-up work.

On Tuesday, April 2, the word of the day was "sacrosanct".

We had our first session with WITS (Writers in the Schools program run by Portland Literary Arts).  Students will need to see me for make-up work.

Word of the day today is "behemoth."  We reviewed the calendar of due dates (see the March 22 post) for the research essay and then students created thesis statements and/or research questions to guide their research.

The first major due date is Monday, April 15 when 7 text-marked articles are due.  These are articles that you have printed out IN FULL, and that will most likely end up being used in your paper, and they should be marked up according to these guidelines:

• underline or highlight significant/important ideas or facts
• write notes in the margins about how you might use these underlined pieces or why you think these pieces are important/significant for your argument
• underline or highlight any counterarguments
• write notes in the margins about how you will use these counterarguments and how you will refute them