Partner C/C

After peer reviewing your paragraph(s) compare and contrast, you were divided into partnerships to create a partner essay -- one partner in charge of the introduction and first body paragraph and the second partner in charge of the second body paragraph and conclusion. We will review and critique this writing during class tomorrow. You will also learn more about your assessment and have time to prepare for the writing prompt next week.

Comparatively Speaking

After reviewing vocabulary -- one more 10 word burst after this one -- we read "Sex, Lies, and Conversation" to contrast the communication styles of the genders and, hopefully, absolve any relationship dysfunction. To continue our practice compare and contrasts, you selected a topic, created a basis, composed an original thesis, and wrote 1-2 paragraphs comparing/contrasting the items. We will use these paragraphs to critique each other tomorrow during class.

The Rest of Third Quarter

On Wednesday, we completed the Grammar Quest, the culminating activity of our Grammar Boot Camp. If absent, you will need to complete this activity as soon as possible.

During Friday's class, we finished our grouping of 10 new vocabulary words and turned in the final draft of the exemplification essay.

Our latest writing style is compare and contrast writing. There are 5 components to this writing style; the basis (brainstorming and figuring out the examples and direction of your essay), the thesis (which should not include the bland "similarities and differences), the organization (block vs. point-by-point), the transitional elements, and the conclusion (the final thought for your reader).

We practiced these components by creating a basis, thesis, organizational outline, and concluding statement for various topics. We identified these components by reading Mark Twain's selection on the change of perspective apparent in all of our experiences.

Readying Our Quest

During Monday's class, we peer evaluated our first drafts of the exemplification essay, which is due on Friday in final format. Remember to include a Works Cited Page for your sources.

Overlapping between Monday and Tuesday's classes, we reviewed for the Grammar/ Mechanics Quest. On the Quest, you will need to revise grammar and explain why, revise punctuation an explain why, answer questions related to rules of grammar and punctuation, identify parts of speech, and differentiate between active and passive constructions. We will complete the Quest during Wednesday's class after our lunch period.

February 26

Vocab quiz 4 is completed. We will only have one or two more units left for vocabulary in the semester.

Exemplification essay - the first draft - is due for Monday's class and peer review.

We almost finished our grammar review -- the active/passive and parts of speech sections will be for Monday's class. In addition, complete the practice quest to further prepare for the actual quest next Tuesday/Wednesday.

February 24

After a competitive turn reviewing vocabulary on the buzzers -- don't worry, they will be back when we finish all of our vocabulary in a few weeks -- we spent quality time peer and teacher reviewing your exemplification paragraphs on the sybaritic lifestyle. If absent, you will need to share your exemplification with  me for feedback.

Next, the official assignment for the exemplification essay. I do have hard and digital copies of this assignment available upon request. The first draft will be reviewed on Leap Day! The final draft deadline is Friday, March 4, at 3:30 p.m.

Last, a grammar review handout for Friday's class. This is available in hard and digital copies upon request.

Sybaritic Exemplification

After finishing up our new vocab words, we spent the hour practicing the steps of exemplification.
1. Set up a Google document in which you can later share your work.
2. Brainstorm a list of all people, items, symbols, places associated with a sybaritic lifestyle.
3. Write a thesis statement in which you define/explain a sybaritic lifestyle.
4. Highlight/asterisk 3 examples from your brainstorm that you will use for your writings.
5. Order the examples 1, 2, 3.
6. You will then construct a body-like paragraph for each example. For each paragraph, you will need to incorporate one example of citable evidence from either a database, website, or the like.

We will use these paragraphs to peer edit tomorrow.