Day 5: Old/New Information Pattern Continued

We are going to start with a warm up. I will write three numbers on the board that are somehow connected to me. As a class, you all will have to ask "yes/no" questions in order to figure out the connection the numbers have to me.

We will be taking some time out in order to work on giving feedback on everyone's paragraphs that were submitted on Monday. Directions for giving feed back can be found in the "new information old information" folder in dropbox. If you did not submit a paragraph, please see me.

When this activity is finished, we will be working on revising the paragraphs you submitted into the "new information old information" folder in dropbox. The revised versions should be named OldNew2_FirstName LastName.doc

We will be reviewing these revised paragraphs as a class and discussing what techniques were used to maintain the old information new information pattern. You can view this EXAMPLE PARAGRAPH that I created with highlighted strategies for keeping the old information new information pattern.

You will then create another old information new information paragraph following the same DIRECTIONS as last time except this paragraph should NOT use any of the words listed in the directions. You are to think of your own words. The files should be named OldNew3_FirstName LastName.doc and uploaded to the "new information old information" folder.

You will be required to comment on two paragraphs written by other students in the class. Please see the file "DIRECTIONS READ ME" located in the "new information old information" folder to learn about the commenting procedure.

After you have received your comments, create a revised version of the paragraph to submit and name it OldNew4_FirstName Last Name.doc This revision is due by the end of class.

Day 4: Old/New Information Pattern

We will be working on a group activity with various objects.

First, I will choose an object. The person next to me will then choose an object that is related to the object I chose in some way. The next person will then choose an object that is related to the previous person's object. We will continue until everyone has chosen an object.

We will then speculate as to why each person chose his or her object, but nobody is to tell why YOU chose a particular object.

After this you will break up into pairs and discuss how this activity is related to writing.

After I have met with each group, read this PARAGRAPH and discuss how each sentence is connected to the next.

We will discuss this and then you will break up into pairs again and create a paragraph following these DIRECTIONS. There are more directions within the shared dropbox folder called "New Information Old Information." Be sure to read those directions as well.

When you have completed the paragraph, upload it to the dropbox folder I shared with you all today "New Information Old Information." Be sure to read the directions document I placed in the folder as well because it has the directions for your homework.

Homework 2: Old Information New Information Paragraphs and Revisions

You must accept my invitation to the folder "new information old information" before you can complete this activity. If you did not receive an invitation, please email me and let me know which email address you would like the invitation to be sent to.

You must create a file called OldNew1_FirstName LastName.doc

Create your paragraph according to THESE INSTRUCTIONS.

You must also provide feedback and revisions on the paragraphs of two other students in this class. The directions for that can be found in the "new information old information" folder. The file that contains the directions is named "DIRECTIONS READ ME."

Your paragraph submission is worth 5 homework points and comments on other paragraphs are worth 2.5 homework points each. If you do not receive full points on this assignment, it is probably because you did not make the required number of comments or you did not comment on the correct file, OldNew1_FirstName LastName .

Many of you have not completed the revisions. We may spend some time on this in class 9/1/10, so try to get it done before so we don't have to spend too much time on this activity. This assignment will need to be completed in class 9/1/10 at the very latest.

Day 3: Writing Across Borders

Day 3 will focus on discovering the differences between your culture and the culture of the United States.  We will spend time learning about the differences in writing styles among different countries.  Later on in the class, we will discuss the contrasts between your culture's writing style and the style used in the United States. 

We will begin by dividing into groups of 3 or 4 and discussing the following questions.

Day 2: In-class Diagnostic Exam

This exercise fulfills several purposes. The first is to give me a place to start the course. I will assess your organization, logical flow of ideas, clarity of explanations, grammar, vocabulary and style in order to get to know your writing and learn how best to help you this semester. The second, but perhaps primary purpose is to give YOU a starting point for evaluating and improving your own writing performance. Note also that you must be a preapproved/registered attendee in order to take the diagnostic exam.

If you miss this exam, you will need to schedule a make-up session with me.

You will have 50 minutes to complete the exam. When you're finished, upload it to your shared, dropbox folder that I asked you to create during the first class period.

**IMPORTANT! Once you have uploaded, do not touch this document! Opening it will change your last modified date, indicating that you changed the document after the due date. I will be reviewing your essays this week and we will begin discussing and revising.

Homework 1: Upload A Picture of Yourself

Your first homework assignment is to create a dropbox folder named:

ESL 114_Firstname Lastname

You must share this folder with me.

You must also upload a photograph of yourself to this folder.

Many of you have already completed this assignment. You do not need to do it twice.

This assignment is worth 5 homework points.

I am extending the deadline to complete the photo upload to Friday, September 3rd, 11:59 PM.

Day 1: First Day Handout

ESL 114: Introduction to Academic Writing

Fall 2010

Class: ESL-114-G Instructor: Ryan Boyd

Time: 3:00 -3:50 MWF Office: FLB 3050

Website: http://www.esl114g.blogspot.com/ Office hours: 10:00 – 11:00 TW

Course Objectives

The purpose of ESL 114 is to introduce general principles and strategies for American academic writing. In this course, you will learn how to organize your thoughts in writing and to present them in a manner that is appropriate for an English-speaking, academic audience.

Students will be expected to:

• use and practice the more common patterns of rhetorical organization
• learn the process and skills necessary for writing a mini-research paper using pre-selected topics and supporting materials.

Reflective Assignments:

You will write three reflective assignments which serve two purposes. First, it is a means of personal communication between you and me, student and teacher. Second, it will help you to understand yourself as a writer, your progress and your needs.

Grading:

Your grade will be made up of the following components:

3 major papers (essay revision, compare/contrast or cause/effect essay, argumentative essay) 30%

Final mini research paper 20%

Oral presentation of research paper 10%

Participation (homework, in-class activities) 15%

Reflective Assignments 10%

Attendance 15%

More Course Notes:

There will be no final exam for this course. Your written assignments will be graded on organization, content, conventions and vocabulary/style.

All writing assignments are due at the assigned time, and late papers will be penalized. We will employ a process method for completing papers, and you can expect to revise your drafts one or more times before it is considered “done” and ready to be graded. Once the final draft has been turned in, however, no further revisions may be made.

During the semester, the students will be required to write four essays on assigned topics. All essays must be typed and double-spaced using standard 12 point font. They must be written according to the APA style, which will be discussed this semester in class.

All essays will be sent electronically on the due date by 11:59 p.m. through Dropbox. The files will be named your NETID_name of assignment and a number indicating the draft. For example, rdboyd2_diagnostic1, rdboyd2 _diagnostic2, etc.

Homework and reading assignments may be given daily. Students are expected to come to class prepared to discuss homework and readings. Participation in class discussions and activities is expected and will contribute to the final grade—this includes encouraging the participation of others. A grade of zero will be given to all work missed due to an unexcused absence. Late homework may not be accepted or will be marked down.

Attendance Policy for the ESL Writing Service Courses:

Students are required to attend all classes. If, for some reason, you must be absent, please contact the instructor before class. IF YOU ARE ABSENT, YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL NOTES AND ASSIGNMENTS. Two tardies (times late) count as one absence, no matter if it's 1 minute or 10. If you are tardy more than 30 minutes, it counts as an absence. After three absences, you will receive a verbal warning from the instructor. After four absences, the ESL Coordinator will be notified. Students who are chronically absent or late are in danger of failing the course at the coordinator’s discretion.

Plagiarism Policy for the ESL Writing Service Courses:

Another one of our objectives in this course is to teach you how to avoid plagiarism. As you know, the consequences of plagiarism are serious. The University of Illinois’ handbook, Code on Campus Affairs and Regulations Applying to All Students, defines plagiarism as “intentionally or knowingly representing the words or ideas of another as one’s own in any academic exercise.” Plagiarism is one type of academic dishonesty which may result in a student’s suspension or dismissal from the University. At the very least, it will result in a failing grade in the course at the coordinator’s discretion. Therefore, the work you turn in for this class MUST BE YOUR OWN.

Finally:

Communication and understanding are important elements of this class. If at any time you have questions about the course content or about your papers, please ask in class, communicate with me by email, or make an appointment to see me. I will do my best to be available and responsive.

To obtain disability-related academic adjustments and/or auxiliary aids, students with disabilities must contact the course instructor and the Disability Resources and Educational Services (DRES) as soon as possible. To contact DRES you may visit 1207 S. Oak St., Champaign, call 333-4603 (V/TDD), or e-mail a message to disability@uiuc.edu