Review the  Explanatory Essay Details

Explanatory Essay Assignment and deadlines (deadlines still being updated on this page, see the main agenda for deadlines), if you have missed the class when we discussed this.

Review Bibliography in groups.  Discuss your "topic pitch."

8.1 Discuss "Dynamism" responses

Review and evaluate samples of various levels of writing.  Determine which is the most successful, and discus WHY.

 8.2 Review in Chapter 7 "Explaining How" and "Explaining Why."  Pay attention to the examples provided, and then decide what you might like to write about.  Choose a how or a why.  Write at least 250 words about HOW to do something you know how to do, or WHY we should do something.  Remember that a HOW contains a descriptive process analysis.  Remember that a WHY often contains an explanation of cause and effect (dirty hands pass germs and cause colds, for instance).  You need not do research to do this, but you should write something you know well.

8.3.  Outside Assignment:  Do this in the library or one of the labs, and turn in to my box in the 900 building by 5pm today.  Test your powers of observation:  See how many people you can find in this painting.  Be patient, it will take a bit of time to load.  Does observing this painting demonstrate for you that there is more to be seen (and written about) than we initially realize?  Write at least 250 words about what you learn.  Although you should tell me what you finally find, I'd like to hear more about what this assignment makes you THINK.

8.2 Find it in The Perfect Storm:  Your textbook discusses in Chapter Three the use of observing techniques.  Peruse "God's Country" in Perfect Storm and find examples of these methods (see handout).  You may go forward to new chapters, or back to previous ones if you like.  Write one paragraph for each technique you find, introducing it, quoting it, and giving me your analysis of how it works in the text for the reader. Practice making in text citations, introducing quotes, and using quotation marks around cited material.  Work on writing transitions between each paragraph.  5 points for each example found, up to 50 points.  Work to finish this before class is over, but you may take it home to finish if necessary.

Remembering Essay

Make sure you're current with the reading! (we're starting a new chapter!)

7.2, 7.3 Bibliography and Library Report.

Be prepared to pitch your topic for your essay.  You should have a very focused topic, and three facts or points you will use to enlighten us about your topic.  (Think of the Toufexis essay, and her focus on evolutionary roots, brain imprints, and biological secretions.  You should be able to tell us the same thing about your proposed essay).

7.3.  An article which will be used in your Explanatory Essay, summarized. Include the summary, a citation to the article, and the article itself.

7.4.  An outline for your Explanatory essay, and two pages of written material.  Four articles printed out.  One of these may be the one you summarized.