Hi everyone,

I can't believe how cold it's been this week!  I sure wish all this rain would stop!

Body Paragraphs:
We focused on the type of organization you'll have to use in your body paragraphs:  funnel organization.  This means that information is arranged in this way:
a.  general --> topic sentence with subtopic
b.  less general --> supporting ideas
c.  specific --> details

We also learned about the different types of details that you can use in your body paragraph:
a.  expert opinions
b.  statistics
c.  descriptions
d.  facts

Keep in mind that descriptions and facts over overlap with each other.  Many writers often use facts in their descriptions.  

Outlines:
We also looked at how to prepare an outline.  For your outlines, you need to include:
a.  Topic sentences (in sentence-form)
b:  supporting ideas (two for each body paragraph)
c.  details (3-4 details for each supporting idea).

Remember that you can use note-form for your supporting ideas and details.  You don't have to use sentence-form.

Introductions:
For the last part of our lesson, I returned your introduction with my comments.  Make sure you start correcting your writing every week.  In this way, you'll have less work to do when you have to submit your entire research paper.  

If you were not in class, you will have to get your introduction in next week's class.  

Homework:
1.  Blog Comment #4
2.  Research Paper Outline

• due Tuesday, October 29 by 12 noon.  
• Use the Research Paper Outline Template.  You can download the file at the end of the summary. 
• I will type my comments on your outline and email it back to you by Wednesday, October 30 by 6:00pm.  Print out the outline and bring it to class.

Blog Question #4:

Review my comments on your Introduction.  What three points (e.g. structure, grammar, etc.) do you need to pay attention to when you write body paragraph #1?

• Write 8-10 sentences.
• Use capitalization, punctuation & spelling correctly.
• Submit by Wednesday, October 30 by 6:00pm.

Hi everyone,

Can you believe one month has already passed!  After next week, we'll be one-third through our semester.  

Introduction Structure:

In the first part of class, we learned about the different parts of an introduction:  
a.    hook
b.    general statements
c.    thesis statement

You can choose from five different hooks: 
a.  quotes
b.  rhetorical questions
c.  statistics
d.  interesting facts

Thesis Statements:
We also learned how to write a thesis statement.  You need to include your main idea and your three sub-topics in your thesis statement.   

Homework:

1.  Write your Introduction

• email by October 22 before 12noon

(no blog question this week)

Hi everyone,

We had another busy class.  I can't believe how quickly the time passes in our lesson.  

Bibliography
We learned how to make a bibliography for a research paper.  A bibliography is an alphabetical list of all the sources you use for your research paper.  When you organize your source information in your bibliography, you need to arrange it using the MLA style (MLA=Modern Language Association).

MLA Referencing:
MLA referencing is one of the ways you can document your sources in your research paper.  This style is used in the humanities, especially for writing about language and literature.  Your AWSB does not include every format for all the different types of sources.  If you can ‘t find the MLA format for a source in your AWSB, you can refer to this website for the Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL).  It has the formats for all types of sources:

Purdue Online Writing Lab

Bibliography Guidelines:
1.    Find five sources (one source can be in Japanese)
2.    Type your bibliography.
3.    List your sources in alphabetical order.
4.    Use MLA referencing for your bibliography.
5.    Submit by email by October 15 before 6:00pm.  

Most of the information from our lessons can be found in the Writing --> Research Paper section on the website.  

Additional MLA Referencing:
Some students asked me during class for MLA referencing for You Tube videos, documentaries and books with no authors.  You can find the format for these references in the file at the end of today's summary. 

Homework:
1.  Bibliography:  email by Oct. 15 before 6:00pm.  
2.  Blog Comment #3

Blog Question #3:

What is your topic?  What three subtopics are you going to analyze in your research paper?

• Write 4-5 sentences.
• Use capitalization, punctuation & spelling correctly.
• Submit by Wednesday, October 16 by 6:00pm.

Hi everyone,

In today’s class, we learned about different types of sources and how to choose your sources for your research paper.   

Types of Sources:
We also talked about the different sources that you can use in your research essay.  These can include reference books, periodicals (journals, newspapers, magazines), video/audio recordings, government publications, interviews, and many others. 

Topic Selection:
We also narrowed down your topic choices.  Remember that your topic should be specific and not too general.  To help you narrow down your topic choice, it should include one of these phrases:

a.  effects of ...
b.  themes in ...
c.  reasons for ...
d.  benefits of ...
e.  disadvantages of ...
f.  differences between ... and .... 

Library and Database Activities:
We also reviewed the guidelines for your Pair Library and Database Activity.   This is very important because it help you become familiar with the resources in the Aogaku library.

For the library activity, you will have to go to the Aogaku library to complete it.  You will also need to learn how to use the databases in the library (or from your own computer).  The activities are include at the end of the blog post, as well as instructions for using the Aogaku databases.  

Lateness, Absences and Missed Deadlines:
Let me remind you of our course policies, which are outlined in our syllabus.

1. Lateness is not acceptable.  You are to be in your seats at 11:00am.  If you are late, take your seat quietly.  Do NOT interrupt me when I am teaching to tell me your reason.  You can talk to me after class.
2. If you are absent, you are still responsible for the course deadlines.  You will be granted an extension only if you contact me BEFORE the deadline and with a medical certificate.  
3. If you are absent, it is YOUR responsibility to get the class information from your classmates and the website.  
4. If you do not respect the course deadlines, you will NOT receive my written feedback - only oral comments in class. 

Homework:

1. Finalize your research paper topic with my by email (Friday, October 4 by 9:00pm)
2. Pair Library & Database Activity (due October 10 in class; 10% of your final grade)

• Those students who were absent will have to complete the activity by themselves.  You had to be in class to have a partner.  

1. Find a minimum of three sources for your research paper; use the "Research Paper Sources" worksheet.
2. Blog Comment #2

Attention:  Naoki, please send me a new email address so that I can contact you.  I cannot send email to your cell phone address.  My emails get returned to me. 


Akinori and Shuhei, please send me your email contact information so that I can send you notices about our course.  

Blog Question #2:

Tell me about your experience completing the library and database activities (e.g. When did you do them?  Did you need help?  Were the activities difficult?  Were they useful activities? Do you think you can find sources for your research paper now?)

Please read this question carefully.  You need to tell me about your experience with the Academic Writing library activity (NOT experience from another class)!

• Write 8-10 sentences.
• Use capitalization, punctuation & spelling correctly.
• Submit by Wednesday, October 9 by 6:00pm.