Hi everyone,

It was another busy three hours!  Unfortunately, there was still problems with the projector, so I am trying to change our room so that our lesson will go more smoothly next week.  

Body Paragraphs:
We learned about the structure of the body paragraphs.  In BP#1 and BP#2, you give your reasons for your position and support your reasons with supporting ideas and details.  

There are four types of details you can use in your essay:  (1)  facts; (2) descriptions; (3) statistics; and (4) expert opinions.  

Remember that BP#3 is very different from your other body paragraphs.  In BP#3, you need to include counter-arguments and rebuttals.  

If you would like to review the slide presentation from our lesson, you can find it at this link:  Persuasion Essay Body Paragraphs

Introductions:  First drafts
I returned the first drafts of your introductions in class.  We went through the different types of comments on your drafts:  blue comments for structure/content and red comments for grammar.  You also received Correction Symbols.  I will use correction symbols to give you hints about the errors you make in your writing.  

Outlines:
For next week, you need to complete an outline for your body paragraphs.  Make sure you download the outline template.  You can find it at the end of this summary.  

Group Discussions:
Before our discussion, we reviewed Anglo-Saxon Conversational Style.  The handout from our lesson at in a file at the end of this summary.  Remember that you can "jump into" a discussion and that you don't have to wait to give comments. 

I was very impressed with your discussions, especially with your conversational style; most members gave their opinions and commented on each other’s opinions.  In addition, you’ve done a good job pre-teaching your vocabulary before the start of your discussion.

For next week's lesson, remember these points to help you improve your discussions:

1. When you pre-teach your vocabulary, make sure that each group member says the word until she can pronounce fluently.  In order to remember vocabulary, you must SEE, HEAR, and SAY the word.  
   
2. Don't play with your hair during discussions.  It shows that you aren't interested in the topic, and can be a sign of "flirting" in other cultures. 

Homework:
1.  Discussion preparation
2.  Journal Topic #4:  an interesting place
3.  Blog Post #4
4.  Outline:  due May 13 before 12 noon

• Your outline will be returned by email by 6pm on May 13.  Remember to check your email on Tuesday.
• Make sure to print out your outline with my comments and bring it to our lesson. 
  

Blog Question #4:

Read through the comments on the first draft of your introduction.  What are three grammar points you need to remember when you write the rest of your essay?

(For students who missed last week's lesson, you will have to submit your blog post after this week's lesson).

* Write 8-10 sentences.
* Use capitalization & spelling correctly.
*  Submit by Tuesday, May 14 by 6:00pm

Hi everyone,

As usual, we had another busy class.  However, you get a short break because of the Golden Week vacation next week.  

Group Discussions:
Once again, good work with your discussions. I was also impressed that some of the leaders used gestures effectively (we'll have a lesson on this in May).  

However, remember these points to improve your discussions next week:

1. When you pre-teach your vocabulary, make sure you have a pronunciation practice with your group.  If you can’t say a word, you’ll never be able to remember it. 
2. Remember to check your group's understanding at least 3 times during the summary/opinion section.  You can use these expressions:

• Are you following me?
• Is this clear?
• Any questions so far?

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.  Below, you can find the handout from class with the most common MLA entries.

MLA Referencing Guide

Introduction Structure:
We also 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.  questions
c.  statistics
d.  interesting facts

Late Submissions:

Please be aware that your writing must be submitted on time if you would like to receive my comments.  If you submit your writing after a deadline, it will not be checked. 

Enjoy the Golden Week vacation!

Homework:

1. Journal Topic #3:  work-volunteer experience
2. Blog Comment #3
3. Discussion preparation (see schedule)
4. Introduction: due April 30 by 12noon by email
5. Bibliography:  due May by 12noon by email

If you missed our lesson on Wednesday, make sure you review the Introduction and Bibliography Guidelines before you submit your tasks.

Don't forget our lesson is cancelled on May 1.  Remember to come back on May 8.  

Blog Question #3:

1. What difficulties did you have writing your introduction?
2. Why do you think you are writing your essay step-by-step?

*Write 8-10 sentences.
*Use capitalization, punctuation & spelling correctly.
*Submit by Wednesday, May 7 by 6:00pm.