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Hi everyone,
We had another busy Wednesday lesson, but there's just one more week to go and then we're finished our course! Peer Editing Discussions: In the first part of our lesson, you discussed your peer editing activities with your partner. When you edit/revise your conclusion, you can use your partner's comments. Also, check corrections I've made in your essay. You may have made the same errors in your conclusion. Conferences: For the remaining class time, everyone got a chance to meet with me to ask me questions about their first drafts. Fortunately, there was enough time to talk with everyone! Next Week's Lesson: In next week's lesson, I return your tests, peer editing tasks and final drafts of your persuasion essay. After, we'll have a fun writing lesson on texting in English. Homework:
Blog Question #10: (last one)
*Write 8-10 sentences. *Use capitalization, punctuation & spelling correctly. *Submit by Tuesday, July 21 by 6:00pm.
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Hi everyone, For this week's homework, you'll need to complete the following: Peer Editing Task: You need to exchange your first draft with a partner. Like our first peer editing task, you need to make revising and editing corrections. Please see the Peer Editing Guidelines for detailed instructions. Don't forget to make a copy of the conclusion and the peer editing worksheet. You need to give them to me in next week's lesson. Prepare for Conferences: For next week's lesson, we'll be in a computer room. I'll contact you with the room number next week. For your conference with me, you'll need to review your corrections. If you have questions, you'll have five minutes next week to ask me them. For our conferences, remember to bring the following:
Final Drafts: Your final draft will be due on Monday, July 20 at 12:00 noon. You can start working on your corrections before our conferences. The Final Draft Guidelines are attached at the end of the homework summary. Take-Home Test: We couldn't have our test in class, so you can complete it at home. Make sure to submit it in next week's lesson. 
Hi everyone,
Once again, we had another busy lesson. Just one more week, and you'll be finished your first draft for your persuasion essay. Minor Technicalities: At the start of our lesson, we had a short activity on a few technical errors to avoid when writing. Remember these points:
Body Paragraph #3: We then looked at the structure of body paragraph #3. For this paragraph, you need to introduce a counter-argument (=an opinion against your positions) and then argue against it with a rebuttal. When you introduce your counter-argument, you can use this structure: a. Opponents to (topic) + believe/claim + argument b. Supports for (topic) + believe/claim + argument Examples: Opponents to nuclear power believe that it is too dangerous. Supporters for holding the Tokyo Olympics believe that it will help the economy. Concluding Paragraph: For your concluding paragraph, remember to include these part:
Quiz #2: At the end of next week's lesson, we'll have our second quiz. For this quiz, please review the following: a. how to paraphrase b. how to write concluding sentences c. persuasion essay structure d. in-text citation Homework: 1. Blog Comment #9 2. Prepare for quiz #2 3. Bring one copy of your essay to class next week 4. Complete entire first draft
*Write 8-10 sentences. *Use capitalization, punctuation & spelling correctly. *Submit by Tuesday, July 6 by 6:00pm Hi everyone,
We're heading into the home stretch (=something is about to come to an end). Just a few more weeks left of the semester, and then we'll be on summer vacation! Paraphrasing: At the start of class, we reviewed how to paraphrase. When you paraphrase, you have to keep the shared language, find synonyms for the other words, and re-write the information with a new sentence structure. Also, don't forget to include an in-text citation for your paraphrases, too. When you want to use statistics or surveys as sources, you can introduce your survey in the following way: year of report + name of organization + reporting verb Example: A 2014 Japanese Cabinet Office report outlined the causes for the Fukushima nuclear accident. Funnel Structure and Concluding Sentences: After, we review funnel organization in body paragraphs. The most important point is that you organize your information from less general to specific (e.g. supporting idea --> detail). We also spent some time on learning how to write a concluding sentence for your body paragraphs. When you write a concluding sentence, you include the key phrases connected to your supporting ideas. Remember to start your concluding sentence with the expression "to sum up" or "therefore." Outlines: Near the end of class, you had some time to ask me questions about the comments on your outline. Make sure that if you have to change your reasons for body paragraph #1 and/or #2 to check with me first. Homework: 1. Complete Body Paragraphs #1 and #2
Hi everyone,
Wow! We were sure busy in today's lesson. We had a lot to cover, but we got through everything. We'll have a short review of paraphrasing in next week's lesson to reinforce this new writing skill. Body Paragraphs: We had a short review of how to organize your ideas in your body paragraphs. Once again, you will need to use 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 reviewed 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. Paraphrasing: We also learned about paraphrasing in today's class. This is another way we can include information into our research papers from our sources. When you paraphrase, you put the author’s ideas into your own words. Even if you want to use general facts from your source, you still have to paraphrase this information. Remember that some paraphrases need in-text citation and some paraphrases do not require it.
Before you paraphrase, you have to identify shared language (= words that you cannot change) and find synonyms for words that you can change. This is the most important step in writing a good paraphrase. This is a difficult skill to master and it often takes a long time to paraphrase information. I even have trouble paraphrasing when I have to prepare research papers, too. Be patient and don’t give up! 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 (2 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. For your outlines, you need to download the "Outline Template" from the Writing-->Persuasion Essay section on the website. It has also been uploaded in a file at the end of today's lesson summary. Homework: 1. Blog Comment #8 2. Complete Outline
Blog Question #8: Read through your feedback on your introduction. The blue comments/corrections are for content/structure; and the red comments are for grammar. Which three comments/corrections are the most important for you to help you write your body paragraphs? Why? *Write 8-10 sentences. *Use capitalization, punctuation & spelling correctly. *Submit by Tuesday, June 22 by 6:00pm. Hi everyone, I can't believe we're having such beautiful weather. I hope the sun stays out for all of June! Persuasion Essay: In today's lesson, we started our next essay: the persuasion essay. We learned about the purpose and structure of a persuasion essay. A persuasion essay gives the writer's opinion on a topic and the writer wants to convince the reader to support his/her position (either for or against something). We also brainstormed a variety of topics that you can choose from for your topic. For this essay, you'll give your position (for or against) on a controversial topic. Introduction Structure: We also learned about the different parts of an introduction for a persuasion essay: a. hook b. general statements: information about both positions c. thesis statement You can choose from four different hooks: a. quotes b. questions c. statistics d. interesting facts If you weren't in class today, make sure to download the Model Persuasion Essay, Writing your Introduction, and Introduction Guidelines. Homework:
NO BLOG COMMENT THIS WEEK!
Hi everyone, We'll be moving onto our next essay next week, which means we're over half way through our course! I can't believe it's already the rainy season! Conferences: In today's lesson, we were in the computer lab. You got the chance to discuss your first drafts with me, offer advice to your peer editing partner, and correct your own draft. Absent Students: If you couldn't attend today's lesson, make sure to contact me to arrange a time to pick up your first drafts with my comments. You need them this weekend so that you can submit your final drafts on time. Homework: 1. Final Draft
Blog Question #7:
*Use capitalization, punctuation & spelling correctly. *Submit by Tuesday, June 9 by 6:00pm.
Hi everyone,
I can't believe we've finished our first essay! Just one more to go! Revising and Editing: In today's class, we learned about revising and editing. When you revise, you correct the content and structure of your research paper. When you edit, you correct grammar and style mistakes. You then have some time to work on your peer editing task. For this task, you will revise/edit your partner's concluding paragraph. You need to complete the following for this task:
Conferences: For our lesson on June 3, we will be having conferences. You will be able to discuss your first drafts with me in an individual meeting during class while other students revise/edit their drafts. Make sure you prepare your list of questions for me before our conferences. Computer Room for June 3: For our conferences, we'll be in the computer room 216, so remember to bring a USB with your draft on it and your Aogaku ID card to access the computers. Homework: 1. Peer Editing Task 2. Blog Comment #6 3. Bring to class next week:
Blog Question #6: What did you think of the peer editing task? Answer the question directly - about the peer editing task you did for your partner (e.g. difficulties, what you learned, etc.). The question does not ask about the benefits of peer editing. *Write 8-10 sentences. *Use capitalization, punctuation & spelling correctly. *Submit by Tuesday, June 2 by 6:00pm. Hi everyone,
I'm sure that you're relieved that you've finished the first test of our course. Feedback on Body Paragraphs: Before our test, we went through some common errors in writing:
Homework: 1. Complete First Draft (with corrections)
3. Blog comment #5 Blog Question #5: How do you feel after writing your first essay? (e.g. expections, challenges, feedback, etc.)
Hi everyone,
I hope you all had a bit of a rest over the Golden Week vacation, and that none of you caught spring fever. Concluding Paragraph: In today’s lesson, we looked at the different parts of a concluding paragraph: thesis restatement, body paragraph summaries and a final thought. The most important sentence will be your final thought; you want to leave the reader with a strong impression so that he/she remembers your essay. For your final thought, you can use the following types of sentences: a. prediction b. recommendation c. question d. quotation Course Quiz #1: In next week class (May 20), we will have our first quiz. Make sure you review the following in order to prepare for the quiz: 1. essay structure 2. direct and second-hand quotations 3. how to make a summary If you cannot attend the test, you must contact me no later than Tuesday evening before 9:00pm. If you are absent due to illness, you will need to provide me with a medical certificate. Homework: 1. Complete body paragraphs #2 and #3
3. Blog comment #4 Blog Question #4: Read through your feedback and corrections on your first body paragraph. What are three specific things you need to pay attention to before you start writing body paragraphs #2 and #3?
Hi everyone,
I can't believe one month has already passed since the start of our course. Time flies!!! In-text Citation: In today's lesson, we learned to use in-text citation. There are three types of in-text citation that you can use when you write an essay: a. quotations b. paraphrases c. summaries We need to use in-text citation to support our own ideas. If we use the opinions of others and statistical information, this improves the credibility of your essay. In other words, the reader will trust your opinions. Also, we need to use in-text citation to avoid plagiarism (= copy somebody’s idea and claim it as your own). If you use another person’s idea, you must tell the reader where you got that information. Quotations: We looked at different styles of using in-text citation and focused on how to cite direct and second-hand quotes. Pay careful attention to difference between direct and second-hand quotes. 1. Direct Quote When you use a direct quote, you are quoting the information directly from your source. For example: James says that “Less than half of all internet users use English as their native language, and this figure continues to decrease” (3). This tells us that James said this information and you can find the quote on page 3 of James’ source. 2. Second-hand Quote When you use a second-hand quote, you are quoting a quote from your source. For example, President of the Council of Ministers for the European Union, Anna Lindh, says that “Russian, Mandarin, French, German, Spanish, Portuguese, and Japanese have all been guilty of extinguishing other languages” (qtd. in James 3). This tells us that Lindh said the quote, but Lindh did NOT write the source. James uses this quote in his source and you can find it on page 3. Homework: 1. Body Paragraph #1
We don't have our lesson next week because of the Golden Week holidays, so make sure to come back to class on May 13! Enjoy the break! Hi everyone, Ican't believe we're already starting our essay outlines! Time sure does fly! Body Paragraphs: We learned about the structure of the body paragraphs. Similar to the introduction, you need to use funnel introduction: organizing your ideas from general to specific. There are four types of details you can use in your essay: (1) facts; (2) descriptions; (3) statistics; and (4) expert opinions. Introductions: First drafts I returned the first drafts of your introductions in class. We went through the different types of comments on your drafts: purple comments for structure/content and orange 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. Sending your Documents to my Email: When you send a file to me, please use the following pattern in your subject line: IE3W: given name + task name (e.g. IE3W: Natsumi Outline) Please also include your name and task in the name of your MS Word file (e.g. Natsumi-outline). Homework: 1. Outline: email by Monday, April 27 before 12 noon
For your outline, remember to download the Classification outline Template. The file is below. Blog Question #3: Review the comments from your introduction. What are the three most important points you need to remember before you write your body paragraphs?
Hi everyone,
Great work today! I really appreciated how well everyone fully participated in pair and group work. Although it's only the second lesson, we're getting into the nuts-and-bolts (=idiom for details) of essay writing. 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. 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. rhetorical questions c. statistics d. interesting facts e. similes 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. Essay Format: We quickly went through how to format your essay (e.g. spacing, titles, etc.). If you need additional information, please see the "Essay Format" document at the end of today's summary. Homework:
Please submit your Introduction and Bibliography as Word documents. You will need to attach them to the emails you send to me. Blog Question #2:
*Write 8-10 sentences. *Use capitalization, punctuation & spelling correctly. *Submit by Tuesday, April 21 by 6:00pm. Hi everyone,
It was really great to meet everyone today! It's going to be a busy semester, but you'll see your writing skills improve quickly during our course. Essay Structure: In our lesson, we reviewed the structure of an essay, which has three parts: 1. Introduction 2. Body Paragraphs (3) 3. Conclusion From next week, we’re going to start writing our essay. We’ll learn about the “introduction” in more detail in class, and then you’ll write it for homework. Topic Selection: You also had some time to brainstorm topics (and subtopics) for your classification essay. When you choose your topic, make sure that it isn’t too general and isn’t too specific. Homework: 1. Complete the Essay Structure Activity (bring to class) 2. Blog comment #1 Blog Question #1: What is the topic of your classification essay? How are you going to classify your topic? Example: I’m going to write about the most popular tourist destinations for overseas tourists in Tokyo: the Imperial Palace, the Asakusa Kanno Temple and the Tsukiji fish market. *Write 2-3 sentences. *Use capitalization, punctuation & spelling correctly. *Submit by Tuesday, April 14 by 6:00pm. |
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