This assignment has 3 parts
Part A
ASSIGNMENT 1.3: ✍️Reflection Journal #1: Writing Experiences
Reflection Journal #1:
Reflection is an essential part of the learning process. It encourages us to become more self-aware about our knowledge or lack of it; it helps us remember what we have learned so we can make improvements. When we reflect, it allows us to see our growth and check our progress, which can lead to a sense of accomplishment. The journey through reflection helps to make evident what is needed to continue to grow and learn.
Assignment Focus
After absorbing the learning resources on using AI, for our first reflection journal, we want you to reflect on how best to use Grammarly and other AI tools ethically, OR you can reflect on your previous experiences with writing in school. Whichever topic you choose, try to reflect deeply on your experiences.
Instructions
In a single paragraph, answer all four (4) questions for whichever topic you have chosen in an MLA-formatted Word document. Attach that Word document for this assignment submission.
Questions for Ethical Use of AI
1. Should students use AI in academic writing? Explain why you feel that way.
2. How often do you use AI tools? Give an example of what you use AI tools for.
3. Are you using AI tools to enhance your understanding or to bypass learning? Describe how you use it to do this.
4. Do you feel that using AI tools influences your ability to think independently and creatively? Explain why you feel that way.
Questions for Previous Writing Experiences
1. What strengths have you discovered in your writing? Give an example of this.
2. What challenges have you encountered in academic writing? Describe how you have worked to overcome them.
3. How has feedback from instructors or peers influenced your writing process and development? Give an example of this.
4. In what ways has writing helped you express ideas or clarify your thoughts in other areas of your academic or personal life? Explain.
Part B
ASSIGNMENT 2.1: 📝Writing Thesis Statements
Choose one of the following activities to complete for this assignment.
2.1a – Thesis Statements Mad Libs
Using Mad Libs is an interesting and fun way to learn the essential components of sentence structure for kids. However, we can also use them to learn and understand the essential components of thesis statements: a subject, a claim, and reasons for that claim.
By providing the missing parts of the sentence, try to create the most outlandish or funny thesis statement possible. Create the most ridiculous, hilarious, or wildly imaginative thesis statement using the format:
Because of [reason 1], [reason 2], and [reason 3], [subject] is/are [claim].
Mad Lib Thesis Statement Examples:
· Because of an ancient prophecy, the suspicious disappearance of all left socks, and the rise of squirrel espionage, Earth’s squirrels are preparing for intergalactic diplomacy.
· Because of enchanted ramen noodles, the strange silence of pigeons, and a spell written on a bathroom stall, campus libraries are portals to alternate dimensions.
The unpredictable and silly combinations help you internalize the essential components of a thesis (subject, claim, and reasons) in a low-pressure way.
Now think about how that can be translated into a serious thesis statement that provides your reader with vital information about the direction of your essay. A strong thesis is like a roadmap. It gives direction, has a clear point, and offers insight into the essay’s message or theme. It is a summary of the main points you plan to write about and communicates the significance of your topic. The reason for writing your essay is to prove your thesis statement to your audience.
Real Thesis Example:
· Because of the energy production required to charge the battery, the difficulty in disposing of the battery once its life has expired, and the potential for the battery to leak, electric cars are bad for the environment.
Submission Instructions:
1. In an MLA-formatted Word or PDF document, create two (2) outlandish or ridiculous thesis statements. Be as creative as possible and have fun with it!
2. Then create a serious thesis statement about any topic to demonstrate how you have internalized the essential components of a thesis statement.
3. Your MLA-formatted Word or PDF document should contain 3 thesis statements. Attach your document as your assignment submission.
OR
2.1b – “Would You Rather” Thesis Statement Challenge
To write a focused and organized essay, you need a strong thesis statement. It is a summary of the main points you plan to write about and communicates the significance of your topic. The reason for writing your essay is to prove your thesis statement to your audience. It appears at the end of your essay’s introduction. Using “Would You Rather” questions as prompts can help you practice formulating a strong thesis statement with all its essential components.
For example, “Would you rather have the ability to fly or be invisible?”
Step 1: Choose a side: “I would rather be able to fly.”
Step 2: Form your claim: “The ability to fly is superior to invisibility.”
Step 3: Add reasons: “The ability to fly is superior to invisibility because it offers more practical applications for travel and rescue, and it would be a unique and exhilarating personal experience.”
Submission Instructions:
Step 1: Choose one “Would you rather?” question from each group to use as inspiration for a thesis statement.
Group One
· Would you rather talk on the phone or text?
· Would you rather read a paper book or an e-book?
· Would you rather live in the world of your favorite video game or be best friends with your favorite fictional character?
· Would you rather watch a movie or read a book?
Group Two
· Would you rather be filthy rich and live 400 years ago or be middle-class today?
· Would you rather have more time or more money?
· Would you rather be wise or intelligent?
· Would you rather spend a night in a haunted house or take a final exam you haven’t studied for?
Group Three
· Would you rather live on a boat or an island?
· Would you rather have unlimited access to every show ever made or front-row seats to every concert of your favorite artists?
· Would you rather travel abroad or take a road trip across the U.S.?
· Would you rather land your dream job but must move to a random country tomorrow, or stay in your comfort zone with a decent job here forever?
Step 2: Write your thesis statements in an MLA-formatted Word or PDF document to submit for this assignment. Your document should contain three (3) thesis statements. Attach your document as your assignment submission.
Part C
ASSIGNMENT 3.1: 📝Outlining to Write Body Paragraphs
Assignment Instructions
Using Outlines to Plan Body Paragraphs Assignment
Body paragraphs are an essential part of writing an essay. Let’s practice planning and creating some, and use this opportunity to showcase your writing skills!
Body Paragraphs – 7-9 sentences minimum
·
Topic Sentence – states the topic, purpose, and point of the paragraph; the controlling idea.
·
Supporting Details (2-3 supporting ideas minimum) – explain, develop, illustrate; provide evidence and examples – with transitions to show the connections in your organization
·
Conclusion Sentence – summarize your point and transition to the next paragraph.
AI Reminder:
Review the English department’s AI policy located in the syllabus and at the top of the Content area of Blackboard.
AI should not be used to write any part of this assignment — I want your own thoughts.
INSTRUCTIONS:
Complete the narrative body paragraph example and one other of your choice.
You will complete two (2) body paragraphs to submit in an MLA-formatted Word document.
Example Completed Paragraph
A. Compare/Contrast Paragraph
Purpose: to show the similarities or differences between 2 things; to inform
Step 1: Choose your topics to compare or contrast.
·
TOPIC OPTIONS: 2 video games, 2 book genres, 2 music styles or artists, 2 sports or teams, or 2 superheroes
Step 2: Write a topic sentence that includes both topics, your purpose (comparison or contrast), and your point about them.
Step 3: Create an outline to plan your paragraph. List all similarities or differences between the two; add specific details, potential examples, data, evidence, and explanations.
Step 4: Write a draft of your paragraph. Use a logical order and confirm that the details are relevant and specific. Make sure that you include transitions to show the relationships between your details, like
similarly, like, both, however, although, or
unlike. The conclusion should restate the significance of your point.
Step 5: Include a photo or image that relates to the point of your paragraph.
B. Cause/Effect Paragraph
Purpose: to show the reasons or results of an event; to inform
Step 1: Choose your topic.
·
TOPIC OPTIONS: the reasons or results of buying a car, moving to a new place, beginning a new job, traveling to a specific place, or playing or watching a sport.
Step 2: Write a topic sentence that includes the topic, the purpose, and your point about it.
Step 3: Create an outline to plan your paragraph. List all potential reasons, results, motives, impacts, consequences, or intentions; add specific details, expert opinions, potential examples, evidence, and explanations.
Step 4: Write a draft of your paragraph. Make certain that your explanations clearly link reasons and results and include sufficient specific details explain in detail. Include transitions to show the relationships between your details, like
because, since, as a result, therefore, or
consequently. The conclusion should emphasize your point.
Step 5: Include a photo or image that relates to the point of your paragraph.
C. Argument Paragraph
Purpose: to make a point and take a stand; to persuade
Step 1: Choose your topic.
·
TOPIC OPTIONS: your opinion on… cell phones in theaters, banned books, violence in video games or movies, reinstating the draft, or mandatory volunteer hours for high schoolers
Step 2: Write a topic sentence that states the subject and takes a stand (your claim).
Step 3: Create an outline to plan your paragraph. List all possible supporting evidence: specific points, potential reasons, valid motives, impacts, or consequences; add specific details, potential examples, evidence, and explanations.
Step 4: Write a draft of your paragraph. Make sure to include any necessary explanations of the problem being argued, all serious or obvious reasons, and sufficient specific details. Links between your reasons and details should be clear and logical; include transitions to show the relationships between your details, like
for example, in addition, clearly shows, or
furthermore. Your concluding sentence should stress the reasoning for why your point is important (your warrant).
Step 5: Include a photo or image that relates to the point of your paragraph.
D. Narrative Paragraph
Purpose: move the story forward and deepen the reader’s understanding of the characters and themes.
Step 1: Choose your topic.
·
TOPIC OPTIONS: a unique event from your life that has a lesson, your most exciting outing/trip/night, a time you were lost but found your way, the first time you attempted something new, your experience with a family tradition, a time you went camping, a time you traveled to a new place
Step 2: Write a topic sentence that introduces the main idea or event of the paragraph and connects to the purpose of the narrative.
Step 3: Create an outline to plan your paragraph. List all possible supporting details: specific points in time, sensory descriptions (sight, sound, touch, smell), emotions or feelings, or dialogue; add potential examples, evidence, and explanations.
Step 4: Write a draft of your paragraph. Be sure to provide any necessary background information or a brief transition from the previous paragraph to help the reader understand time, place, or changes in the scene. Give the event or action details that describe what happens in the story and provide vivid and specific sensory details to show rather than tell. Add any dialogue if necessary. Any inner thoughts and feelings should reveal the narrator’s or character’s emotions and reactions. Maybe offer insight into the significance or meaning of this event. Make sure that you include transitions to show the relationships between your details, like
later, next, then, meanwhile, after, before, or
as. Your concluding sentence should wrap up the paragraph and may hint at what’s coming next.
Step 5: Include a photo or image that relates to the point of your paragraph.
Body paragraphs are an essential part of writing an essay. Let’s practice planning and creating some, and use this opportunity to showcase your writing skills!
Part D
Engl 045 Perr
Part D
Regarding the article,“Dozens Who Had Contact With the First U.S. Ebola Patient Are in the Clear” by Alice Park, write a strong, coherent ACES paragraph which discusses its prevalent
theme
. Remember, a theme is
a statement of truth about life which is also true in the article
. Remember to introduce the author and article title. Reveal the theme by
answering the question,
citing a quote from the article,
explaining how the quote supports the answer, and finally
summarizing your points with no new information in the last sentence. You are not to write about a motif! Make sure you read the Motif & Theme slideshow to know the difference.
Your response:
