Leslie English 045 Week 2
Part A
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 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
Reflection Journal #2: Growth Mindset
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:
What is your mindset? How can you put that knowledge to use in this class?
Instructions:
Step 1. Self-Assessment: What is your current mindset?
Now that you have learned what a growth mindset and a fixed mindset are, take
one
of these online quizzes:
· at
(
move the slider to answer each question, then click Next)
to determine your current mindset.
Take a screenshot or an image of the results and upload it here to receive credit.
Step 2. Write and Reflect: How can you use a growth mindset in this course?
Write (in a Microsoft Word document using MLA layout) and submit a four-sentence paragraph that has a very specific structure using what you have learned by watching the videos, taking the self-assessment and quiz, and reading the articles about
growth mindset; summarize and show critical thinking and comprehension skills about what you have read, seen, and heard about
growth mindset.
Sentence 1: Give a short definition of a growth mindset.
Use your own words. Do not copy it from anywhere.
Sentence 2: What mindset do you currently have?
Sentence 3: Give an example of something you have said or done that gives evidence of the mindset you claimed in Sentence 2.
Sentence 4: Describe one thing that you can do this semester to show growth, no matter which mindset you currently have. Use one of these suggestions from
to help guide your ideas.
Part D
1. Choose a Topic: Pick one from the list below:
· Pets
· Your least favorite person
· Your most annoying pet peeve
· Your most exciting outing/trip/night
· Your dream car/home
· An assignment extension
· Your favorite class
· Your career goal
· The most influential person in your life
2. Select a Purpose: Decide on your purpose for writing:
· To entertain
· To inform
· To persuade
3. Identify Your Audience: Choose who you are writing for:
· Parents
· Partner/Spouse
· Friend
· Instructor/Teacher
· A group of students
· Social media followers (specify the platform, e.g., Facebook, Instagram, Threads, X, etc.)
4. Create a Label: In your Word document, follow the example below and type the following:
·
Topic: [Your chosen topic]
·
Purpose: [Your chosen purpose]
·
Audience: [Your chosen audience]
· Example: Topic: My dream car, Purpose: To entertain, Audience: Best friend
5. Write Your 1st Paragraph:
·
First Paragraph: Write 4-5 sentences about your topic for the audience you selected.
6. Create another Label and Write a second paragraph: Write another 4-5 sentences about the same topic, but change the audience and purpose.
7. Reflect on Your Writing: In one or two sentences, note one difference you noticed between the two paragraphs.
8. Save Your Work: Save your Word document! Avoid typing directly into Blackboard to prevent losing your work.
