What
In this small-group discussion forum, we are going to post our initial draft (i.e. rough draft) of our writing project.
Your writing project should summarize the arguments made in at least two of any of the assigned texts for this course (including the texts available in the optional 1.9 | Keep Learning assignment). As you are summarizing, look for opportunities to make connections among the different sources (practice synthesizing sources), and seize opportunities to express your agreement, disagreement, or a combination of both. Throughout your writing, practice good summarizing, paraphrasing, direct quoting, and citing skills.
Your essay should have an introductory section, a body section, and a conclusion section. By “section,” I mean anything that is one or more paragraphs long.
Your matured draft of the writing project should be around 900 words long (it’s OK of the initial draft isn’t that long yet).
Why
Practicing the writing process will help set you up for success in your first year writing course where you will engage in a similar but longer process of reading, thinking, writing, getting feedback on that writing, revising, editing, proofreading, and finalizing your writing.
We are sharing our initial draft of our writing project in a discussion group so we can read each other’s work and give each other feedback. Canvas has other, more advanced ways to facilitate this process, but a Canvas discussion is something we already have practice with, and it’s more accessible and streamlined.
How
I recommend you compose your initial draft in Google Docs, Microsoft Word, etc., then copy/paste your work from the word processor of your choice to this Canvas discussion. This is best practice in my view because a cloud-based word processor will save your work as you go whereas Canvas does not—so if your computer or web browser crashes while you’re working, you’ll lose everything. So copy your work from the word processor, then in this discussion assignment, tap the REPLY bar below and paste your work into the text box.
Learning Outcomes Supported by This Activity
Summary/Conversation
2.2 Distinguish between summarizing a text, responding to a text, and quoting a text
2.3 Integrate the ideas of other authors into their own writing
2.4 Organize their ideas as a response to what they’ve read
Rhetoricality
3.1 Explore writing in the genre of argument
3.2 Analyze argumentative moves made by other authors
3.3 Exercise making argumentative moves in their own writing
3.4 Evaluate the effectiveness of other authors’ arguments
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