Summary: 1 thread at 300 words; then 4 comments at 100 words each.
Preparation: refer to my note-taking instructions for Module 5:1: reading: Aristophanes’ Clouds = Claughton & Affleck pp.3-115 (odd pages).
If you haven’t already, that is where you will find my paper prompt for this discussion and a list of important passages.
Step One: Please start a new thread that is at least 300 words total, divided into five statements.
In the first and second, please state:
which one of the questions from my paper prompt you are going to address specifically, and what your answer to that question is for now.
In the third, fourth, and fifth, please state:
three supporting reasons or points with evidence from the text.
You should cite the text by last names of modern editors/translators (Claughton & Affleck) and page numbers (or equivalent). If using an edition different from Claughton & Affleck, with a different editor/translator, adapt your citations accordingly.
Here’s a writing template you can use. The ellipses stand for your thoughts as well as your paraphrase or very select quotation from the text; keep any direct quotes from the text to a bare minimum.
Writing Template
Question. The specific question from the prompt that I am going to address is: …?
Answer. And here is my answer for now: ….
Support 1. One of my supporting reasons is that …. Evidence for this is found in the passage where …. (Claughton & Affleck page/s).
Support 2. Another of my supporting reasons is that …. This can be seen in the text when …. (Claughton & Affleck page/s).
Support 3. Yet another of my supporting reasons is that …. Evidence for this comes from …. (Claughton & Affleck page/s).
You can and should be rigorous and critical in the academic sense. Also be sure to be respectful, complying with the Behavior Policies and Online Etiquette in the Syllabus here.
Step Two, on the day after the threads are due: Please read and comment on four of your classmates’ threads.
It doesn’t matter which four you pick, but among the four do try to find at least two threads that have not been commented on already, so that folks aren’t left out.
Each of your comments should be at least 100 words total, divided into two review statements.
In the first review statement, please describe:
what you think are the strongest parts of their analysis or argument, and explain why you think so.
In the second review statement, please describe:
what you think are the weakest parts of their analysis or argument, and explain how you think they could be strengthened.
Here’s a writing template you can use.
Strengths. These are the parts of your analysis that I consider the strongest, and why I think so: ….
Weaknesses. Let me also mention the parts that I consider the weakest, and explain how I think they could be strengthened: ….
Please focus on the actual content of their thread: their question, answer, and supporting reasons with evidence. Please do not give feedback on mere spelling and grammar.
You can and should be rigorous and critical in the academic sense. Also be sure to be respectful, complying with the Behavior Policies and Online Etiquette in the Syllabus here.
Feedback Tips: If, on the one hand, it’s hard for you to give feedback, you can just start by saying it makes you uncomfortable. But then don’t shy away from it or be passive-aggressive about it. Use my writing templates and be direct. By qualifying your review statements with “I think,” you can plainly say you think someone’s analysis has a weakness, and you won’t be hurting their feelings; after all, you could be wrong.
If, on the other hand, it’s hard for you to receive feedback, do your best to separate your sense of self and self-worth from your work. Your ideas and writing are not you. Your value as a person remains unchanged if you misread a text or make a weak point about it. Everyone does that at some time or another. Also know that peer review is not a one-way street. You don’t have to take your reviewer’s advice automatically. When they catch a problem in your writing that you had missed, sincerely thank them. When you have good reason for disagreeing with their feedback, learn to trust your instincts and respond with gracious confidence.
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You can revisit the reading from Graff & Birkenstein and their strategies for communicating agreement and disagreement in academic settings, if you like.
You can do this instead of a Google search, if you have the urge for additional information besides Aristophanes.
You can revisit the tips for avoiding plagiarism here, if you like.
You can learn more about how to use the Discussions tool in the D2L Help Pages here.
The post Summary: 1 thread at 300 words; then 4 comments at 100 words each.
Preparation: first appeared on Elite Writers.
The post Summary: 1 thread at 300 words; then 4 comments at 100 words each.
Preparation: appeared first on Elite Writers.