Assignment
After you have completed the readings, develop your body paragraphs for Paper 1. You will be working on one of the paragraphs in the following discussion.
For this discussion, first post your current thesis.
Then post one of your paragraphs. You may want to choose a paragraph that is well developed-or you may want to choose one that you need some help with.
To help distinguish the various components of the paragraph, use different colored fonts to note the areas of your paragraph:
• Red for the paragraph's topic sentence
• Green for the paragraph's use of evidence
• Blue for the paragraph's explanation/warrant of the evidence
It is recommended that you copy and paste your paragraph from your word processing software so that you have your draft all in one place; the colored fonts will carry over into Leo.
However, you can also change the color of font in Leo by clicking on the "more" box in the upper-right hand corner of the discussion box (the three dots). The screenshot below shows where this button is located.
It will open into a new window with more word processing choices, like changing the color of your fonts.
Once you have this paragraph in good shape, you can apply what you have learned about paragraph development to the remaining body paragraphs in the paper.
You should post the paragraph by the deadline; of course, the earlier you are able to post it and receive feedback, the better-for you can then move on to your other paragraphs. Your goal is to have the body of the essay completed by the end of Part Three.
Topic for Paper 1: How is a literary theme represented in a short story? You will develop a paper that answers this question and demonstrates the following outcomes for writing and literature. You will be able to
• Analyze literature for a purpose
• Distinguish digital or print materials through annotation to demonstrate reading and summary skills
• Identify a theme in a short story
• Identify one to three examples in the story that support the theme
• Write a thesis statement that clearly identifies the title of a story, its author, the theme, and what the paper will discuss about the story and the theme
• Write clear topic sentences for paragraphs that let the reader know what the paragraph will discuss
• Write paragraphs that explain how the examples from the story support the theme
• Arrange a paper by presenting paragraphs in a logical and interesting fashion
• Write sentences in standard American English that clearly express ideas
• Demonstrate the MLA style of formatting in the layout of a paper
• Demonstrate the MLA style of formatting by documenting material from the story within the paper and on a Works Cited page
• Explain in a clear and logical fashion what you have learned about your writing
Overview of the Workshop Format for Paper 1
Writing this paper will follow a process that allows you to practice and develop your writing skills in the discussions. During Parts 1 through 4, you will work on your paper in the classroom, receive feedback from your instructor, and build your paper, part by part, into your final version. This process will allow you time over the four-Part period to get to know and develop your writing process through a workshop format as you will be able to revise and edit the different sections as you go along, thereby demonstrating the writing skills needed for that particular each section of the paper.
To be successful in this process, you must be active and engaged in the discussions and post in a timely fashion. That way, you can successfully demonstrate the Partly skills and be building your paper.
Part 1: Critical Reading Strategies and Selection of Topic. During Part 1, you will cover strategies to help you with critical reading, including techniques for reading and annotating digital materials. To prepare you for working with your topic for the paper, you will work on these strategies in Part 1 (and throughout the course). During Part 1, you will study the concept of theme and the genre of the short story. You will choose your short story and theme from the list provided by your instructor.
Part 2: Thesis. Your thesis statement should include the story and the theme. You will workshop the thesis of your paper during Part 2 in the discussions. Outlining and organizational strategies will also be covered.
Part 3: Development. The development or body of the paper will focus on finding evidence in the story that supports the theme and then explaining in your paper how it does so. During Part 3, you will workshop strategies for developing body paragraphs in the discussion. Except for the stories themselves, you will be developing this material through your own observations; you are not to use outside sources for this material.
Part 4: Sentence Level and MLA. Your writing should be carefully proofed for sentence-level concerns. Your final paper should be formatted and documented according to MLA documentation style in the form of parenthetical citations and a Works Cited page. During Part 4, you will study resources for these areas. In the discussion, you will continue to workshop these areas. You will submit the final paper at the end of Part 4, along with your Reflection on your writing process (see below).
Hints: Remember that your reader has read the story and is familiar with it. You do not have to spend time on summary. Instead, your development should explain and analyze how the theme is demonstrated in your story.
Special Hint about Plot: Be aware that a paper about a piece of literature is NOT a plot summary. Your plot summary, if you must have one, should provide only the details necessary to highlight the parts of the story that help to develop your paper, such as a short paragraph of five to six sentences.
Reflection on your Writing Process: On a separate page of your submission, provide an overview of your writing process for this essay and what you have learned about your writing process by developing your paper. Also note two areas that you would like feedback on, such as thesis statement and topic sentences.
When you are satisfied that your paper and your reflection are complete, upload your work to the Assignments Folder within the link "Paper 1" by the deadline.
Word Count: 500-750 words.