Discussion 1- One key component of descriptive writing is showing the reader something rather than telling the reader. For example, I could tell you that I was cold. Or, I could show you: I shivered, rubbing my hands together. Tiny flakes of snow fell from the sky, landing on my already red, wet nose.

When you describe something, the key is to remember to use as many of the five senses as possible.

Initial Post

For this post, you will be describing a location for the class. Sticking with the theme of home, we discussed in the first unit. Please describe a place that you have traveled to that truly made you feel like home. In one paragraph, show the class what that place is like using the five senses (sight, sound, touch, smell, and taste). Please do not state specifically what the location is in your paragraph. The point of this exercise is for the class to be able to figure out the location through your description.

Peer Responses

In your two response posts, first state where you think the person is describing. How effective was the writer in describing the location? What additional details would you like to see added to the description?

Discussion 2 -Sometimes when you evaluate something, you will have to also compare and contrast different aspects of what you are evaluating. You can compare/contrast by either using point-by-point format (by topic) or block format (by overall subject). For this discussion board, we are going to focus on block organization to evaluate two movies.

In block format you organize the essay with paragraphs focused on each subject. For example:

1 Subject One

1 Topic 1

2 Topic 2

2 Subject Two

1 Topic 1

2 Topic 2

In this discussion, you will create two paragraphs that compare and contrast two performers and ultimately make a judgment about which performer is better. You may select two actors, sports figures, or singers. In each paragraph, make sure that you focus on at least two topics. Here are some suggested topics, but you may also come up with your own:

• Creativity

• Believability

• Commitment

• Understanding of the Craft

In your responses to your classmates, let them know if you were convinced by them of which performer was better. Why or why not?

Discussion 3 -In the previous unit, you worked on direct quoting by evaluating movies. In this discussion board, you will continue to practice writing objectively by bringing in evidence from an outside source to support your point. In this discussion, you will be paraphrasing part of the below article. When you paraphrase, you take a direct quote from the writer, keep the same length of the quote, and put the quote into your own words. Do not include a direct quote from the article. You need to put the information into your own words (paraphrase) and then include an in-text citation for that information.

Fake news is a topic that you will need to become familiar with as you go about evaluating and using sources properly. Fake news is made up news designed to look like a real news story. Usually, fake news leads to misinformation about specific topics. Please read the following article on the topic:

• Fighting Fake News by Jacob Batchelor

After you have read the article, answer the below question in one paragraph. In the paragraph, please paraphrase information from the article to support your answer to the question.

• What can be done to stop or combat the spread of fake news through social media?

Please make sure to include an in-text citation after your paraphrase. For this article, the in-text citation would be: (Batchelor, 2018). Then, at the end of the paragraph, include the reference to the article: Batchelor, J. (2018). Fighting fake news. Science World, 74(10), 14.

Any time you include an article or information from a source in your work, you need to include both the in-text citation and the reference.

In your responses to classmates’ posts, state how well the paraphrase with in-text citation is presented and formatted within their paragraphs. How well did your classmate paraphrase information from the article to support their answer to the question? Provide feedback to your classmates to help them use paraphrasing more effectively.

Discussion 4 -In this discussion board, you will begin writing your Argumentative Writing Assignment by submitting the introduction to your essay. Your Argumentative Writing Assignment must answer one of the questions below:

1 Social Media and Communication

• How has social media affected society’s communication skills in a positive OR negative manner?

2 Gender Pay Gap

• Why or why not is there a gender pay gap in modern society, and what should be done to address it?

3 Arts Funding

• How necessary is arts funding in the American education system?

The introduction is literally the opening of your essay. Imagine that you are watching a really good movie. Why was it so good? Chances are that the movie hooked you from the beginning. You also want to hook your reader from the start of your essay. Pay special attention to the first sentence you use in your essay. Try to engage the readers with that sentence. Then, set up what your essay will be focusing on. Briefly explain your topics and anything else the reader needs to know before he or she moves into the rest of your essay. Finally, end the introduction with a thesis statement that illustrates your argument as well as your topics.

Discussion 5-Throughout the research process, you will be finding sources to support your argument for your Argumentative Writing Assignment. Reviewing these sources for bias and credibility is very important.

So, how do you find a reliable, academic, and scholarly source? Please review this short explanation of scholarly sources:

• Finding Scholarly Sources (pp. 33-34)

For your initial post, find one source that would support your position for the topic you have selected to write about for the Argumentative Writing Assignment. The source should be scholarly and academic in nature. Write a one paragraph summary of the source, and include an in-text citation, and reference. Refer back to the Citing Sources pdf resource in Unit 3 for information on summarizing. You might also want to review the information on credible sources in the Critiquing a Source pdf in Unit 4 and the Researching chapter listed in Unit 5.

Discussion 6You should be in the middle of revising your essay to hand in at the end of this unit. The idea behind revision is to create a polished piece of work. All writers have to revise their work at some point, and most writers have developed their own method for revision. Obert Skye is a children's book writer who discusses why he considers revision to be such an important step. Please watch his Ted Talk below:

Watch Video

The Magic Of Revision | Obert Skye | TEDxIdahoFalls

User: n/a - Added: 4/29/16

YouTube URL: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xqK6-ePxPa8

For your initial post-

• Describe in one paragraph your response to Skye's Ted Talk. In what ways do you agree or disagree with him about revision? How did he change your views on revision?

• In a second paragraph, consider what you plan to revise within your own essay. What do you think you need to revise in your essay? Why do you need to revise it? What is your plan for that revision?

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