Reviewing in-class essays

Review of in-class essays

by K Fielding

You will not remember everything you need to know about the in-class essay.

As you complete this activity, take handwritten notes. Then email me a copy.

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Your notes should be very detailed.

Poll

We have started practicing for the in-class exam. What have we covered so far? Choose all that apply.

• How to write the introduction.

• How to write the body paragraph.

• How to write the conclusion.

• How to paraphrase.

​This is what we've covered so far:

• How to write the introduction

• ​How to write the body paragraph

• ​How to paraphrase

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(We will talk about conclusions later today or tomorrow.)

​Remember

​The in-class essay must be graded a specific way.

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​Therefore, you must write the in-class essay in a specific way.

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​If you do not follow the specific instructions, then you will not earn a good grade on the in-class essay.

Multiple Choice

The introduction is the first paragraph of the in-class essay. Which statement below BEST describes the introduction?

• The introduction mentions the author and date. It also shares your opinion about one of the PSPs.

• The introduction includes a personal story that is related to one of the PSPs.

• The introduction introduces the article, paraphrases the MI and PSPs, and includes the thesis statement ("I agree/disagree with the writer...")

• The introduction does not have to be paraphrased as long as you use " " marks.

​Correct answer

​​ The introduction includes:

* The first sentence includes the author, title, date, paraphrased MI

​ * The middles sentences include the paraphrased PSPs with detail

​ * Thesis statement (I agree/disagree...) is the last sentence

(Please write the above IN YOUR NOTES.)​

​

​

Multiple Choice

Below are sample 1st sentences from an introduction. Assume that the main idea is paraphrased correctly. Which sentence is correct?

• In Bob Smith's article "Benefits of Pets" (2019), the writer explains multiples advantages of sharing your home with a friendly animal.

• Bob Smith wrote an article called "Benefits of Pets" in 2019.

• In Bob Smith's article "TITLE" (2019) is explained that pets are useful for many reasons.

• In Bob smiths's article, he explains about pets is called "Benefits of Pets."

​Correct answer

​A first sentence must include these items:

​ * Author's full name

​ * Title

​ * Date

​ *Paraphrased MI in a complete sentence​

​(Please write the above IN YOUR NOTES.)

​

​​So this is the correct first sentence:

​ In Bob Smith's article "Benefits of Pets" (2019), the writer explains

multiples advantages of sharing your home with a friendly animal

Multiple Choice

Let's look at a BAD example of a first sentence. Choose the ONE missing element from this first sentence:

Bob Smith wrote an article called "Benefits of Having a Pet" in 2019.

• Doesn't include a paraphrased MI.

• Doesn't include "I agree/disagree"

• Doesn't talk about any PSPs.

• It needs to paraphrase the title.

Multiple Choice

Let's look at another BAD example of a first sentence. Choose the ONE incorrect element from this first sentence:

In Bob Smith's article "Benefits of Pets" (2019) is explained that friendly animals in your home have several advantages.

• Doesn't include a paraphrased MI.

• Poor grammar: "is explained" should be "the writer explains"

• Missing punctuation: There should be a comma after "In"

• The title is too long.

Multiple Choice

Let's look at one last BAD example of a first sentence. Choose the ONE incorrect element from this first sentence:

In Bob Smith's article "Benefits of Pets" (2019), the writer explains some advantages.

• A comma is missing after "advantages"

• Poor grammar: "the writer explains" should be "explained by Bob"

• The paraphrased MI is incomplete. It doesn't say advantages of what.

• The title isn't paraphrased.

​What comes after the first sentence?

​The middle sentences of the introduction paraphrase the PSPs.

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​These sentences need to follow this pattern:

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​ Transition, the writer ___ (describes/claims/reports)

that...paraphrased PSP.

​(Please write the above IN YOUR NOTES.)

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​**Add detail to the PSP so the reader understands what you're writing about.

Multiple Choice

Choose the best introduction. Assume the paraphrasing is correct and that the article has 2 PSPs.

• n Bob Smith's article "Benefits of Pets" (2019), the writer explains the advantages of having a friendly pet in your house. First, the writer describes friendly animals. Secondly, the writer reports that you can get exercise. I agree with one of the writer's opinions, and I have a story to support my opinion.

• In Bob Smith's article "Benefits of Pets" (2019), the writer explains the advantages of having a friendly pet in your house. First, the writer describes how the animal can be your friend and prevent you from being alone. Secondly, the writer reports that you can get exercise by playing with your friendly household pet. I agree with one of the writer's opinions, and I have a story to support my opinion.

​Correct answer

​This is the best introduction because the PSPs have enough detail to help you understand the article:

​

In Bob Smith's article "Benefits of Pets" (2019), the writer explains the advantages of having a friendly pet in your house. First, the writer

​ describes how the animal can be your friend and prevent you from

being alone. Secondly, the writer reports that you can get exercise

by playing with your friendly household pet. I agree with one of the

writer's opinions, and I have a story to support my opinion.

​

​

Open Ended

Now it is your turn to practice! You can use your notes.

Please use the following information to write just the first sentence of an introduction.

Title: "How to Make a Birthday Cake"

Author: Betty Crocker

Date: 1959

Original MI: There are several methods to create the perfect cake for a birthday.

Open Ended

Now let's paraphrase the PSPs from Crocker's article "How to Make a Birthday Cake." Follow your notes!

PSP1: Use exact ingredients

SSP: Get proper results with exact ingredients

PSP2: Don't overcook

SSP: Set a timer

​After we paraphrase the PSPs, we write our thesis statement:

​I agree with one of the writer's points, and I have a personal story to support my opinion.

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​ OR

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​I don't agree with one of the writer's points, and I have a personal story to support my opinion.

​The body paragraph

• ​Topic sentence:

  --> repeat if you agree/don't agree

• -->​include the paraphrased PSP you want to talk about

• ​Write a story: Clear beginning, middle, end

• ​Statement of Relevance: "As you can see, my story about... supports/doesn't support the writer's idea of ... (paraphrased PSP)

Multiple Choice

Read this topic sentence from a body paragraph:

I agree with the writer's idea that a celebratory breadlike dessert cannot be baked in high heat.

Now choose the BEST story that fits this topic sentence.

• Everyone knows that cakes can burn easily if the oven is too hot or if the cake is baked for too long. Most cakes are baked at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 50-60 minutes. A burned cake will not only taste bad, but it will smell bad as well.

• In 2001, I was living with my roommate Sara in college.

  Sara was my best friend, so I wanted to do something special for her birthday. One day, I decided to bake her a cake. I found a good recipe online. First, I read all of the instructions, and then I added all of the ingredients.

  When I put the cake in the oven, I forgot to check the temperature. After I saw that the cake

  was burned, I realized the oven was too hot.

​Correct answer

​Your story is NOT a list of facts or random ideas.

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​Your story MUST have a clear beginning, middle, and end. Use transitions!

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​This is the correct answer because it tells a story with a clear beginning, middle, and end. It must say when, where, who, and the situation:

​

In 2001, I was living with my roommate Sara in college. Sara was my best friend, so I wanted

to do something special for her birthday. One day, I decided to bake her a cake. I found a

good recipe online. First, I read all of the instructions, and then I added all of the ingredients.

When I put the cake in the oven, I forgot to check the temperature. After I saw that the cake

was burned, I realized the oven was too hot.

​Statement of Relevance

​The statement of relevance is the last sentence of your body paragraph. It must do three things:

​

​ * Summarize your story

​ * Repeat that you agree/disagree

​ * Mention the paraphrased PSP

Multiple Choice

Read a student's body paragraph below:

I agree with the writer's idea that a celebratory breadlike dessert cannot be baked in high heat.

In 2001, I was living with my roommate Sara in college. Sara was my best friend, so I wanted

to do something special for her birthday. One day, I decided to bake her a cake. I found a

good recipe online. First, I read all of the instructions, and then I added all of the ingredients.

When I put the cake in the oven, I forgot to check the temperature. After I saw that the cake

was burned, I realized the oven was too hot.

Now choose the best statement of relevance.

• As you can see, my story about how I overbaked my roommate's cake supports the writer's idea that a dessert for a party must be baked at the correct temperature.

• As you can see, I burned my friend's cake, just like the writer said.

• As you can see, you should never overbake a cake because it will smell and taste gross.

​Correct answer

​A statement of relevance must

​ * summarize the story

​ * repeat if you agree/disagree

​ * include the paraphrased PSP

​

​This is the correct statement of relevance:

​ As you can see, my story about how I overbaked my roommate's cake supports the writer's idea that a dessert for a party must be baked at the correct temperature.

Now please send me pictures of your notes.

​If your notes are NOT handwritten,

​then I will not accept them because the instructions clearly stated that you had to take handwritten notes.

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​After you send me pictures of your notes, you may go to the next slide to start your assignment.

​Now you get to practice!

1.​Read the article that you will receive in your inbox at 9:45 am. (Check your na.edu account).

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​2. Make an outline.

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​3. Paraphrase the MI and PSPs. You may also need to paraphrase the SSPs if you feel you need to add more information.

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​4. Write the first two paragraphs of an in-class essay. Use your notes: