February 29, 2004 email

Oh, great, another long email from Shaun. But wait! There's some helpful information packed in here about the Multi-Skill Paper and new ways to earn preparation/participation points and more!

***** More Ways to Earn P/P Points *****

Read the textbook. There's lots of good info in there. Keep track of what you've read by marking the pages or something, and near the end of class (a week before the final paper is due) I'll ask how many pages you've read. Skimming doesn't count - read for some comprehension. You'll earn 5 points for every 15 pages read, which adds up to a whopping 35 points if you read the entire thing.

***** Summary of Ways to Earn Paper Points *****

1. Write the papers.

2. Get a star on your grade slip - after the MS paper, I'll pass around a sheet where you can sign to give me permission to use your writing, and you'll get 10 points for each one I use in the next textbook version or online (or think I may use in the future). For the persuasive paper, a star and signature is worth 20 points.

3. I need a few "revision examples" of the barriers paper as well - if yours had potential but needed some development and/or clarification, give me a. an electronic copy of the paper in that form b. the copy with my notes on it, and c. sign the sheet giving me permission to use it. This will also earn you ten points. And if you take advantage of #6 below, you might earn yet another 10 points for letting me use the revision as well.

4. Get a paper buddy for the persuasive paper. If your buddy earns an A, you get 20 points. If they earn an A-, you get 10. (If they earn a B+, you get nothin'.)

5. Earn the full 250 points possible for P/P, which turns into 50 extra credit points that spill over into your paper scores.

6. The Golden Opportunity Paper Make-up Program.

You may rewrite either the Purpose & Audience or Barriers paper and if you pass, automatically earn the midway score between the original score and 100 points. The following criteria must all be met:

  1. The final draft must be what I call "damn good." Let me know if you'd like me to post some of the good examples from other students online for you to study.
  2. With the Barriers Paper, it must now fit the following format:
  • Written in 2nd person ("you", directed to a clear audience).
  • Paragraph 1 (or 1 and 2) introduce clear purpose (and audience if appropriate) and use values and concrete details to establish significance of the topic - make readers identify with it.
  • Minimum 3 barriers are addressed, one at a time (these are not mentioned in your intro), with each one followed by its solution(s). Each barrier and each solution will have its own separate paragraph(s).
  • The paper must demonstrate adequate depth of thought and analysis. It must be truly persuasive and helpful to your audience.
  • The paper must not contain excessive be verbs.
  • Last paragraph = conclusion. No new concepts added here, though a new spin on previous ideas is fine. Also, do not repeat every main point discussed in the paper, as your readers should still remember these. Give an appeal to significance/values.

3. With the Purpose & Audience Paper:

  • If anyone plans to make this one up, let me know and I'll send out the specs.

***** In-Class Peer Review Fest Details *****

Monday/Tuesday we'll have in-class peer review fests. If you want even more reviewing, you're welcome to attend other classes.

Bring:

- Two copies of your MS paper, typed, double spaced. Hand me one to mark, then I'll place it in the pile to be reviewed.

- At least 3 entries, each at least 250 words long.

- Readers should get a sense of your overall paper topic being developed.

- If you have worked in skills like concrete details, sensory details and dialogue, even better!

- Bring food for 3 P/P points if you want.

***** MS Direction Check *****

Would you like some feedback on where you're headed with your MS paper? As soon as you have an entry pretty well written up that you think is a good example of how you plan to write the thing, email it to me and I'll give you some feedback.

ALSO, if you're having ANY trouble developing your overall topic abstraction and how to fit it into your paper (and if the PRfest doesn't resolve that), please ask me for some feedback. I'd hate to know you were stuck on this part. Most students who talk to me about this start getting a lot more excited about their paper afterwards.

Testimonial: "I started getting a lot more excited about my paper after talking to Shaun about the abstraction. It began to dawn on me that I had something really interesting and valuable to teach people."

***** Yet Another Multi-Skill Paper Explanation/Example *****

Here's a basic example explaining what your MS paper might turn out like, entry by entry....borrowed from an actual, real-life student who I'm pretty sure won't mind my using it...and developed a bit further.

Title: "Imagination is More Than Day-Dreaming"

Main abstract point/lesson: Lots of people think imagination is a waste of time, is childish, and nothing more than dilly-dallying and a waste of time. I will demonstrate that it's beneficial as a means for relaxation, growth, invention, entertainment, fun and in developing yourself - becoming your own individual who things their own thoughts and does thigns their own way.

Entry 1: a story about my older brother who conjured up and imaginary friend who did very bad thigns. My brother did this because he was learning right from wrong and wanted to use his skills, thus, growth and ovecomgin problems.

Entry 2: A story about my niece who had a pancake contest and did her own thing instead of being normal. Thus, being your own person and doing things your way and enjoying that individuality and freedom.

Entry 3: A story about me and my roommate getting a good laugh from imagining up an elaborate, imagnary scenario. Thus, for a good time.

Entry 4: A story about my step-dad inventing something that turned into reality. Thus, invention and improving the world.

Entry 5: A story about my grandma, now 95, who sitll plays with her favorite dolls. Thus, you're never too old to play, and a form of entertainment.

Entry 6: Riding the ski lift, being really cold, and closing our eyes and thinking about sitting in a hot tub with hot chocolate which made us feel lots better and pass the time till the top of the hill so we could ski and warm up again. This, relaxation.

I'll also do a survey and toss in the good quotes about favorite ways to use imagination in between the entries. And I'll add other quotes like from Albert Einstein: "Imagination is more important than knowledge."

Alternate entries in case I change my mind:

Alternate 1: Do a "scientific" explanation or commentary on imagination with a formal style, but with concrete examples.

Alternate 2: Describe a historical moment regarding the value of imagination.

Alternate 3: Describe something factual, with concrete examples, like how different cultures regard and use imagination. Like cultures who pass along their heritage and history through stories - in fact, all cultures do this. Give an example from our culture.

Alternate 4: I'll show how imagining the life you really want can empower you to get it - and I'll reference things like "Body for Life" that build on this principle for motivation.

***** Coming Soon: Multi-Skill Paper Examples and Grading Rubric *****

It'll explain how each thing is graded so you can check your own paper for it.