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Feedback on rough drafts
Here are some of the comments I scribbled down while reading through your rough drafts
for your persuasive papers. I wrote specific comments on some papers, but not most. I
recognize that these are very rough drafts at this point.
- In future drafts, remember to provide specific steps to accomplish your purpose - make
it as easy as possible for your readers.
- Remember to have an observable persuasive topic - something you can *watch* the person
do (if you could actually follow them around) to see if your paper was successful.
- Persuasive topics should be an action more complex than merely "write your
congressperson!" or "sign this petition!" since those amount to little more
than "agree with me!" which is the standard persuasive paper's purpose, but not
this one's.
- Several papers appeared to have been former assignments, turned in as rough drafts.
Recycling previous papers is acceptable IF 1. you revise them significantly 2. they
were your papers in the first place (of course) 3. they apply to the current assignment
(at least with revision), etc.
- In some cases, narrow your focus, so you can go into more depth without needing to write
35 pages. In a few other cases, widen your scope slightly.
- Choose a specific audience! It will make writing easier, and the paper more interesting
and effective.
- In general, write TO your audience and not ABOUT them. (for example: "When was the
last time you..." instead of "College students rarely..."). It makes
your readers apply the ideas to themselves more.
- Remember to set high expectations for your final paper. But not too high for your
drafts. Just be prepared to take the time to revise and apply lessons from class.
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Okay, finally got this software working again (server issues) - more info soon.
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