ENGL240 Written Communications II
Week 1 Discussion
Provide an analysis of the nonfiction essay "What Is Poverty" download by Jo Goodwin Parker. This is not a summary; make sure that you offer an interpretation of the essay and that you "read between the lines" in order to address each aspect of analysis:
Audience
Purpose
Content
Mood
Style
Structure
In addition to your main response, you must also post substantive responses to at least two of your classmates' posts in this thread. Your response should include elements such as follow up questions, further exploration of topics from the initial post, or requests for further clarification or explanation on some points made by the classmates.
ENGL240 Written Communications II
Week 2 Discussion
Provide an analysis of the excerpt of the memoir “Learning to Read” downloadfrom The Autobiography of Malcolm X. This is not a summary; make sure that you offer an interpretation of the memoir and that you “read between the lines" in order to address each aspect of analysis:
Audience
Purpose
Content
Mood
Style
Structure
In addition to your main response, you must also post substantive responses to at least two of your classmates' posts in this thread. Your response should include elements such as follow up questions, further exploration of topics from the initial post, or requests for further clarification or explanation on some points made by the classmates.
ENGL240 Written Communications II
Week 3 Discussion
Provide an analysis of the short story "The Story of X" downloadby Lois Gould. This is not a summary; make sure that you offer an interpretation of the short story and that you “read between the lines" in order to address each aspect of analysis:
Audience
Purpose
Content
Mood
Style
Structure
In addition to your main response, you must also post substantive responses to at least two of your classmates' posts in this thread. Your response should include elements such as follow up questions, further exploration of topics from the initial post, or requests for further clarification or explanation on some points made by the classmates.
ENGL240 Written Communications II
Week 4 Discussion
Provide an analysis of Oprah Winfrey's acceptance speech downloadfor the Cecil B. DeMille Award for lifetime achievement at the Golden Globes. This is not a summary; make sure that you offer an interpretation of the speech and that you "read between the lines" in order to address each aspect of analysis:
Audience
Purpose
Content
Mood
Style
Structure
In addition to your main response, you must also post substantive responses to at least two of your classmates' posts in this thread. Your response should include elements such as follow up questions, further exploration of topics from the initial post, or requests for further clarification or explanation on some points made by the classmates.
ENGL240 Written Communications II
Week 5 Discussion
Provide an analysis of this editorial media piece The NFL Protests Are Patriotic downloadby John Legend. This is not a summary; make sure that you offer an interpretation of the editorial and that you “read between the lines" in order to address each aspect of analysis:
Audience
Purpose
Content
Mood
Style
Structure
In addition to your main response, you must also post substantive responses to at least two of your classmates' posts in this thread. Your response should include elements such as follow up questions, further exploration of topics from the initial post, or requests for further clarification or explanation on some points made by the classmates.
ENGL240 Written Communications II
Week 6 Discussion
Peer Review Assignment
To participate in this peer-review assignment, please follow these steps:
Post your rough draft. Please note that it is important to post the draft of your essay as early in the week as possible to have the best chance of getting a peer to review your work.
Choose and review an essay that does not yet have a review. Reply to your peer's post:
Share three strengths of the draft essay.
Share three aspects of the draft essay that could be improved upon before the final submission.
Respectfully share your opinion on how well you think this draft meets the assignment requirements.
Open the Peer Review worksheet download, type feedback, save it, and attach it to your response in your peer’s thread.
To receive full credit for this assignment, you need to post your rough draft and offer written feedback as well as the peer review worksheet for a peer's draft in the discussion forum.
ENGL240 Written Communications II
Week 7 Discussion
Provide an analysis of the CDC infographic Water Use Around the World download. This is not a summary; make sure that you offer an interpretation of the infographic and that you “read between the lines" in order to address each aspect of analysis:
Audience
Purpose
Content
Mood
Style
Structure
In addition to your main response, you must also post substantive responses to at least two of your classmates' posts in this thread. Your response should include elements such as follow up questions, further exploration of topics from the initial post, or requests for further clarification or explanation on some points made by the classmates.
ENGL240 Written Communications II
Week 8 Discussion
Reflect on what you have learned about critical reading and analysis.
What was the biggest challenge for you in this course? How did you overcome this challenge?
Will what you have learned in this course change how you read? Why or why not?
In addition to your main response, you must also post substantive responses to at least two of your classmates' posts in this thread. Your responses should include elements such as follow-up questions, further exploration of topics from the initial post, or requests for further clarification or explanation on some points made by the classmates.
ENGL240 Written Communications II
Week 1 Assignment
Informative Paper Topic
For this assignment, you will decide on the research topic that you will use for the informative paper.
You will not be making an argument in this paper; however, you must choose a controversial topic to write about because you will be presenting two sides to an argument without revealing bias. For example, a popular topic would be the legalization of marijuana. If you were to choose this topic, you would not be arguing that marijuana should be legalized, nor would you be arguing it should remain illegal. Instead, you would present the most compelling arguments for both sides to allow your readers to make up their minds after seeing both sides fairly presented.
Review all of the requirements for the informative paper download.
Attach your selected topic to this assignment and submit it. Your topic should be a debatable topic concerning social, political, or cultural relevance. Be sure to consider the following questions as you choose a topic:
Will I be able to refrain from interjecting personal thoughts, opinions, and ideas?
Will I be able to find at least four credible sources from books, journal articles, academic websites, interviews, etc.?
Will my sources be up-to-date?
ENGL240 Written Communications II
Week 2 Assignment
Informative Paper Annotated Bibliography
This week you will submit an annotated bibliography.
Your annotated bibliography consists of four annotated sources; two for each side of the debatable topic. For each source, include:
• An APA formatted entry for each source.
• A summary - What is the main message of this source?
• Evaluation - Why is this a credible source? Why is this author credible?
• Relevance - How will this source contribute to your research?
• Quote - Write down a quote from this source that you plan to use in your informative paper.
ENGL240 Written Communications II
Week 3 Assignment
Informative Paper Thesis Statement and Outline
This week you will submit an outline and thesis statement for your informative paper.
When you write an informative essay that presents two sides of an issue without revealing bias, there are three primary organizational tactics that can be used:
• Present all the major arguments on one side of the issue, and then present all the major arguments of the opposing viewpoint.
• Present one of the major issues relating to the overarching topic, and in the same paragraph, discuss the viewpoints of both sides on this particular issue.
• In one paragraph, present one of the viewpoints on one major aspect of the controversy, and then follow that paragraph with another paragraph presenting the opposing views’ arguments
related to the same aspect of the controversy. You then repeat that pattern one to three more times.
For this assignment:
1. Use the outline template and one of the strategies listed above to organize the materials for your paper.
2. Use specific quotes or cited evidence in APA format for your supporting details.
3. Develop a concise thesis statement that clearly and accurately presents the main idea you will develop in your paper.
ENGL240 Written Communications II
Week 4 Assignment
Final Informative Paper
This week you will submit the final draft of your informative paper.
This 4- to 5-paragraph paper explores a controversial topic in an informative style. This means that the writer must present an equal amount of information for both points-of-view related to the topic without providing personal thought or opinion.
Provide factual information from credible sources to highlight each side. Your paper must include:
• Introduction (1 paragraph)
• Body (2-3 paragraphs)
Remember to use APA formatted in-text citations throughout your paper.
• Conclusion (1 paragraph)
• Reference page written in APA format, in which you list a minimum of 4 total resources.
ENGL240 Written Communications II
Week 5 Assignment
Analytical Paper Outline and Thesis Statement
This week, you will begin working on your second paper for the course – an analytical paper. You will develop an outline and a thesis statement for your analytical paper.
Using the critical reading skills practiced during this course, you will formulate a thesis statement that presents a unique and specific interpretation of a literary text. In order to analyze effectively, you will need to engage in close reading, or reading “between the lines.” This means that you will be choosing representative passages and carefully deconstructing them, highlighting connotations that may not be immediately obvious to fellow readers.
This week's assignment:
Develop a thesis statement in which you present your interpretation of a literary text. Note: Your instructor will provide further details on your text options and other requirements in announcements.
Develop an outline using the provided template to help you organize your points to support your thesis statement. Think of it as a skeleton that you will “flesh out” when you write your paper. You must write full sentences for the thesis statement, the topic/transition sentences, the passages, and the restatement of thesis.
Note: The passages will be direct quotes from the text, so include quotation marks and a citation in APA style.
Do not include any information from research yet. You first want to make sure that you have enough evidence from the text itself to defend your thesis.
Do not rely solely on the instructions you see here. Your instructor will provide a list of texts to choose from and further details in the announcements page, so make sure to check there for complete guidelines regarding your analytical paper.
AnalyticalPaper Outline Template
When you write an analytical paper, your paper focuses on developing a nuanced interpretationof a particular work. Each paragraph should further that interpretation and must relate directly back to your thesis statement from your introduction paragraph.
For this assignment, you will develop an outline for your analytical paper. An outline is meant to help you organize your points. Think of it as a skeleton that you will “flesh out” when you write your paper. The more detail you include in the outline, the more likely you will develop a strong paper. Further directions below:
• You need to use a formal outline format; use the outline template provided below to help structure your outline.
• You must write full sentences for the thesis statement, the topic/transition sentences, the passages, and the restatement of thesis.Note: The passages will be direct quotes from the text, so include quotation marks and a citation in APA style.
• Do not include any information from research yet. You first want to make sure that you have enough evidence from the text itself to defend your thesis.
How to use the outline template: Erase each line before typing into the space. You may add or delete supporting points or details. To add, simply place your cursor at the end of a line, hit Enter, and you will see a new number or letter appear. To delete, simply highlight the line and hit Delete or Backspace.
I. Introduction
A. Background info: ___________________________________________________
B. Background info: ___________________________________________________
C. Background info: ___________________________________________________
D. Thesis statement:___________________________________________________
II. Body Paragraph 1
A. Topic sentence:____________________________________________________
1. passage: ____________________________________________________
a. interpretation: __________________________________________
2. passage: ____________________________________________________
a. interpretation: __________________________________________
3. passage: ____________________________________________________
a. interpretation: __________________________________________
4. passage: ____________________________________________________
a. interpretation: __________________________________________
5. passage: ____________________________________________________
a. interpretation: __________________________________________
6. passage: ____________________________________________________
a. interpretation: __________________________________________
III. Body Paragraph 2
A. Topic/transition sentence:____________________________________________
1. passage: ____________________________________________________
a. interpretation: __________________________________________
2. passage: ____________________________________________________
a. interpretation: __________________________________________
3. passage: ____________________________________________________
a. interpretation: __________________________________________
4. passage: ____________________________________________________
a. interpretation: __________________________________________
5. passage: ____________________________________________________
a. interpretation: __________________________________________
6. passage: ____________________________________________________
a. interpretation: __________________________________________
IV. Body Paragraph 3
A. Topic/transition sentence:____________________________________________
1. passage: ____________________________________________________
a. interpretation: __________________________________________
2. passage: ____________________________________________________
a. interpretation: __________________________________________
3. passage: ____________________________________________________
a. interpretation: __________________________________________
4. passage: ____________________________________________________
a. interpretation: __________________________________________
5. passage: ____________________________________________________
a. interpretation: __________________________________________
6. passage: ____________________________________________________
a. interpretation: __________________________________________
V. Body Paragraph 4
A. Topic/transition sentence:____________________________________________
1. passage: ____________________________________________________
a. interpretation: __________________________________________
2. passage: ____________________________________________________
a. interpretation: __________________________________________
3. passage: ____________________________________________________
a. interpretation: __________________________________________
4. passage: ____________________________________________________
a. interpretation: __________________________________________
5. passage: ____________________________________________________
a. interpretation: __________________________________________
6. passage: ____________________________________________________
a. interpretation: __________________________________________
VI. Conclusion
A. Restatement of thesis:_______________________________________________
B. So what? Address the wider implications of your interpretation:
1. ____________________________________________________________
2. ____________________________________________________________
3. ____________________________________________________________
ENGL240 Written Communications II
Week 6 Assignment
Analytical Paper Rough Draft
This week, you will submit a rough draft of your analytical paper.
Now that you have written a thesis statement and created an outline for your paper, you will use the critical reading skills practiced in this course to defend your interpretation of the literary text you have chosen to analyze. Keep in mind the importance of “close reading” or “reading between the lines.”
Your paper must include the following:
An introduction that provides relevant background information and ends with your thesis statement
A minimum of six body paragraphs that defend your thesis statement
A minimum of three references from reliable sources; one must be a scholarly, academic article, and all must be cited at least once in the paper
A conclusion that reaffirms your thesis statement and addresses wider implications
Formatting, citations, and references must all adhere to APA style
ENGL240 Written Communications II
Week 7 Assignment
Analytical Paper Final Draft
This week, you will submit the final draft of your analytical paper.
Your final paper should reflect suggestions and questions that arose during the rough draft and peer review process. It must include the following:
An introduction that provides relevant background information and ends with your thesis statement
A minimum of six body paragraphs, each of which addresses a particular subtopic that relates to your thesis statement
A minimum of three references from reliable sources; one must be a scholarly, academic article, and all must be cited at least once in the paper
A conclusion that reaffirms your thesis statement and addresses wider implications
Formatting, citations, and references must all adhere to APA style
ENGL240 Written Communications II
Week 8 Assignment
Analytical Paper Presentation
This week, you will also submit a PowerPoint presentation based on your Analytical Paper.
Your 5- to 10-slide presentation should explain your chosen text on a literal level and provide a brief discussion of your analysis. The last slide in your presentation should be a learning activity or tool for those viewing your presentation. The goal of the last slide is to guide others in the right direction so that they can develop greater insights about your text and its implications.
Be creative! How can you teach others what you have learned?
Ideas for engaging learning activities include:
Design a scavenger hunt; audience members must find examples in the text to confirm or challenge your conclusions
Create a checklist that others can use as they read the assigned text
Create an infographic or poster that presents your analysis at a glance
Instructions for a debate
