CM 107: Unit 5 Seminar

Christine Danelski, Ph.D.

Overcoming Obstacles:Facing Fears and Being Enough & Turning a Topic into a Thesis

Are there any questions from Unit 4?On the readings: The Kaplan Guide for Successful

Writing: Chapter 11 “Research” and Chapter 12 “Basic Citation Guidelines;” Vanity Fair article “Shattered Glass” on real life plagiarism. This article has seven pages; the scenario section has three pages of text about college writing; on page 3 of the scenario webpage there is a link to a Writing Center Links article: “3.4 An Introduction to APA Citation” ?

Discussion Board about the Stephen Glass plagiarism case?

Review from Unit 3 Projects: Academic Writing Style

When writing academic styles the tone is more formal, so keep these three conventions in mind when writing for unit projects:1. Avoid using the second person (you, your). Use the third

person for the most and use the first person sparingly. The first person should only be used if your personal experience is pertinent; “As a diabetic, I understand the importance of a proper diet.” Not: “In this paper I am writing about diabetes.”

2. Avoid contractions; Not “he’s” or “can’t” but “he is” or “cannot”

3. Refer to historical and public figures by their last names or their last names and titles after introducing them by their full names; President Barack Obama = President Obama or Obama, not Barack; Helen Keller = Keller, not Helen

Review from Unit 3 Projects:APA Formatting

When writing unit project be sure to use the proper APA formatting:Include a title page, the body of the text, and a

reference page if citations are used.Use both in-text citations and reference page citations if

reliable source are used.Use 1-inch margins on the top, bottom, left and right.Double-space throughout, and indent at the beginning

of each paragraph, do not skip a line between paragraphs.

Use 12 point type and Times or Times New Roman are the preferred fonts.

See 3.6 APA Manuscript Style found on the Writing Center Links page of this course for further details on formatting essays.

Unit 5 Assignments:In this unit we will do the following:

Viewing: Review the J. Campbell interview about the hero’s journey from

Unit 1Short video on Liz Murray discussing her life and perseverance.

Reading: The Kaplan Guide to Successful Writing: Chapter 18

“Understanding Grading” and Chapter 20 “Working with Microsoft Word 2007”

“Million Dollar Murray” by Malcolm Gladewell from The New Yorker. Let’s go to the KU library now to find this article!

”‘From Homeless to Harvard’ - Liz Murray's Story” by Al Siebert, PhD

Unit 5 Assignments:In this unit we will do the following:

Discussion Board:Think about the distinct points of view in these two

articles. Both Murrays face the same problem, but their perspectives are worlds apart.

Consider this: how would Liz Murray define homelessness versus Murray Barr’s definition of homelessness?

What can you identify that made their seemingly similar paths diverge? Support your ideas with references back to reading materials and video to back up your claims. Can you develop a thesis statement about why some people can escape homelessness while others seem caught in a never-ending homeless cycle?

What is expository writing?

Expository refers to writing that explains and clarifies an idea.

You come across examples of expository writing every day:

oMagazine articles oNewspaper articles oEmails and memos o Instruction manuals

What is expository writing?

Academic assignments and essays often fall under the category of expository writing.

Characteristics of expository writing: oPrecisely-worded oFocused around a central idea oLogically sound (uses adequate support)

What is a thesis? What is a thesis statement?The thesis statement is a statement of your topic and a comment about it.

What is a thesis? It is your “What’s the point?”What do you want your readers to know. The main idea you are trying to get across.Your message.The point you want to make.

The thesis statement isGenerally stated in a single sentence.Expresses an point of view, not a topic.Limits the topic.Indicates the kind of support to follow.Helps to organize the supporting materialIs precisely worded.It does NOT announce by saying: I am

going to tell you about….or My essay will

explain….

And, now all together . . . What’s with our public schools? Identify

the thesis of this article:

Guthrie, J. (2010.) “Waiting for Superman” to reform education? He’s already here. Christian Science Monitor. Retrieved from http://www.csmonitor.com/Commentary/Opinion/2010/0929/Waiting-for-Superman-to-reform-education-He-s-already-here

Conclusion:How is the thesis statement restated at the

end of this article?

Looking ahead to Unit 6:Viewing: Review a brief part of the Campbell

about 10 minutes concerning Prometheus and fire theft and fire-giving.

Reading:The Kaplan Guide to Successful Writing,

Chapter 21: Expository Essays and Chapter 26: Cause-Effect Analysis.

Scenario reading with other embedded materials on Prometheus and cause and effect writing as well as other writing modes.

Looking ahead to Unit 6:Discussion Board: Identify someone who is a fire-

giver. Explain what causes led him or her to give this fire and what affects their gift has had on society. Make your respond to all three points mentioned in the prompt.

Unit Project: Create a script that has two people discussing a social problem. Possible problems could include ignorance, bad driving, unfairness, not recycling, gossiping, abuse of children and the elderly, or illiteracy. Create a thesis that justifies why your “cure” is important. This is again a kind of cause and effect writing called problem-solution writing.

Thanks for attending live seminar!

Remember all work is due Tuesday at 11:59 pm.

You can reach instructors via email or AIM. If you are my student or have a question about this seminar, chat with me before or after class via AIM: CDanelski2. My email is cdanelski@ kaplan.edu

Time management is the key to success!