Re-writes for Debate Essays - Yellow Sheet Outlines? MLA citations? Verifying-Corroborating Facts

As we move this mini-essay into HIGH GEAR, these are the major common errors Ms. Walrond and I have noticed.

1. Essay not a Reflection
         Many scholars have forgotten or refused to separate write-ups from what you've done for the last two. Those were informal Responses/Reflections. This is a Formal Essay.
         Though I've allowed you to have shorter (4-paragraphs, shorter paragraphs) and ask questions, it's still an ESSAY.

Another difference is this is a SCIENTIFIC/Historically based Persuasive Essay in preparation for Ms. Moore's larger Term Research Paper due April 15.

2. Read out loud


3. Have two others read it before turning in 2nd Draft Wed. March 2 or Thurs. March 3.

4. Follow LASAGNA - FORMAT aka YELLOW SHEET

    1st P = 4 sentences (CLAIM and ANSWER to claim),

    2nd P = 10-14 sentences
                  a. Topic Sentence - JUMP right in to your empirical evidence.
                  b. NAME, TITLE, JOURNALIST, AUTHOR, RESEARCH DATES, FINDINGS, according to _________________.
                  c. DIRECT QUOTE from your articles. (should be exactly what you said during the Feb. Debates).
                  d. your interpretations or emphatic agreeing with these findings.

                  e. STATE opposition's rebuttal to your findings.

                  f. NAME, TITLE, JOURNALIST, AUTHOR, RESEARCH DATES, FINDINGS, according to _________________.

                  g. DIRECT QUOTE from your articles. (should be exactly what THEYsaid during the Feb. Debates).

                  h. your interpretations or emphatic disagreeing with these findings.

                  i. YOUR rebuttal to these claims -

                  j. NAME, TITLE, JOURNALIST, AUTHOR, RESEARCH DATES, FINDINGS, according to _________________.

                  k. DIRECT QUOTE from your articles. (should be exactly what you said during the Feb. Debates).

                  l. your interpretations or emphatic agreeing with these findings and QUESTIONING opposition leading into Paragraph #3.

P #3 follows same exact format as #2, except it will NOT have a question ending it, since you'll be going directly into the Closing Arguments aka (Conclusion P).

P#4 about 4 sentences

Ex. Slavery was detrimental to America's morality. As Dr. Marianne Falco, Sociology Professor at NYU since 1992, wrote in a 12-year research "Demoralization and U.S. Rise to Power", "We have found evidence.................., which there is no possibility of recovery." Here Dr. Falco agrees with ......

While many may claim, according to recent Stanford University studies, "..............too much is being made of slavery's detrimental effects on the American psyche," Doctor Ahmed Aminen said in John Anderson's Feb. 11, 2011, New York Times article, "I'm OK, You're OK". The studies go on to claim.....

Yet, when looking even further, these claims simply don't hold up. Dr. Falco states, "........................," which clearly refutes Dr. Aminen's findings. Even if one were to deny... how does one explain higher rates of African Americans incarcerated as well as higher rates of Black high school drop-outs all over the nation?

Breaking it Down:

4a

Slavery was detrimental to America's morality.

4b-c

As Dr. Marianne Falco, Sociology Professor at NYU since 1992, wrote in a 12-year research "Demoralization and U.S. Rise to Power", "We have found evidence..................., which there is no possibility of recovery." 

4d

Here Dr. Falco agrees with ......

4e-h

While many may claim, according to recent Stanford University studies, "..............too much is being made of slavery's detrimental effects on the American psyche," Doctor Ahmed Aminen said in John Anderson's Feb. 11, 2011, New York Times article, "I'm OK, You're OK". The studies go on to claim.....

4i

Yet, when looking even further, these claims simply don't hold up. 

4j-k

Dr. Anderson, from the Science Now Program, where for the past 45 years, they've studied..... Here Dr. Anderson states, "........................," which clearly refutes Dr. Aminen's findings.

4l

Even if one were to deny... how does one explain higher rates of African Americans incarcerated as well as higher rates of Black high school drop-outs all over the nation?

5. take a few minutes to double check John Locke, Sir Galton, any scientist mentioned in your articles to find out:

               a. their qualifications
               b. how long and WHERE have they been (researching, practicing, studying)?
You can use these extra bits of information to create a more colorful, descriptive essay.



6.  Do you have FIVE or more of your arguments to only 2 of the opponent's. If you have followed the Yellow Sheet, aka The LASAGNA FORMAT, you should have far more evidence from YOUR SIDE than theirs.

7. If you can't remember their side or they hit you with facts and resources that you DID NOT have, e-mail them. Have them send you their BIB or what they said.

8. Some in P6 and P7 were telling Ms. Walrond that Ms. Walsh, Ms. Morey nor I taught you all about MLA citation rules.

To all of you claiming this, please be honest, check notes and pay attention.

a. In the beginning of the year I gave everyone a copy of Sabrina Fletcher's American Dream Essay to illustrate format for longer quotes compared to shorter ones. All teachers have taught quoting poetry versus text from essays or novels.

b. easybib.com = MLA citation

c. Heading, TNR font - size 12, 1" margins all around = MLA format

d. for those needing further reminders, click on title of this entry to follow University MLA formats that you will be expected to be familiar with in seven months.

99% of you can ignore this last one, #8, as you have been paying attention to classes since Sept. 2008.


Good Luck,
Mr. Carson

Peer Editing Checklist—Feb. Nature/Nurture Debates

Before even picking up a pen or pencil, read the essay two (2) times through.

______# of ¶s

______Do ¶s #1 and #4 have 4 complete sentences clearly expressing writer’s SIDE?

______ Do ¶s #2 and #3 have 10-14 complete sentences clearly expressing two of YOUR points for

 every ONE of the opposition’s?

______Thesis Statement (T.S.) is clearly stated within Introduction ¶

______There is a clear transitional QUESTION in ¶ #2?

______ This question is clearly answered with DIRECT information from one of 10 articles?

______This essay contains a variety of sentence structures = short simple punchy to

more compound, even complex sentences. 

  Ex: There are always at least two sides to every argument. Some sides seem more logical than others. Sometimes the lines between logic and insanity are far less clear. This is the case with abortion, the Death Penalty and our current national Health Care debates. Some are more Liberal and wish to have the government bail out more of America’s less fortunate. Others are more Conservative, wishing to keep things as they are. Once looking at all the facts, it is obvious that President Obama and former Democratic Senator Teddy Kennedy’s Health Care Proposal is one that is morally and logically sound.

______ Scholar has cited facts and evidence from articles/sources with explications or interpretations

______Scholar has followed YELLOW OUTLINE sheet with class notes (PINK SHEET)

______Scholar has clearly stated where she/he stands in this debate, using PERSUASIVE terms: One must see how ludicrous the Kennedy and Obama Health Care Plan is to America. 

______Conclusion is powerful, not repeating the T.S. exactly, however driving home writer’s

opinions.

______At least 7 vocabulary words have been used correctly according to part of speech.

Additional Comments, Suggestions:

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“We learn more by looking for the answer to a question and not finding it than we do from learning the answer itself.” ~ Lloyd Alexander