YOUR FIRST MAJOR PAPER IS DUE ON Monday, October 10. The paper is an argumentative essay that develops an original claim, provides reasons that explain your thinking, and uses evidence from at least three different types of sources (in addition to our main text, Into the Wild). Stapled, 1" margins, 12 pt. font, MLA style for citation, and works cited page at end of essay.

MONDAY

Notes from 4th period, what students have already learned about writing at NTHS.

Overview of argumentative style. We will review what you've learned in the past, and also review the four key terms to argument: claim, reason, evidence, and warrant.
No homework for tonight. I did collect texts today to grade annotations. Students not in school should turn these in tomorrow.

TUESDAY

What is research? I will review one rhetorical method for developing claims. Examining selections from The Craft of Research, by Bloom, Columb and Williams: research as a social act. We will also listen to selections from "Things You Should Know: Research."
Develop and post your research question to the class blog. Read other entries. Which claims are too vague? Are there any that are too specific? Is your claim debatable, provable, and (at least hypothetically) significant? Reading a handout from Craft of Research.

WEDNESDAY

The unit assessment, a multi-genre argument that addresses your understanding of American nature/wilderness, as portrayed in literature and art, is due this coming Monday. Today we will discuss improving your claim in small, research groups. We will also look at a sample body paragraph to get a sense of how these argumentative body paragraphs should work.
HW: Develop reasons in support of your claim. Remember that reasons are topically general, and answer the question, "Why is my claim true?"

THURSDAY

Q&A about introductions and conclusions, and we will also cover some trends in word choice that weaken your voice, stylistically.
HW: Begin drafting the reasons that support your claim. Remember, a claim is what you believe, the reasons explain why you believe it.

FRIDAY

Peer editing day. You will want to have a rough draft of ONE of your body paragraphs prepared for some peer reading today, in your small research groups.
HW: Wilderness/nature essays due Monday!