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(Still haven't gotten my last grade. Haven't dared check in hours.)
Ok. So.
This essay is a critique. We are required to look at a source with a critical eye and assess its strengths and weaknesses. We must incorporate source material into it but also evaluate it. We must take an article from a news magazine or a professional or academic journal. "Offer your critique of the author's position as stated therein. Make sure that you build an essay structure (thesis, introduction, conclusion, body, transitions) and paragraph structure (topic sentences, illustrations, analysis, transitions). Cite hard evidence in MLA format. Analyze the data to demonstrate your views. THREE SOURCES MINIMUM. "
I bought a copy of Newsweek, and went through several potentially useful articles. My original choice was an article on No Child Left Behind and Obama's new version Race To the Top.
After reading the article a few times, interspersed with a ton of procrastinating (at least I am honest) I am mildly at a loss for a good thesis.
Debating switching to an article about a hippie who rowed across the Atlantic because she got bored being a successful business consultant with a decent marraige and no children. At least that one I can get properly annoyed about and thus critical of both content and format. The NCLB article is actually quite well written, hence tricky to rip apart. I have no thesis at all for it.
On the other hand, the article "How to Get Smart Again" looks promising. It discusses how well average Americans did on a basic test of history and civics knowledge, and ways we might improve on current history classes to improve retention of the information. One of the suggestions if replacing large phonebook-sized tomes with web-enabled content.
Right. Sure. The Internet Solves All. Except for the part where web content requires computer and Internet access that not all districts can afford. Somehow I doubt the Piedmont MO grade school has up-to-date electronics.
On the other other hand.... proving that with hard sources seems tricky.
So. Again I am faced with a paper to write and NO THESIS.
Gah.
Help?
This essay is a critique. We are required to look at a source with a critical eye and assess its strengths and weaknesses. We must incorporate source material into it but also evaluate it. We must take an article from a news magazine or a professional or academic journal. "Offer your critique of the author's position as stated therein. Make sure that you build an essay structure (thesis, introduction, conclusion, body, transitions) and paragraph structure (topic sentences, illustrations, analysis, transitions). Cite hard evidence in MLA format. Analyze the data to demonstrate your views. THREE SOURCES MINIMUM. "
I bought a copy of Newsweek, and went through several potentially useful articles. My original choice was an article on No Child Left Behind and Obama's new version Race To the Top.
After reading the article a few times, interspersed with a ton of procrastinating (at least I am honest) I am mildly at a loss for a good thesis.
Debating switching to an article about a hippie who rowed across the Atlantic because she got bored being a successful business consultant with a decent marraige and no children. At least that one I can get properly annoyed about and thus critical of both content and format. The NCLB article is actually quite well written, hence tricky to rip apart. I have no thesis at all for it.
On the other hand, the article "How to Get Smart Again" looks promising. It discusses how well average Americans did on a basic test of history and civics knowledge, and ways we might improve on current history classes to improve retention of the information. One of the suggestions if replacing large phonebook-sized tomes with web-enabled content.
Right. Sure. The Internet Solves All. Except for the part where web content requires computer and Internet access that not all districts can afford. Somehow I doubt the Piedmont MO grade school has up-to-date electronics.
On the other other hand.... proving that with hard sources seems tricky.
So. Again I am faced with a paper to write and NO THESIS.
Gah.
Help?
no subject
no subject