Preparing for Final Proctored Exam Notes for week Seven Preparing for Final Proctored Exam

Last week Essay #3 Using your own paper as a source The conversation metaphor

The wider conversation James Robert Saunders Reading critically Making connections to your first paper Saunders’ arguments vs. those he summarizes

Summary of Saunders 400 – 500 Words Capture his main idea and the logic he uses Explain his strategy of writing

Outline for Final Proctored Exam Thesis Plan of paragraph structure and development Examples and quotes

Final Proctored Exam Write a comparison/contrast essay in which you examine the similarities and/or differences between your claim about Phoenix Jackson in your first essay and the claim(s) made by Saunders. What do those similarities and/or differences reveal about Phoenix Jackson? Do they lead you to a new analysis? Do they strengthen your original analysis? Use the similarities and/or differences as evidence to support a new claim, or to strengthen the old one. As Fatherree and Hammons ask, “What larger meaning can be derived from your discussion of the two?” (70).

Best practices for the Final proctored exam The best way to approach this essay is as a comparison/contrast paper. Write down your thesis from your first paper, and then write down what you think is the thesis of the article you read this week about Phoenix. As an exercise to help you get to your main points, list three major differences and/or three major similarities between your thesis and his. Then, pick what you think is the MAJOR difference or similarity. After that, take that major difference or similarity and do this: If there is a major difference, list a few ways that the major difference matters. Does it change your original thesis in any way? What are the major pieces of evidence that convinced you? List them. OR If there is a major similarity, list a few ways that the similarity matters. How does it enhance or strengthen your original thesis? What argument/evidence does the author put forward that helps your argument? List them. Then, take the list and use it in a thesis similar to this: While I originally argued that Phoenix Jackson was __________________, after reading Saunders' article, I have come to the conclusion that she is ______________ based on three major points that Saunders makes: ________________, ___________, and __________________. My argument that Phoenix Jackson is _____________________ finds strong support in Saunders' article based on three important things: __________________, _______________, and ____________________.

More about the Final Proctored Exam Ends Friday, March 11—the last day of classes Length: 600 – 800 words (app. 2 – 3 pages) Format: MLA

Mla format for this paper You need a works cited page for this essay, and you must use proper in-text citation (also called parenthetical citation/documentation) for all paraphrasing, summarizing, and quoting of the short story, your own paper, and the article. To quote yourself from your first essay, simply write something like this: “As I said in my paper, there are many ways to interpret Friend (2).” You should list your original paper in the Works Cited using the following format: Your Last Name, Your Initials. (Date on the Paper). Title of paper. Unpublished paper. Common problems to avoid: works cited page errors, in-text citation errors, incorrect block quotation, dumped quotes, incorrect use of historical present tense, punctuating titles—short stories are ALWAYS place in quotation marks!

Other required elements An interesting and relevant An effective thesis statement incorporated into your introduction (last sentence) Strong topic sentences and body paragraphs An excellent conclusion Impeccable grammar, mechanics, and style Correct MLA format An engaging title

Key concepts Clarity—stay focused on the main topic throughout your essay Coherence—present your ideas in a logical, organized way; use effective transitions Unity—each paragraph stays on topic and relates to the overall thesis Development—provide specific details so that the reader can understand the argument Sample Student Essays