Today’s goals Introduce skills for timed writing Discuss the upcoming class portfolio Peer review the rough draft of our synthesis essays

Class discussion- timed writing What are some examples of timed writing that you have done in the past? How would you describe the structure and organization of a timed writing exam? What strategies can we implement to improve our success in timed writing exams?

Timed Writing Skills Ability to store and access appropriate knowledge into an organized essay Ability to quickly analyze the specific requirements of an exam question Ability to deal with pressure, text anxiety, and time constraints

Timed Writing Key Terms The “Ability to quickly analyze the specific requirements of an exam question” starts with identifying key terms in the essay prompt to determine what the main goals of the assignment are See pg 518-520 in A&B These are generally verbs and each has its own response strategy that tells you what type of information to include Analyze, apply, argue, compare, contrast, construct, critique, define, discuss, enumerate, evaluate, explain, identify, illustrate, prove, review, summarize, and trace

Group Activity: Analyze Essay Questions In your topic groups Read the “Strategies for Responding to Common Essay Question Verbs” on p. 518 Read the passage on page 521 and select the prompt on page 522 that best matches the essay. Provide a brief explanation (2-3 sentences) of why the prompt you chose is best suited to the essay.

Homework- ENC portfolio Must include a printed copy of your major ENC essays: rhetorical analysis, visual analysis, and synthesis May include the assignment sheets for each essay Necessary part of the final exam; you cannot pass the final exam with it

Class discussion- synthesis review What are some of the differences between a synthesis essay an a regular persuasive essay? What are the two structural options for synthesis essays? Where does summary occur in a synthesis essay? How do we transition into a synthesis summary section?

Synthesis essay – summary transitions Should explain how and when you are transitioning into your sources “Much research has already been done on . . .” “Many articles already support this idea . . .” (your thesis) “Before fully exploring this idea (your thesis), one should examine the published research . . .”

Group Activity: Synthesis Peer Review In groups of 2-3 students based on the topics you have working on, answer the following questions about every group members’ first draft: Does the essay’s introduction grab the readers’ interest with its hook? What kind of strategy does it use to do this? What is the writer’s thesis? Take this word for word from the essay you analyze. Does this thesis satisfy the criteria we discussed last week or does it need further revision? What elements does the essay forecast for the body paragraphs? Are these based on supporting points or on the sources themselves? What are some example transition words used in the essay? How does the essay transition into its summary section?

Homework ENC Portfolio Synthesis Essay – 2nd Draft Worth a quiz grade Bring with you to class on Friday Should include a printed version of all of your major essays (rhetorical analysis, visual analysis, & synthesis essay) Synthesis Essay – 2nd Draft 750+ words 4+ sources (including one from the source list and one that is peer reviewed) Printed and brought to class on Wednesday