For all discussions in this course (Except Course Cafe) you must post first befo

For all discussions in this course (Except Course Cafe) you must post first before you are able to see others’ posts.
Your original post must be posted by March 23 @ 10:59 p.m. (24 hours before the discussion closes – this rule applies to ALL discussions. Please follow the due dates in the syllabus)
THERE ARE THREE PARTS TO THIS ASSIGNMENT – A, B & C. See course cafe for an example. For your original post:
A. Complete and share our textbook’s Exercise 5.2 and 5.4. This means that you first share the processes you used then present your thesis (see below)
B. By yourself, work with at least two of the brainstorming techniques described on pp. 69-73. (This asks you to come up with an idea then expand into topics)
You must choose your “idea” from the list provided. You can access this list by going to:
Unit 1. Research Writing: Working Thesis Paper
1.1 Research Writing Thesis: Introduction and Prewriting
Working Thesis Essay Assignment Overview (read this section carefully)
Then click on the hyperlinked word “idea” in the overview section (it is highlighted in blue). That link allows you to view the list of possible ideas that match your pathway/degree. (An option is provided there in case you don’t have a chosen pathway)
You will stay with your chosen idea/thesis for your all your research-based writing projects (essays 1-4 and bibliography).
You must choose an idea from the list provided in the unit AND it must match your pathway. So if you are a STEM student, check the list of ideas from the STEM essay heading. Also, whenever possible, see your chosen topic through a local lens – what is going on in Miami (or wherever you live) that is relevant to your chosen topic. Once you have chosen an idea, feel free to use the thesis generator https://writingcenter.uagc.edu/thesis-generator (that is also inside this course). Obviously, once you generate your thesis, it must be grammatically correct. Don’t just cut and paste whatever the thesis generator gives you. Your topics must be very specific. Please do not write a broad a thesis with no claims. Remember that you will be using this thesis for all essays 1-4 including your the final argument/research essay. So let’s start fine-tuning your thesis statement now with at least three claims.
Your working thesis will always be the last sentence of your introduction in essays #1, 2, 3 & 4. Your working thesis:
Must mention your pathway, and how it relates to your chosen topic and the 3 claims/reasons/solutions.
Must have a topic and 3 claims in a single sentence so readers can determine whether the specific claims/solutions match your thesis. (see example below in italics and quotes)
Please DO NOT write a thesis statement that just has information (WE know how Snapchat/Facebook/Cellphones work – or that we need to eat healthier and exercise more – we do not need to read essays about them). Your thesis must prove something or try to solve a problem. You must show the reader that you are researching the subject and will not be just telling them what you believe. In order to do that you are only to use these verbs below:
I will investigate whether
I will examine whether
I will explore whether
I will probe whether
I will assess whether
Come up with a unique and interesting angle on your topic. You are making judgments based on your future career. Here is an excellent thesis from a student from the previous semester:
“While dating apps can be an excellent way for singles to find a partner, as a future psychologist, it is important for me to investigate their effect on users’ self-esteem, values and safety in the Miami area.”
Notice how in a single short sentence, you have the topic, the 3 claims: self-esteem, values and safety, AND your pathway. Your thesis will provide a roadmap for your future essays #2, 3 & 4. Please note that the thesis required for all your essays is more elaborate than the one you might find in the “sample papers”.
Sample papers are just that, i.e. “samples” and do not include all the intricate requirements of what is needed for this course. C. For your peer response (worth 50% of the points):
Read through your peers’ posts. Select one peer who has not yet received a response. Craft a response of at least 100 words.
Engage in conversation and address the following:
1. Compare brainstorming results.
How do each of you react to different exercises?
Are some techniques more useful?
2. Help revise your peer’s working thesis.
Licenses and Attributions
Woman draw a light bulb in white board by Andrea Piacquadio is licensed under Pexels License.
Krause, Steven D. Eds. Jennifer McCann and Nanci Love. ENGL 102: The Process of Research Writing. Designed by the Bay College Online Learning Department and Bay College Library. This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.