Homework

None, but prepare for next week’s timed essay writing.

You can read some timed essays by AW2 students from 2017 on the download page here: https://www.sheffnersweb.net/blogs/classblogs/kpu/download/2017-aw2-time-essays/

Today’s class

1. Textbook p. 136 C
2. p. 139 E
3. p. 141 Practice 6
4. p. 141 B
5. p. 143 Practice 8
6. p. 144 Practice 9
7. p. 145 Practice 10
8. p. 146 E
9. p. 147 Practice 11
10. p. 148 A
11. p. 151 B

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Homework

• Read my comments on your timed essays of January 16th.
• Read the sample essays I handed out in class.
• Re-read chapter 6 of the textbook
• Prepare to write your best timed essay in next week’s class.

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Today’s class

1. Handouts: download the 2 sample essays here
2. Timed essay #3: “War is good for the economy”. Discuss.
   1. You should refer to Bastiat’s essay “The Broken Window Fallacy”.
   2. You should explain why some people think that war is good for the economy, and
   3. why others (like Bastiat) do not.
3. Timed essay #4: “Nobody should make a big decision without consulting at least one other person.” Discuss.
   1. Points to mention in your essay:
      1. Define your terms: what is a “big” decision?
      2. Give at least one example (perhaps from your own experience) where consultation happened and that was beneficial;
      3. Give at least one example (perhaps from your own experience) where consultation happened and that was a mistake;
      4. Give an example of an important decision where consultation is not possible.
      5. Conclusion.

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Sorry guys. Class cancelled.

Next week, you will write two timed essays in class.

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Homework

1. Read the article on swine flu (download it here: Swine_Flu_by_Rappoport
2. Is it an academic essay? Does it have any features of academic writing? If so, which ones? (see below)
3. Bring your answers to these questions to the next class.
4. Next week, we will discuss the answers to these questions, and write two timed essays.
5. Next week’s timed essays will be under test conditions: strict time limit, no dictionaries, no electronic or internet devices. Just pencil and paper and your awesome human brain!

Today’s class

1. Review of key features of academic writing (see also the  annotated handout “Majority Rule Equals Tyranny”; download it here: Majority Rule Equals Tyranny_annotated
   1. Introduce the topic (plus any necessary background information). If necessary, state your position about the topic.
   2. Define your terms.  E.g.
      1. in an essay about the Electoral College, you will need to define what that is.
      2. in an essay about the division of labour, you will need to define what you mean by that.
      3. in an essay about homework or uniforms, you will need to define “homework” or “uniform”.
      4. By the way, a definition does not have to be the dictionary definition. In an exam situation, you cannot use a dictionary obviously. You must make it clear what your understanding of the term is, that is all.
   3. Use  objective facts to support your essay.
      1. “objective” means other people can check if they are true or not.
      2. “facts” means names, dates, numbers, places.
   4. Conclusion – summarize your arguments and, if you are trying to persuade the reader, give a final appeal.
2. Timed essay (30 minutes): “Discuss the arguments for and against legalizing marijuana.” Use the handout to help you (download it here: Arguments For and Against Legalizing Marijuana

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Homework

Write and hand in next week any outstanding essays. Next Friday is the deadline.

Today’s class

1. Read the samples #1-#3  in the handout Sheffners Rewrites and samples
2. Your Turn: re-write #4 and #5 (10 minutes each).
3. Timed essay:
   1. Choose a topic from p. 143 in the textbook.
   2. Write a 30-minute timed essay. Test conditions (no dictionary, no internet device).
4. Hand in your “good and bad reviews” homework.

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We have 2 more classes this semester. To pass this course, you MUST attend the last class, January 23rd, and do the timed essay.

Homework

None. Next week will be the last class and you will write your third essay, a timed essay, under test conditions in class.  Anyone absent on Jan. 23rd, and any student who has not written three final essays this semester must attend the makeup class on Friday Jan. 30th.

Today’s class

1. Textbook p. 152, Practice 16, proofreading.
2. Exchange timed essays with classmates and read.
3. Write a title for your essay. It should be not too broad (“Japan”, “Life”, “Sports”) and not too detailed (“A discussion of whether or not the drinking age in Japan should be lowered from 20 to 18”), but should tell the reader what to expect. E.g. “Drinking age in Japan should be lowered”. This tells the topic (drinking age in Japan) and the author’s opinion (should be lowered). The reader now knows this essay will be arguing for lowering the drinking age in Japan.
4. Most Western countries use the adversarial system in law. This concept is extended to the British parliamentary system, and most people believe it is a good way to learn the truth. Hence, freedom of speech is important because it is only by hearing different (including opposing) points of view that people can develop their own, accurate opinion.
5. Exchange your “for and against” arguments (last week’s homework) and read your classmates’.
6. Choose a topic from the list on page 154 “Your Turn” and write a 30-minute timed essay.

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