Week #6 - September 23-30

Week #6 - Assignment #1 The Writing Assignment.
Last week you explored technology and our life-style today.  This week you will be conducting research to prepare for the writing of the "Technology: Friend or Foe essay.

The instructions follow. Read them. Then, tell me what technological wonder you will be using as the focus of your research this week. This gizmo or gadget will be the focus of your essay next week. 

(10 points . . . Identify the technology that will be the focus of your research and writing. Tell why it is of interest to you.)

This is the full assignment so that you can see where you are headed. 

Technology – Friend or Foe?

For this essay, you are writing to convince the opposition. Consider the dangers and advantages of technology. For this essay, you must pick a side. Think of this essay as a debate on paper. You must know what the opposition thinks, but you do not support that point of view.

I.                    Introduction –

a.       Identify the specific technology you will be discussing – cell phone, computer, automobile, dishwasher, microwave, GPS, video games, etc.

b.      Capture the attention of the audience in the normal way with startling statistics, an interesting anecdote, a quotation from an expert, lines from a song or poem, a thought provoking question, etc. In short, make sure that what you say makes the reader want to know more.

c.       In addition, state your thesis – make your point of view clear! (Some of you may be taking a creative approach. See me if this is the case.)

II.                  The body of the paper will do several things –

a.       Convince the reader that they either need or do not need the technology.

b.      Provide a brief history of the specific technology you plan to discuss. What was life like before its invention? When was it invented? How has it evolved? What is its story?

c.       Provide clear evidence to support your point of view. You must have proof from at least four of the following:

·         At least three experts/sources. You may use the articles studied in class and articles that specifically relate to your chosen technology.

·         A current news source such as a newspaper or magazine article or news cast.

·         An interview with at least one user.

·         A personal anecdote.

·         Lines from literature – poem, short story, or novel. “There Will Come Soft Rains”  was assigned. You may use other SciFi literature or movies.

·         A work of art

·         Strong statistics from an expert source.

The body of the paper will be several paragraphs in length.

III.                Conclusion –

Wrap it up for the readers. Leave them with a call to action to either give up or get the gadget you are supporting. Be sure they know why they need or do not need one. Consider:

a.       Convenience

b.      Cost

c.       Safety

d.      Environmental impact

e.      Impact on society

f.        Ethical concerns

Week #6 - Assignment #2 

 Identify the technology you will be using as the focus of your study and to conduct research to get ready to write.

A. Consult two sources and find out the history of the item. Summarize the information. Post your summary and the sources consulted. Do not simply copy/paste from a site. Use your own words. (25 points)

Week #6 - Assignment #3
Looking at Art

B. Locate a work of art that features your item. Answer these questions: 

· What is the title of the work? How does the title help you to understand the message? What is the message?

· How does this work relate to your topic? Discuss.

· What is the most obvious image in the work. To where is your eye drawn?

· Look at the colors. Are they symbolic? Would the message be different if the colors were different? Explain.

· Study the shading and shadowing. How do these elements impact the overall message?

· How do the lines and angles impact your eye as you study the work?

· Who is the artist? When was the work created? Is the artist's message about a specific event in history? What was going on in the world when the work was created? Is the art universal - speaks to people of all times and in all places, or is it limited to the audience for whom it was created.

· How does the work relate to us in 21st century America? 

Include the URL or the actual art with your responses to the question.

(40 points)

Week #6 - Assignment #4 - Interview

C. Interview someone who owns and/or uses the item. Create five questions and record the responses. (You conducted an interview on body art a couple of weeks ago. Use the same techniques.) 

Be sure to get permission from the person to use the name in your essay next week. If the person does not want to be identified, that is OK. Do note the date of the interview and the method of the interview. (in-person, phone, text, e-mail, etc.)

25 points

Week #6 - Assignment #5 - More research

Locate the following information. Be sure to keep track of your sources.

A.   A current news source such as a newspaper, Internet news, magazine article, or news cast. Briefly summarize the article. Give the source.

B.   Strong statistics from an expert source. You might look for  ow many users there are or how many of the item were sold in a given year. 

C. Two articles that cover one or more of the following:

•     Convenience

b.      Cost

c.       Safety

d.      Environmental impact

e.      Impact on society

f.        Ethical concerns

For A through C - keep track of your sources. I suggest starting an EasyBib project. Post your sources here.

50 Points

Once you have this information, you will be ready to write during Week #7.  Remember that ALL of your research focuses on the technology you selected. It might be something as simple as a lightbubl or as complex a GPS. The choice is yours.

December 2 - 6, 2019

This is the last assignment!

You are ready to write. Two weeks ago you selected a problem related to nature, climate change, or global warming. You have conducted research. You created a PowerPoint presentation.

This is your final activity. Write the essay. Here are some tips. You will be graded on the following:

Part I:  Identify the problem. Prove that one exists.

1.       What is the problem? Was it clearly identified? How many are impacted by the problem? Who is impacted? What other problems result because this problem exists?

2.        What are the causes of the problem? Is the information specific? Explain. Do you need to know more? Is anything confusing? Explain.

Part 2: Looking to the future

1.       What are the future implications if this problem is not addressed?

2.       Please include:

a.       A chart or graph

b.      A personal experience 

c.       Evidence from at least two expert sources

d. Current evidence from a news story or from a documentary

Part 3 – Possible Solution(s) and a Call to Action

You want to get your readers to do something to help to solve the problem. Remember that people are limited by time and money. Make sure that your call to action steps are worth the time and the money.

Try to have at least two things that people can do to make a difference. For example, if you suggest recycling, explain how effortless the process can be. 

Part 4 – Technical points

1.       Use in-text citations. Are they in MLA format?

2.       Place all in-text citation sources on the Works Cited page? Make sure there are no extra sources on the Works Cited page.

3.       Pay attention to the grammar, usage, and mechanics. Run spell and grammar check.

This is an essay in three parts. You must include the information listed above.

The essay is due by midnight on Friday, December 6, 2019. However, the Canvas space will be open until 6:00 am on Monday, December 9. I realize that some of you will need the weekend to finish.

November 25-December 2, 2019

Last week you selected a topic, conducted research, and started an outline.

This week, instead of a regular rough draft, you will create a PowerPoint presentation of your "Nature Problem" essay. If you can organize your thoughts into a clear visual, you will be able to write the essay.

If you are more familiar with Prezi, you may use that. However, be sure to give me permission to read it. All instructions will refer to Power Point. The same information applies to Prezi slides.

General Instructions
Prepare a PowerPoint to share what you learned about your topic.  

Guidelines:
Slide #1: Title and Your Name
Slide #2: Identify the problem - make your claim
Slides 3, 4, 5: Explain the causes of the problem. This answers "because" and possibly gives evidence.
Slides 6, 7, 8: Explain the effects of the problem - This is more evidence.
Slides 9, 10, 11: Call to action - give the viewers concrete examples of what can be done and explain what difference their actions will make. (This section contains another claim, more reasons, and more evidence.
Slide 12: Works Cited page - This should look just like the Works Cited page in your essay.


Guidelines for the show: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kxuPCdWnHgo


In case you need a refresher, here are links to PowerPoint tips.

What NOT to do: 

Death by PowerPoint: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KbSPPFYxx3o

How to Create a PowerPoint Presentation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XF34-Wu6qWU&t=83s

or

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6bSOAl1i8bw (This clip provides tips for you to use if you ever need to present a live presentation. 

In this on-line class, you will NOT have the opportunity to present live to each other. However, please imagine how your presentation would look on a screen.

Here are some tips to remember when preparing your slides:

Layout ·         Photographs, graphic design, and clipart are useful and enhance the presentation ·         Title, author, and course identification are on the first slide ·         Works Cited page is the last frame and is in MLA format

Fonts ·         Font size is at least 16 ·         Footless Font is used (Ariel is a footless font. There are not squiggles "underlined" letters.)  ·         Color is of a deep enough contrast to be sassily read ·         Font colors are limited to three or four throughout the presentation

Text ·         Bulleted points are limited to no more than six per slide ·         Six or fewer words per bullet are used ·         Headlines are effective ·         Spelling is correct - (Run Spell Check)  ·         Punctuation is correct ·         End punctuation or no end punctuation is consistent when using bullets ·         Upper and lower case is used correctly ·         Animation is limited and necessary ·         Sound is limited and effective (Not required)

Content ·         A work of art/ photographs are included ·         Point/thesis is clear ·         Supporting elements are evident - See the requirements for the 12 slides.  ·         Introduction captures the attention of the audience ·         Conclusion contains a strong message ·         Clear steps for a “call to action” are obvious

This is what I will be looking for to award your grade.

Tips on bulleted lists: 

https://www.businesswritingblog.com/business_writing/2012/01/punctuating-bullet-points-.html
or https://www.dailywritingtips.com/bulleted-lists/
If you want to keep it simple, either use end punctuation on all bullets, or use no end punctuation with bulleted lists. Be consistent.  (Some grammar/writing books recommend this approach. It is fine.

Colors and slides



https://www.thinkoutsidetheslide.com/choosing-colors-for-your-presentation-slides/  This site gives you the option of signing up for something. Ignore it. Just read the information.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kxuPCdWnHgo

Tips on a Call to Action

http://sixminutes.dlugan.com/speech-call-to-action/

Your viewers/readers will want to know what the advantages are to them if they suppoert your cause.

They worry about time and money obligations.

They want to know if it is difficult or easy to take the step(s) you suggest.

They want to know that taking the steps you list will make a difference to them and to the "problem."

That's it for the week. Convince readers/viewers that there is a problem that needs to be solved.

Guidelines:
Slide #1: Title and Your Name
Slide #2: Identify the problem - make your claim
Slides 3, 4, 5: Explain the causes of the problem. This answers "because" and possibly gives evidence.
Slides 6, 7, 8: Explain the effects of the problem - This is more evidence.
Slides 9, 10, 11: Call to action - give the viewers concrete examples of what can be done and explain what difference their actions will make. (This section contains another claim, more reasons, and more evidence.
Slide 12: Works Cited page - This should look just like the Works Cited page in your essay.
 Post your PowerPoint or Prezi in Canvas by noon on December 2, 2019. 

Week #14 - November 18-25

Week #14

This is a week for additional research. You will also begin to organize for writing.

Assignment #1: Topic and Research

Step #1 is to select the topic that will be of most interest to you. In a paragraph, explain why it is an important topic and explain your interest in the topic. 

 Step #2 Your task it to conduct enough research that you feel confident sharing the facts in writing about the existence of a problem, the causes of the problem, and the possible solutions. Be ready to call the reader to action. What can and should the reader do to make a difference?

Tips on writing a Call to Action or CTA: https://www.grammarly.com/blog/call-to-action/

 Include at least five of  the following in your essay. Take notes on these. Post Summarize your notes and post with the source(s). (In Canvas, you will have notes and sources from five of these research options,)

• An interview with someone
• Art, music,or literature related to the topic 
• Current news report
• Current videos/ movies You may quote An Inconvenient Truth or you may select an additional movie feature. National Geographic and Animal Planet have several features.  It does not need to be a documentary. Happy Feet comes to mind! YouTube offers many options. This is just one of many: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKbZxKZJM
• Branch out. Find something to view that relates to your chosen topic. 
• Information from an expert source. Search the EMCC on-line library for strong sources: (Required)  https://www.estrellamountain.edu/library 
• Charts/Graphs/Statistics

Assignment #2 Organizing for Writing

Organize your essay into parts. 

Here are some guidelines:

1.    A. Identify the problem. How many are impacted by the problem? Who is impacted? What other problems result because this problem exists?

     B. Causes of the problem.

          C. Effects of the problem.

            D. Solutions and a call to action.

2   Make an informal outline of your paper. Break it into the four sections as shown in A, B, C, and D.  Remember to have proof for what you think, feel, and believe. Create a bulleted list. Provide your sources. 

       If you need additional instructions to help you understand how to write a problem/solution essay, take some time to look at this site.

https://owlcation.com/academia/How-to-Write-a-Propose-a-Solution-Essay

Discussion Board - Week #14

Post your topic along with a paragraph or two to identify your topic and to explain why the topic is important to you. Then, ask the class to share their thoughts and ask questions or share examples that could be of help to you. Of course, you do not have to agree with the topic, but please be respectful of the ideas in your responses. Respond to THREE posts. 

For example, if I were to select a topic right now, it would probably deal with climate change and the migration of butterflies. One might ask why I would be worried about butterflies. They are part of the food chain. When one segment of the food chain disappears, it creates a "domino" effect where all segments of the chain will be altered.

My interest in this topic became intense last spring on a drive across the desert from San Diego. The windshield seemed to be attracting more than the usual number of bugs. Yellow, gooey, splats soon blocked the windshield. At the nearest rest stop, we pulled in along with more than the normal group of travelers who, along with us were washing down their windshields. At first I thought we had run into a flight of crickets or grasshoppers. Upon further inspection, I noticed wings - delicate and damaged. Their once happy looking yellow, white, and black spotted wings were tatters on the grill of the car.

Being curious and thanks to technology having the capability, I looked up butterfly migrations and discovered that these were Painted Lady butterflies on their annual migration south. Interstate 8 runs along the migration path. I couldn't help but wonder how many thousand insects would not reach their mating area or would not be dinner for whatever was hungrily waiting for them to arrive.

Will the thousands who died on the highway that April day make a difference in the food chain? I am not sure. But I do know that the warming climate is causing problems in other areas of the world for the winged migrations and all of the animals that depend on their  arrival each year. 

F

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Week #13 November 11-18, 2019

Can Mother Nature save herself, or will she need a bit of help from humanity? You will need to decide and pick a side. In a good argument, there are two strong sides. However, your task is to select one side only and support that side.

If you have ever taken part in a formal debate, you remember that you had to know both sides. You did not know until a few minutes before the debate which side you would be supporting.

This is your week to research both sides of a topic related to climate change/global warming. This could include topics such as air pollution, higher ocean levels, extinctions, etc. The possibilities for topics is extensive.

The essay you will be writing is a cause/effect essay and will include a call to action.  You will select a topic, share the causes, note the effects, and then provide possible solutions.


Assignment #1 (Select Task #1 OR Task #2)
Here is Task #1

 Viewing - An Inconvenient Truth (75 points total) 

There is a copy available through EMCC's library. Contact them online to reserve your copy. Public libraries also have the documentary. The complete show is not available on YouTube for free.  Here is the link to the trailer: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bu6SE5TYrCM&t=62s

This is an older award winning documentary on global warming. Try not to let your politics, ether pro or con,  get in the way of your viewing. 

An Inconvenient Truth – Questions (50 points)

After viewing the documentary, answer the following questions.  Post your answers on CANVAS. You do not have to write the questions, but you do need to number your answers.

1.       1. Why does the film open and close with serene images of nature: lush green leaves and a gently flowing river on a sunny day, followed by Al Gore’s voice-over about this peaceful place? What is the impact on the viewer?

2.     2.   In this film, Gore narrates a moment in 1989 when his six-year-old son dropped his father’s hand, ran into the street, and was severely injured. How does this personal story relate to Gore’s mission?

3.      3.  Much of the film consists of scientific facts and charts. Think back and answer the following:

·         4. Why do we have global warming?

·        5.  What is the relationship between carbon dioxide and temperature?

·       6.   How does global warming contribute to an increase in the number and severity of storms, hurricanes, tornadoes, and typhoons?

·       7.   How can global warming cause both violent precipitation as well as droughts?

4.      8.  Explain the significance of each of these references from the film:

·         9. The findings of core drills

·         10.The thawing of the permafrost, the splitting of the Ward Hunt ice shelf, and the disappearance of the Larson ice shelf

·         11. The Arctic ice cap disappearing

·        12. The image of a canary in a coal mine

·        13.  The image of the frog in the cooking pot

5.       14. Cite three ecological consequences of global warming in the animal and plant communities.

6.     15.   Gore used quotations from several memorable people.  Explain how they apply to the topic of global warming.

·                     ·         Mark Twain: “What gets us into trouble is not what we don’t know; it’s what we know that just ain’t so.”

·                           Upton Sinclair: “It is difficult to get a man to understand something when his salary depends upon his not understanding it.” Cite  specific ways that this statement is illustrated throughout this film.

·                     ·         Stephen Pacala and Robert Socolow in Science magazine: “Humanity alreadypossesses the fundamental scientific, technical, and industrial know-how to solve the carbon and climate problems.”

7.      16.  Explain the significance of the film’s title An Inconvenient Truth.

Once you have finished, in two or three paragraphs explain your position on the issue of global warming. Is it real? Would it happen anyway? Has it happened before? Might it happen with or without human intervention?  (25 points)

 If you cannot find a complete copy of the documentary, complete Task #2. Both are worth 75 points total.

If you cannot locate a full copy of An Inconvenient Truth, you will complete Task 2.

View the 10 links to key portions of An Inconvenient Truth.

1.       https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NXMarwAusY4

2.       https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OqVyRa1iuMc

3.       https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xtyieNg18O0

4.       https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6hFxG-8I0Go

5.       https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9tkDK2mZlOo

6.       https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lzx24hw_K5I

7.       https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vTFuGHWTIqI

8.       https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yRLCUdWuyng

9.       https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1KkrlhoFbBM&t=20s

10.   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FzQ0GeLVLhk&t=30s

For each segment, write a summary of the key point or points. (50 points)

nOnce you have finished viewing, in two or three paragraphs explain your position on the issue of global warming. Is it real? Would it happen with or without the help of humans? Has it happened before?  (25 points) 

Week #13Assignment  #2 (50 points)

Locate and read at least five articles related to a topic related to Global Warming or Climate Change.  I kept an eye on the news on my phone this week and came up with two or more articles every day. It will not be difficult to locate information. At least one article must come from the EMCC library. 

• Go to the EMCC home page.
• Click on Students.
• Look on the right at the list of options. Click on Library.
• There is a column on the left. Click on "find articles, books, ebooks, videos, & more .
• From there, type in a topic to locate. 
• You will discover more choices than you have time to read! 

For each of the five articles, do the following:

• List the title and the author(s). Give the date of publication. It is interesting to know if you are reading something old or new.
• In bullet form, list 7-10 key points.
• Rate the article. If is was useful and/or interesting give it a 10. If it falls somewhat lower, give it a score below 10. 
• Explain why you gave the article the score you did. ("Dull" will not do to explain. What made the article dull if it was? Or, what made it "excellent" if you awarded that type of score?)

Week #13 Assignment #3 Learning to Write a Cause/Effect essay

  http://guidetogrammar.org/grammar/composition/cause_effect.htm

 Read the instructions.

and

http://guidetogrammar.org/grammar/composition/cause/cause_frames.htm

Click on "Cold Comfort." It is an interactive sample essay. Once you are looking at the essay, you will see many magnifying glasses. Click on each. You will return to the first page, but look at the  the information printed in blue at the bottom. Each "glass" give you a good writing tip. 

Pretend you have been asked to write a letter to a student who needs to write a cause/effect essay. Explain in three or four paragraphs how to do that. (25 points) 

Week #13 Assignment #4 Discussion Board

The first post is due by midnight on Thursday. 

Three responses to others need to be completed by noon on Monday. 

Total points: 40

Now, think of a problem  related to nature that is important to you or that you wish to explore.

A. Identify the topic.
B. Explain why the topic is of interest to you. Or, explain why you want to conduct research on this topic.
C. Why does something need to be done, or does it? 
D. Share any personal experiences you might have with the topic.
E. Note some research you plan to conduct. 

Example: I have been fortunate to travel to Alaska and to the northern tip of Argentina. In both places, I learned of something surprising related to global warming. In Alaska, in Denali National Park, the rangers told of a cave just off the highway that used to be covered by glaciers. Recently, the glaciers melted. To the astonishment of the park rangers, there were paintings on the walls of the caves.  The rangers had no idea that humans used to live there.

In Argentina, there was a small island in the middle of a recently frozen lake. In the thaw, the locals who visited the island were astonished to see petroglyphs - evidence that humans from long ago used to live there.

I found it amazing that ancient humans lived where glaciers have been for thousands of years.

I would like to research global warming to discover if it is a natural event or if it is currently something that humans are causing. As I look over the Valley of the Sun (Phoenix), I see brown colored air because of air pollution. I have endured record-breaking hot summers in the valley. I hope there is something that can be done.