Activities for T 10/27

Blog response > Today we'll work on your essay drafts. You should have a blog post linking to the draft. Go to and edit the post, adding a brief reflection on the following: What is most successful in your draft? What still needs work?

Also, please make sure your blog has your name on it, so that readers arriving at the blog know the author's name...

Read and respond to drafts > Start with the person after you on your group list below. Read and respond. Repeat with the next in the list. If you reach the end, go back to the beginning of your group. Each draft gets at least three readings. Write your response in the comments to the writer's blog post.

Groups:

1. Alexander, Bergamo, Graff, Lewis, Ehrlich
2. Balnionis, Berardi, Miller, Reedy, Garland
3. Alonso, Castillo, Simmons, Skomorucha, Yoder
4. Caughie, Center, Spencer, Suder, Zarkades

First reading: Read the essay once for an initial response. Write about the following:

• Your overall impression
• What did you like? What didn't you like?

Second Reading: Read the essay a second time again for an in-depth response. Write about the following:

• What is the main idea / claim expressed in the essay? What are the sub-ideas or claims? Are the claims related to the main idea?
• Is there evidence supporting the ideas/claims? Name particular places where the essay could use more evidence and how.
• Does the writer use ideas and sources from the directed lectures/theories presented in class (theories of authorship, narratology, remix culture, social media, gaming, etc.)? Suggest how one or more of these concepts could be incorporated into the essay.
  
• Are the parts of the essay connected in a logical, convincing manner, with supporting evidence? Name particular places where the logic and transitions could be improved and how.
  
• Name particular places where the language of the essay is confusing or unclear. How could it be improved?
  
• Finally, what should the writer focus on to improve the essay? What should she do next?