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Wednesday, March 27, 2019

Research Paper Tips: MLA Formatting (10th Grade World Lit)

I have recorded a series of videos to help you through the final steps of the research paper process. I hope this helps. :)

As I mentioned in class, I will be in my room at 7:30 am tomorrow, and you are more than welcome to stop by before school, during ASE, or during 3rd or 6th periods with any questions that you have about your paper. I will answer anything about sources, about formatting your paper/works cited, and about the content requirements for your paper, but I will NOT read your entire paper. Please bring specific questions.


Research Paper Final Checklist - Make sure you have done everything on this list.

Research Paper Scoring Guide - This is how your paper will be graded.


Accessing MackinVIA and NoodleTools and Adding Your Book into NoodleTools:





Formatting Your Paper into MLA Format:



Adding and Formatting Your Works Cited Page:




Turning Your Essay in on Turnitin.com:

(You will not be allowed to submit until Thursday afternoon.)




To Sign into MackinVIA or Office 365 from Home:


Username: firstname.lastlame@students.cobbk12.org
Password: your media center password

SIGN IN HERE

If you are having troubling logging into your Office 365 account from home, click here for instructions for how to look up your username through StudentVue.


ISBNs:

  • Life of Pi - 9780156027328
  • Things Fall Apart - 9780385474542
  • A Thousand Splendid Suns - 9781594489501

Tuesday, March 26, 2019

Research Paper Tips: Conclusion Paragraph (10th Grade World Lit)

Follow your Formal Outline to make sure your Conclusion paragraph includes the following:

  1. First two - three sentences: Final Summary - Give a final summary that relates back to your thesis and the the overall topic of your paper. For this last summary, you may include information about how the book ends.
  2. Next two - three sentences: Re-state thesis and the main points of your body paragraphs - This is where you are going to tie all the parts of your paper together. Re-state your thesis and main points alluding details you included in your body paragraphs. What big detail from each main point really drives your thesis home? Be specific, but brief.
  3. Final one - two sentences: Final Wrap-up - Tie everything in your paper together with a final statement that connects to a theme of the novel. What is the biggest point that you want your reader to take away from your paper? 
The following is the example for Life of Pi that I showed in class. Please note that it DOES connect to my sample intro paragraph because re-states my thesis and the main points from my thesis.

Throughout Life of Pi, Pi overcomes struggles that that even the most experienced sailor would not be able to survive. He spends 227 days on a lifeboat with a limited amount of supplies and a 450-pound tiger as his only company. While many would struggle to overcome the obstacles Pi faces, Pi is able to survive by using his instincts to think of solutions quickly in his times of need. Additionally, he uses his knowledge of zoo keeping to tame Richard Parker, and he copies the behaviors of animals by using them as guides to help him collect the water and food he needs in order to stay alive. By quickly acting on his instincts and knowledge, Pi displays a perseverance that allows him to survive situations where most people would fail.

Research Paper Tips: Body Paragraphs (10th Grade World Lit)

Follow your Formal Outline to make sure your Body paragraphs include the following:

  1. 1st Sentence: Main Point - This is what the paragraph is about and it should directly tie back to one of the points in your thesis. Basically, you're telling your reader what to expect right as they begin the paragraph.
  2. Next 2-3 sentences: Background Information - You've found some great quotes and examples from your research, but before you bring them into your essay, you need to set the scene for your reader. What important details from the book does your reader need to know in order to understand your evidence? Briefly plot points that are important and relevant to the main point of the paragraph! Be specific with your details.
  3. Next sentence: Bring in your Evidence: Use a Lead-in to Bring in a Direct Quote or Paraphrase a Source - Now it's time to start bringing in your evidence. Bring in a direct quote using one of the Lead-Ins on your Lead-In/Paraphrase Reference Sheet or paraphrase one of your sources to make it fit your paragraph better. Remember to CITE your quote/paraphrased source.

    **QUOTE REQUIREMENTS FOR THIS ASSIGNMENT:**
    • You MUST use ALL THREE of your sources (your novel and 2 online articles) at least 1 time&nbsp throughout your entire essay.
    • You MUST use evidence 2 times in each paragrapheither by using a direct quote from your source or by paraphrasing a source.
    • You MUST use at least 3 direct quotes, one in each of your body paragraphs, throughout your essay.
    • You MUST cite your quote/paraphrased source
  4. Next 2-3 sentences: Commentary - You've brought your quote/source into your paragraph, but now you need to explain it. What does it reveal about the main point of this paragraph? Why is it important to the topic you are writing about? Even if this connection seems obvious to you, it might not be as clear to your reader. Avoid phrases like "This quote says/shows" - the quote is not saying or showing your reader anything - that's your job.
  5. Next 3-4 sentences: Repeat Numbers 3 and 4 to bring in and explain your second piece of evidence.
  6. Last sentence: Concluding Sentence - End your paragraph with a sentence that wraps up the main point of this paragraph and that transitions to your next body paragraph/main point.
Repeat Steps 1-6 for your second and third body paragraphs.

The following is the example for Life of Pi that I showed in class. Please note that it does NOT connect to my sample intro paragraph because the main point of this paragraph is not one of the reasons that I have listed in my Thesis Statement.

Pi is able to survive on the ocean for so long because he is able to find and conserve sources of drinking water to help him keep up his strength. When Pi takes an inventory of the supplies on the boat, he comes across cans of water. He also finds a manual written by the British Royal Navy. Pi reads and learns from survival tips, which include “Do not drink urine. Or sea water. Or bird blood” (Martel 166). When Pi sees this advice, he makes sure to follow it, even though he soon becomes very thirsty and on the verge of dehydration. He almost gives in to this desperation to drink his urine, but luckily, before he reaches his breaking point, a storm comes and he is able to collect fresh drinking water. Pi knows that even though rainwater might contain harmful chemicals, collecting the fresh rainwater can help him conserve his resources (“Rainwater Collection”). He uses his fast thinking to use a waterproof tarp to collect and store the water he needs in order to stay alive. Pi uses his knowledge of safe hydration methods to stay alive while floating on the undrinkable saltwater ocean. He also relies on his instincts to develop a practical way to put this knowledge to use.

Sunday, March 24, 2019

Research Paper Tips: The Intro Paragraph (10th Grade World Lit)

Follow your Formal Outline to make sure your Introduction paragraph includes the following:


Sentence 1: A Hook - This is something that will catch your reader's attention
  • This is something that will "hook" your reader in and make them want to read your paper. It should NOT mention your book/characters in your book or be your thesis statement, although it may generally reference them. If you are stuck, consider the following ideas:

    • Ask a question. Draw in your reader by asking a rhetorical question. Make sure you do NOT address the reader with "you" or use first person.
      • Example: Is it possible for a boy to survive alone on the ocean?
    • Use a statistic. Did you come across a cool statistic during your research? Use it! You WILL need to cite where you got this quote on your Works Cited page.
      • Example: According to the Pew Research Center, 70% of the world's population practices Christianity, Hinduism, or Muslim.
    • Describe a scene vividly. Have a favorite part of the book? Describe the scene briefly but with details, without character names or giving too much away.
      • Example: Gome, gome, gome - the echoes of the gong vibrated through the village, calling everyone near and far.
Sentence 2: Opening Statement - Introduce novel information (full title of novel, capitalized and in italics) and give a one sentence summary of the novel, introducing the main character/event that you will be writing about in your essay.

Sentences 3-4: Mention Major Points - Provide a little more background about the main events of the book you read. What major events happen in your book that are most relevant to the topic you are writing about? *This should not be shorter than 2 sentences but should not be longer than 3 sentences.*

Sentence 5: Thesis Statement (claim) - What is your paper about? What are the main points that you will be discussing in your body paragraphs? Make sure this sentence is clear and sets up your argument for the rest of your paper (and for your reader).

The following is the bare-bones example for Life of Pi that I showed in class on Friday:


Is it possible for a boy to survive on alone on the ocean? In Yann Martel’s novel The Life of Pi, the main character Pi Patel is able to survive on the ocean with only a tiger for company. He loses his family and is trapped on a lifeboat with animals who fall prey to the tiger on board. Yet against all odds, Pi is able to survive the tiger. Pi is able to stay alive on the ocean because of his instincts, his knowledge of zoo keeping, and by imitating the behaviors of animals.

Monday, March 18, 2019

March 18 - 29: 10th Grade World Lit


Over the course of the next 2 weeks (10 school days), you will work on a formal research paper. The topic of your paper will stem from your novel of choice from our recent Novel Study unit. The options are below:

Novel Choice
Research Option 1
Research Option 2
Life of Pi
Religion Comparison (3)
Desire / Instinct to Survive
A Thousand Splendid Suns
Customs / Traditions of the Middle East
Role / treatment of women in the Middle East
Things Fall Apart
Colonialism of Nigeria / Africa
Customs / Traditions of Tribal Nigeria

This paper will be 500+ words long, and will include a Works Cited page. You will use 3 sources total: your novel and 2 electronic sources from 2 different online databases. Each task builds on the one that comes before it. If you miss class for any reason, make sure that you are following the calendar below. You are responsible for checking the blog for any handouts that you miss and keeping up with the contents of your Research Paper Folder. I will be updating this blog post with new handouts and info everyday.


Research Paper Scoring Guide

How to get to the library resources from home:


Date
Tasks for the Class Period
Monday, March 18
(4th, 5th, 7th - MC)
      ·       Choose topic
      ·       Locate sources (2 online, from different databases)
Tuesday, March 19
(4th, 5th, 7th - lab)
      ·       Finalize sources (print sources)
      ·       Develop Thesis Statement and Supporting Ideas
      ·       Begin taking notes from sources (highlight and annotate printed sources)
Wednesday, March 20
(4th, 5th – lab; 7th - classroom)
      ·       Continue taking notes from sources
      ·       Fill in Research Notes chart (including citation information) with evidence from sources
      ·       Turn in Thesis Statement and Supporting Ideas, and completed Research Notes chart (with 2 highlighted and annotated sources - 2 quotes/source) before the end of class
      ·       Begin Formal Outline
Thursday, March 21
(4th, 5th, 7th – classroom)
      ·       Finish Formal Outline
      ·       Turn in Formal Outline before the end of class
Friday, March 22
(4th, 5th, 7th – classroom)
      ·       Intro paragraph w/ thesis statement (claim)
Monday, March 25
(4th, 5th, 7th – classroom)
      ·       2+ body paragraphs w/ quotes from sources
Tuesday, March 26
(4th, 5th, 7th – classroom)
      ·       1 more body paragraphs w/ quotes
      ·       Conclusion Paragraph
Wednesday, March 27
(4th, 5th– lab; 7th - classroom)
      ·       Type and print Rough Draft
      ·       Works Cited Page completed accurately
      ·       Turn in 2 hard copies of Rough Draft before the end of class
Thursday, March 28
(4th, 5th, 7th - classroom)
      ·       Proofread, edit, revise the rough drafts of two classmates using the Peer Editing Checklist
Friday, March 29
(4th, 5th – lab; 7th - MC)
      ·       Work on finalizing your paper
      ·       Turn in Research Paper Folder BEFORE the end of class
     ·      Final Draft due via Turnitin.com NO LATER THAN 11:59 PM

March 18-22: 9th Grade Lit and Comp

This Week: We will finish reading Romeo and Juliet this week. If you are absent, please keep up with the reading with the online edition found here: https://www.sparknotes.com/nofear/shakespeare/romeojuliet/. Its is not exactly the same as the edition we are reading in class, but it will be close enough to keep you caught up.

Romeo and Juliet Character Chart


Monday, March 11:
Tuesday, March 12:
    Wednesday, March 13:
    • Romeo and Juliet Socratic Seminar
      • make sure you have your answers to the questions!
      Thursday, March 14:
      • Turn in Romeo and Juliet Graphic Organizers at the beginning of class.
      • Romeo and Juliet Test

          Friday, March 15:
          • Assembly in the Concert Hall
            Next Week:
            We will wrap up our unit on Romeo and Juliet with a short argumentative writing piece!

            The version of Romeo and Juliet that we will be reading is The No Fear Shakespeare Romeo and Juliet Graphic Novel. Please note that is a graphic novel. I have a class set of books that will stay in my classroom - you do not need to buy your own copy. However, if you would like to write in your copy or have one for home, please make sure you have the correct version.

            Important Dates:
            • Tuesday, March 12: Reading Quiz for Romeo and Juliet, Acts I & II
            • Friday, March 15: Reading Quiz over Act III
            • Monday, March 18: Reading Quiz over Act IV

            Monday, March 11, 2019

            March 11-15: 9th Grade Lit and Comp

            This Week: We will start reading Romeo and Juliet this week. If you are absent, please keep up with the reading with the online edition found here: https://www.sparknotes.com/nofear/shakespeare/romeojuliet/. Its is not exactly the same as the edition we are reading in class, but it will be close enough to keep you caught up.

            Romeo and Juliet Character Chart


            Monday, March 11:
            Tuesday, March 12:
            • Reading Quiz over Acts I and II
            • Read Romeo and Juliet
                Wednesday, March 13:
                • Early Release Day
                • Watch Warm Bodies
                    Thursday, March 14:
                        Friday, March 15:
                        Next Week:
                        We will continue reading Romeo and Juliet!

                        The version of Romeo and Juliet that we will be reading is The No Fear Shakespeare Romeo and Juliet Graphic Novel. Please note that is a graphic novel. I have a class set of books that will stay in my classroom - you do not need to buy your own copy. However, if you would like to write in your copy or have one for home, please make sure you have the correct version.

                        Important Dates:
                        • Tuesday, March 12: Reading Quiz for Romeo and Juliet, Acts I & II
                        • Friday, March 15: Reading Quiz over Act III
                        • Monday, March 18: Reading Quiz over Act IV

                        Monday, March 4, 2019

                        March 4-8: 10th Grade World Lit

                        This Week: This week you will continue following your schedule for reading your novel of choice  and working on your summaries and commentaries for each chapter of your book. You will turn in your summaries and commentaries in a folder on Monday, March 18 at the beginning of class. You will be responsible for setting a reading schedule for yourself and following it. Remember to bring your novel to class every day.

                        We will also be doing unit 11 vocab this week - Quiz on Friday, March 8.




                        Things Fall Apart Reading Guide


                        Monday, March 4:
                          • Continue Independent Novel Study
                            • Bring your novel today!
                            Tuesday, March 5:
                            • Continue Independent Novel Study
                              • Bring your novel today!
                                Wednesday, March 6:
                                • Unit 11 Vocab Sentences due at the beginning of class
                                • Continue Independent Novel Study
                                  • Bring your novel today!
                                    Thursday, March 7:
                                    • Continue Independent Novel Study
                                      • Bring your novel today!
                                        Friday, March 8:
                                        • Unit 11 Vocab Quiz
                                        • Continue Independent Novel Study
                                          • Bring your novel today!
                                              Next Week:
                                              You should be a third of the way through your book at the end of this week. We will continue the independent novel study.

                                              Important Dates:
                                              • Wednesday, March 6: Unit 11 Vocab Sentences Due
                                              • Friday, March 8: Unit 11 Vocab Quiz
                                              • Monday, March 18: Chapter Summaries and Commentaries Due (+ guided reading packet if you are reading Things Fall Apart)

                                              March 4 - 8: 9th Grade Lit and Comp

                                              This Week: We will start reading Romeo and Juliet this week. We will also be working with Vocab Unit 11 - quiz on Friday! If you are absent, please keep up with the reading with the online edition found here: https://www.sparknotes.com/nofear/shakespeare/romeojuliet/. Its is not exactly the same as the edition we are reading in class, but it will be close enough to keep you caught up.

                                              Vocab Unit 11 Vocab Quiz on Friday, March 8

                                              Romeo and Juliet Character Chart


                                              Monday, March 4:
                                              Tuesday, March 5:
                                              • Vocab
                                              • Discuss yesterday's reading
                                              • Read Romeo and Juliet
                                                  Wednesday, March 6:
                                                  • Unit 11 Vocab Sentences Due at the beginning of class
                                                  • Discuss yesterday's reading
                                                  • Read Romeo and Juliet
                                                    Thursday, March 7:
                                                    • Vocab
                                                    • Closer Look: The Balcony Scene
                                                      • Worksheet due Monday, March 11, at the beginning of class

                                                        Friday, March 8:
                                                        • Unit 11 Vocab Quiz
                                                        • Make sure you have read and filled out your graphic organizer notes for Act I and Act II, Scenes I-III. Reading quiz on Tuesday.
                                                        Next Week:
                                                        We will continue reading Romeo and Juliet!

                                                        The version of Romeo and Juliet that we will be reading is The No Fear Shakespeare Romeo and Juliet Graphic Novel. Please note that is a graphic novel. I have a class set of books that will stay in my classroom - you do not need to buy your own copy. However, if you would like to write in your copy or have one for home, please make sure you have the correct version.

                                                        Important Dates:
                                                        • Monday, March 4: Odyssey Guided Reading Due
                                                        • Wednesday, March 6: Unit 11 Vocab Sentences Due
                                                        • Friday, March 8: Unit 11 Vocab Quiz
                                                        • Tuesday, March 12: Reading Quiz for Romeo and Juliet, Acts I & II