ENGL475 28 April 2014

1. ENGL47528 April 2014

2. Agenda & Announcements • Schedule change: Please see the blog for the adjusted course schedule. • CF 10: tonight • Essay 5 D1workshop • Position essays

3. Conferences • Purpose: to review your draft of Essay 5 one-on-one with Prof. Durfield. • Conferences will be held on Wednesday, April 30 (Group A), Monday, May 5 (Group B), and Wednesday, May 7 (Group C). • Only come to conference at your scheduled date/time. • The conference itself is worth 100 points. • If you are late/absent for your conference appointment, you will forfeit your 100 points. • You may not reschedule or trade your conference time (with a classmate) for any reason.

4. Conferences: Point breakdown • Total: 100 points • Timeliness: 10 points • Hard copy of essay: 30 points • Thoughtful answer to the question, “What do you need help with?”:30 • Active in discussion with instructor: 30

5. Conferences elements defined • Timeliness = showing up to your conference on time • Hard copy of essay = a printed copy of your current draft of essay 5 • This may or may not include changes after tonight’s workshop. • Thoughtful answer = You have considered and specifically articulate what may need work in your essay. • Unacceptable: “If you could just review my grammar.” • Unacceptable: “I don’t know.” • Active in discussion = Prof. Durfield doesn’t do all the talking; don’t sit there like a zombie.

6. Conference appointment list • Will be posted to blog later tonight. • Please consult the list BEFORE e-mailing Prof. Durfield to ask when your conference is.

7. CF 10

8. Position aka Argument aka Opinion

9. Position (argument) essays • Present the issue • Assert a clear, unequivocal (plain, unambiguous) position • Argue directly for the position • Counterargue objections & opposing positions • Establish credibility

10. Counterargue The argument: Chaffey College (Rancho campus) students should be allowed to take food/drinks in the classrooms of the LA building. To counterargue: • State what the opposition says. • Make a response (acknowledgment, concession, or refutation) to what the opposition says, including some explanation and/or solution.

11. Counterargue: Acknowledge Chaffey College (Rancho campus) students should be allowed to take food/drinks in the classrooms of the LA building. Opponents of my proposal are very concerned that allowing food and drink in the classroom will lead to a rodent infestation. I understand this concern, as pests are not pleasant nor do they promote a hygienic environment. However, adult students can be trusted to properly dispose of their waste after eating.

12. Counterargue: Concession Chaffey College (Rancho campus) students should be allowed to take food/drinks in the classrooms of the LA building. Opponents of my proposal are very concerned that allowing food and drink in the classroom will lead to a rodent infestation. This is a valid point, because the building has had pests in the past. In order to prevent this problem from happening, I suggest trash cans with lids be placed in every classroom.

13. Counterargue: Refutation Chaffey College (Rancho campus) students should be allowed to take food/drinks in the classrooms of the LA building. Opponents of my proposal are very concerned that allowing food and drink in the classroom will lead to a rodent infestation. This view is false, however, because the building has been recently remodeled with secure windows and doors that would prevent pests from entering.

14. Thesis • Common problem: • Student’s thesis doesn’t clearly and/or strongly show their position on the topic. • Doesn’t “fit” with the rest of the paper.

15. Examples of a thesis • When overzealous parents and coaches impose adult standards on children’s sports, the result can be activities that are neither satisfying nor beneficial to children. • What is the issue being argued? • Is it arguable? • What might be controversial about it? • What words show the author’s view?

16. Examples of a thesis • North Korea’s nuclear ambitions are the greatest threat to U.S. national security since the Cold War. • What is the issue being argued? • Is it arguable? • What might be controversial about it? • What words show the author’s view?

17. Strengthen your thesis • Use the word “should.” • Use another imperative modal, like “ought to” (= should) or “must” (stronger than “should”). • Use superlative adjectives (best, worst, most dangerous).

18. Essay 5 D1 workshop • Trade papers with a partner. • Read your partner’s paper and discuss the following: • Is their thesis clear? Is it an argument? (What improvements are needed?) • Is the support for their argument reasonable and well-explained? • Think of at least 2 objections the opposing view would have about your partner’s argument. Discuss these with your partner. Discuss what kind of refutation your partner would make.