Weeds and RosesSummer Assignment

What are Weeds & Roses? As I read through essays, I take notes

of common errors, mistakes, misreads, etc.

At the end, I compile a list of the most grave, most heinous errors…› These are the WEEDS!!› You must pluck them

from the garden of yourpaper!

And the roses? The lovely, delicate,

fragrant blooms cultivated in the craft of your writing.

Cherish these. Plant more. Watch them grow.

Rejoice if you have a Rose! Aim to get a sentence or two up there!

Analyze the Roses for what is done well.

Yes, you may be up here! Learning experience Truth is stranger than fiction Peer support

Weed #1—Title of “Articles” Take note, ladies and gents, boys and

girls, children of all ages…for the rest of your life, this will remain true:

Underline “Quotes”Long works: “Short works”Books “short stories”Plays “title of an act”Albums “Song”Epic poems “Poems”Magazines “Articles”

Weed #2—Parenthetical Citation!!

Czaban might slay you!! “woiefslkdnfosdhgsoingsidgsquotegoes

heresiofnsdfn” (Citation).

Hello. Please notice there is no period

between me!

Hello. Please note my home is here. Only. Forever. And ever. Amen.

Weed #3—Answer the prompt

First, you’ll need to figure out what the prompt asks you to do:

Select one of the articles below and write an essay that defends, challenges or qualifies the author’s main claim. Use at least two different sources (this means use other articles in the “Conversation”; don’t forget you may use the visual as well), coupled with historical, literary or personal evidence that supports your argument. Your argument must be central. Use parenthetical citation when citing text.

› What are you asked to do?› What two things must you identify?› Where should this information first appear? WHY?!

Now, let’s break it down:“…dolls might be planting in boys’ minds a

template for a heman’s body that cannot be attained without engaging in obsessive

behaviors...”

What is Angier’s argument in this excerpt? What then, must your argument discuss?

How about this one?“What I am arguing for is a change in the criteria

we use to determine what really is cognitive junk food and what is genuinely nourishing.”

or“The Sleeper Curve is the single most important

new force altering the mental development of young people today, and I believe it is largely a

force for good, enhancing our cognitive abilities, not dumbing them down.”

What is Johnson’s argument in this excerpt? What then, must your argument discuss?

Weed #4—Use what you’ve got!

Do you remember what I asked you to prove in this short answer?

Why is using the text important?

Select one of the articles below and write an essay that defends, challenges or qualifies the author’s main claim. Use at least two different sources (this means use other articles in the “Conversation”; don’t forget you may use the visual as well), coupled with historical, literary or personal evidence that supports your argument. Your argument must be central. Use parenthetical citation when citing text.

Weed #4—Use what you’ve got! If a cute guy gave you his

number, you’d use it, right?? Likewise, if you have access

to the text or even a morsel of the work is given to you, USE it!› MUST mention author’s

name› MUST mention title of work› MUST paraphrase the

author’s argument› MUST use quotes from the

work› Quote it! Don’t plagiarize

it!

Weed # 4—Use what you’ve got!

For example:› “According to Donna Britt in ‘A Unique Take

on Beauty,’ beauty—especially that of athletes—often factors into whether or not one is popular.”

› What is working in this sentence? › What does this sentence suggest about our

student author?

Weed #5—Be sophisticated

“I agree with Angier that poor images lead to body issues in young people.”

› How could you take the same stance, but eliminate the 1st person?

› Increase diction?› Utilize text?

› Rewrite a thesis that attends to these three things.

Weed #6—No Questionable Hookers!

This is an old habit that dies hard. A slow, terrible death. Maiming and sharp instruments are employed. Likely some water-boarding.

Good news!? There is an easy solution!

Weed #6—No Questionable Hookers! Turn this:

› “Who has never had a doll of some sort when they were children? Basically everyone in American has.”

Into a declarative statement with zip!

› Most children in America own a doll of some sort: an American Girl, a Cabbage Patch Kid, and usually, a Barbie or two.

Now you try! Turn this:

› “Have you ever actually stopped and thought about the scary tings that television can do to your mind? I do not think you have.”

Into a declarative statement with zip!

Roses!! “Television is often viewed as a problem in America’s society. It is looked down upon by most for its ability to cease cognitive activity and mental work. However, it does just the opposite. Steve Johnson wrote an accurate article claiming, ‘I believe it is largely a force for good: enhancing our cognitive faculties, not dumbing them down’ (768). This claim is far from wrong because television shows contain multiple threads…”

Roses!! What’s working here?

“Television sets can be found in numerous businesses, from Just Peach Frozen Yogurt in Burlington, WA, to the Children’s Hospital. And while you are infrequently actually instructed to stare at the TV, it is difficult to ignore.”

Roses!! What’s working here?

“Johnson refers to this as ‘hand-holding’ (771)—the flashing arrows and obvious clues that exist in old episodes. Now, viewers rely on their own ability to pay attention, not the producers. TV, which has critically been called the ‘modern baby-sitter,’ maybe just be living up to its name. It helps people, especially the younger generation, to keep track of social networks. Television may even be better than books in the social aspect. Children watch people converse on the television, which leads over to normal life. It may just be improving their social skills as well as ‘enhancing cognitive faculties’ (767). Johnson’s speculations throw a monkey wrench into the age-old criticism of TV.”

Roses!! What’s working here?

“They are made more creative by noting the many different way information can be relayed through different people…what people watch is sort of imprinted on their minds….”

Roses!! What’s working here?

“In Natalie Angier’s ‘Drugs, Sports, Body Image and G.I. Joe,’ she states that ‘Joe and other action-hero figures may, in minor fashion, help fan the use of muscle-building drugs among young athletes…”(Angier). This statement is true because, as supported in the other articles, action-hero figures and their appearance have a strong affect on young people, and unnaturally achieved muscularity is often put on display, and therefore, wanted by athletes.”

Scores: 9-1 WOW!! NEVER happened on 8-0 essay #1!! 7-0 6-3 5-6 4-7 Majority of scores 3-2 2-6 If you scored a 2, it is likely because you didn’t have a clear thesis

1-0

You wrote it, now what?

“Almost all good writing begins with terrible first efforts…” Anne Lamott

RER!!Reflection, Editing & Revision!