Guidelines
GOAL: you will be able to write a 5-paragraph essay about a process.
CONTEXT: you are writing for UN NORTE, Uninorte Students paper, that is printed every month.
STEPS: To complete the reading-writing portfolio you will need to do the following:
I. Topic
Select a topic from the options below:
• Prepare for an Emergency
• Evacuate the University
• Check your Local Weather?
• Evaluate a Website
• Choose a Good Novel
• Use the University/ Public Library
• Choose a Good Laptop/ PC/ TV set (or any other device)
• Prepare a debate about a controversial issue
• Evaluate possible risks of an unknown natural setting
II. Research and note-taking
A. Reading material
Choose three readings related to the chosen topic. Each reading should cover a different idea that you would like to include in your essay (e.g. one step in the process). These readings must be copied and brought to class in the assigned dates. Repeated readings are not accepted. Readings must be two pages long for this level.
B. Text analysis
Process each reading as follows:
1. Vocabulary work.
a. Study the title of the article. What does it tell you?
b. Analyze the words that are repeated throughout the whole text:
• List the words and count how many times each word is repeated (synonyms also count). Write this information down.
• Reflect why the author repeated the word. Write your reflection down
2. Identify and write the topic of the reading.
3. List the main ideas of the article.
4. What’s the author’s intention? What’s his/her point of view? What is she/he trying to tell us? Revise information in point 3 (vocabulary) to help you answer this questions
5. Who’s the intended audience of the reading? Students, teenagers, doctors, civil engineers, etc. How do you know this? Explain.
C. Note-taking
During your research, use index cards to take notes of the information you might need for your essay. Also, note down the bibliographic information of your sources.
III. Organization
In class, you will be given a model of a Basic 5-paragraph essay. With your teacher, study the structure of the model text. Then categorize and classify your notes (index cards), and come out with the outline of your expected article (thesis statement and main ideas of your essay).
IV. First draft and revising
In a 30-minute session, and using your outline and index cards, write your thesis statement and your first paragraph). Once finished, exchange your paper with a partner and give and take comments to make changes for next writing session.
Write your second and third paragraphs in class. Once finished, exchange your paper with a partner and give and take comments to make changes for next writing session.
Write your fourth and conclusion paragraph in class. Once finished, exchange your paper with a partner and give and take comments to make changes for next writing session.
V. Edit your work
When you finish your first draft, exchange your paper with a partner and give and take comments to make changes for next writing session.
VI. Final draft
Bring final version to class or publish according to teacher’s instructions. Teacher will give a grade based on the process followed and another grade based on the final product.
Evaluation
Reading: Assessment criteria
I. Critical thinking
(70 points)
1. Identified the topic of the reading. _
2. Identified the main ideas of the text. _
3. Identified recurrent vocabulary __
4. reflected on the reasons for lexical redundancy _
5. Identify the author’s intention or point of view. __
6. Asked relevant questions regarding the (main) topic(s) of the reading. _
7. Identified the audience. ____
II. Global aspects
(30 POINTS)
1. Presented on date assigned __
2. Completeness of the activity __
3. Presentation: neatness, etc. _
Writing: Assessment criteria
(More detailed checklists will be given in class)
Style and organization:
- For the introduction, write the thesis statement and give some background information.
- Develop each supporting paragraph and follow the correct paragraph format.
- Write clear and simple sentences to express their meaning.
- Focus on the main idea of the essay.
- The essay has an introduction, supporting paragraphs, and a concluding paragraph.
Grammar, vocabulary and spelling:
- Correct spelling.
- Appropriate grammar.
-Use of vocabulary from reading sources
Evaluation
- You will get a grade for the PROCESS: both writing and editing your tasks. Completed every step of the process=100
Missing one or two steps of the process=75
- You will also get a grade for the RESULT or FINAL PRODUCT
If you do not develop the process in class your product will not be assessed and your grade will be 1.0.