Theysayiblog

Higher Education: Joining the Conversation

Assignment 1: Summary and Response

Grade Weight: 10%

Word Count: 1000 words

In this class, we will learn to think of scholarly research and argument as a way of “joining a conversation” on an issue. Summary and response are the first steps in joining the conversation. For your first assignment, you will choose ONE essay/article on higher education either from chapter 16 (NOT one of the two discussed in class) or from the theysayiblog.com under “Is College the Best Option?” (http://www.theysayiblog.com/is-college-the-best-option/)that presents a conversation you would like to join. You will write a summary of the essay followed by your own response to the conversation. The summary should constitute approximately 50-70% of the word count. The response should rely on your own personal experiences and observations about the topic, no additional research.

OVERALL

· If you choose an article from the blog, turn in a printout of the article with your assignment

· Provide a heading on your first page that includes your name, my name, the date, and a title for your assignment (do NOT include a cover page)

· Use a standard established format of your choice (e.g. MLA or APA format guidelines for font, margins, etc.)

INTRODUCTION (10-15% of word count)

· Include your text’s full title and the author’s full name in your introduction

· Provide an effective hook to draw your reader in

· Make sure your thesis statement indicates the promise of both the summary and response

SUMMARY (50-70% of word count)

· Play the “believing game” (TSIS 31); make sure your summary is fair and unbiased

· Avoid “closest cliché” (TSIS 33) and “list summary” (TSIS 36) errors

· Use effective “signal verbs” (TSIS 39-40)

· Incorporate at least 3 direct quotes from the text.

· Sandwich (“frame” TSIS 44) and cite your quotes responsibly, using an established format of your choice (e.g. MLA or APA in-text citations, Chicago style Notes)

· Use at least 2 template sentences from TSIS

RESPONSE (30-50% of word count)

· You may agree, disagree, or both (“yes, no, okay but” TSIS ch. 4)) but make sure your response has a focus

· Support your response with examples from personal experience

CONCLUSION (10-15% of word count)

· Return to your central thesis

· Suggest the importance of the overall conversation

· Leave the reader with something thought-provoking

DOCUMENTATION (separate page, not part of word count)

· Provide responsible documentation of your text using an established format of your choice (e.g. MLA Works Cited page, APA or CSE References page).