Choice Blog

I'm setting you free! 

For the next blog you will have complete freedom to explore any aspect of your topic that you find interesting.

Ideas:

• Focus on one of the key players in your issue.  A researcher, famous person, victim, etc.  
• Do a pro/con analysis for one aspect of your issue.
• Deeply research one aspect of your topic.

• Read another essay and reflect on the author’s ideas.

As always, the blog needs to be 300-500 words and have two correctly cited sources. Remember, you are working towards a research paper, so as you pick a topic think about how it will add to your paper.

The Other Side is Not Dumb!

This is your chance to research and try to understand a position on your topic that is different than what you currently believe.  This post is not one that you need to agree with or even like.  However, I do want you to incorporate the research, data, quotes, facts, etc. from at least two reputable sources.  Use this time to truly try and understand where the other side is coming from on this issue.

For the actual research report you will be expected to include a counter-claim to your position and this blog can be used for that purpose.  

Just like always, this blog should be 300-500 words and include information from two reputable sources.

Book Blog - Due 2/25 (or before)

The following ideas/topics need to be included in your final 600-800 word response blog for your outside reading book.

In order to receive an advanced on the summative section of the blog assignment, you must have read a book and have all of the other blogs completed to an advanced level.

For a three on the summative assignment you can either watch a full documentary on your topic or read an article from a primary source and/or from a library database (see Mrs Wright for details).

For a two on the summative assignment you must have all of your blogs completed.

These questions are to get you started, but you will need to expand on them and decide how to organize them in order to create your post.

Purpose: Why was the book written (you might need to read the preface and/or acknowledgments to really understand this)? Did the author meet his or her intended purpose?

Credibility: Who is the author and can we trust what he or she has written? Why? Does the author have any obvious biases? Is the book endorsed or sponsored by anyone? What types of reviews has the books received—what have critics said about the book?

Key Information: What are the main points/conclusions that the author makes in this book? Give specific details for each topic/idea covered in the book. Summarize what one would learn by reading this text.

Personal response: How does this book tie to your topic? Did it help you meet your goals for what you wanted to know about your topic? (Be specific) What did you particularly enjoy about the book? What did you not enjoy about the book? When and why might you recommend this book?  What questions did it bring up and/or answer about your topic?

 I am finally asking for your opinion!  This is your chance to take a stand on an issue that is related to your topic.  The blog is a small forum (300-500 words) so it is best to choose one aspect of your topic to focus on for this post.

Although I am asking for your opinion, I am expecting it to be backed with examples, facts and details.  There should be a clear thesis statement where you take a clear stand on the issue.  Then provide any needed background and support for your claim.

As usual, you should include two well-respected sources that are cited both within the text and at the bottom in a works cited section.

Data Analysis - Due 2/17

Data Analysis - Due 2/17

Reading the opinions of others is a great start, but before you can develop your own stance on an issue it is important to analyze the data yourself.

For this post you will need to find and interpret data and/or statistics.  Do some research on your topic and find a chart or statistic that refers to your question.  In the blog, interpret the data and explain the connection to your topic.  What lessons can we take away from the statistics?  What questions do the statistics generate?

• Include a clear thesis statement, evidence and analysis.
• Cite your two sources (in the text and in the Works Cited section at the bottom of your blog)
• Write 300-500 words.