Academic English IV

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Week 2

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Here is the content for Week 2 of our course.

Week 2, Lesson 1

In today’s class, we started by talking about the following discussion prompt:Please discuss three topics you DON’T want to write about for this class, and why you don’t want to write about them. Then I dug into the basics of writing.

  • I discussed the concept of Writing as Conversation (and how this can help you Brainstorm better).
  • I talked the necessity of considering your audience.
  • We discussed the elements of a good paragraph.
  • I discussed the rules of formatting for Academic English-styled writing.
  • I showed you around the LMS and introduced the Paragraph Blog.

For anyone who missed class, there are videos covering the most important of these issues at the bottom of this page.

Handout

Here is a handout example of the formatting rules I taught in class. There are some notes at the bottom to explain what isn’t obvious from the example.

Formatting Example For Writing Classes (1)Download

Week 2, Day 2

For Day 2 of Week 2, we’re starting with the “semi-flipped classroom” materials. There is one Textbook-Related Video and one or more Non-Textbook Related Videos.

Your viewing of them is optional, though I highly recommend it. Even if you skip the videos, do the textbook work, as it prepares you for the exam.  As for the class, we’re meeting live in smaller groups. There’s a smaller groups meeting schedule in the Course Materials Folder for you to check. We’ll talk about your writing so far, any difficulties you’re having with the class, and so on. Make sure you complete any exercises or assignments, and that you download and read any handouts, that are included in the Textbook and Non-Textbook Related Videos folders. 

For our small-group meeting, you should bring a paragraph formatted as I taught you in class on Day 1. See the handout above for more information and as an example of what you should do.

The schedule for small-group meetings will be posted on the LMS prior to our class day.

Non-Textbook Video Stream

At the bottom of this page, you can see some videos that will help familiarize you with the Blackboard page for our class, and show you how to use it. They also discuss the rules for formatting your work. All of this was discussed in class, so it’s just for those who missed class when I talked about these things.

Textbook Video Stream

Next, here’s this week’s textbook videos and homework:

In Great Writing 2, do the following:

  • Read What is a Paragraph? (page 4)
  • Ready and study the following Example Paragraphs:

    • Paragraph 1.1: Brazil and Chile (page 5)—we already read this, but revisiting it is a good idea! 
    • Paragraph 1.2: An Easy Sandwich (page 7)
    • Paragraph 1.3: Are Pets a Good Idea? (page 9)

    You don’t need to answer the questions connected to these paragraphs, but it’s good to look at the questions and answer them in your mind. Instead, I want you to look at the the paragraphs and think about them: ask yourself how they work, what they do, and how grammar and structure connect to the paragraph’s purpose. Are there any details that you could steal and use in your own writing? Underline anything you think would be useful or worth recycling in your own work!

    Be messy. Circle and underline things. Highlight them. Take notes in the book. This will help, trust me!
  • Read Four Features of a Good Paragraph (page 8)
  • Read Paragraphs 1.4 and 1.5 (pages 10–11) and see if you can find all the mistakes in them. 

In Great Writing 2, do the following:

  • Read Grammar: Simple Present for General Facts (page 6)
  • Complete Activities 2–3 (page 6)

In Great Writing 2, do the following:

  • Read Mechanics: Capitalization and End Punctuation (page 12)
  • Complete Activity 10 (page 13)

In Great Writing 2, do the following:

  • Read Grammar: Subject-Verb Agreement in the Simple Present (page 14)
  • Complete Activities 13–15 (pages 14–16)

Optional Textbook Work

If you’d like more practice with the material in this unit

  • Complete Activities 16–23 (pages 17–21).
  • Choose one of the Additional Topics for Writing (page 23) and write a paragraph about it. 
  • Try the Test Prep exercise (page 23). 

Optional Paragraph Practice

For this week’s Paragraph Practice, write a paragraph about any topic. We can discuss possible topics in our small group meeting on Day 2 if you like.

Optional Non-Textbook Video

The video below is just for people who missed class and need some information about the formatting rules we’ll be using in our class. Check out the video below:

I have not yet created supplementary videos about the LMS, so you’ll need to check in with a classmate for more information about that. (I’ll add a video when I get around to making one, but the LMS is new enough I haven’t had a chance to make one yet.)