Stop? I haven't stopped since 1994. I'll let you know when I feel the urge to stop. I'll be sure to do so early and often, before the real need arises. Sometimes I think that if I stopped, the earth would come to a crashing halt. One thing's for certain. Nobody would know where to find the pancake mix even though it's been in the same place for twenty years- in the cupboard just left of the stove.
So, what did you think of the little Pearson text Writing Arguments. Unless I'm off (which could be), we're supposed to read a couple chapters out of it this week. I like it better the Allyn and Bacon because it's less cumbersome and intimidating than all those flying, loose-leaf pages of densely-packed print our students are sprinkling down the halls and sidewalks of Mizzou. Also, the pretty visual arguments on the cover are compelling.
Reading Chapter Twelve made me feel smart, which is always a plus! I've used the Toulmin Framework many times in teaching arguments. And, the John Leo argument the text uses as an example-- I have that in my .doc files. I assign it along with a great student response to it for Rhetorical Analysis type projects. And, one other thing. See that ad on the back of the text? It's for Pearson MyCompLab. That is a great resource that comes with Pearson texts. It provides the items you see on the checklist AND a person who will provide great feedback for your students' drafts. I offer a few points extra credit to students who will include a copy of the Pearson tutor's review with their final draft. This way, I can see if it was helpful to the student, and I can learn from the tutor myself.
Hi, Magi. I smiled when I read your diatribe against stopping--this makes sense. You don't seem like a woman who stops: you forge ahead until everything gets done (which is always a lot, so you just keep forging). Do you think things will ever slow down for you? I'm so impressed--I'd be wiped out by now.
ReplyDeleteAnd, will you explain to me a little bit why you thought we were reading out of _Writing Arguments_? On the wiki it says to read: Read Ramage, Bean, and Johnson, Chapters 12 & 13. I thought that was the Allyn & Bacon...? If we are supposed to read Writing Arguments, where did you get that? I don't have a copy. Confused. Help?