Writing Lab Activity

 

For our activity in the lab today, it is very important that you follow instructions carefully.  You will submit your completed work to Turnitin.com before leaving class today.

 

Open Microsoft Word

Open Internet Explorer

 

TASK 1:

Log-in to your Turnitin.com Account and review your marked paper.  Read all comments thoroughly.  While you are reviewing your paper, answer the following questions in a Microsoft Word document. 

 

1.      Which topic did you choose? (Option 1, 2 or 3)

2.      Read the paper assignment instructions and especially the instructions for the option you chose.  Did you follow all of the instructions?

3.      About how much time was spent planning this assignment?

4.      Were there places where you included outside information but did not cite that information properly?  How will you avoid this in the future?

5.      How many spelling, punctuation or simple proofreading mistakes were in this paper?  How will this be avoided in the future?

6.      What were some frequent grammatical errors to avoid next time?

7.      How many outside sources did you use in this paper?  Was it enough? 

8.      Were the outside sources you used appropriate for this level of high school writing?

9.      Where did you find the sources you used?  Did you know that the Bishop Kenny Media Center offers two major subscription databases of research material appropriate for American History?

10.  What were the major strengths of your paper?  What did you do well?

11.  Were there any major issues with your paper?  (i.e. missing evidence and/or missing analysis)

12.  What did you learn from this assignment?  What will you improve in the future?

 

As you review your paper and respond, feel free to ask questions of the members of your group or me (especially if they are about the topic you chose).

 

TASK 2:

 

Consider this question:

 

To what extent was the Civil War revolutionary?

 

Imagine this was a paper topic.  For this topic, you would need an effective argument that proves how the Civil War was a revolution (dramatic change).  Think about what occurred during the war and as a result of the war that would cause a fundamental change in American society.

 

Now, write an introductory paragraph that presents a solid thesis for this topic.

**Remember, a thesis is a main argument that you can prove throughout the rest of the paper. It is not something that just repeats the question.  If you think there is one major example, or a set of a few major examples of how the Civil War was a revolution, include it in your thesis!

 

WHEN FINISHED, SUBMIT YOUR WORK TO TURNITIN.COM