Question 1- Summary and Response for a Database article
For this summary and response, find another database article on your topic and write a summary and response. Try to find an article that you think will be useful for your paper, and include a citation for the article.
As a reminder, here are the directions for the summary and response:
How to write a summary:
When I ask for a summary, I want to see that you have read and understood the main points the writer makes.
Read and reread the text; make sure you understand it well before you summarize
Include only main points in a summary–no small details. A summary should be much shorter than the original
Write the summary all in your own words with occasional short quotes from the text
Do not include any of your own opinion in the summary
Make sure to include the title and author of the work you are summarizing in your opening sentence.
How to write a response:
When I ask for a response I want to know what you thought about the text.
Agree/disagree and explain why
Make connections to other things you have read and to your own experiences
Read like a writer: take note of strategies the writer used; is there a particular metaphor you liked? A transition? An especially effective introduction or conclusion? How did the writer organize the essay? etc.
Question 2- Dialectical Journal 3
For this dialectical journal, find two articles on the databases that are on your topic. It would be best to use articles that are viewpoints (the writer has an opinion on the topic), and it would be best to find two articles that disagree with each other. Use one page for the first article, and the second page for the second article.
Question 3- Discussion – Your Working Thesis Statement
To get the points for this discussion, you must write your thesis statement in your initial reply to this discussion, and you must respond to at least two of your peers using the criteria below. For your thesis statement: follow the process I gave in the lecture on thesis statements: ask a question, answer it, ask why and answer that, then write “I want my readers to understand…” and write your thesis statement. For your responses to your peers: It’s important to give your classmates quality feedback on their thesis statements; therefore, I will take points off for responses that do not offer some helpful feedback based on the criteria below:
Is the thesis clear? Or does the writer need to work on the wording?
Can you tell what the position is, and is it clearly an argument?
Does the topic work for this assignment–is it a matter of justice for someone or some group, and is it a topic about which reasonable people can disagree?
Is the topic one of the issues I said you cannot write about: abortion or anything faith-based?
– Lecture Audio Transcript # 1
So this week there’s a lecture on thesis statements and how to address opposing views in your paper, and you’re gonna do some research for your paper. You have 2 assignments and a discussion to complete this week.
So watch the lectures and take notes.
use the library databases to find articles on your topic.
You will need 3 articles to complete all the assignments this week.
using one of the articles complete a summary and response, and include a citation
using the other 2 articles complete, a dialectical journal, one page for one article and the second page for the other.
And then you have discussion questions to respond to.
So I’m really, I’m using the
smaller assignments, the summary and response in the dialectical journal just to help you do your research? So that you can get started on this paper. So if you approach it that way, if you really use these small assignments as a way to do meaningful research on sa. 3.
Then you’re getting the points for the small assignment. But, more importantly, you’re working on your paper as you’re doing that.
So this video, I go over how to write good thesis statements. And I talk about how to address opposing views in your paper. Really important lecture.
and then these are the documents that I go over, so you can go back to those if you need to. But do you need to watch the lecture?
So this for this artic? This is your summary. In response. You’re gonna find an article on the databases so it could could be opposing viewpoints or sirs, issues researcher or ebsco host. However, you want it, whichever database I would, I would recommend using opposing viewpoints and, sirs, because they’re gonna be
the most useful for this particular assignment.
But you can use the others if you want to.
So try to find an article that you think is gonna help you with your paper. Now, by that, I mean.
I mean even reading the article right? You’re informing yourself about the topic. You’re learning what arguments are possible on your topic. One of the things you might find
in your research is, oh, I need to change slightly the way that I’m approaching this topic right? Or here’s a more specific way to make an argument about this topic. So that’s how you do that is, by doing the research and seeing what arguments are being made by other people.
and then include the citation for the article. And remember, the databases will do that for you, and I’ll show you in just a minute.
so you’ll upload that at least one full page and Mla format. It can be longer. Remember, you’re using this
as a way to work on your paper. So in the response portion, you might write about what you think about the article. Is it an agreement? Does it help your argument, or is it an opposing view you might use? Or is it just background information that you found interesting.
That’s going to help you with your essay
and then your dialectical journals. So for this journal, you’re going to find 2 articles on the databases that are on your topic
for this one. It would be best to use opposing viewpoints or sirs, because you wanna find viewpoint. So that means the article.
The person writing the article is making an argument. They have an opinion about it.
and it would be ideal if you can find articles that are on opposing side so that they disagree with each other. Right? Cause? Then you’re getting both sides of your argument. You’re getting why somebody is for it, or why somebody’s against it, or whatever the case may be.
And then you’ll use one page for the first article and the second page for the second article, and I included the directions in the example again for you
and then for your discussion. After you’ve watched that lecture on thesis statements.
you’re going to
right. You’re working thesis statement. So that means
a working. Thesis statement is like a draft of your thesis statement, right? Your thesis statement can and probably will change as you continue to work on the paper. But you need to have a starting point. And also this is just practice you’re practicing. After watching the lecture on thesis statements. You’re gonna practice the process that I give you in that lecture.
To write your own thesis statement.
So for this discussion, you have to write your thesis statement and your initial reply, and then you have to respond to at least 2 of your peers, and you have to use the criteria below. I will take points off if you don’t actually offer any feedback to your peers.
So follow the process. I gave in the lecture on thesis statements. Ask a quote. You have to watch the lecture, and then that’ll make sense.
And then in your responses to your peers.
You know, focus on. Is it clear? Does the writer need to work on wording? Can you tell what the position is? And is it clearly an argument?
Does a topic work for this assignment? Is it a matter of in, of justice for someone or some group? And is it a topic about which reason will people can disagree.
and then make sure that it’s not a topic that I said. You can’t write about so abortion or anything, faith based. And if somebody does have say that’s their topic or their thesis.
Tell them in your comment. I think, Miss Patent said, you can’t write about this topic. You might want to ask her, or something like that. Okay, so try to really help each other in the comments.
And then that’s it for the module. Make sure all assignments are uploaded before 1159 Sunday night and continue working on your research papers. Come to office hours or email me, if you have any questions.
so yeah, use those. Let me show you really quickly the databases.
Just as a reminder
point out a couple of things I know I’ve gone over this before, but just to kind of help you, as you’re working on
this week’s assignments.
So here we are on the Fresno City College. The libraries website.
you go down to research.
And we want articles, research databases.
And then
we’re gonna look, we’re gonna look in opposing viewpoints.
So let’s see what topics we have here
organic food, hacking and hackers.
and I don’t want that. Let me put in
the topic. Let’s say animal
experimentation is my.
So here’s my overview on it, which is a good idea to read. That gives you, you know, all the information that you need to kind of get started. Some main ideas.
some more background information.
critical thinking questions. This would help. This might help you to decide on an argument right by looking at some of those questions.
and then let’s view all related.
Let’s look at this one
alright. So let’s say that I read over this, and I like it, and I want to use it for one of the assignments.
If you go up here you’ll see. Print
download email.
Send send a Google drive
looking for
the citation button. And I’m not seeing it. Oh, here we go.
citations at the bottom. We want this one. So then I would just grab this and stick it in a document so that I have it
for that assignment.
I guess they changed it. It used to be up here with the tools. Oh, here it is. It’s right here.
So Mla is what we want.
and it’s in Mla already.
Okay, so that’s opposing viewpoints. Let’s look at
sirs.
which is under s’s
under under. Si mean.
sometimes my brain doesn’t quite
go where it should. Okay, let’s look at
this one.
Okay. So now I’m on, sirs, and let’s say that I’m gonna write about controversial monuments
can read the full summary here. It tells me, viewpoint one viewpoint 2.
So I could choose one over here.
read it
do my dialectical journal
click on site?
It’s already in Mla. So I just grab that copy
and paste it into a document.
Then I might want to choose the other ones right.
By the way.
if you feel like oh, I chose a topic last week, and it’s just not. I can’t figure out how to make it work, change it now do it now, don’t wait any longer.
You want, and the databases are a good place to find lots of topics that are
relatively easy to see the argument right? And using these databases. Let me do this one more time.
Use these databases serves issues researcher and opposing viewpoints to browse topics and to see what the arguments are.
So let me share this one more time.
So when I’m on the main page. I can see
all the topics that they have here
trending topics.
mental health video game addiction.
And then let’s say that
let’s say human trafficking, because that’s one that’s hard to figure out like, what’s the opposing view? Who would argue that? Right? Let’s click on. It
can read the full summary. And then here are the viewpoints
they give you like. What are the arguments? So that would be a good way to kind of decide like, do I want this topic is this something I’m interested in? What are the arguments I could make? Usually
the arguments on a topic like that are about specific solutions or problems with former solutions. People aren’t arguing about whether human trafficking is right or not. They’re arguing about. What should we do about it? Right?
So you have to do a little research before you can really kind of understand what the possible arguments are. And then you could start deciding where you stand on the issue.
A lot of times we approach writing like, well, I have to figure it all out and then go find my sources. That’s not how it works. It’s a little bit more organic. You have to start in one direction. And then, as you’re doing your research, you’re gonna see? Like, oh, okay, these people are arguing about this very specific part of it. I could make an argument on that side, or I could make an argument on the opposing side.
So you have to do the research as your
that, you know, comes along with the process of writing the paper.
Hopefully, that made sense if you
need help, though, if you feel like this topic is not working
email, me emailing me is fine. I can respond to your email. But it’s better if you can come to office hours or come to my actual office, and we can talk about it, because then I can show you things we can. We can talk a little bit more
about it just email. Sometimes it’s kinda hard to just to answer. I mean, I can do it, and that’s better than nothing. But if you can, I recommend coming to office hours and talking to me, and if my scheduled office hours don’t work for you. You can email me and say, I want to come, talk to you. But your times don’t work.
Here, are there, you know. Let’s let’s find a time that does work. Give me some times that do work for you, and then we’ll find one that works for both of us.
I’ve been saying that all semester. I’m not getting a lot of people on my office, and then last minute I get people like I don’t know how to do this, and it’s because a you you didn’t watch the lectures or go through any of the content in the module, or you never came to my office, so it’s harder for me to help you when it gets kind of down to the close to due dates.
It’s easier for us to, you know, to get some meaningful
help.
If you come earlier. Okay, I’ll stop
nagging you about that. But come to office hours. And that’s it. For this lecture.
– Lecture Audio Transcript # 2
Okay. So in this video, I’m gonna talk about thesis statements. And this is really important, I, and depending on how long that takes. Yeah, I’ll probably just talk about thesis statements. So make sure to take notes. Your thesis statement in Sa 3 is really important.
Okay?
So your thesis statement is your controlling idea for your essay.
It is the overall point you want to make about your topic. And traditionally, it is the last sentence of your introduction, and that’s where I want you to put it. The last sentence of your introduction.
A good thesis statement is the most important point you make about your topic more general than the ideas and facts used to support it. So you can kind of think of it like an umbrella. Everything else in the paper is in some way related to that thesis statement.
it’s appropriately focused for the length of your paper, so it doesn’t try to take on too much.
And it’s not overly small and specific.
And it is clearly stated in the last sentence of your opening paragraph.
A thesis statement is not a question can’t be a fact. There’s no point in writing a whole paper in support of a fact. Right?
And it’s not a topic. It’s a statement that expresses your position on the issue with some of your major reasons.
So here’s the process you’re going to use in the discussion.
So first begin with a question and not just for example, I chose home schooling is home schooling better than public schooling.
Answer your question based on your ideas. You’re brainstorming, your research.
etc. So yes, let’s say that I’ve done a bunch of research, and I’ve decided, yes, home schooling is better than public schooling.
Then you ask why and try to answer it. Why is home schooling better than public schooling?
Because students get more one on one attention, and they are not influenced by their peers in a negative way.
Then, using a statement like, I want my readers to understand, or I want to say that write out your thesis statement.
So I want my readers to understand that homeschooling is better than public schooling, because students get more one on one attention and are not influenced by their peers in a negative way. So there is a pretty decent thesis statement.
Then take out that initial
statement. So my, the final product.
home schooling is better than public schooling, because students get more one on one attention and their peers do not influence them in a negative way.
So here’s another example.
Should we drug test welfare recipients? No, we should not drug test welfare recipients. Why? Because it is a waste of taxpayer money, and it is ultimately discrimination against the poor. So then, my thesis statement would be, what’s right down here.
while we need to work towards eliminating welfare fraud, we should not drug test welfare recipients because it is a waste of taxpayer money, and it is ultimately discrimination against the poor.
So this initial statement that I have here, while we need to work towards eliminating welfare. Fraud. That’s kind of like a little clause that you can put at the beginning of your thesis statement to let your readers know, kind of to modify your position, so I’m letting my readers know right away. Yes, I agree. We need to eliminate welfare fraud. But this is not the right way to do it.
And you don’t necessarily have to have one of those at the beginning. But you can if you want to.
Okay.
so let me stop sharing that.
And let’s look at some example. Thesis statements.
Where did I put it? Here it is. Nope, that’s not it.
Hmm, not finding it
close that one. There we go. Okay.
so
share this with you. So here are some examples.
So I put the green. I put the the little clause at the beginning that I just talked about in green. I put the actual position in red, and then I put the reasons in blue.
and you for yours. You can have the green part if you want to, but the things you have to have are the red and the blue the position and some of your major reasons.
So let’s say I was writing on the death penalty. Well, we wanna make sure violent criminals remain behind bars, we should abolish the death penalty because it is an ineffective deterrent, and it is ultimately unjust.
These are not necessarily my opinions. By the way, these are just examples.
Even though many States are legalizing it. The Federal Government should not legalize marijuana because it is a dangerous gateway drug and legalizing. It would make teens think it is not harmful.
so I’ve got my position. We should not. The Federal Government should not legalize it. And then my reasons right.
although many people grew up with corporal punishment, parents today should not use it as a discipline method, because research shows it is psychologically harmful, and it teaches kids that violence is the way to solve problems.
And then one last one. While it is the right of all Americans to have a gun, we need stricter gun control laws to make sure, our citizens, and especially our children, are safe.
Okay? So those are just some examples.
and they’re meant to be a model for how to write. Your
thesis statement doesn’t mean that yours is going to be exactly like that. But the really important thing is that you’ve got the position and some of your reasons.
Now, when you’re first writing it, it’s a draft of a thesis statement. That means as you’re doing your research. You might change your mind right? Or you might change some of those reasons because you’ve got more specific reasons now to add.
based on what you’ve discovered doing your research.
Okay? We’re gonna look at. We’re gonna do both
thesis statements and addressing opposing viewpoints in this lecture. So
the next lecture is on how to address opposing viewpoints. So when you’re writing an argument somewhere in your paper, you have to address some of the points from the opposing side. Right. Otherwise, you don’t really have an argument.
So let me share this with you.
Alright. So first thing you have to do is research the opposing views. So why do people disagree with my position, or why do people hold the opposite position? Right?
so you really wanna look for arguments from those who disagree with you, and try your best to understand them, and also begin with the assumption that those who disagree with you are just as intelligent as you are, and that they are also decent people of goodwill. So you’re trying to figure out, okay, what?
What are the reasons that they hold this position that I disagree with right.
And then in your paper you’re going to explain the opposing view. Make sure to be fair and accurate in your explanation of the view. That’s ethos. Right?
Clearly. Label the explanation as an opposing view, this one’s really important.
So your readers don’t get confused. So if I’m reading your paper. And you’re let’s say, against animal experimentation. And suddenly, you’re explaining why, it’s a good idea to experiment on animals. I’m gonna wonder what happened to your argument. Right are you flip flopping? So you have to label
the opposing view. So, for example, you could say, those who disagree might argue this, or opponents of gun control raise the concern that, or some people claim that you need some kind of phrase that lets your reader know. Oh, this is the opposing side.
And then, in your explanation of the opposing view, consider using a source. So some claim that we do not need strict stricter gun control laws. For example, John Smith, of the Nra. Says that, and then include a quote from that person to kind of put their view in their own words. Right?
So you’ve explained the opposing view. Now, what do you do with it? Right. You can’t just let it sit there in your paper and win the argument. Now you have to refute it. You have to show why it’s not a good enough reason to change your position.
So here’s where you really want to use, however, and you can do this all in one paragraph, or you can have explanation of the opposing view in one paragraph, and then the next paragraph can be your however, where you refute it.
Whenever possible, try to affirm the opposing view by saying something like, well, this is a valid concern if it’s not one based on the facts or
well, this is a valid concern. Is not one that fully understands the issue, something to that effect. So that it’s kind of saying, Yeah, I get. I get why you feel that way. And here’s why you should change your mind right? So you’re still trying to win the argument. But you’re doing it in a way that that makes the reader feel like, Oh, okay, this is a reasonable person. Right?
And then this is also a good place for a source. Use a source, just support what you say in your refutation.
So let’s look at some examples.
Those in favor of drug testing welfare recipients claim that it will save taxpayer money.
So I labeled it right. Those in favor of this thing. This is a common concern validating the opposing side, however, really important word. The opposite is actually the case. Drug testing people on welfare will actually cost taxpayers more money, and then I would support that right.
And none of these have sources, cause I wasn’t actually writing a paper, but I would add sources. If I were writing the paper. People who oppose stricter gun control laws often bring up our second amendment right to bear arms. So I’ve labeled it. These are the people I disagree with right people who oppose this.
This is a valid point, however, the second Amendment does not negate the need for regulations, nor does it grant individuals the right to own military style, assault weapons.
So I’ve labeled the opposing view. I’ve validated their view, and then I’ve refuted it.
Oops go back to that last one. Proponents of animal testing. So people who are for animal testing claim that there is no other way to test cosmetics and other products without risking people’s safety.
However, with technological advances, there are, in fact, other ways to conduct this test safely. Furthermore, many cosmetic companies are cruelty free. So it’s obviously possible. So then I would include some sources about that, right about the technology and about the companies that are cruelty free.
All right.
So just to recap you label the opposing view.
People who think this, or some people might argue this or proponents of whatever it is. Say this.
then you try to validate it in some way affirm their point. This is a valid concern. This is a common question. People have, or common concern people have then you, however, refute it right?
So how many and where to put them? So the number of opposing views you include in your paper will depend on the topic and your position, but in general you should have somewhere between 2 to 4 opposing views. You can put them at the end of your paper like right before your conclusion, or you can address them as they come up with points in your argument. So
the way to decide is, let’s say I make. I’m making a supporting point for my argument. And I realize, oh, my readers are gonna be thinking this right now. They’re gonna be thinking of this opposing reason
so I could address that right there after that supporting paragraph, and then kind of do it as they come up throughout the paper, or you can just wait till right before the conclusion, and have a couple of paragraphs where you’re addressing opposing views.
and in this week’s module I have put
the outline.
So let me just it’s in the where the handouts on lecture material are.
Let me share my screen with you again.
So this is the outline. Your introduction is one paragraph.
You’re going to have a hook.
and I’m gonna include this in one of the maybe in next week’s module. But I went over it early in the semester, and I keep writing it on your papers. Where’s your hook? So you need to have some kind of creative or engaging way to pull your readers into the topic.
then kind of an overview to give us a sense of what’s coming, and then your thesis statement.
and then you need to give us background on the topic. So this could be, you know, one to 2 paragraphs.
chronological highlight. So what were the major?
You know court decisions, or what were the major changes in your topic, or is, you know what’s and then what’s currently happening with it now?
So this is where you’re the expert because you’ve been doing all this research. And you’re gonna let your reader know, like kind of, here’s what’s happening. It’s just background information you haven’t gotten into the argument yet, but before I can really be went over by your argument, I need to know a little bit about the topic right.
Then you’ll start building your argument.
I said 4 to 6, I mean, if it’s a little bit over that. That’s fine, too. But
here you’re going to have
your evidence, your fact statistics, case studies expert opinion. And you’re gonna really develop those reasons that you had in your thesis statement.
And then you’ll deal with your opposing views, and you can do like I said, one paragraph for a view, and then one paragraph for a refutation, and then the next paragraph for another view, and the next paragraph, for however many you want to do
and then your conclusion.
And then the second option is, everything’s the same except the opposing views
you bring up. You address as they come up throughout the paper.
So those are the 2 ways to organize your
essay.
either
save the your 2 to 4 opposing views, for towards the end of the paper, or address them as they come up with your supporting points.
Alright. So that’s the outline.
That’s how to address opposing views. If you’re struggling or you’re having trouble with the paper. Come, see me during office hours.
and that’s it.
For this lecture.
