Sample Draft Workshop

http://btd0902.blogspot.com/2010/11/literary-analysis-of-dark-brown-dog.html

Sample workshop questions: discuss your answers in your groups.

1. What is the author’s main claim? Is it stated clearly? How could the author better highlight his central claim?

2. Does the author successfully achieve an analytical tone? Are there any passages that seem like mere plot summary rather than analysis? Note these passages and explain how the author might add in an analytical component.

3. What particular formal features of the story does the author point out and analyze? Did any of the analysis of these features feel incomplete or under-developed? Though you have not read the story, can you suggest any other formal features that it might be helpful for the author to analyze?

4. How has the author attempted to grab the reader's attention? Do you think this strategy is effective? Think back to your reaction when you read the first few sentences of the draft… did you groan or were you pulled in? Explain your answer in as much detail as possible.

After you discuss these questions, compose a list of THREE things that the author should do to improve his or her draft.  Post this list and your answers to the workshop questions in a Google Doc and be sure to share it with me. Each group should have only one Google Doc.

Rubric for Draft Workshops

0: The workshop was not completed.

1: The workshop was only partially completed; OR, the workshop was completed with only minimal effort and attention. The workshop partner has not received substantial information that will help him or her to improve the essay.

2: The workshop was completed with less than satisfactory effort. Answers to one or more draft workshop form questions are minimal or dismissive, and there is little evidence that the author has engaged seriously with the draft. The feedback provided will allow the workshop partner to make only surface-level or localized revisions.

3: The workshop was completed satisfactorily. The author has provided thoughtful answers to all draft workshop questions, and these questions should allow his or her workshop partner to make substantive and helpful revisions.

4: The workshop was completed with particular care and diligence. All answers to workshop questions are thoughtful, detailed, and well developed. Inline comments may also appear, pointing out issues not highlighted by the draft workshop form. The workshop partner can use this information to significantly improve his or her essay.

5: The workshop was completed in an exemplary fashion. All draft workshop questions have comprehensive, detailed answers that show not only attention to detail, but also a creative and innovative engagement with the workshop. Inline comments may also provide helpful feedback not related to the workshop questions. The workshop partner can use this information to drastically improve his or her essay.

Rubric for In-Class Assignments

0: The assignment was not completed or barely attempted.

1: The assignment was only partially completed; OR, the assignment was completed with only minimal effort and attention.

2: The assignment was completed satisfactorily. All tasks have been completed with thought, care, and attention to detail.

3: The assignment was completed in an exemplary fashion. The student has gone above and beyond the teacher’s expectations by devoting extraordinary time and effort to the assignment and/or producing innovative and thought-provoking work.

Close Reading Document

http://www.fas.harvard.edu/~wricntr/documents/CloseReading.html

Analysis: Slate Article about the 9/11 Memorial

http://www.slate.com/id/2302983/

Work together in your groups to answer the following questions about this article:

•       What is the article's main claim?

•       What are the author's most important reasons presented in support of that claim? Identify at least 3.

•       Does the author offer any qualifications of his claim?

•       Can you identify any unstated assumptions that a reader might disagree with?

•       is the author's argument convincing? Why or why not?

Write your answers collaboratively in a Google Doc and share it with my gmail address.

Link to Slate Kindle Article

http://www.slate.com/id/2263787/