English 51
Monday, March 11, 2013
Melissa Gunby
Freewrite
• Would you be a good candidate for Battle
School? Why or why not?
Agenda for the Day
•
•
•
•
•
•
Norming Activity
Group Presentation
Ender’s Game discussion
Introduction of Ender’s Game Essay
Overview of Timed Writing Strategies
Good news: Quiz has been
cancelled/postponed.
GROUP PRESENTATION
CLASS DISCUSSION: ENDER’S GAME
NORMING ACTIVITY
What is “Norming?”
• Norming is the first step the English faculty go
through when we score the CMEs. It’s the way
we make sure that we’re all on the same page
in the way we’re grading so that everyone is
treated fairly.
First…
•
•
•
•
•
Split up into four groups
Group 1, take the 4 score category from the rubric
Group 2, take the 3 score category from the rubric
Group 3, take the 2 score category from the rubric
Group 4, take the 1 score category from the rubric
• As a group, translate the rubric into “student speak;”
that is, how would you explain the requirements to
other students.
• Write your break down on the board.
Now…
• Now that we’ve broken down the rubric, I
want you to read the packet I’ve given you. It
contains the essay prompt as well as sample
student essays. These essays have already
been scored and I know what the scores are.
• I want you to use the rubric and decide what
score you would give these exams.
Your Scores
Passing-------------------|
4
|------------------Not Passing
3
2
1
Essay A
Essay B
Essay C
Essay D
Essay E
Questions for discussion: Why did you give these essays
these scores? What makes them passing or not?
ESSAY 2: ENDER’S GAME
TIMED WRITING STRATEGIES
#1: Remember Why You’re Writing
• Different writing tasks have different
purposes.
– CME:
– In-class history exam:
• By remembering your goal and purpose, you
can refocus on why it’s important to take the
exam.
#2: Arrive Prepared
• Ask what supplies you’ll need ahead of time
• Set up your “station-” by getting everything
arranged before the test starts, you won’t
disturb those around you
• Be courteous of those around you: think
about what habits annoy the crap out of you
and try to avoid doing things that could bug
others
#3: Read the ENTIRE assignment
before you begin
• A common tactic amongst frustrated
instructors is do something like put the
directions at the bottom to confuse students.
• Read the whole thing before you start filling in
answers, etc.
#4: Plan
• Even if you love the topic you’re handed, take
the time to put together a plan of attack.
• Remember to brainstorm. If you jump right in
you’re likely to forget something important. If
you brainstorm and organize your ideas first,
it’ll make the process a lot easier.
#4.5 Thesis Statement
• After you’ve brainstormed (for the CME
something like all the reasons you agree or
disagree), develop your thesis statement
#4.75: Outline/Organize
• Once you’ve got your thesis statement, go
back to your brainstorm and put together at
least a rough sketch of an outline so you can
keep yourself organized.
• Remember, you’re on a clock, and whatever
you can do to keep your ideas straight in your
head will make the writing go much faster.
#5: Time Management
• This might be a good time to check the clock.
How much time have you spent reading and
brainstorming and organizing?
• Remember that with the CME, you only have
two hours. Everyone is going to work at their
own pace, but think about how quickly (and
carefully) you read and how you may need to
adjust.
#6: Don’t Rush
• You’re going to be tempted to go fast. Slow
down. Take a few deep breaths.
• If you go too fast, you’re going to forget
everything you know about paragraph and
essay structure. That’s bad.
#6.5 - handwriting
• Try to only write on one side of the page so
that if you have to revise, you can insert on
the back and not erase.
• Skip lines so you have room to edit
• Use a pencil so you can easily erase
#7: Re-read
• Try to leave yourself enough time at the end
of the test to re-read what you’ve written.
While this isn’t an essay like you would do at
home and make multiple revisions, you should
still take the time to read through it and make
sure it still makes sense.
#8: Edit
• Take the time to edit as carefully as you can.
You are allowed to use a dictionary.
Tips!
• If you’re not sure which word is the correct
one to use (affect/effect), choose a synonym
(impact). That way you don’t confuse a reader
or make a silly mistake.
• Write your name on your essay – in class, use
MLA format so your last name is on every
page
What if you run out of time?
• Well, you’ll kind of be SOL. BUT! For the
practice exams in class (at least this class),
showing what work you had prepared will
earn you some points. This is why an outline is
better to have than not.
• It’s a good lesson to learn about how much
time you will need in the future so you can
adjust your process.
Know what works for you
• The best thing to have going in to an essay
exam like the CME is knowing what works for
you. It is not a time to start a new
brainstorming process or play with a lot of
fancy vocabulary (trust me, you’ll regret it if
you misuse a word). Go with what you know
and what makes you comfortable. All the
scorers (for the CME at least) will see is the
end result.
Questions?
Homework
• Midterm exam on Wednesday.
– you may use a dictionary (there are some in here,
and I will bring mine).
• First draft of EG essay due on March 20
(Weds).
• Final draft of first Essay (advertising) due on
Wednesday (3/13)