TODAY IN CLASS
Specific discussion of the lateness policy as it applies to homework, longer-term papers or projects, and failure to submit to turnitin.com.
New essay topic: students were asked to consider all three and respond specifically to what aspects might seem easy, and what might be challenging.
FOR TOMORROW
Ponder the choices. Make a decision. Or ponder, try two, and THEN make a decision. Once you've decided, get started. No, don't start trying to "write." Simply have an idea of a working thesis (or even just some directions to pursue), and start collecting data. For literature papers, this means finding support in the text--specific kinds of language, or references, or examples of qualities, etc. that you will need to have the raw material and the EVIDENCE that you will then shape, find patterns, relevance, and meaning--and THEN finally decide on the exact thesis that you will be able to support.
That's not the process all teachers teach, and it's still your paper/your decision, but the strongest, most sophisticated, and richest thesis statements usually result from paying careful attention to what's actually in the text BEFORE you make the final claim.
So spend some time and make an honest start.
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