Assignments

Grade Values

• Paper 1 (25%)
• Paper 2 (25%)
• Paper 3 (25%)
• Reflection Paper (15%)
• Class Attendance (10%)

Paper 1: Take a Position

Length: 1300 Words

In this first paper, you will take a position on an issue relating to student life at ASU. Following the rules we will be discussing in They Say, I Say, you will need to summarize and quote the views of others using the writing templates we will be discussing. See the list of sample topics for best practices on selecting a topic. As most of you are just beginning your collegiate experience, I am assuming that things like “the best major” are probably going to be difficult, as you don’t have enough experience to argue that. However, I am hoping that other issues discussed will be something you can argue for.

Remember in writing this document that you must ground your claims in response to others ideas. What are other people saying about this issue? Do you agree? Do you disagree?

Sample Topics

• What is the best dorm?
• Where is the best place to eat around or near campus?
• What are the best activities on campus?
• Where is the best place to study?
• When is the best time to catch campus shuttle?
• Where is the best parking lot?

Topics Covered

• Definition
• Argumentation
• Evidence

Paper 2: Describe a Process

Length: 1300 Words

Having learned something about how to argue a position and how to build an argument that incorporates and participates in a conversation, this second paper asks you to engage these processes in a different field. For this second paper, you will choose a process with which you are familiar and describe the best way to do it, based on your expertise. Think about your hobbies and interests, what kinds of things do you do that others may be interested in knowing about? Do you have a particular strategy in a popular video game? Do you cook perfect scrambled eggs? Do you have a way to buy running shoes that always results in a perfect fit? These are the kind of topics to focus on for this paper.

Like the first paper, you will need to ground your expertise in a conversation. How do others say to do your process? Do you agree or disagree? Do you have secret knowledge or a special method? Why is your way better?

Unlike the first paper, you may need to think about your paper as a series of steps instead of a series of paragraphs. However, you may also write your paper as a narrative. Additionally, you may need to incorporate images to explain complicated information to your readers.

Topics Covered

• Transition
• Classification
• Narrative

Paper 3: Document a Change

Length: 1300 Words

In the third paper, you will consider how technology (defined as you see fit) is changing some aspect of your life (again defined as you see fit). Where the second paper asked you to draw on existing expertise, this paper will ask you to think about the changes you see around you in your day-to-day life. Do you find taking online classes to be a great improvement over face-to-face classes? How have you found being able to order pizza on your smartphone? Is robotics or automation changing the field you are interested in working in after graduation? Has SnapChat or some other new social media platform changed the way you think about communication?

I want you to be as specific as you can and really think about something that you know a lot about to discuss in this paper. Further, beyond describing the change as good or bad, think about what these changes allow you to do or not do that you could or could not do before this change. As with both the previous papers, do research to embed your own expertise in the conversation around your chosen change.

Like the first paper, this document will take the form of a traditionally formatted and structured essay.

Topics Covered

• Proposal

Reflection Paper

Length: 900 Words

They Say, I Say in the real world: For this reflection paper, I want you to consider what you learned in this class, especially with the focus on writing templates, as discussed in our textbook. Having discussed both what you liked about this approach and what you think could be improved or changed, you will discuss how you plan to use these lessons in your future writing. Based on your major, read the relevant chapter in They Say, I Say (15 for humanities majors, 16 for science and engineering majors, and 17 for social science majors (see me if you don’t know where your major fits in this breakdown)) and respond to their claims about how you will use these methods in the future. Further, conclude by offering some strategies for developing your writing skills in future classes.