Suggestions From The Teacher - Ignore At Your Own Peril!

Next week, we are moving forward with our studies while you work on your essays independently.  And by "work on your essay independently," I do NOT mean, "wait until Thursday night and panic."  You have a FOUR day weekend, so as much as we all need, want, and could use a little mini-vacation, you do need to continue making forward progress.  Here is a suggested work sequence for you:

Is your thesis drafted?  (99% of you have done this)
              If so, then move on to ----->

Are your topic sentences drafted?  (most of you have done this)
              If so, then move on to ----->

Have you identified 2 to 3 SPECIFIC, DETAILED pieces of evidence (quotes, statistics, concrete details) to support each of your topic sentences?  (many of you are still working on this)
              If so, then you might want to ----->

• Bring your organizer to me for checking

               OR

• Start drafting your body paragraphs

Have you shown me your evidence for approval?  If not, try to conference with me during class next week.  While you are waiting for your conference, you can STILL begin drafting your body paragraphs!  If your organizer is filled out well, most of the hard work is already done! 

For those classes submitting their essays on FRIDAY (per 1, 2, 5, and 6), the following sequence will get you to the finish line:

Monday (or weekend) - set up introduction written in class; write body paragraph #1

Tuesday - write body paragraph #2 and #3

Wednesday - finish body paragraph #3 if needed; draft a conclusion

Thursday - last round of edits and polishing; print essay if you're not going to share it.

Friday - submit essay and relax!