Day 1 - introductions
What was the word Jamie chose for 20 questions?
Rabbit (bunny)
25 words (and 1 idea per sentence)
Use a cohesive device to show the relationship between these 2 sentences:
"Climate change is causing seas to rise. _______, it is also causing the extinction of many animals."
You could use a cohesive phrase for "addition": additionally, apart from this, as well as this, in addition, moreover, further or furthermore.
"Climate change is causing seas to rise. Moreover, it is also causing the extinction of many animals."
You could also use a cohesive phrase for "comparison": equally, for the same reason, in a similar manner, in the same way, similarly.
"Climate change is causing seas to rise. In a similar manner, it is also causing the extinction of many animals."
Note: you cannot use "And" - avoid starting sentences with "and" in academic writing.
Informal vocabulary must be avoided in academic writing.
What is the formal equivalent of "a bit" or "a little"?
"Somewhat"
Informal: The questions were a bit difficult to answer.
Formal: The questions were somewhat difficult to answer.
How many paragraphs and words must your argument essay be when you write it in week 2?
400 words (4 paragraphs)
What superpower did Jamie say he wanted?
The ability to fly
Sentence A: The situation makes me worried.
Sentence B: The situation make me worried.
Sentence A is correct.
"Situation" is a singular noun, so +s must be added to the verb (the "it" form - e.g. "it makes me worried.")
Use a cohesive device to show the relationship between these 2 sentences:
“In the early 2000s, Blockbuster was a very successful company. _______, nowadays the company no longer exists.”
Use a "contrast" cohesive device to show that the 2 sentences are different: conversely, however, in contrast, in spite of this, nevertheless, nonetheless, on the other hand, yet, whereas, while.
“In the early 2000s, Blockbuster was a very successful company. In spite of this, nowadays the company no longer exists.”
Note: you cannot use "But" - avoid starting sentences with "but" in academic writing.Informal vocabulary must be avoided in academic writing.
What is 1 formal equivalent of "a lot of" or "a couple of"?
Multiple, many, several, a great number of.
Informal: A lot of studies…
Formal: Multiple studies…
The introduction to an argument essay must contain:
1) A hook
2) Introduce both sides of the argument
3) A thesis statement
Questions:
1) What is a "hook"?
2) What is a "thesis statement"?
1) A hook is an interesting fact, thought or question about the topic to make the reader want to read more. For example:
"Did you know that 66% of people who smoke will die because of this?"
2) A thesis statement is the final sentence of the introduction that clearly states the argument that will be made in the essay and why. For example:
"This essay will argue that school uniforms are the better choice because they create a sense of equality among students."
What movie character did Jamie say he wanted to be?
Mollie (played by Lily Gladstone) in Killers of the Flower Moon
In academic writing, you cannot use any personal pronouns (I, you, he, she, it, we, they, me, him, her, us, and them).
What 2 strategies did we study to avoid personal pronouns? Give an example of each.
1) Use a passive.
Bad: We play football in many countries.
Good: Football is played in many countries.
2) Use an "it is" phrase (impersonal passive).
Bad: I believe that millions of people visit Rome every year.
Good: It is believed that millions of people visit Rome every year.
Use a cohesive device to show the relationship between these 2 sentences:
"Social media companies have a responsibility to remove misinformation from their platforms. _______, action must be taken now."
Use a "restatement" cohesive device here - the exact same idea is given again for emphasis: in other words, more simply, namely, simply put, to put it another way, that is.
"Social media companies have a responsibility to remove misinformation from their platforms. Simply put, action must be taken now."
Informal vocabulary must be avoided in academic writing.
What is the formal equivalent of "really", "so" or "super"?
Nothing - remove these words.
Informal: This seems really interesting because…
Formal: This seems interesting because…
Paragraph 2 must give your argument (pro or con) about the topic. This paragraph must contain:
1) A topic sentence
2) Supporting details
3) An example
Questions:
1) What is a "topic sentence"?
2) Where should you find supporting details?
3) Should you give an example from your own life?
1) A topic sentence is the first sentence of the article which clearly states the reason why this essay will argue for/against the topic. For example:
"The main benefit of school uniforms is that they help make all students feel equal."
2) Supporting details must be found from other sources like articles (and books, and academic journals when you can access a library.)
3) No, do not give an anecdotal example from your life, give an example like a study that is supported by evidence. For example:
"As a case in point, uniforms were introduced by three schools in Nevada. As a consequence, an increase in confidence and self-esteem, and a decrease in bullying were reported by students (Nevada Today, No date)."
Which was Jamie's lie?
1) I used to live in Beijing
2) I play baseball
3) I have a sister
3) I have a sister
I have 2 brothers, but I do not have a sister.
In academic writing, contractions must be avoided.
Change this informal sentence to the full words: "It’s clear that companies shouldn’t treat their workers poorly."
“It is clear that companies should not treat their workers poorly.”
This is much more formal.
Use a cohesive device to show the relationship between these 2 sentences:
"_______ increasing car sales (there) is more and more pollution."
Use a "cause" cohesive device here to show that "increasing car sales" is the cause of "more and more pollution":
A consequence of, the effect of, the result of, because of, due to.
"A consequence of increasing car sales is more and more pollution."
"Due to increasing car sales there is more and more pollution."
Informal vocabulary must be avoided in academic writing.
What is the formal equivalent of "thing(s)"?
Be more specific - things is too general.
Informal: The report presents many things.
Formal: The report presents many details/findings/ recommendations.
Paragraph 3 must present the counterargument and a refutation.
Questions:
1) What is a "counterargument"?
2) What is a "refutation"?
1) A counterargument is the opposite argument to what you are arguing in your essay. For example:
"It is argued by some that students who wear school uniforms cannot express their individuality"
2) A refutation is your response, where you show why the counterargument is incorrect – disprove the counterargument. For instance:
"However, as stated previously, school is a place to learn, not to show off wealth or style."
Together, we created a story about people going into a forest. In the story, what did Jamie ask the people if they wanted to collect?
Apples
For your essays, you must create at least 2 references using the Harvard Referencing system.
In Harvard Referencing, where must the references go? (2 places)
In Harvard Referencing, each reference is written in 2 places:
1) You must have a reference directly in the text in the sentence.
2) You must have a list of references after you finish writing.
Use a cohesive device to show the relationship between these 2 sentences:
"New laws were introduced by the government making vaping illegal. _____, it is now much more difficult to vape in Australia."
Use an "effect" cohesive device to show that sentence 2 (difficulty vaping in Australia) is an effect of sentence 1 (new laws):
Accordingly, as a result, as a consequence, consequently, for this reason, hence, therefore, thus.
"New laws were introduced by the government making vaping illegal. Thus, it is now much more difficult to vape in Australia."
In academic writing, you cannot start a sentence with "And" or "But".
Change this sentence: "The government has announced new support for students. And they have also announced support for pensioners."
What is 1 word that can be used instead of "but"?
Change this sentence: "It was predicted that the storm would not be too severe. But in reality it damaged many homes."
Instead of "and": additionally, apart from this, as well as this, in addition, moreover, further, furthermore.
Changed sentence: "The government has announced new support for students. Furthermore, they have also announced support for pensioners."
Instead of "but": alternatively, although, conversely, despite this, however, in contrast, in spite of this, on the contrary, nevertheless, nonetheless, on the other hand, rather, yet, whereas, while.
Changed sentence: "It was predicted that the storm would not be too severe. Despite this, in reality it damaged many homes."
What must the conclusion contain?
- Repeat in different words (paraphrase):
1) The thesis statement from the introduction
2) The reason given in paragraph 2