What the Experts Say....

What do the various authorities say regarding your topic and specifically your position on the issue? Remember there are different angles that you can pursue when establishing an individual's authority. Select 5-8 quotations which capture best support your position on your issue. Indicate the individual's "claim to expertise."

Developing the Argument (Post 4)

What are your other arguments? How do you intend on developing each?

What are your refutes or counters to the opposing point of view?

Blog Buddies-- Collaborative Blogging

You have each been assigned to collaborate with two classmates during this research process. Over the next weeks, you will visit your blog buddies' blogs and offer comments, advice, and questions.

For your first collaborative blogging, consider the following stems....

• I am really interested in learning....
• Something else I would like to know....
• Have you considered....
• Did you know/read about/see....

Certainly you can respond in your own manner and offer comments that you feel will aid your buddies as they venture along their research journey.

Articulating Argument #1 (Post 3)

Now that you have taken notes on your first subtopic, write a paragraph in which you support your position through this argument. Do not refer to your notes. Instead, let the information settle in your mind and write what you now know. Be sure to connect the argument with your position on the issue.

Choosing a Side (Post 2)

Now that you have completed preliminary reading on your topic, summarize the two sides of the issue. Then explain which side you will be arguing and why.

• What does the pro side say/think/believe?
• What does the con side say/think/believe?
• Which side will you be arguing? Why?

Up and Running

Now that you have set up your blogs, take a little time customize them so that they reflect you and your topic. Over the next weeks, I will be posting the prompts for your posts on our class blog. The links to your blog and those of your fellow classmates will also be posted on that blog. I hope that you will have a chance to read what some of your peers are researching and will offer constructive comments and questions that will help them advance along their research paths. As I mentioned in class, this is not a forum for personal or inappropriate remarks. Please keep the seriousness of this task in mind and allow this experience to be a fruitful one. With that said, your first posting should be an overview of your topic. You might address some of the following questions: What is the issue? What is the controversy surrounding it? Why have you selected the issue? What is the research question?

Create a blog

Hi -- we have created a blog -- now create yours