Phase 2 Sequence
- Review writing-as-a-conversation metaphor, emphasizing the “forming opinions to find ways to support what we think” stage.
- Review the conversation thus far, focusing on readings from phase 1
- Ask questions about the conversation; introduce the idea of sustained inquiry
- Develop and refine questions for further inquiry
- Break into collaborative groups; student questions that could be related under an issue will be grouped together
- Explore multiple perspectives within a specific issue while working collaboratively
- Develop research plans
- Learn research strategies:
- Posing research questions
- Developing search terms
- Keeping a research log
- Accessing and choosing library resources
- Searching library and web resources
- Evaluating and selecting sources
- Compose annotated bibliographies (collaborative) to report inquiry focus to class
- Citing sources in MLA style
- Annotating sources: summary and evaluation components
- Compose an Inquiry Essay (individual) that explains research and thinking process.
- Consult with instructor during inquiry and writing process
- Present inquiry findings (the annotated bibliography) to the class
- Submit bibliographies and introductions for assessment
- Review third stage of writing-as-conversation: contributing to the conversation
- Analyze differences in rhetorical situation for explaining and arguing
- Refine research question on which to focus argument
- Review and apply rhetorical concepts to focusing argument topic, including:
- Audience
- Purpose
- Occasion
- Exigence
- Conference with students about their inquiry essays—prior to the writing of the argument
- Learn and apply key concepts of argumentation, including:
- Claims, reasons, evidence
- Understanding and responding to opposing viewpoints and alternative perspectives
- Appeals
- Logic (and logical fallacies)
- Structuring for effectiveness
- Supporting argument with sources effectively
- Review MLA style in-text documentation and works cited
- Compose arguments and receive peer response
- Revise arguments to best address rhetorical situation
- Submit final academic argument for assessment