1. EWRT1A Composition and Reading
Welcome!
EWRT1A Composition and Reading

2. Agenda
Essay 1
Completed rough drafts (three to five pages, typed) due today
Workshopping for Ideas, Development, and Organization

3. Rubric
What characterizes an “A” essay in terms of ideas and development?
What characterizes an “A” essay in terms of organization?

4. Workshop
Today we are workshopping for ideas, development, and organization.
Exchange rough drafts. You should read the rough draft twice. The first time, you will read for the quality of the argument (ideas and development). The second time, you will read for the organization of the essay.

5. Workshop Ideas and Development Is the thesis too broad?
Do the arguments justify the thesis? Are any of the arguments too broad? Are any of the arguments questionable? Is there sufficient evidence for the arguments?
Are there counterarguments that the essay should consider?
Is the strongest argument the most detailed argument?
Is there a narrative? Does the thesis solve problems described in the narrative?
Is there sufficient background?
What did you learn?

6. Workshop Organization Does the strongest argument come first?
Are any of the paragraphs very short?
Can short paragraphs be added to more substantial paragraphs? Can short paragraphs be developed into longer paragraphs?
Should any of the paragraphs be broken up?
Is there an identifiable topic sentence in each paragraph? Do the paragraphs stay on topic?
Are there strong transitions between paragraphs?
Do the paragraphs follow a logical sequence?
Is there anything you found confusing about the way the essay is organized?

7. Homework
Begin revising your rough draft in terms of criteria from the rubric.
Tomorrow we will go over introductions, conclusions, and citations.