1. Self-Evaluation using Tech Essay: Objective: I can examine my writing in order to identify specific skills to improve. Purpose: To inform yourself of the areas in your writing that need to improve in order to move forward. – Are your scores basically the same each time you get a graded writing assignment back?

2. 1.Have your Tech Essay out in front of you. 2.Also, have the handout from Ms. Self out. 3.On the handout, it asks you to write your thesis statement. Write it down. 4.Then, in each body paragraph you should have written 2 pieces of commentary per CD. Write your commentary down on the handout. -2 CD’s per paragraph x 2 commentary x 2 paragraphs= 8 pieces of commentary. 5.Commentary is designed to explain why and how the evidence (CD’s) proves your thesis statement is true. Does your commentary connect to your thesis statement?

3. Example: Thesis: In “Harrison Bergeron” and “There Will Come Soft Rains”, the authors demonstrate how technology is dangerous because it controls humans’ abilities to be self-reliant, making them overly dependent on technology instead of accomplishing tasks on their own. Commentary: This shows that the family living in the house was killed by the nuclear explosion. The family members’ shadows were left on the wall of the house, but they were no longer alive. Do these connect?

4. Example 2 Thesis: In “Harrison Bergeron” and “There Will Come Soft Rains”, the authors demonstrate how technology is dangerous because it controls humans’ abilities to be self-reliant, making them overly dependent on technology instead of accomplishing tasks on their own. Commentary: This shows that the family did not have to cook meals for themselves, and relied on the technology in the house to accomplish this task for them. Do these connect?

5. 1.Have your Tech Essay out in front of you. 2.Also, have the handout from Ms. Self out. 3.On the handout, it asks you to write your thesis statement. Write it down. 4.Then, in each body paragraph you should have written 2 pieces of commentary per CD. Write your commentary down on the handout. -2 CD’s per paragraph x 2 commentary x 2 paragraphs= 8 pieces of commentary. 5.Commentary is designed to explain why and how the evidence (CD’s) proves your thesis statement is true. Does your commentary connect to your thesis statement?

6. Looking back at the rubric: You need to use transition words/phrases before you introduce each quote. Look at the transitions and lead-ins row in your rubric. Silently look at the score you received. In your technology essay, CIRCLE any and all transition words/phrases. For example, when the house is making breakfast, it…. In another scene, the house suddenly…

7. Looking back at the rubric: You need to include lead-in phrases between your transition and the quote. Transition word + lead-in + quote + (PD). Highlight all of the lead-in phrases in your technology essay. For example, when the house is making breakfast, it…. In another scene, the house suddenly…

8. Is Your Transition Bumpy? For example, when the house makes breakfast the toast sat cold and untouched. For example, the house makes food the toast sat cold and untouched.

9. Is Your Transition Bumpy? For example, when the house makes breakfast “the toast sat cold and untouched” (Bradbury 226). For example, the house makes food “the toast sat cold and untouched” (Bradbury 226). Does your lead-in make sense without the quotation marks?

10. Looking back at the rubric: The row about conventions in the rubric focuses on personal pronouns, present tense, spelling, punctuation, and other grammatical errors. Are your story title capitalized correctly? Put a box around any/all personal pronouns you see in your essay. Are your PD’s formatted correctly? “The quote is here and then the PD follows after” (LaCross 1).

11. Evaluate your progress in writing so far: On the handout, under transitions, rate yourself on a 1-5 scale. – 5 means you ALWAYS have a transition word before you introduce each quote. 3 means sometimes, and 1 means never. Rate your self under Conventions: – 1= I have many errors (personal pronouns, writing in past tense, punctuation, spelling, etc.) At the bottom, write TWO things you will do differently next time before you submit your next writing assignment.