OVERVIEW
Each week, several new topics will be posted that are directly related to the textbook readings and the course content assigned for that week. For example, Discussion Post #1 corresponds to Week #1, etc. Please make sure you've read the associated chapter on the course schedule prior to making your discussion posts as it will help you retain the information and apply what you have learned.
EDITING YOUR POST BEFORE ITS DUE DATE
You can always go back into the Discussion Posts up until the due date. This approach can be helpful if you want to reply to the prompt first and then come back later in the week to read your classmates prompts and post your replies and "noteworthy quotes" (if resuired for that assignment) which are explained in detail below.
You can also go into the Discussion Posts and read the prompts and then think about the topics thoroughly until you are ready to sit down and type up your response. I like to let my mind "chew" on topics for a couple of days before sitting down and writing.
Please read, review, and edit your posts. I cannot stress this enough.
There are three parts to each Narrative submission.
For Discussion Posts: Narrative, remember this rule: "5, 3, 2" which means 5 sentences minimum when replying to the prompt, 3 replies to other students, and 2 noteworthy quotes.
(1) Address ONE of several prompts provided (your choice). You can always respond to more than one prompt, but if you do, each response must be no more and no less than 5 STRONG sentences (unless otherwise specified in the instructions for each discussion post.)
PROMPT:
What is a good structure for writing excellent discussion posts? Here is an example that is just 5 sentences long yet answers the prompt:
When writing, start out with a strong statement to let the reader know, right up front, in your own unique way, why this topic is important. The second sentence should make a major point about your particular position on the topic at hand. The third sentence can offer further support for the point you made in the second sentence. The fourth sentence could also be another point, but we have sentence limitations so a reflective point could be made in support of your major point. Finally, the last sentence should leave the reader wanting to learn and discover more about what you wrote.
The paragraph above simultaneously provides you with an example of solid writing as well as more specific ways you can structure your reply for maximum effectiveness. It meets
the 5-sentence requirement while demonstrating balance in sentence length and flow. It also makes a huge point: A five sentence limit is not enough length to make multiple major points, just choose one and elaborate on it.
One highly effective process for REVIEWING AND EDITING is to break down the paragraph into 5 independent sentences, so you can see them all laid out and look at each one with an eye for grammar, punctuation, and idea clarity. You can then fix any issues and put the sentences back together into one paragraph before submitting.
(2) Post a REPLY of any length, but at least one complete sentence, to 3 of your fellow student's posts (minimum) writing a thoughtful reaction/response to their ideas, making sure that you have written at least 1 sentence per reply.
-->>> Example of how to replyto another student:
Hey Julia:
I agree that there is a significant issue around certain biological issues that human's face, that causes us to shrink back and be silent when there is an opportunity to discuss them openly.
(3) Read through other students' posts, then cut and paste 2 of the most noteworthy statements written by two other students (not the same students that you replied to), and properly credit them.
One sentence for each student:
-->>> Example of how to properly quote someone:
"I can be who I want, I don’t have to get married, or have kids."--Maria Delgado
"It's hard to differentiate what we have been taught [from]... the truth."--Jonathan Kim
I WANT YOU TO BECOME A BETTER WRITER
Becoming a great writer doesn't happen overnight. It takes practice, skills development, and continued devotion to expanding your vocabulary. Please use Grammarly.com. It will help you become a better writer by pointing out errors and writing weaknesses and is highly effective!
Even though there are no large papers assigned for this course, this is your chance to develop your critical thinking, communication, and writing skills, while also being given the opportunity to take in some new ideas that often support or may even deconstruct your own perspectives and ideologies.
Some additional writing tips (and an animated video) are below:
*Please review the grading rubric for specific point breakdown for this assignment.
EDITING YOUR POST BEFORE ITS DUE DATE
You can always go back into the Discussion Posts up until the due date. This approach can be helpful if you want to reply to the prompt first and then come back later in the week to read your classmates prompts and post your replies and "noteworthy quotes" (if resuired for that assignment) which are explained in detail below.
You can also go into the Discussion Posts and read the prompts and then think about the topics thoroughly until you are ready to sit down and type up your response. I like to let my mind "chew" on topics for a couple of days before sitting down and writing.
Please read, review, and edit your posts. I cannot stress this enough.
There are three parts to each Narrative submission.
For Discussion Posts: Narrative, remember this rule: "5, 3, 2" which means 5 sentences minimum when replying to the prompt, 3 replies to other students, and 2 noteworthy quotes.
(1) Address ONE of several prompts provided (your choice). You can always respond to more than one prompt, but if you do, each response must be no more and no less than 5 STRONG sentences (unless otherwise specified in the instructions for each discussion post.)
- Posts should be error-free and thoroughly reviewed for things like clarity, grammar, and readability.
- I highly recommend using Grammarly and/or using Grammarly's Chrome extension. The FREE version should do just fine and you can even add it as a chrome extension.
- Below is an example prompt and a "model" reply (not to mention it also contains valuable information you can use):
PROMPT:
What is a good structure for writing excellent discussion posts? Here is an example that is just 5 sentences long yet answers the prompt:
When writing, start out with a strong statement to let the reader know, right up front, in your own unique way, why this topic is important. The second sentence should make a major point about your particular position on the topic at hand. The third sentence can offer further support for the point you made in the second sentence. The fourth sentence could also be another point, but we have sentence limitations so a reflective point could be made in support of your major point. Finally, the last sentence should leave the reader wanting to learn and discover more about what you wrote.
The paragraph above simultaneously provides you with an example of solid writing as well as more specific ways you can structure your reply for maximum effectiveness. It meets
the 5-sentence requirement while demonstrating balance in sentence length and flow. It also makes a huge point: A five sentence limit is not enough length to make multiple major points, just choose one and elaborate on it.
One highly effective process for REVIEWING AND EDITING is to break down the paragraph into 5 independent sentences, so you can see them all laid out and look at each one with an eye for grammar, punctuation, and idea clarity. You can then fix any issues and put the sentences back together into one paragraph before submitting.
(2) Post a REPLY of any length, but at least one complete sentence, to 3 of your fellow student's posts (minimum) writing a thoughtful reaction/response to their ideas, making sure that you have written at least 1 sentence per reply.
-->>> Example of how to replyto another student:
Hey Julia:
I agree that there is a significant issue around certain biological issues that human's face, that causes us to shrink back and be silent when there is an opportunity to discuss them openly.
(3) Read through other students' posts, then cut and paste 2 of the most noteworthy statements written by two other students (not the same students that you replied to), and properly credit them.
One sentence for each student:
-->>> Example of how to properly quote someone:
"I can be who I want, I don’t have to get married, or have kids."--Maria Delgado
"It's hard to differentiate what we have been taught [from]... the truth."--Jonathan Kim
I WANT YOU TO BECOME A BETTER WRITER
Becoming a great writer doesn't happen overnight. It takes practice, skills development, and continued devotion to expanding your vocabulary. Please use Grammarly.com. It will help you become a better writer by pointing out errors and writing weaknesses and is highly effective!
Even though there are no large papers assigned for this course, this is your chance to develop your critical thinking, communication, and writing skills, while also being given the opportunity to take in some new ideas that often support or may even deconstruct your own perspectives and ideologies.
Some additional writing tips (and an animated video) are below:
- Employ your sociological imagination.
- Take a "value-free" approach to explore human behavior from a sociological perspective.
- Write with an "academic" tone versus an "informal" tone in your idea articulation' keep it professional but relatable.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the topic as it relates to what you are learning from the textbook, lectures, posts, etc.
- AVOID POINT DEDUCTIONS FOR CARELESS ERRORS: Always review what you've written for grammatical effectiveness and message clarity before posting. Always.Every time. Thank you!
*Please review the grading rubric for specific point breakdown for this assignment.
HERE'S A GOOD EXAMPLE
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