OCC Week 9: Examining the Answers

Now that you have sources that should help you answer your research question, it's time to figure out how your different answers will work together to form a single, unified paper.

To accomplish this, you can compare or contrast the answers. To do so, look for points of focus--in other words, points where the sources are either similar or different--and use these points to evaluate the logic of the answers to determine which answer or answers make the most sense to you.

For example, if you were searching for a new car, you would look at various cars in the price range you can afford. Then, once you have made a list of possible vehicles, you would look at points of focus to determine what vehicle is best for you. These points of focus may include gas mileage, features, warranties, and customer ratings.

Re-read chapter 10 if you have any questions about how to develop and organize a compare/contrast analysis. Pay close attention to the section on how to organize using block or alternating formats.

With this in mind, please answer the following in your comment:

1. Looking at your sources, what might you use as points of focus to compare/contrast their ideas?
2. Based on these points of focus, do your sources answer your question in similar ways or are there major differences in the answers? What are these similarities or differences?
3. Might you organize the body paragraphs of your draft using the block format or the alternating? Why?

CCC Week 9: Examining the Answers

Now that you have sources that should help you answer your research question, it's time to figure out how your different answers will work together to form a single, unified paper.

To accomplish this, you can compare or contrast the answers. To do so, look for points of focus--in other words, points where the sources are either similar or different--and use these points to evaluate the logic of the answers to determine which answer or answers make the most sense to you.

For example, if you were searching for a new car, you would look at various cars in the price range you can afford. Then, once you have made a list of possible vehicles, you would look at points of focus to determine what vehicle is best for you. These points of focus may include gas mileage, features, warranties, and customer ratings.

Re-read chapter 10 if you have any questions about how to develop and organize a compare/contrast analysis. Pay close attention to the section on how to organize using block or alternating formats.

With this in mind, please answer the following in your comment:

1. Looking at your sources, what might you use as points of focus to compare/contrast their ideas?
2. Based on these points of focus, do your sources answer your question in similar ways or are there major differences in the answers? What are these similarities or differences?
3. Might you organize the body paragraphs of your draft using the block format or the alternating? Why?

CCC Week 8: Researching

This week, we focused on strategies for effective research. We discussed the importance of research questions in guiding our work. We also laid out the five steps for writing a research paper: prewriting, locating sources, evaluating sources, inside-out drafting, and revising.

A key factor in locating sources is using time efficiently. Once again, utilizing a method becomes vital to succeeding at this goal. Having a method to use each time we write provides a roadmap for more efficient and effective experiences. As we use the method, we can revise our steps and tinker as needed without having to "reinvent the wheel" for each new writing assignment. This method should cut down the time we need to spend researching because we won't waste time closely reading materials that won't help us directly answer our research question.

With this in mind, answer the following in your comment this blog:

1. What is the research question you have chosen for your response paper?
2. Based on your research question, where did you search for possible sources? What keywords did you use to search? Did you have to modify your search terms?
   
3. Were you able to use the time-saving techniques discussed in class (titles, table of contents, indexes, abstracts, graphic highlights, section titles, introductions, conclusions, topic sentences)? Specifically describe two time-saving techniques you used and how they helped or why they didn't work for you.

OCC Week 8: Researching

This week, we focused on strategies for effective research. We discussed the importance of research questions in guiding our work. We also laid out the five steps for writing a research paper: prewriting, locating sources, evaluating sources, inside-out drafting, and revising.

A key factor in locating sources is using time efficiently. Once again, utilizing a method becomes vital to succeeding at this goal. Having a method to use each time we write provides a roadmap for more efficient and effective experiences. As we use the method, we can revise our steps and tinker as needed without having to "reinvent the wheel" for each new writing assignment. This method should cut down the time we need to spend researching because we won't waste time closely reading materials that won't help us directly answer our research question.

With this in mind, answer the following in your comment this blog:

1. What is the research question you have chosen for your response paper?
2. Based on your research question, where did you search for possible sources? What keywords did you use to search? Did you have to modify your search terms?
   
3. Were you able to use the time-saving techniques discussed in class (titles, table of contents, indexes, abstracts, graphic highlights, section titles, introductions, conclusions, topic sentences)? Specifically describe two time-saving techniques you used and how they helped or why they didn't work for you.

CCC Week 7: Reading Strategies

This week, you read about a number of strategies for more effective reading. In class, we focused on and practiced one such method--annotation.

We said in class that the key to effective annotation is to think of it like conversing with the author. Hence, you are responding to the text the way you would in a face-to-face discussion. This is especially helpful in research situations, as the author's ideas can help you answer your research question.

A way to visualize this is to think of your sources as people discussing your topic over dinner. You ask each the same question (your research question), and they then respond with answers (the sources). Not all of the answers will be the same. Often, you will have to decide which answers make sense to you and which you find problematic. In doing so, you should be able to develop what you see as YOUR answer.

Your paper then becomes your response to these people. Annotation is the first step; it allows you to start forming your response to each source and, hence, how each source can be used in your paper.

With this in mind, please answer the following in your comment:

1. What reading method(s) have you used to comprehend and use complex texts (books, articles, essays, websites, etc.) in the past? Have they been effective? Why or why not?
2. In your past experiences, what have you found challenging about incorporating research into your writing?
3. How did using annotation in class make reading complex material easier for you? What did you difficult about using this method?

OCC Week 7: Reading Strategies

This week, you read about a number of strategies for more effective reading. In class, we focused on and practiced one such method--annotation.

We said in class that the key to effective annotation is to think of it like conversing with the author. Hence, you are responding to the text the way you would in a face-to-face discussion. This is especially helpful in research situations, as the author's ideas can help you answer your research question.

A way to visualize this is to think of your sources as people discussing your topic over dinner. You ask each the same question (your research question), and they then respond with answers (the sources). Not all of the answers will be the same. Often, you will have to decide which answers make sense to you and which you find problematic. In doing so, you should be able to develop what you see as YOUR answer.

Your paper then becomes your response to these people. Annotation is the first step; it allows you to start forming your response to each source and, hence, how each source can be used in your paper.

With this in mind, please answer the following in your comment:

1. What reading method(s) have you used to comprehend and use complex texts (books, articles, essays, websites, etc.) in the past? Have they been effective? Why or why not?
2. In your past experiences, what have you found challenging about incorporating research into your writing?
3. How did using annotation in class make reading complex material easier for you? What did you difficult about using this method?

CCC Week 6: Revising the Draft

This week, we discussed the purposes and strategies for revising. We said that revision is "seeing the ideas again in order to improve ideas and correct mistakes". It is where we shift thoughts around, add or remove ideas, tighten the unity of our paper, and ensure that our ideas are in the best form.

Remember, revising is the third stage of our writing process. In terms of the total time spent on a writing project, it should make up 50%-60% of the efforts.

As a part of our revision process for this paper, we participated in a peer review. We said that a peer review can be beneficial in many ways. Here is your chance to reflect on how our peer review can help or has helped you revise your draft.

Please respond to the following questions in your comment:

1. How have you revised in the past? Did you spend 50% of your time on this process?
2. Name and explain two strengths that the peer review revealed about your paper.
3. Name and explain two things that the peer review exposed about your paper that needed improvement.
   
4. Other than peer review, what revision technique(s) will you use for this paper or in the future?

OCC Week 6: Revising the Draft

This week, we discussed the purposes and strategies for revising. We said that revision is "seeing the ideas again in order to improve ideas and correct mistakes". It is where we shift thoughts around, add or remove ideas, tighten the unity of our paper, and ensure that our ideas are in the best form.

Remember, revising is the third stage of our writing process. In terms of the total time spent on a writing project, it should make up 50%-60% of the efforts.

As a part of our revision process for this paper, we participated in a peer review. We said that a peer review can be beneficial in many ways. Here is your chance to reflect on how our peer review can help or has helped you revise your draft.

Please respond to the following questions in your comment:

1. How have you revised in the past? Did you spend 50% of your time on this process?
2. Name and explain two strengths that the peer review revealed about your paper.
3. Name and explain two things that the peer review exposed about your paper that needed improvement.
   
4. Other than peer review, what revision technique(s) will you use for this paper or in the future?