1.

Identify your paper, and then give me a statement of how well your plans are working
out.
My title will be A Student, not a test score. I have changed my outline a little bit and am
working on what sources I will use. I know what information I need to finish it.
--Just where are you in the process?
My outline is good now that I have slightly altered it and I am pretty sure I will follow it.
2. What approach(es) are you taking? Specifically describe what you have done and how it
is going. If you've had to make some adjustments, let me know about them.
I am looking up articles so I can clearly understand what the no child left behind act
actually is. I picked out the clearest websites to use as my sources. I have started forming
my argument and basically just need quotes to back up my argument.
Are your sources of information working out as you had anticipated? Elaborate.
My problem right now is that I have too many sources. And since they all have different
opinions I need to pick one or two with the same opinion and use them only. I will probably
get rid of some of the sources. Also I need to make sure I dont include the ones that I dont
actually use as part of my argument.
Have you needed to scale down or broaden the project? If so, how?
I decided to leave out the SAT, as I decided it is a decent test after all. So I will just look at
the WASL and the no child left behind act.
3. Specifically describe what you have left to do. How do you predict the rest of the project
will turn out? Are you coming up with information that will be useful?? Will your work
have the value you thought it might? Do you anticipate any other changes in the process?
I need to describe what effects the NCLB act has on different people. I need to basically
write the paper. I have all the sources and outlines that I need. I have done part of the first
three paragraphs.
4. If you had it to do over again, would you make any changes? If so, what and why?
What is your advice for someone else beginning the same or a similar project?
I would plan my timing better. I would also do it on a topic that I know a little more about
to begin with. My advice would be to make sure it is something you actually care about and
knowing at least a little bit about the subject to start with helps too.
5. Include a copy of your Statement of Thesis, Preliminary Outline, updated Works Cited.

Statement of thesis
Thesis- While the No Child Left Behind act is a step in the right direction, more needs to be
done to solve the problem of standardized testing.
Outline
1. Introduction
2. No Child Left Behind act
a. what is it?
b. What needs improvement?
3. Result of the act
a. WASL and its effects
4. Conclusion
Works Cited
How Standardized Testing Damages Education. Fairtest, The National Center for Fair
and Open Testing. Cambridge, MA. 20 Aug. 2007.
http://www.fairtest.org/facts/howharm.htm>.
Marshak, David. No Child left Behind: Test Obsessed Education Wont Move Us Ahead.
The Seattle Times 8 Feb. 2004. Rpt. in Elements of Argument: A Text and Reader.
Annette T. Rottenberg and Donna Haisty Winchell. 8th ed. Boston: Bedford/St.
Martins, 2006. 674-77.
NEA's Principles for ESEA/NCLB Reauthorization National Education Association.
2002-2008. 28 May 2008 <http://www.nea.org/esea/index.html>
Paige, Rod. Yes, Testing Has Raised Students Expectations, and Progress in Learning is
Evident Nationwide Insight 11-24 May 2004. Rpt. in Elements of Argument: A
Text and Reader. Annette T. Rottenberg and Donna Haisty Winchell. 8th ed.
Boston: Bedford/St. Martins, 2006. 667-670.

Weaver, Reg. No, NCLBs Excessive Reliance on Testing is Unrealistic, Arbitrary, and
Frequently Unfair. Insight 11-24 May 2004. Rpt. in Elements of Argument: A
Text and Reader. Annette T. Rottenberg and Donna Haisty Winchell. 8th ed.
Boston: Bedford/St. Martins, 2006. 671-74.

What the No Child Left Behind Law Means for Your Child. 1998-2008

http://www.greatschools.net/cgi-bin/showarticle/205

www.zinch.com

Plagiarism
Plagiarism is using the words, the ideas, or even the structure of a source without making
it clear that those elements are not your own. If any part of your work is taken from
somewhere else (unless it's common knowledge), you need to make clear exactly which
part it is and show exactly what that source was. To avoid unintentional plagiarism,
always follow these five rules:
Put ANY words from your source, unchanged, inside quotation marks.
Put any ideas from your source in your own words entirely.

Avoid presenting your ideas in the same order as your source.

Never mix your work and your source's work together without showing where one ends
and the other begins.
4.

Always show where each part of your source material comes from. USE
PARENTHESES, cues, Quotation Marks
5.

PLAGIARISM:
It copies the organization of the original argument.
It doesn't show which ideas are the writer's and which are the source's.
Original: Therefore all they learn about becoming adults is how to act and how to consume
(Kowinski 119).

Student: In the mall, everything they learn about becoming adults is based on how to
become a consumer and how to act. Can you see why this is plagiarism?

Student note on Citing:

I want to make sure I understand these concepts correctly,
especially plagiarism.
1. Do I use just the page number in parenthesis if I mention the
authors name in the paragraph (or sentence?) YES
2. Do I use the authors name and page number if I do not mention
the authors name in the paragraph (or sentence)? YES
3. Are answers to questions different than essays when it comes to
citing and plagiarizing? Yes--I expect formal papers to have proper
citation, but not questions.

4. I just read the chapter on plagiarism and I didnt realize it was

necessary to cite ideas. It seems very obvious to me now.
Suddenly, I am concerned that I do not understand plagiarism
completely and I definitely do not want to be guilty of it.
Plagiarism is the most difficult concept for students to understand.
When you paraphrase, be sure you translate into your own words:
Don't even use the same sentence structure. That's why it's a good
idea to read material, then look away from it completely as you
paraphrase. Of course, you will still need to cite.
AgainCheck out the links to the library material I keep mentioning.
You need to study this material to get it straight.
201 ARGUMENTATIVE RESEARCH PAPER PROCESS
CRUCIAL!! See Rottenberg checklist on page 393 and pages 394-396.
1. Select, LIMIT topic. Focusing now will save you untold grief later.
2. Prepare Working Bibliography (will morph into Works Cited Page later).
BE SURE YOU GET ALL PUBLICATION INFO NOW!
3. Preliminary Outline (Rottenberg396, 442), Statement of Thesis, proposal due as
assigned elsewhere.

4. Read, take notesin computer file/s, or you can try notecards --4x6, 5x8 are best.
5. Assemble Notes (rearrange files, notecards)
6. Write Final Outline
7. Write Rough Draft
8. Write Final Draft
9. Write Works Cited page. See Rottenberg model on 452-453.
Also due at same time as final paper:

Bib Cards (if used)

Notecards/notes (if used).
Rough Draft
4. All quoted/paraphrased material not from Rottenberg must be photocopied and
HIGHLIGHTED.
NOTE: YOU MUST SUBMIT ALL THIS PUBLICATION INFORMATION to receive full
credit.
Paper, etc. due at mandatory meeting during Week 10.

Words of Wisdom re FINAL PAPER

Folks--I want to remind everyone that this argument persuasion
paper is not supposed to be a heavy-duty research paper. Rather,
it should be your attempt to persuade your reader to accept or at
least understand your viewpoint. It should be your argument in which
you use several outside sources to back up what you say.
You will need to copy and highlight material you quote or paraphrase
from all outside sources other than Rottenberg--I can look that up
myself. You will need to turn in that highlighted material with your
final paper so I can track your use of source material in your paper.
The paper is to be five pages, not a book. Resist the impulse to try to
do too much.
It's much better to cover less territory thoroughly and well than to
provide slipshod coverage of a huge, unwieldy chunk of info.
Also, some topics may lend themselves to a problem-solution
approach. If that seems to work for you, then go for it.

MLA citation should be as perfect as you can get it. Be sure you look
up how to do it--if you have questions, ask.
The paper is due in hard copy at our mandatory meeting During week
10. I'll announce the time, date. and location later.
If you want the paper returned, please also include a large, selfaddressed envelope with sufficient postage.
I'm always available for questions, concerns.
Kathy 627-0950
201 ARGUMENT PERSUASION PAPER
Investigate the information covered in Rottenberg, Part Three, Multiple Viewpoints,
(Chapters 12 through 19, pages 483-730). These chapters cover a variety of viewpoints
many opposingon eight controversial questions. These questions generate conflict
among both average people and experts. Even when facts are not disputed, they may be
interpreted differently by those who disagree. In addition, equally worthwhile values may
be in conflict.
1.Your paper MUST BE BASED SPECIFICALLY ON ROTTENBERG, Part 3. Choose
ONE chapter (from 12 through 19) that discusses or suggests (directly or indirectly) a topic
you find interesting and can get fired up about. Take a stand on it, then defend that stand
using some material (you can be selective here) from some Rottenberg articles PLUS at
least one Internet source. Do NOT choose chapter 14,The Family.
2. Read some of the articles in the text and check out websites listed in taking the Debate
Online section at the end of that chapter.
3. Using this information as a starting place, research and develop a persuasive paper in
which you argue persuasively for a particular thesis. See Strategies below.
Use three to four sources. Use citations from at least one article in Rottenberg. Of course,
most students will use more than one article. In fact, all but one of your sources can come
from the text). Use at least one online source. All quoted/paraphrased material outside
Rottenberg must be photocopied, highlighted, and turned in with your paper. I can look up
the Rottenberg myself. Work short quotes gracefully into your own sentences.
5 pages, double-spaced. Use the sample paper in the text (pages 441-445) as a model. Use
MLA format433-439-- for guidance.

Proposal, Statement of Thesis and Preliminary Outline due date on icon.

Final paper due Week 10 at mandatory meeting.
Strategies for Argument and Persuasion (Chapters 9 and 10)

1. Introduction: Identify the controversy surrounding the issue and state your position in
your thesis statement/s. This is your papers claim or proposition. Provide as much
background info as your readers will need. Argument assumes conflicting or opposing
viewpoints; be sure to focus on a somewhat controversial issue. Be careful, though not to
take a highly opinionated, dogmatic position in your thesis. Your aim is to get your readers
even those who disagree with youto listen, not to alienate them. Note that this is not a
long paper, so your major task is to limit and focus your argument.
TOO Broad The welfare system has been abused over the years.
Narrower --Welfare payments should be denied to unmarried mothers under the age of 18.
You can state your opinion. The lack of affordable day-care centers discriminates against
low-income families.
Or you can call for actionThe government should support the creation of more day-care
centers in low-income neighborhoods.
Or you can work this paper into a problemsolution arrangement.
2. Offer strong support for your thesis. It should be specific, unified, accurate--even
dramaticthough dont overdo this.
For the most part, use third- person point of viewhe, they, it. First person is occasionally
useful
3. Create goodwill. Avoid using a close-minded, morally superior toneAnyone can see
thatFind a common ground when you can.
4. Organize your supporting evidence, ending with your most compelling point

Final paper proposal

Memorandum
May 12, 2008
To:

My English class

Cc:

Kathy Dechter

From:

Bethany Deibler

Subject:

Final paper proposal

Not a Test Score, a Student

This will be the title of my new paper. I will be discussing the usefulness of standardized
testing methods such as the SAT.
Are these necessary and helpful for college admissions?
Is the no child left behind act working?
I will look at both sides of these questions.
My Position
I believe that todays standardized testing does need to change. It is headed in the right
direction, but it needs a little help. More thought about individual students should be put
into the testing procedure. While the No Child Left Behind act is a step in the right
direction, more needs to be done to solve the problem of standardized testing.
Processes
I will try my hardest to look at both sides of the argument and point out both sides in my
argument equally. I will first explain the point behind these tests. Then I will analyze the
usefulness and effectiveness of these tests.
I care about this topic because I absolutely detest taking tests. I am horrible at it. I was
homeschooled and did not have to take tests under so much pressure and didnt have any
real tests except once a year for the standardized testing that my mom would give us.

People shouldnt have to take so many tests just to tell the college admissions that they are
smart enough to be in their college. Currently we have the WASL, SAT, and class grades to
tell them about the students. Shouldnt one of these things be enough?
1. Introduction - While the No Child Left Behind act is a step in the right direction, more
needs to be done to solve the problem of standardized testing.
2. Standardized testing
a. WASL
b. SAT
3. No Child Left Behind act
a. what is it?
b. Why it is not working
4. Conclusion
Possible Problems
I think I might end up changing my whole outline because there is too much to cover.
Either that or I will end up writing lots of little unrelated paragraph that dont really work
together. I need to stick to my preliminary plan.
Works cited
Marshak, David. No Child left Behind: Test Obsessed Education Wont Move Us Ahead.
The Seattle Times 8 Feb. 2004. Rpt. in Elements of Argument: A Text and Reader.
Annette T. Rottenberg and Donna Haisty Winchell. 8th ed. Boston: Bedford/St.
Martins, 2006. 647-77.
Paige, Rod. Yes, Testing Has Raised Students Expectations, and Progress in Learning is
Evident Nationwide Insight 11-24 May 2004. Rpt. in Elements of Argument: A
Text and Reader. Annette T. Rottenberg and Donna Haisty Winchell. 8th ed.
Boston: Bedford/St. Martins, 2006. 667-670.
Weaver, Reg. No, NCLBs Excessive Reliance on Testing is Unrealistic, Arbitrary, and
Frequently Unfair. Insight 11-24 May 2004. Rpt. in Elements of Argument: A
Text and Reader. Annette T. Rottenberg and Donna Haisty Winchell. 8th ed.
Boston: Bedford/St. Martins, 2006. 116-21.

How Standardized Testing Damages Education. Fairtest, The National Center for Fair
and Open Testing. Cambridge, MA. 20 Aug. 2007.
http://www.fairtest.org/facts/howharm.htm>.

How to earn an A on your Argument Paper Checklist

Writer: ______________________

Editor: __________________________
CONTENT/
pages?

__

Scope limited so it can be handled adequately in 5

SUBJECT
refuted?

__

Debatable? --Is the other side recognized and adequately

__

Reasonably defended?

__

Right number of supportive details?

__

Stated clearly in Statement of Thesis?

__

Does the paper deliver what the thesis promises?

__

Do ideas flow logically? Note trouble spots:_____________

__

Should paragraphs be rearranged?

__

Title?

__

Doublespaced

__

1-inch margins ? Ragged right margin?

__

Times Roman ? 10-12 point?

PURPOSE

ORGANIZATION

DESIGN

STRUCTURE

Paragraphs
__

Begin with topic sentence?

__

Focus on one topic?

__

Transitions between paragraphs: moreover, finally, second,

etc.?

Sentences

__

Vary in structure, length?

Words
TONE & STYLE

__

Prefer verbs & nouns?

__

Active Voice?

__

Specific, concrete?

__

Avoid beginning sentences with There is/are ?

__

Vivid, precise? Easy to visualize?

__

Familiar terminology, jargon?

__

Grammar, spelling and punctuation faultless?

__

No FRAGMENTS! No COMMA SPLICES! No kiddin!!

__

Typographical errors fixed?

__

Names, dates, numbers checked for accuracy?

INCORPORATION

__

Quotations integrated gracefully into writers own sentences?

OF CITATIONS

__

Quotes 4 lines indented (should be few, if any of these)?

__

No orphaned floating quotes?

__

All borrowed ideas/quotes properly cited in text?

__

All borrowed ideas/quotes traceable to notecards?

__

Bib cards, note cards, notes supplied?

__

Works Cited page uses proper format?

PROOFREAD