In the words of one of more reluctant learners, this lesson was "FAT!"
Here's my thinking: given that engagement seems to be lagging as the academic year trudges forward, I gotta get inventive and place my lesson plans in the sweet spot/wheelhouse of student interest.
For context (in case you haven't followed this story line), at present the Simpsons have allegedly predicted (in Nostradamus-esque fashion) 38 world events long before these occurrences actually came to fruition.
Coincidence? Fraud? Yet another conspiracy theory? The inner-machinations of the Deep State? Urban legend? Corrupt government elite?
That's what we tussled with in this synthesis paper.
No joke ... in 20+ years of being in this profession ... this was hands-down the best Socratic Seminar I have ever participated in.
In the writing workshop video, you'll find me at the proverbial easel and canvas "painting" a slew of introductions (with my declarative/inverted thesis heuristic) and body paragraphs (we use the syllogistic method heuristic ... It's super easy and nicely demystifies the process) ... we even address conclusion paragraphs.
We go over everything ... how to embed quotes ... how to augment voice, rhythm, flow ... how to lock down the line of reasoning, etc.
In the video's description (scroll down a bit), you can find the writing workshop slides as well as the source packet I put together for my exemplars.
NOTE: The bulk of my students gathered their own sources because my packet was specific to the theses I was arguing (they were also pretty wedded to their own bents)
Have fun with this one ... Happy teaching ... Happy Writing!
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