All Class FAQ: Your Paper is Due Next Week

Frequently Asked Questions about Paper #1, DUE IN THE FIRST FIVE MINUTES OF CLASS NEXT WEEK:

1. Can we use outside sources?
No. The paper should only have two sources: your video games.

2. What format do we use for our papers?
MLA Format. Consult your book. 12 Point. Times, New Roman. Last Name Page Number in the upper right hand corner. Name, Date, Class Color, "Paper #1" on the upper left hand corner. Double space throughout your paper. Works Cited page

3. Do I need a works cited?
You should always cite information that doesn't come from yourself.


4. Do I need in-text citations?
You are analyzing works, so you do not need to cite in your paper the two video games UNLESS you are quoting directly from the game. If you are quoting directly, cite with (Game Title).

5. How do I cite a video game in a works cited page?
Title of game. Version number. Date of version. Name of the company that publishes the game. website (if the game is played on a website). Date of access

Make sure your Works Cited page adheres to MLA format. Use your book.

6. Can I use "I", "You", "Me", "I think...", "I feel..." etc?
Your paper should be academic in nature and should concentrate on analysis. You don't need to use personal pronouns that refer to the reader or to the writer of the piece. Use nouns like "The Player" or "The Audience" when you refer to others. Take out anything that notes how you think or feel because this is understood.

7. Can I use "In conclusion" or "Next" or "This paper will be about..." other transitions like these?
Try to avoid using these types of transitions. Get to the point quickly and don't use artificial transitions. I understand that you're getting to the conclusion because I'm at the end of the paper. You don't need to write "In conclusion"

8. Do I need to have a paragraph for each of the outline points? What do I do with monster paragraphs?
Do your best to break up long paragraphs. Find the main ideas you want to get across and break it up so you can talk about them in separate paragraphs. Separate Main Ideas need Separate Paragraphs.

9. What do I need in my folder?
- Final Draft (on top)
- Previous Drafts (rough and outline)
- Quizzes (in order...and remember, your Peer Reviews counts as a "quiz" for someone else so please make sure you include it in your quizzes)
- Everything else you think might be appropriate that pertain to the paper...like additional drafts, other outlines, drawings, notes, etc.
* Please label with sticky notes each of these areas.

10. Do you have a question #10?
No. Click Here to Read More..

Peer Review Day! ~ Red, Yellow, Orange

Peer Review Sheet

Avoid one word responses (yes, no,etc)

Writer:
Paper Title:
Evaluator:

1. What are the strengths of the paper? What about the paper works well?

2. Does the title fit the essay? Why or Why not? Suggestions?

3. Does the introduction grab the reader’s attention? Why or Why not? Suggestions?

4. What is the author’s thesis? Does the paper support the thesis? Explain.

5. Is the draft effectively organized? Could it be organized differently? Suggestions?

6. Are the paragraphs unified? Are there clear topic sentences? Does every sentence in the paragraph support the topic sentence? Are there clear, effective transitions? Suggestions?

7. Is the conclusion effective? Does it adequately conclude the essay? Suggestions?

8. Where would the paper benefit from additional support and examples?

9. Does the author appropriately address the audience? Are the voice and tone appropriate for the audience? Why or why not? Suggestions?


10. Make two suggestions for the next draft.

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While you make corrections on your next draft for Thursday, make sure you address the following questions:

• What do the video games look like? What can you do in this video game? How does one video game look different from another? Describe in enough detail that your reader can picture it, but be careful not to turn this into a descriptive essay—this is an analytical essay, and analysis should be the focus of your writing.

• Who is the intended or “target” audience/How do you know? What has the game creator assumed about the audience? What type of action does the creator of the game want you to do after you are done playing the game?

• What claims are the video games making and are they the same claims? Is the claim implicit or explicit or are both claims represented? (implicit = not told outright, explicit = told in the text).

• Are there any possible opposing opinions to the claim that the virtual video game is making? Do the “villains” or “adversaries” in the game have alternative viewpoints that are relevant or reliable? Does the virtual video game address any of those positions?

• How does the video game employ logos, ethos, pathos? What methods do they use (pictures, streaming video, interviews, citing sources, exciting movement, links)? Is the video game claim logically developed and backed up with strong, reliable evidence?

• Think of how you will conclude this essay. Could you offer an argument about the nature of video game culture? About the nature of using video games to show something other than entertainment? About the repercussions of video games in general? Click Here to Read More..