We thoroughly discussed the section that Alexa had read for homework. We discussed how the novel fits the characteristics of a gothic novel now that Alexa has read more of it. We discussed, in great detail, the essay topics. We started to explore how Alexa can begin her pre-writing as she finishes reading the book. We discussed what textual evidence would be needed for support in her paper.

I reminded Katya that a research paper is organic. It goes through stages until it researches a final draft that needs to be carefully proofread. Shared with Katya that I found interesting that her research so far has given us many different answers to the question: What are the causes of divorce. The "experts" we've found do not agree at all on the top and most significant causes. That problem raises some interesting questions one of which is: How do we solve this problem? I justed an additional idea: Why not make this problem a discussion point at the start of her paper? Going back to solutions to the problem, I asked how do we validate a so-called expert? What qualifies a person to be believed and trusted? How do we distinguish between sources that are reliable and sources that cannot be relied on to give us fact-based, research-based statement? Going further, I suggested that any dubious quote might easily be used. First, by quoting the source and then proving that the view point being presented is really a misconception. Correcting misconceptions can be an interesting strategy and a nice piece of education for the reader, one which the reader should appreciate. Plus, you the researcher get praise for your insight. We discussed the bar graph Katya found and, second, how important it is to spending time "ingterpreting" the bar graph for the reader so the reader comes away with the key concepts in the block quote the writer wants to emphasize. To keep things "neutral," "unbiased," "objective," "open-minded" in tone (for the sake of the writer's image), I suggested two formulas: First framework: Some people say that....Other people believe....Still others argue that....Recent research has suggested....; or Second framework: It might be argued that....It might be argued that....It might be argued that... But recent research has suggested ...... Note: each element could easily get its own new paragraph, and each paragraph could be developed by completing the phrase "According to ....." which would be followed by a block quote.

Alexa and I discussed throughly the 100 pages that she had read for homework. We answered and discussed the essay questions for that section. We also discussed possible essay topics for her to write when she finishes the book. We discussed landed gentry because it is a term used in one of the possible essay topics that I presented. Because Alexa is 75% finished reading the novel, we discussed possible titles for another novel for her to read before the end of the school year. She would like to read another gothic novel. She will continue reading the novel for homework.

Introduced Vlad to the triangle. At the point of triangle put Topic; at lower left corner put Writer; at lower right corner put Audience. Audience has, personal experiences, personal knowledge, beliefs, assumptions, positions, and warrants. Writer can use research; "Some people say,... Other people, say....Still others say.... I would suggest......"; examples; 3 arguments. Always remember the importance of being open-minded, unbiased. Went through the exercise of writing an essay on the topic of the causes of divorce. Vlad filled in the arguments for "some people....other people....still others ....I would suggest..... Vlad's paper due Wednesday.

Alexa and I discussed in great detail the section that she had read for homework. After we had discussed the questions, Alexa typed her answers to the questions and did a nice job. We discussed the subtle nuances that the author weaves into her mystery. I also shared with Alexa three possible essay topics to write on as the final assessment for the novel. Alexa will read more of the novel for homework.

Katya's research paper is on the causes and effects of divorce. We started with both of us going on Google Search and finding charts and graphs citing the causes of divorce. We noted how effective these visuals are at grabbing our attention. We discussed where in Katya's paper one or two of these graphs and charts would be most effective. We agreed in the introductory paragraph or toward the beginning of the core of the paper. That way the graph or chart can be used to start the discussion. We agreed that having two, differing charts or graphs might work for the debate/controversy they would provide. Discussed the importance of "authorities" in the field, and what "peer-reviewed" means. Discussed phrases like "digging deeper," "obvious causes" vs. "hidden causes," "root causes," "tipping point." Went over the value of having an on-going Works Cited page, so everytime Katya finds a good quote, she enters that documentation as a new "entry" on her growing Works Cited page.
Discussed staying away from paraphrasing. Discussed the three parts of "The Sandwich" which I am requiring with each block quote. Told Katya to read over my edited version of her class notes from Thursday.

Alexa and I discussed in great detail the pages that she had read for homework. It is a mystery and Gothic novel, so we discussed the clues, and the foreshadowing, that the author provides. We also discussed annotating the text as she reads to help with her understanding of the text. Alexa has been marking the clues that she finds throughout the novel, and we discussed the significance of some of the passages that she has highlighted. Alexa will read more of the novel for homework.

We started by agreeing that our project would be a research paper on the subject of the causes and effects of divorce. We spent time discussing what a "thesis statement" is, and the option for the thesis statement to be a question. In the first instance, the thesis is a claim which the rest of the paper defends and proves true. In the second instance, the thesis is a question which the rest of the paper sets out to answer. Next, we went over how the introductory paragraph should resemble an upside-down pyramid, starting with a broad statement about the subject and getting narrower in its progression to end with the thesis statement. We came up with a hypothetical introductory paragraph for Katya's paper. We then talked in detail about quotation marks and block quoting, and how a block quote is set up. We followed that with a full discussion of The Sandwich: identifying the source of the quote (with credentials); citing the block quote; and ending with a full commentary on the block quote. We taked about samples of what the commentary might do, including pulling out and discussing a key concept found in the quote, labeling and clarifying in what ways the quote is outdated; pointing out the biases imbedded in the quote. Next, we discussed when to start building the Works Cited page and how the Works Cited page works in conjunction with the citations in the paper. We ended by agreeing we will chat tomorrow, Friday, May 1st, at 11.

Per last night's assignment, Olivia discussed and analyzed the motifs and imagery in chapter 16 in terms of the main character's journey of self-discovery. Olivia commented on how Janie's exterior change from blue satin dresses to overall and boots mirrored her interior development . We further examined racism perpetuated by African -Americans against other African-Americans as illustrated by the character Mrs. Turner who has a very light complexion and therefore disdains Blacks even though she is also African-American. This led to a good conversation on racial stereotypes and prejudice and the impact of wealth on African - American status within the White community. Our reading in the novel is leading up to the 1928 hurricane that devastated Palm Beach County where the characters reside. For homework, Olivia is conducting some research into the impacts of the 1928 hurricane on the West Palm Beach area and she will then compare her research to the novel's depiction of the hurricane 's impact in our area.

Went over every area that needed editing: rewording for clarification; verb choice; verb tense; missing information to anticipate the reader's questions; redundancy; apostrophies and other punctuation errors including missing commas; italics where needed; paragraphing; citation links to Works Cited page; spacing used on Works Cited page. Using Google Docs, Vlad sent me copy of the finished research paper. Spent half an hour walking Vlad through the Purdue OWL website. Went over all the writing style guides Purdue teaches in depth, all the writing assignments Purdue OWL goes over in detail, and all the sample essays and reports Purdue OWL teaches and illustrates. Emphasized that Vlad needs to become fully aware of the wealth of information the Purdue website offers, and just as importantly, Vlad should check with his professors what style guide he or she wants Vlad to use. I mentioned that some engineering colleges publish their own style guides, and Vlad should be aware of which style guide to use with each assignment.