Theme Writing Winter 2008/9

TW Information: Final Papers available

2009-02-27T12:01:00.001+09:00

Dear TWers,

Papers are now available for pick up. Each paper is in its own envelope in a box outside my office. I should only leave papers there for a few days, so please drop by as soon as you can. After that, I will keep them in my office and you should come by first week of next semester.

Take care & have fun over the break.

Best,

Owen.

--
ELP, International Christian University,
3-10-2 Osawa, Mitaka-shi, Tokyo 181-8585.
Office ph: +81-(0)422-33-3371
Home 0.5: http://okoj.net/james/
Skype ID: owen_james
Delicious ID: okoj

TW Information: What the end of tutorials means.

2009-02-13T16:53:00.001+09:00

Dear Class,

Today was the last day of tutorials, which officially also marks the end of writing support. This means that students should not send last minute email requests for me to check papers.

It regularly happens that one or two students will make a desperate effort to write a paper on the last weekend and then ask me to check it. A paper is whole term task and should reflect the quality of 9 weeks consistent effort. A TW paper cannot be written in 2 days.

Class support so far has included 52 separate tutorials, 20 Office Hours, 6 classes, and in total, more than 100 email messages. Ideally, this weekend, papers should be receiving finishing touches only.

Thank you for your understanding.

See you on Monday,

Owen.

TW Information: Submission of Final Paper

2009-02-12T11:42:00.001+09:00

Dear TW Class,

As a gentle reminder, here is the relevant information from Course Information concerning submission of your Final Paper:

1. Submission Details

2/16 Monday. Class 7: Final Paper due. Everybody must attend class.

You will submit two copies of your Final Paper:

1) e-Portfolio color coded version

2) Print version. Bring to class

2. Basic Requirements (in other words, not optional)

*Main Assignment - Final Paper (75%). A documented research essay (1500 words, MLA style, color coded) on a topic of strongly connected to your personal interests and experiences. Eight (8) sources (mix articles, WWW, books), the majority must be English sources.

Final Paper format is:

Times New Roman, text size 12, 1.5 spacing

Header, Outline, Student Information, Title (size 14)

Final Paper (incl. in-text citations, " .." for quotes), sub-headings for each section, and Works Cited. Please see the 8 sample papers and the LBH sample paper. (Click the link to open the file in your browser, or click "Download" to save a copy to your computer.)

3. General Advice

Final formatting of your Final Paper should be done in MS Word. When your Final Paper is complete, copy it, open MS Word, and paste into a blank document. Complete the formatting of your Final Paper. Check off each each basic requirement above when it is done.

It is a good idea to use MS Word for final formatting, because currently it provides a little more control than Google Docs over formatting details like the header, font, spacing, hanging indents in Works Cited, etc.

General Comments

Your e-Portfolio & printed versions of your Final Paper are essentially the same. I will refer to both versions when grading your paper. I will refer to the color coding in the e-Portfolio version for information regarding structure. The paper version will be black text on white background and colors will be lost. I will make comments on and return your paper version.

Thank you, that is all. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely,

Owen.

--
ELP, International Christian University,
3-10-2 Osawa, Mitaka-shi, Tokyo 181-8585.
Office ph: +81-(0)422-33-3371
Home 0.5: http://okoj.net/james/
Skype ID: owen_james
Delicious ID: okoj

TW Admin: Use this form for you e-portfolio

2008-12-16T09:13:00.005+09:00

E-portfolio: In Theme Writing this semester, you are required to maintain an electronic portfolio (e-portfolio) of all your writing in Google Docs. You should do all of your written assignments in your e-portfolio, as well as the preparation work required. Your e-portfolio is evidence of the work you have done and the progress you have made. You can write directly in your e-portfolio, GDS is like a simple online version of Microsoft Word. Moreover, it enables you to share and collaborate on your writing at the push of a button.

1. If you have not already signed up for Google Docs, you should sign up now. It takes about one (1) minute. Here again are the instructions. Please return here when you have finished.

2. Click the link at the top of this email message.

Create Your Own e-Portfolio

3. On the next screen, click the on the 'File' menu, click 'Save as new copy'. You now have a copy of the TW e-portfolio form.

4. Click on the 'File' menu, click 'Rename'. In the box that opens, enter a new document name. The name of your e-portfolio should contain the title of the course, your first name, as well as your student number:

e.g. 100108 Mari's Theme Writing Portfolio

5. You now have your own e-portfolio for Theme Writing.

Share Your e-Portfolio With Me

6. Click the "Share' button (look top right), click 'Share with others'.

Figure 1

7. On the next screen (Figure 1), type in my email address. The blue 'as collaborators' button should be 'on'. The boxes at the bottom should also be checked as shown.

8. Click the 'Invite Collaborators' button.

9. In box that appears (Figure 2 below), click the 'Send' button.

Figure 2

10. As shown in Figure 1, click '« Back to editing the document.'

11. Delete all this text, Steps 1-11 above, then paste your Scratch Outline into your e-portfolio in the section below.

(Your Name Here) Theme Writing e-Portfolio

1) Scratch Outline

(Please paste your work here)

2) Structured Outline

(Please do or paste your work here)

3) In-class First Draft (500 words, 2+ sources)

Handwritten in class.

4) Second Draft (600-800 words, 4+ sources)

(Please do your work here. Leave one blank line between paragraphs. No indent necessary - not yet)

5) Third Draft (color coded)

(Please do your work here. Leave one blank line between paragraphs. No indent necessary - not yet.)

6) 'Working' Title, Thesis & Formal Outline

(Please do your work here)

7) Full-length Draft (1500 words, + peer review checklist)

(Please do your work here. Leave one blank line between paragraphs. No indent necessary - not yet)

8) Works Cited

(Please do your work here. No hanging indent necessary - not yet)

9) Final Paper

(Please do your work here.)

TW Admin: Start Up Message to Students 2008

2008-12-09T18:10:00.003+09:00

Dear Theme Writers,

Welcome to the course! I am looking forward to meeting you in class on Wednesday.

Before class I would like you to do three (3) things:

1) Think carefully about your writing topic. Please give some thought to what you would like to write about. Theme Writing is one of the most liberal and liberating courses at ICU: it is perhaps the only course that allows you to focus your reading, study, and research on a topic that is entirely chosen by you and reflects your particular interests. Please think about a topic that:

Is strongly related to your personal interests and experiences. If you have lived most of your life in Japan, your topic should reflect that connection.

Will let you write something new about it.

Involves a problem or question that you can answer.

Is "doable" in about 7 body paragraphs.

2) Sign up for Google Docs (GDS). GDS is free online software that you can use to create, store, share, publish, and collaborate on your documents. It is like a free version of Microsoft Office, but because it is online you can use GDS to access your work at any online computer, anywhere in the world. Moreover, for a course like Theme Writing, GDS makes sharing and collaborating on your paper incredibly easy. It means saying goodbye to the messy process of sending your paper to me as an email attachment. It also means you will never have to miss an opportunity to work on your paper because you left you paper at home. Once you have shared your paper with me via GDS, we can open and your check your paper at my computer. I will also share all course materials with you in GDS. GDS is easy to learn to use and can save you lots of time. GDS can make study easier. Yay! For these reasons, GDS is a requirement for Theme Writing this semester. If you already have a GDS account with Google, you do not have to do anything now. However, if you do not have GDS, please take two minutes now to sign up before class tomorrow.

1. Click GDocs & Spreadsheets, or point your browser at http://docs.google.com. If you have a Google account already, sign in with your Google username and password. You are finished!

2. If you do not have a Google account, click the 'Get Started' button.

3. Fill out the sign-up form and follow any directions that Google gives you.

4. If you have time, watch this short video which explains more about GDS. Click to watch the video.

3) Bookmark the TW Homepage. Our homepage is located at http://twicu.blogspot.com/. Please bookmark this in the browser on your home computer. Also, write down the address some where safe, so that you can access it any time you need to, e.g. your diary, keitai, etc.

Thank you & see you tomorrow,

Owen James

TW Information: Final Paper & final class

2008-02-19T16:32:00.001+09:00

Dear TW,

After thinking more about what to do in class tomorrow, it seems that we may have covered everything on Monday, therefore, it is not really necessary to require all of you to attend tomorrow.

To check the details about final submission, please see under Submit Final Paper in Course Information. These details are the same as we covered in class on Monday.

However, if you would like a final quick tutorial and/or would like to exchange your paper with a classmate for peer review, please come to class. If your paper is finished you might like to come and hand it in, otherwise please submit it on Thursday according to Course Information.

If you still have more writing to do, you might like to do that in the Library or at home.

In summary, please make a decision about class based on what your current needs are and how you can use the time to achieve the best outcomes for yourself.

Thank you, Owen.

TW Information: Full Draft pick up

2008-02-19T10:23:00.001+09:00

Hello Yuta,

Please pick up your paper from the envelope outside my office when you can. As we discussed yesterday, the predicted problem does exist.

Thank you, Owen.

TW Information: Tutorial offer

2008-02-18T17:13:00.001+09:00

Hello Noriaki,

On Saturday you submitted your Works Cited and Final Draft, very good. Now, tutorials did finish officially last Friday, but I may have some time Period 5 tomorrow, Tuesday, 2/19. If this time is suitable for you please let me know as soon as you can - I will need to plan time to read your paper before your tutorial.

Your Works Cited can be picked up from the envelope outside my office.

Also, following the timetable in Course Information there was class today and final class will be Wednesday. We may have covered a few questions you have, so I recommend first contacting a class mate, perhaps your peer review buddy, to catch up on what we did.

Bye for now, Owen.

TW Information: Full Draft pick up

2008-02-18T17:04:00.001+09:00

Dear Minako,

Your paper can be picked up from the envelope outside my office. I do apologise that getting back to you has taken as long as it has, other papers had also come in about the same time from ARW and Winter Projects, as well as PWT (tomorrow).

Also, following the timetable in Course Information there was class today and final class will be Wednesday. We may have covered a few questions you have, so I recommend first contacting a class mate, perhaps your peer review buddy, to catch up on what we did.

Bye for now, Owen.

TW information: Your Full Draft tutorial request

2008-02-18T16:50:00.001+09:00

Hello Shunsuke,

Your paper can be picked up now from the envelope outside my ILC door. A tutorial can be arranged for P2 or P5 tomorrow, but I will be grading PWT essays from P3, through lunch, until the end of P4. Please let me know if either of these times may be suitable.

Also, as per. the course timetable in Course Information, there was class today and final class will be Wednesday.

Bye for now, Owen.

TW Information: Full Draft feedback

2008-02-15T16:43:00.002+09:00

Hello Mari, Minako, & Izumi,

I just wanted to let you know that I have not forgotten you and I will get to your papers as soon as I can. I will email you when it can be picked up. If your current draft is different from the version on your portfolio, it would be useful if you could post an update, so that I could then check your most recent work.

I am sorry for the delay, I have been swamped with work this week, similar I am sure to your situation as well.

Best,

Owen.

TW Request: Pick up Minor 7

2008-02-15T08:57:00.001+09:00

Hello Ikumi,

Your Works Cited has been checked and can be picked up from the envelope outside ILC 275.

Best,

Owen.

TW Full Draft & tutorial

2008-02-12T17:14:00.001+09:00

Hello Marie,

If you can pick up your paper from the envelope outside my office and read and think about my comments before your tutorial tomorrow, that would be helpful for you, I think.

Best,

Owen.

TW Full Draft & tutorial

2008-02-12T15:44:00.000+09:00

Hello Marina,

If you can pick up your paper from the envelope outside my office and read and think about my comments before your tutorial tomorrow, that would be helpful for you, I think.

Best,

Owen.

TW Information: Minor 7 (Works Cited) & Minor 8 (Full Draft) & extra tutorials

2008-02-11T15:25:00.001+09:00

Dear Theme Writing class,

A few important notices as we approach the end:

Minor 7: Works Cited
10 assignments were submitted on time. I printed a copy from your e-portfolio. Please pick up this copy with my comments from outside ILC 275. My comments also appear on your Record of Work. Try to show me your corrected version before you submit your Final Paper if at possible.

Minor 8: Full Draft
Mari, Rina, Minako, Marina, Izumi, Marie, & Hanako have submitted papers so far, good. Thank you. You may submit until 2/16 according to the TW timeliness rule, but you should be aiming to submit as early as you can.

Tutorials
I will do my best to offer a tutorial to anyone who submits their full paper by Saturday 2/16. Currently Mari, Izumi, Minako have submitted a Full Draft, but tutorials are full. So at this stage, I would like to propose setting aside Thursday from 13.30 to 16.30 for extra tutorials. This time will only be useful though if you are available or are willing to make this the most important thing. Please understand that my time is limited too - you and I are very busy. My time next week will be very limited and extra tutorials next week are unlikely, so please make the best use of this extra opportunity this week.

Please send me an email if you would like a tutorial Thursday afternoon. If there is sufficient interest, I will add new times to the sign-up page on the DIY and then ask you to book a time.

Thank you, bye for now, Owen.

TW Information: Notes on your tutorial 2/4

2008-02-04T17:05:00.001+09:00

Dear Ikumi, Marie, & Shunsuke,

To see my notes on your tutorial, please go to TW: My Record of Work. If you have any additional questions please do not hesitate to ask.

Thank you, Owen

TW Information: Notes on your tutorial 2/1

2008-02-03T16:20:00.001+09:00

Dear Rina,

To see my notes on our discussion on Friday, please go to TW: My Record of Work. I am sorry these are a day later than I try to aim for. If you have additional questions please do not hesitate to ask.

Thank you, Owen

TW Information: First Draft pick up

2008-02-03T15:35:00.001+09:00

Hello Shunsuke,

I have checked and commented on your First Draft. Please collect it from the envelope outside my office from Monday morning.

Thank you, Owen.

TW Information: Update Minor Assignment 6

2008-02-01T16:51:00.001+09:00

Dear TW Class,

This is just a reminder that the final day for Minor 6 to be posted on time to your e-portfolio is tomorrow, Saturday, February 2.

As at 4.46 p.m. today (Friday 2/1), Hanako, Rina, Minako, Izumi, Noriaki, Marie, and Miki have submitted Minor Assignment 6 - thank you.

Do you best if you have not submitted yet.

Owen.

TW Information: Notes on your tutorial 1/30

2008-02-01T14:59:00.001+09:00

Dear Minako, Rina, Hanako, & Miki,

To see my notes on our discussion yesterday, please go to TW: My Record of Work. If you have additional questions please do not hesitate to ask.

Thank you, Owen

TW Information: Notes on your tutorial 1/28

2008-01-29T15:56:00.001+09:00

Dear Yasutake,

To see my notes on our discussion yesterday, please go to TW: My Record of Work. If you have additional questions do not hesitate to ask.

Thank you, Owen

TW Request: Tutorial & Thesis

2008-01-29T15:50:00.000+09:00

Hello Minako,

If you are planning to come to tutorial tomorrow, there is only one appointment time that is currently open. I recommend you book quickly.

My concluding notes on our discussion yesterday have been added to your Record of Work.

Bye for now,

Owen.

TW Information: First Draft pick up

2008-01-28T09:12:00.001+09:00

Dear Mari & Yohei,

I have checked over and written comments on a paper copy of your first draft printed from your TW e-portfolio. Please collect your paper from the envelope outside my office (ILC 275). If you have additional questions please do not hesitate to make a tutorial.

Owen

TW Information: Final call for First Draft

2008-01-25T14:56:00.001+09:00

Dear Mari, Yohei, Marina, Shunsuke, & Yasutake,

This is just a reminder that the final day for your first draft to be posted on time to your e-portfolio is tomorrow, Saturday 26th. I know many of you are working hard and I look forward to reading your ideas. I will return a paper copy printed from your eportfolio along with my comments to the folder outside my office. I will let you know by email when you can pick your paper up. You should come soon to a tutorial.

Thank you, Owen.

TW: First Draft pick up

2008-01-25T09:08:00.001+09:00

Dear Hanako, Yuta, Rina, Kanako, Miki, and Ikumi,

Your paper has been available for collection since I emailed you on Tuesday.

At this stage of writing and at this stage of the semester you should be deep into your TW work, 4~5 hours minimum per week, roughly the same or more than you would have committed to ARW.

As well, Minor Assignment 6 is due tomorrow, which should only be completed after examining your First Draft and reading and considering my comments. And if possible, it is always recommended to have a tutorial or attend OH.

Please think carefully on this message, I want to encourage to do much more than simply finish TW, but to also enjoy learning from the experience and to achieve your best.

Thank you, Owen.

TW Information: Final call for First Draft

2008-01-25T08:47:00.001+09:00

Dear Mari, Yohei, Marina, Shunsuke, & Yasutake,

TW Information: Notes on your tutorial 1/23

2008-01-23T17:32:00.000+09:00

Dear Izumi, Nozomi, and Shunsuke,

To see my notes on our discussion today, please go to TW: My Record of Work. If you have additional questions do not hesitate to ask.

Thank you, Owen

TW Information: Minor Assignment 5 - First Draft

2008-01-22T17:37:00.001+09:00

Dear TWers,

Thank you for your submitting your first drafts. I have checked over and written comments on a paper copy printed from your TW e-portfolio. The ten (10) papers so far submitted can be collected from an envelope outside my office (ILC 275).

I highly recommend that everyone takes a tutorial to follow up on their first draft as soon as possible. A well structured answer now can make the further development of your paper much easier and more effective. It is not a good idea to continue without taking a tutorial.

If you have not submitted yet, the statement on timeliness of assignments states that your First Draft needs to be submitted by this Saturday, January 26.

Rushing. Thank you.

Owen

TW Information: Notes on your tutorial 1/21

2008-01-21T12:26:00.001+09:00

Dear Mari,

To see my notes on our discussion today, please go to TW: My Record of Work .

Owen.

Fwd: TW Information: Notes on your tutorial 1/16 or 1/18

2008-01-19T17:49:00.001+09:00

Dear Miki, Mari, Marina, Minako, Nozomi, Shunsuke, and Yohei,

To see my notes on our discussion, please go to TW: My Record of Work .

I am sorry these are late to follow up Wednesday's tutorials, marking PWT also fell at the same time this week.

Regards to everyone, Owen.

TW Information: Notes from your tutorial 1/9

2008-01-10T11:33:00.001+09:00

Dear Izumi, Noriaki, and Yuta,

To see my notes on our discussion, please go to TW: My Record of Work.

Owen

TW Information: My notes on your tutorial 1/7

2008-01-07T16:32:00.001+09:00

Hello Ikumi, Hanako, and Marie,

To review my notes on your tutorials today, please go to TW: My Record of Work.

If you have questions or ideas please feel free to add your own notes or to correct any mistakes I may have made.

Best,

Owen.

TW Information: Tutorials Sign Up

2008-01-03T17:49:00.001+09:00

Dear Class, To sign up for a tutorial for any week of the semester, please go to DIY: Tutorials Sign Up.

TW Homework Update: Minor Assignment 4

2008-01-02T22:25:00.001+09:00

Dear Class,

There is a lot of very careful thought reflected in your outlines. I compared your thesis statements to earlier versions in your research proposals and also looked back at my earlier comments. I hope that this update helps you structure and write your first drafts as you return to work after the holidays. To see this homework update, please go to the TW: My Record of Work page.

And, of course, happy New Year, Owen.

TW Homework Update: Minor Assignment 3

2007-12-20T15:55:00.001+09:00

Dear Class,

The range of topics in our class this year is, I think, the best ever, and that must say some really positive things about how each of you are approaching Theme Writing. Very well done!

I spent quite some time reading and thinking about your research proposal, and then to write my response to you. Overall, proposals were thoughtfully written and very instructive. Your proposal really helps me understand your topic, your ideas, and your position, and then of course to try and help you in the best way I can. For many of you, I have called for you to revise your thesis statement. The thesis statement controls the ideas in your paper and may very well mean minor or major follow-on changes to your Working Outline. I have asked you to post your revised thesis to your e-portfolio & then to let me know when I can check it for you.

For your working outline, the changes many of you make to your thesis will mean that your outline is now somewhat out of date. Therefore, I will check that your outline is complete and was on time. My comments on your research proposal should be read to cover the ideas and their organisation in your outline as well, so please, you should not expect long comments on your outline. However, if I have not asked you to revise your thesis, there may be some points more I could help you with.

To read my comments on your Response Proposal, please go to TW: My Record of Work.

A couple of students' Record of Work is not up to date. This is an important responsibility because it lets you and I know what you have done, and tells me when I need to check your portfolio for new work - in other words it helps me help you. As well, as with everything you do, it is part of my evaluation of you in Theme Writing. Please keep your Record of Work seriously.

Thank you, bye for now, Owen.

Research Collection: Video - Social Bookmarking in Plain English

2007-12-18T17:31:00.000+09:00

TW Homework Update: Minor Assignment 2

2007-12-13T17:45:00.001+09:00

Dear TWers,

Lots of really good work, well done. 13/16 were satisfactory, but I really want us to aim for 16/16 every time. If Minor Assignment 2 was not satisfactory this time, look ahead to the next assignment and do you best. To see this homework update, please go to the TW: My Record of Work page.

Also from the Homepage, 2007 Students' Class Blogs (one-page view) you are able to now see everyones' e-portfolios on one page. Some advantages of publishing your work online include being able to see the work of other students when you feel unsure of what to do or how to do something, you can also contact anyone in class by leaving a comment to offer advice or ask for their help. It is quite difficult to do these things when assignments are paper based only, so I do encourage you to look at your classmates' work as a way of helping yourself and to help classmates with advice or even just to give them some encouragement, 'Wow, I really enjoyed reading your ideas, I had never thought of it like that!"

Thank you, see you on Monday, Owen.

TW Homework Update: Minor assignments 1 & 2

2007-12-11T16:14:00.001+09:00

Dear TWers,

A positive start by nearly everyone, good! Minor assignment 1 has been checked and you can see your evaluation and my comments on TW: My Record of Work.

Minor Assignment 2 is due before class tomorrow, at the latest sometime tomorrow. Continue your good start. If you missed Minor Assignment 1, please do not let it worry you now, keeping moving ahead and focus on the next thing.

Thank you, see you tomorrow, Owen.

TW Homework Update: Minor Assignment 1 - Scratch Outline

2007-12-10T16:44:00.000+09:00

Dear TWers,

In Course Information [Homepage->Course Information] the Schedule of Assignments calls for your first assignment to be posted to your e-portfolio today and last lesson this was narrowed down to before class today. At this time ( 4.41 pm), Scratch Outlines have been posted [Homepage->Students' Class Blogs (one-page view)] by Miki, Mari, Yohei, Izumi, Nozomi, Noriaki, Marie, Hanako, & Yasutake . Thank you, I will check the quality of your assignments tomorrow.

'Timeliness of Assignments' states that Minor Assignments 1-4 must be completed by their due dates.

As this is the first assignment and because you have also needed to set up your course technology tools, I can be a bit lenient. So Marina, Yuta, Ikumi, Kanako, & Shunsuke if you cannot post your Scratch Outline sometime today, you really must contact me (james@icu.ac.jp) and let me know what the problem is. Then we can fix it quickly and get you back on track.

If you do not post your assignment though and I do not hear from you, the statement on 'Timeliness of Assignments' explains that a 'late' assignment does not count towards your grade .

I might seem especially strict at present, but one of the main reasons some students have trouble in Theme Writing is because they do not start well and I am very concerned that all students in my class start out well. It is much easier to continue a good start than it is to make major changes later, and sometimes by then it is too late.

So my message is to everyone is, 'Start out right.'

Thank you, Owen.

TW Information: Sunday night homework update

2007-12-09T17:58:00.001+09:00

Dear TWers,

Rushing right now, but currently the TW: My Details page currently appears as below - nearly everyone, which is great! But it is missing details from 4 students and it is most important that you all have the tools you need to participate and do your work. I will check Minor Assignment 1: Scratch Outline on your e-portfolio tomorrow, before class (Research Orientation, ILC 106).

What To Do
1. Kanako, Yuta, Minako, and Rina, if you have set up your e-portfolio, but are unable to post it to the DIY Textbook, just send me your URL and I can do it for you. However, you will need to learn to add information here to the DIY Textbook each week, so this is just a temporary fix.

2. Kanako, Yuta, Minako, and Rina, I do not have classes Period 1 or 2 tomorrow, so I want you to come along to my office (ILC 275) and we will get you going with the technology and then it is done. If you can post your details to the TW: My Details page or send the URL in an email to me before then, then that is the most important thing done. However, you should still come if you have a problem using the DIY Textbook.

Thank you. Bye for now, Owen.

1.Mari	http://themewritinge-portfoliomari.blogspot.com/
2.Marina	http://marinasthemewriting.blogspot.com/
3.Noriaki	http://noriakitw07.blogspot.com/
4.Yohei	http://yoheitw07.blogspot.com/
5.Izumi	http://izumiad07.blogspot.com/
6.Yasutake	http://yasutake-tw-0708.blogspot.com/
7.Hanako	http://hanakotw07.blogspot.com/
8.Miki	http://mikiscicu07.blogspot.com/
9.Marie	http://scicu07.blogspot.com/
10.Nozomi	http://nozomitw07.blogspot.com/
11.Shunsuke	http://shunsuketw07.blogspot.com/
12.Ikumi	http://ikumi-tw-07@blogspot.com/
13.Kanako
14.Rina
15.Minako
16.Yuta

TW Information: Homework update

2007-12-07T14:15:00.000+09:00

Dear Theme Writers,

Links: TW Homepage http://twicu.blogspot.com/. Go to Course Information.

It is 2 o'clock Friday now, and by the end of the day today, your homework calls for you to have set up your blog as your e-portfolio for Theme Writing. It has been a very positive response so far. Well done and thank you to everyone below. Follow the instructions carefully and view the screencasts (videos) and everything will go well.

Bye now, Owen.

1.Mari	http://themewritinge-portfoliomari.blogspot.com/
2. Marina	http://marinasthemewriting.blogspot.com/
3.Noriaki	http://noriakitw07.blogspot.com/
4.Yohei	http://yoheitw07.blogspot.com/
5. Izumi	http://izumiad07.blogspot.com/
6.Yasutake	http://yasutake-tw-0708.blogspot.com/
7.Hanako	http://hanakotw07.blogspot.com/

How to register for the DIY Textbook

2007-12-05T17:05:00.000+09:00

This five minute video will walk you step by step through joining the DIY Textbook as a registered user. Originally created for my ARW and Sophomore English students, the video explains the basic process involved in registering, simply change the details you use to register as a student in TW.

**PS**Please ignore all the posts below, since they relate to last year's TW class**

2/21 TW tutorials, please go ILC 275

2007-02-21T08:20:00.001+09:00

Dear TWers,

Today's tutorials will be in my office as usual, ILC 275, not H-157 as I mentioned on Monday. I am sorry to cause any confusion.

Best,

Owen.

TW: Final tutorial session Wednesday February 21

2007-02-19T16:42:00.001+09:00

Dear Class,

As we organised in class today, Wednesday's lesson will now be an extra tutorial session. Please visit the Homepage and sign up as usual on the Tutorials Calendar.

Looking forward to seeing you then, Owen.

TW weekly message 2/18

2007-02-18T09:47:00.001+09:00

Dear Theme Writers,

Welcome to the final week of TW.

This message is mostly to confirm with you that the Syllabus calls for you to come to class tomorrow. It also calls for attendance on Wednesday, but depending on class discussion tomorrow, it is possible that Wednesday could be used for tutorials instead.

For class tomorrow, you need to print and bring an up-to-date version of your Works Cited.

Looking forward to seeing you then,

Owen.

TW Weekly Message: Final Draft is due 22/1, MUST be submitted on that date.

2007-02-13T14:21:00.001+09:00

Dear Theme Writers,

Homework due Wednesday 21, February
Main Assignment - Final Draft 50%
Post the final draft of your research essay to your blog. From the Syllabus: 1500-2000 words, MLA style. Use 8+ sources (mix articles, books, WWW), the majority must be English sources. Use subheadings for each section. Final paper requires Header, Outline, Student Information, Title, Final Draft, and Works Cited. Please see the sample paper: Sample research paper (PDF). Click "Download", then "open" or save a copy.

**Please note: The due date for the Main Assignment is Wednesday, 21 February. Your paper MUST be submitted on this date. The Syllabus allows for submission of minor assignments up to one week after the due date, but this rule does NOT apply to the Main Assignment.

Tutorials
It would be most wise to take a tutorial on your Full-length Draft, before or after you submit it as a minor assignment, so tutorials should be very busy this week. It would be taking an unnecessary risk to submit a Final Draft that has not been reviewed at a tutorial at the stage of the Full-length Draft.

Record of Submitted Assignments
Your record of submitted assignments was updated most recently Sunday, February 11. You should check this carefully. If you suspect an error in your record, you must check your blog, then the Syllabus requirements for the assignment, and the due date. Then, please contact me with the details of your problem. I promise to review your case carefully, and I will get back to you as soon as I can.

Minor Assignment 8
Full-length Draft (1500) + attached peer review checklist

If you have not submitted your Full-length Draft yet and need to review the details, you must always check the Syllabus first and the same details are repeated in the weekly homework message. The Syllabus does allow you to submit minor assignments up to one (1) week late, so this means that you must finish your Full-length Draft by this Friday, February 16.

Firstly, complete and post your Full-length Draft to your TW blog. Please use the title 'Minor Assignment 8: Full-length Draft.' Secondly, use the peer review checklist to review your partner's essay. STEP ONE: Print a copy of the checklist. Check each question on the peer review checklist by circling "Yes" or "No" on the paper copy. STEP TWO: Make a digital copy of the checklist. Click peer review checklist . Select the whole text on the screen (click & drag your cursor) and copy the text (go to the Edit menu on your browser, click Copy). STEP THREE: Communicate your feedback. Go to your partners blog and scroll down to the bottom of their full-length draft. Click the Comment button (it looks like 0 comments OR 0 コメント ). Paste the peer review checklist into the Comments box (Edit menu, click Paste). Record your feedback by removing "Yes" or "No" next to each question in the peer review checklist. When you have finished, click the button "Publish Your Comment."

If you are not in contact with your peer-review partner, you can contact them by leaving a comment on their blog. Or, by sending them an email from the TW Homepage: Click Discuss Theme Writing, click + new post , write your message, and click Post Message. (Your message will be sent to everyone in class, but that is OK.)

Be sure to contact me if you have any questions.

Have a great week,

Owen.

TW homework due Friday 9 February

2007-02-06T14:43:00.001+09:00

Dear Theme Writers,

Homework due Friday 9, February
Minor Assignment 8 - Full-length Draft (1500) + attached peer review checklist

Firstly, complete and post your Full-length Draft to your TW blog. Please use the title 'Minor Assignment 8: Full-length Draft.' Secondly, use the peer review checklist to review your partner's essay. STEP ONE: Print a copy of the checklist. Check each question on the peer review checklist by circling "Yes" or "No" on the paper copy. STEP TWO: Make a digital copy of the checklist. Click peer review checklist. Select the whole text on the screen (click & drag your cursor) and copy the text (go to the Edit menu on your browser, click Copy). STEP THREE: Communicate your feedback. Go to your partners blog and scroll down to the bottom of their full-length draft. Click the Comment button (it looks like 0 comments OR 0 コメント ). Paste the peer review checklist into the Comments box (Edit menu, click Paste). Record your feedback by removing "Yes" or "No" next to each question in the peer review checklist. When you have finished, click the button "Publish Your Comment."

If you are not in contact with your peer-review partner, you can contact them by leaving a comment on their blog. Or, by sending them an email from the TW Homepage: Click Discuss Theme Writing, click + new post, write your message, and click Post Message. (Your message will be sent to everyone in class, but that is OK.)

Works Cited
Minor Assignment 7 - Works Cited: If you have submitted already, thank you and well done. The due date as you know was Friday 2/2 and so far Emi A, Emi E, Nami, Sho, & Takashi have submitted. If you have not submitted yet and need to review the details, you must always check the Syllabus first and the same details are repeated in the weekly homework message. The Syllabus does allow you to submit assignments up to one (1) week late, so this means that you must finish your Works Cited by this Friday, February 9.

Tutorials
Last week Nami, Yusuke (2X), Sho, Momoko (2x), Rie, Takahiko, and Emi Y took a tutorial. It would be most wise to take a tutorial on your Full-length Draft, before or after you submit it as a minor assignment, so upcoming tutorials should be very busy.

Be sure to contact me if you have any questions. I am sorry I am late posting this message this week, it has turned out to be fairly long and taken more time than I expected.

Have a great week,

Owen.

Homework due Friday 2 February

2007-01-29T17:47:00.001+09:00

Dear Theme Writers,

Homework due Friday 2, February
Minor Assignment 7 - Works Cited*
Write and post the first draft of the Works Cited to your TW blog. This assignment is useful now because you also need to include an up-to-date version of your works cited in your final draft. Post your assignment to your blog, please use the title 'Minor Assignment 7: Works Cited.'

To guide you in formatting and organizing your works cited, refer to the Syllabus:

1. SGW: The Works Cited Page pp. 61 - 64.
2. AWR: MLA list of works cited: MLA-4b; p. 348-367
3. Shared Research Collection:

Reference: Works Cited MLA Style - Pearson Education

Works Cited activity (PDF file)

Works Cited activity_answers (PDF file)

Revised Working Outline
Thank you and well done on Minor Assignment 6 - Revised Working Outline.* The due date as you know was Friday 1/26 and I received work from about half the class. If you have not completed your revised outline yet, the Syllabus does allow you to submit assignments up to one (1) week late. However, this means that you must finish your Revised Working Outline by this Friday, February 2.

Tutorials
Last week Rie, Emi Y, Yusuke, Marie, Koichi, Emi A, Satoru, & Nami took a tutorial. If you did not take a tutorial last week, I definitely recommend you take a tutorial as we move into the final four (4) weeks of semester, so tutorials should be even busier than last week.

Be sure to contact me if you have any questions.

Have a great week,

Owen.

Homework due Friday 26 January

2007-01-21T17:28:00.001+09:00

Dear Theme Writers,

First Draft
Thank you and well done on the 750+ first drafts submitted so far. The due date as you know was 1/19 and I received seven (7) out of thirteen (13). If you have not completed 750+ words yet, it is not a problem, the Syllabus allows you to submit assignments up to one (1) week late. This means that you have until this Friday, January 26 to finish your first 750+ words.

Tutorials
Last week Rie, Satoru, Koichi, Sho, and Yusuke took a tutorial. If you did not take a tutorial last week, I definitely recommend you take a tutorial on your First Draft, so tutorials this week should be busier than last week. I would also like to clarify with you that tutorials are the main way to receive feedback in Theme Writing. I do visit your blogs regularly and as your paper begins to develop over the next few weeks I will leave comments on your blog as often as my time permits. However, my written comments on your blog are in addition to tutorials, they are not a replacement for tutorials. Therefore, you must always use tutorials as the main forum to discuss your ideas and your writing. In other words, please do not ask me to check you blog unless you also book a tutorial to then discuss your writing.

Homework due Friday 26, January
Minor Assignment 6 - Revised Working Outline*
Review the sample Working Outline and the included instructions. For extra support you may wish to review SGW: 4.5.4 The Title, Thesis Statement pp. 31-32, and 7.7 Your Outline.`As you research and write about your topic, your thinking deepens and your ideas change. Therefore, taking an effective approach to writing requires you to regularly update your Working Outline to reflect your current thinking and ideas. This assignment is also useful because you need to include a n up-to-date version of your outline in your Final Draft. Revise and post your assignment to your blog, please use the title 'Minor Assignment 6: Revised Working Outline.'

Be sure to contact me if you have any questions.

Have a great week,

Owen.

Homework due Friday January 19

2007-01-14T17:29:00.000+09:00

Just a quick reminder about homework due Friday:

Minor Assignment 5
First Draft (750) - Introduction, Body, & Conclusion + attached peer review checklist

From the Syllabus you may need to/want to review:

SGW: 7.8 Writing an Introduction to Your Paper, 7.9 Your First Draft, 7.10 Writing a Conclusion for Your Paper

AWR: Citing sources MLA-1a through MLA-3c; p. 331-340. Sample MLA research paper p. 371 (does not include the outline required in your final draft)

Online: See the Sample Essay as a basic guide & the Sample Research Paper for more detail (click Download button, then click "Open" to view or "Save" to download. This is a PDF file and opens in Adobe Reader on ICU computers. Reader is free to install on your home computer).

Tutorials January 15-19

2007-01-14T17:27:00.000+09:00

At this stage, with the First Draft (750) of your essay due on Friday, tutorials should be busy, busy, busy!

1/7/ 2007 updated Record of Submitted Assignments

2007-01-07T11:36:00.000+09:00

Homework due Friday 15 & Monday 18 December

2006-12-12T15:26:00.000+09:00

Due Friday:

1. Minor Assignment 3
Post your Research Proposal to your blog. See Syllabus for details.

2. Tutorial Calendar. (I sent your invitation to your ICU email at 16:15 on Thursday)
Check your ICU email for an invitation from Owen. Simply click the link in the email to accept the invitation. You can now access the Tutorial Calendar. You will book your tutorials only via the Calendar.

Due Monday:

3. Minor Assignment 4
Post your Working Title, Thesis Statement, & Working Outline to your blog. These three items are combined together into one post. See Syllabus for details.

4. Tutorial Sessions 1
Book a tutorial on the Tutorial Calendar for Friday 12/22, Wednesday 1/10, or Friday 1/12.
--------
Timeliness of Assignments
The Syllabus calls for submission of assignments no later than one week of the due date. Assignments that are more than a week late will be responded to, but will not count towards your grade. Therefore, Assignments 1 & 2 close for assessment on Monday, so if you have not done this work, you must catch on this work now if you want it to be added to your grade.

Homework due Wednesday, December 13

2006-12-12T14:34:00.000+09:00

1. Minor Assignments 1 & 2
Post to your blog -
a. Scratch Outline
b. Working Bibliography

2. Theme Writing on the Web
Send these details to Owen in an email message:
1. ICU email (required)
2. Preferred email (optional)
3. Keitai email (optional)
4. Blog address (required)
5. Delicious username (required)
6. Photo attached

3. Minor Assignment 3
Research Proposal. See Syllabus for details.

Syllabus

2006-12-10T12:36:00.000+09:00

Photo credit: Creativa

Theme Writing Syllabus Winter 2006

Record of Submitted Assignments

2006-12-10T10:42:00.000+09:00