Journal – Composition II María Auxiliadora López Venegas
Week #2
The Mechanics of Style
Period, comma, semicolon, ellipsis, exclamation and question marks.
Semicolon
Comma Period
• • •
Used before a list or quote. Used to separate hours and minutes. Used to separate elements of a mathematical ratio.
•
• Used to separate phrases or items in a list. • Example She bought milk, eggs, and bread.
•
Separates two independent clauses in a compound sentence. Is also used to separate items in a series (where commas are already in use).
Reference: Punctuation Marks. Enchantedlearning.com. Retrieved from http://www.enchantedlearning.com/grammar/punctuation/
Ellipsis
• Indicates that part of the text has been intentionally been left out. • Example 0, 2, 4, ... , 100
Exclamation Marks
s k r a M n o i t a u t Punc
They are symbols that are used in sentences and phrases to make the meaning clearer.
• It is used to show excitement or emphasis. • Example It is cold!
io n t s e Qu rks Ma
• It is used at the end of a question. • Example When are we going?
How challengeable was this topic for me?
Since I started my Composition classes I had problems with punctuation, it was one of the easier topics for my classmates but not for me. However, I tried my best every class to reinforce my knowledge, practicing at home with videos and games in order to, understand how I could use correctly the punctuation marks. Now, I’m on Composition II, and I will give all the effort I got, I hope to improve my knowledge with punctuation marks so, as a result I become a better writer. The most practice I did, the most I improved my punctuation skills.
https:// www.youtube.com/watch?v=LdCO swMeXFQ
By this last week of the quarter, I feel myself much more prepared to write and use correctly the punctuation marks.
Week #3
The Mechanics of Style
Capitalization, Italics and Numbers
The Mechanics of Style
Capitalization, Italics and Numbers
Italics Capitalization
N U M B E R S
How challengeable was this topic for me?
This was not such a difficult topic for me. However, I confused occasionally when to use the capital letter so I found this video that helped me a lot, as well I practiced in order to have a better writing. Italics and numbers were easy for me, they do not have a lot of rules that can confuse the student. With this course I learned how to use correctly the capitalization which I never though was going to be an issue for me.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=knFoNtcF57A
Week #4
Different types of sentences
Simple, compound, complex, compound complex.
Different types of sentences Simple, compound, complex, compound complex. Simple Complex It is made up of an independent clause and one or more dependent clauses connected to it. A dependent clause is similar to an independent clause, or complete sentence, but it lacks one of the elements that would make it a complete sentence. Example: After they left on the bus, Mary and Samantha realized that Joe was waiting at the train station.
Has the most basic elements that make it a sentence: a subject, a verb, and a completed thought.
Example: Joe waited for the train. "Joe" = subject, "waited" = verb Compound Refers to a sentence made up of two independent clauses (or complete sentences) connected to one another with a coordinating conjunction. Example: Joe waited for the train, but the train was late.
Compound Complex • It contains 2 independent clauses. • Put a comma after the dependent clause if it begins the sentence. • Put a comma before the and, but, or that to connect the 2 independent clauses. Example: Charlie could not hear his watch because it had stopped, and he was worried.
Reference: Rambo, R. (2012). Sentences: Simple, Compound, and Complex . English Composition I. Retrieved from http://www2.ivcc.edu/rambo/eng1001/sentences.htm
How challengeable was this topic for me? This topic is not difficult but it is important to de careful with it. I always have trouble with sentences when I write my essays, they are too long or they are too short. This video helped me to start writing batter sentences in order my essays looked way much better.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hWmKnrtlTHU
Week #6
Writing a Thesis Statement
s i s e h T a g n i t i r W
t n e m e t a St
Pictures that help me to write a correct thesis statement.
http://www.wikihow.com/Write-a-Thesis-Statement
How challengeable was this topic for me?
This was one of the most difficult topics I faced, for me the composition is not what others think. Writing is not as simple as it sounds and I proved it when my teacher started teaching how to write a Thesis Statement. Actually, I thought that the only thing you needed to start writing was an introduction but in this class you se beyond a simple introduction. As this was a difficult topic for me I made a research and I founded some pictures, videos and websites that helped me to improved my thesis statement.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCzuAMVmIZ8
Week #7 Persuasive Essay
Persuasive Essay It is known as the argument essay, utilizes logic and reason to show that one idea is more legitimate than another idea. It attempts to persuade a reader to adopt a certain point of view or to take a particular action.
Steps to write a Persuasive Essay
1.Choose your position. Which side of the issue or problem are you going to write about, and what solution will you offer? Know the purpose of your essay. 2.Analyze your audience. Decide if your audience agrees with you, is neutral, or disagrees with your position. 3.Research your topic. A persuasive essay must provide specific and convincing evidence. Often it is necessary to go beyond your own knowledge and experience. You might need to go to the library or interview people who are experts on your topic. 4.Structure your essay. Figure out what evidence you will include and in what order you will present the evidence. Remember to consider your purpose, your audience, and you topic.
Reference: Persuasive essay. EssayInfo. Retrieved from http://
How challengeable was this topic for me? When I talk about any type of essays is almost like having a challenge in front of me. As I mentioned before, writing for me is really difficult. I found this article of 5 writing techniques and it is the one that have helped me the most to improve my persuasive essays. This particular kind of essays are the harder to write due to the fact you need to convince the reader as much as you can but, being respectful. http://www.time4writing.com/writing-resourc es/writing-resourcespersuasive-essay /
Week #9
Research VS. Term Papers
Research VS. Term Papers Assigned to demonstrate that they’ve gained the required knowledge and skills in a certain subject matter. Three to five thousand words. It is normally assigned at the end of a quarter or semester and generally counts toward the final grade.
-Topics can be chosen by students -Each paper must include journal articles, encyclopedias, text books, or other reputable sources. -Both contain central statements and ideas that require research in order to discuss, support and defend personal viewpoints.
Reseach Paper
Academic style of writing that requires the student to answer a significant, methodical, and theoretical level of questioning.
Up to five thousand words.
It can be assigned at any time during the course.
Term Paper Reference: Finding The Difference Between Research and Term Papers. ReadKaplan. Retrieved from http://
How challengeable was this topic for me? Both of them are difficult to understand. This is why I decided to create a Venn Diagram in order to know de differences and similarities between them. I share this photo with you because this if the perfect example of my classmates and I on Holy Week, writing our Research Paper. However, sacrifices always worth it.
Week #10 Crediting Sources
Thompson, S. (2011). How to credit Sources. Plagiarism Prevention for Students . Retrieved from https://
How challengeable was this topic for me? This is the more hard and risk topic ever. I never learned how to cite any source and for me it is hard suddenly citing for my essays or term and research papers. On one course a professor suggested me using this website: http://www.citethisforme.com/es and this site has been my best friend for any project where crediting sources is involved. However, I would love to learn how to cite sources by myself due to the fact is essential for my career of teaching.
Week #14 Peer Feedback
Peer Feedback
How challengeable was this topic for me?
For me this is a essential topic and one of the most interesting for me, peer editing is difficult due to the fact, you need to be careful with the feedback you give to your classmate. The times we made peer feedback was a big successful. I always implement new ideas into my classmates work and as well I accept the ideas they provide me. https:// blog.hubspot.com/marketing/peer-feedback-tips#sm.000 000az2uo826eb1pox6zs4exdsa
Week #15
Final Course Reflection
By this week I can say I learned a lot. I was scared last quarter because I was not a good writer on Composition II. However, in this course we made a summary of all the important and essential topics in Composition and this was such amazing for me. We spend 3 weeks reviewing punctuation and types of sentences but this weeks were definitely worth it. By week 4 we had to start writing an essay and I was really nervous, I had a bad past with the course Composition I so, I spend my vacations getting ready to write better in my Composition II course, my first grade of the course was a 9.4 from 10 and I couldn't be more happier and proud of myself. All the work done, the stress and tears were worth it because I could saw my progress. Right now is week 14 and we are about to finish our last project, the Research Paper but I’m positive about the work done this quarter. I need to admit I got upset a couple of times but that doesn’t matter because I learned a lot. I feel more prepared to keep writing and show my other professors I can do it, if I want it. This course was better than expected, actually I learned that sometimes when you fell down was because you were going to get up stronger.