Journal Blog #6: What happens next?

You have worked to narrow your topic. By now you have done a bit of reading and research on the topic, and you have even drafted the introduction. This means that you (and your reader) should have sense of where this work is going.

For this piece, you will need 2-3 body paragraph ideas that help to explore your narrowed topic in some depth. Develop, develop, develop, and don't stop developing. Use sources and examples and quotations to help you to develop, so that your points are as strong and as believable and as helpful as they can be. This is really the key to good academic work.

In this journal blog, share for us, "what happens next." What are the body ideas you expect to use to follow from your well-narrowed thesis statement.

Remember to include your ID# in your post. Aj. M

Journal Blog #5: What is the situation?

This is the most crucial step in the writing process...  thinking of a topic. Like we spoke about in class last week, a topic needs to be specific and focused. Only then will it be meaningful. General and wide is at risk of meaningless. And not to mention: high quality topics get high quality scores.

When working to narrow down to a topic, you need to be thinking of a specific situation. There needs to be something that happened or a particular problem or phenomenon. You need to be able to describe it and introduce the situation to the reader. After that, you naturally move to one of the greatest questions we can ask: "... so, what?" If you can answer that question, then you have a topic.

In this journal blog, describe the "situation" that you're thinking to write about. Be as clear and as focused as you can be. I will give you my feedback on your plan, and yes, probably ask you, "so, what?" in order to find what high quality topics lay within the situation.

Remember to include your ID# in your post. Aj. M

Journal Blog #4: An introduction.

In class, we reviewed introductions about Aung San Suu Kyi, Dave Brubeck, and Barack Obama. Starting an essay is often the hardest thing to do. It is also the most crucial. From your first sentence, you are already taking your reader down a path, so from that moment on, there needs to be a clear direction and a logic to that journey. Every sentences is like a step along the way. If a sentence doesn't fit, it is like your reader stepping into a hole, and from there, it is difficult to get back out.

We are working to discuss Aung San Suu Kyi as a woman leader who is able to soften conflict and bring people together. On the blog, write your best attempt at an introduction: catch the reader's attention, provide the background and context, and lead us to the thesis statement.

Remember to include your ID# in your post. Aj. M

Journal Blog #3: A good topic.

Clearly there are good essay and there are bad essay. Some are interesting. Some are not. Sometimes the quality of the topic depends on the reader's interest. But then other times, a great writer has an ability to make a boring topic amazing.

One thing is for sure: as a writer, you need to care about what you're writing. If you don't care, one... it will be very hard to write, and two... your reader will know that you don't care. Neither is a good thing. As readers, we like to be inspired, and surprised, and informed. This is enjoyable to us.

So the question is, how do we develop, create, and find a good topic to write about? In your opinion, what are the ingredients of a great topic?

Share your ideas on the blog. Remember to include your ID# in your post. Aj. M

Journal Blog #2: Yoga

We have been reading about how yoga can wreck your body. By now, you should be noticing that this essay is quite carefully narrowed. It is a long essay, but the topic is very narrow and precise.

What makes the essay long is its development. We get example after example after example in very clear detail. And when the writer uses academic or biological language that we may not know, he makes sure to explain it to us: where the nerves are, how the arteries flow, why the vertebra flex in the way they do. While this is academic language, it is always supported with ideas that we can see, feel, and hear (pop, pop, pop), making this essay both informative academically, but also in a way, entertaining.

In this journal blog, describe one of the injuries talked about in Section 2 of the essay. Explain in your own words what the injury is, what harm it causes, and how it happened.

Remember to include your ID# in your post. Aj. M

Journal Blog #1: Academic writing is hard...

Writing academically is different from other kinds of writing. It requires a different set of vocabulary. It requires a special kind of tone and voice. It also requires attention to detail and support that makes you sound like an authority on the topic of which you write. Despite new media and new forms of communication, academic writing continues to be the medium of communication in the academic community... and guess what...  you have now joined that community at MUIC.

There are many reasons why you may find academic writing harder than other kinds. You may actually enjoy writing...  writing to a friend, writing poetry, writing creatively... some people find this relaxing, a hobby, or even fun. On the other hand, academic writing tends to instill fear in us because we may not know this kind of language yet.

In this first journal blog, explain what makes academic writing for you. Don't say grammar... because this is typical and everyone struggles with it... and I mean everyone. Think about other things about academic writing that you find particularly intimidating.

Remember to include your ID# in your post. I look forward to reading your thoughts. Aj. M

Journal Blog #7: What happens next?

We're almost there. Now comes the "easy" part: write the essay. You have worked hard to narrow a topic and from that, develop an introduction with a clear point, with a clear thesis statement. From here, the path forward should be clear.

This doesn't mean that it is an easy path, but the direction should at least be logical and reasonable. For the purposes of this final assignment, you should be thinking of 3 ideas that follow clearly from your thesis statement. They may be aspects of your topic. They may be reasons for your opinion. They may be examples of the phenomenon you stated. Make sure that all of the ideas directly relate back to the thesis statement.

In this journal blog, share the 3 ideas that you plan to use for your Body paragraphs. If necessary, explain how they relate to your thesis statement. Remember to include your ID# and Section # in your post. Aj. M

Journal Blog #6: What is your topic Situation?

In class, I presented a sample introduction that referred to Beyonce releasing her single through a Pepsi advertisement. This was one of the first times a major pop star did this, by combining art and business together in such an obvious way. This was a pretty creative marketing campaign for Pepsi that was trying to bring new inspiration into its brand.

I encourage you to consider a real situation to inspire your topic. This will help you to narrow and focus, and moreover... make your topic interesting. Work to avoid general topics about no person in particular, no place in particular, nothing in particular....  zzzzzz.

In this journal blog, explain to me the situation to which you're thinking about for your topic idea. Remember to include your ID# and Section # in your post. Aj. M

Journal Blog #5: What is your area of interest?

We're looking towards the end of the course. In these last 4 weeks, we are writing for a reader. We are narrowing down to an interesting and academic topic that we will research, support, and communicate. The narrowing process is the first, and really the most crucial step. It is this step where you work to understand a particular situation that comes from a particular subject that comes from a particular field or area.

Let's start making the first baby steps. We are all starting from the same place: Innovation and/or Inspiration. The next step is to identify a field or area of interest that you can link to the theme. It may be your major, or it may be another area that we have read about this term. There are no rules at this step. You can go wherever you want, but every step after this must follow from here.

In this journal blog, please explain your area of interest and why. Include your ID# and Section # in your post. Aj. M

Journal Blog #4: The perfect face.

We have thought about how to start an essay with an introduction. Starting is absolutely the hardest part because there is so much that we're trying to do in that paragraph: introduce the topic, provide background and context, state the point of the essay with a thesis statement, and hopefully, catch the reader's attention. This all has to happen with about ten sentences.

We look at the Mona Lisa, and regardless of whether or not you enjoy or appreciate art, there is something about her face that we cannot deny, nor can we quite understand. Artists for generations have studied this face and millions of people per year visit the Louvre museum in Paris, just to catch a glimpse of that cheeky smile.

Try your best introduction for the thesis statement: DaVinci's Mona Lisa has inspired all artists after about how to paint the perfect face.

The best introductions will be reviewed in class. Remember to include your ID# and Section # in your post. Aj. M

Journal Blog #3: In what area will the next most important innovation be in the next 20 years?

Up to now, we have been reading about where ideas come from and how problems inspire innovation. Now, we are going to start looking for our own inspirations for topic ideas that will motivate us to write.

In the last 20 years, I would have to say the innovation of the internet has really been the most important and world-changing technology. It is hard to imagine a world without it now, and what it has done for all areas of life: for business, for society, for politics, for entertainment... the list goes on. There have been other innovations as well, like in  health care and in transportation, but the internet and the wide access it gives has really expanded the opportunities for all of these other fields.

Let's now look forward. What can we expect or predict for the next 20 years? The world is facing global warming, and it seems to be worse than we originally thought. There are constant wars and conflicts in the Middle East and elsewhere. Ebola is breaking out in West Africa and could spread to other places. Cities around the world are over-crowded, and the gap between rich and poor is widening in every society.

From problems comes innovation. In this journal blog, I want you to think about from what area or field will the next big innovation come? Will it be an innovation in health care? In economics? In technology? Another? Make your own prediction and explain why.

Remember to include your Section # and ID # in your post. Aj. M

Journal Blog #2: Synthesize and Summarize

We have been analyzing the construction of Gladwell's essay, In the Air. He tells 3 stories in detail about different kinds of people who we would consider geniuses, experts, inventors, and innovators. The phenomenon that he introduces us is that of multiples: the idea that innovation is in some way inevitable. It is a kind of evolution where whoever is in the right place at the right time with the right frame of mind will be the one who takes the next step and invents or discovers the next big thing.

The difficulty in summarizing is that it demands that you knit together a lot of ideas into a neatly packaged paragraph. In Gladwell's essay, we have 3 stories that are all examples of multiples. Your task is to synthesize the main ideas of each story into one summary paragraph about multiples. Develop your sentences carefully and work to explain to a reader what this essay is about in not more than 10 sentences. (Less is better).

Post your summaries on the blog and the best will be reviewed in class. Remember to include your ID# and Section # in your post. Aj. M

Journal Blog #1: Where do ideas come from?

Unlike other limited resources like trees or oil or minerals, ideas are plentiful and sustainable and seemingly unlimited. To all of our world's problems, we look for inspiration and innovation to save us, whether it is by thinking of a new technology, creating a new strategy, or trying new methods of doing things in our daily lives.

At the same time, we know where the trees are. We know where to get the oil and how to find the minerals...  but ideas...  good ideas... they are a little more mysterious. How do they happen? Sometimes they just pop into our head in the middle of the night. Maybe they emerge from a conversation with a friend or in a class discussion. Sometimes they just happen.

In this journal blog, please share your experience. Where does inspiration come from? How do ideas happen? Remember to include your ID# and Section# in your post. I look forward to reading your thoughts.
Aj. M

Journal Blog #4: What happens next?

We are on our way. You have worked through the narrowing process and you have attempted a draft at an introduction. By now, your thesis statement should be fairly clear, so the reader should know where we are going...  right?

It is actually quite difficult to keep our point. Any of us knows the the feeling after we've been talking for a while to then think aloud...  "what was I saying again?" This is the challenge of academic work. It is to state your point and never lose it. To dig deep into it and keep going without getting distracted by other ideas that may seem related, but nevertheless are not doing anything to further undersand the task at hand.

What happens next? Describe the 3 or 4 supporting ideas for your thesis statement, and explain the order in which you plan to present them. We are nearing the end of the term, so lets get this planning done now while we still have time to be thoughtful.

Include your ID# in your post. Aj. M

Journal Blog #3: What is your area of interest?

Things move very quickly in these short summer sessions. Developing a topic is the first and most important part of the process. It is not only important to know your topic, but also to know where your topic comes from. What is behind your topic? Of what situation are you writing about? Of what subject does this topic belong?

The first thing you have to figure out is your area of interest. For ERS, this is wide open; however, I recommend that you consider your major as  your area of interest. This can be a good starting point from which we can start to narrow to a particular subject to a particular situation to a particular topic.

In this journal blog, tell me what your area of interest is and explain why? Are there possible ideas in this area that motivate you or catch your curiosity? Let me help you work this out.

Include your ID# in your post. Aj. M

Journal Blog #2: How can leaders inspire people in both good and bad ways?

We have been reading about some influential figures, namely Aung San Suu Kyi and Dave Brubeck. When we think of inspirational leaders, we usually think about those who have changed our world for the better... Those important figures that make us as individuals want to be better people.

However, leaders also have the influence to mislead and to misinform. We can find ourselves following the wrong leader down the wrong path. If not the wrong path, a strange path that gets us into one kind of trouble or another.

In this journal blog, I would like you to consider this question. Can you think of an example of a leader who has had great influence and many followers, but whose message may not be something we would admire. Why do so many people become inspired by these kinds of leaders?

Please include your ID# in your post. Aj. M

Journal Blog #1: Academic writing is hard because...

Welcome to this summer edition of ERS. In just 4 weeks, we will spend everyday together fine tuning our
writing skills to prepare you for your majors in MUIC and for your academic life overall. When we think of academic writing, it tends to be a serious subject. It is something that we approach with a high level of formality and focus. This is true and correct.

However, this should not be confused with boredom and void of creativity. The best academic writing is formal and focused and important...  and fun and interesting and inspiring. We often forget these latter parts. The ultimate objective is to inform and persuade our reading with well organized and thoughtful ideas, but hopefully along the way we as writer give them as reader an enjoyable and even memorable experience.

In this first journal blog for the summer term, share what you find the most difficult challenge is for you when you approach writing for an academic purpose.

Make sure that you include your ID# in your post. Aj. M

Journal Blog #7: What happens next?

We're almost there. You have brainstormed and narrowed. You have developed background and context. You now have a thesis statement... you now have a point of focus. So, what happens next?

The reader should have a clear idea about where you are going by now. Your introduction has directed them in a certain way... now take the reader that way. Don't change direction and confuse the reader. You need to follow up your thesis with logical, interesting, and well-developed ideas. The ideas should be arranged in a thoughtful order. Each idea should be equally developed.

This requires some careful and creative planning, because communicating in writing is different from any other medium. You only have one chance. You can't stop and say "oh... what I mean is..." No. The words on the page is what you mean.

In this journal blog, share what happens next in your essay. Remember to include your ID# and Section # in your post. Aj. M

Journal Blog #6: Narrow down to your topic.

We have been working to brainstorm topic ideas and to organize those ideas that we could communicate in an essay format. It is so important to not just get an idea, but it is maybe even more important to understand where that idea comes from. We have been narrowing from a theme to a sub-theme to a field to a subject to a situation and to a topic...  I want to see this in this journal blog, and please say a little bit about what you expect this essay to explain.

It is hard to say how important this process is, because before you know it, you will start to write only to realize that you don't know what you're writing about. Take the time and think with care about these steps.

Remember to include your ID# and Section # in your post. Aj. M

Journal Blog #5: What is your area of interest?

It is now time to start thinking of what you're going to do. I have been leading you up to now, exposing you to a variety of texts and ideas about leaders and leadership. We have seen how good and bad essays are organized, and you have given it a try already in your in-class essay.

Any essay has to start with an idea. The only rule for the last assignment is that whatever topic you do has to, in some way, relate to our theme of leadership. Start thinking about where you're going to go. Take the next step and consider your sub-theme. In this journal blog, tell me what your sub-theme is and why you want to go that way. Is it related to your major? Is it a general interest you already have? Do you have a personal connection or experience to this idea? Let me know what you're thinking, so I can help you to continue narrowing down to a particular idea.

Remember to include your Section # and ID# in your post. Aj. M