Philosophical Journey: Rough Draft Workshop

Credit: Ms. Ingraham

You need:1.Typed, complete rough draft (with works cited)2.Green, pink and yellow highlighters3.Workshop handout and essay rubric

DirectionsSelf

• Go through your own draft, following the slides on the handout.

• Self-score on rubric when complete.

• Underline sections on rubric, do not just circle numbers.

• Underneath the point total, include comments on what needs to be revised in final draft. Switch papers with a classmate.

Partner

• Use the same procedures as above.

• Give a second score on your partner’s rubric, using a different color ink.

• Add your own comments on backside of rubric on what needs to be revised.

• Clearly write name on the bottom of rubric.

Formatting

• Times New Roman• 12 point font• Left alignment (NOT centered)• 1 inch margins• Last name, plus page number in upper right

*Start on second page

Header

1. Name2. Teacher Name3. Class, Period4. Date

1. Day, Month, Year

Clark SampleMs. VaerewyckEnglish 12, Period 38 May 2014

Thesis Statement

• 3 Green Words• Be clear and specific• Answer the prompt: After looking at a variety

of different philosophers and my own philosophy, what do I believe?

• Remember that this is ultimately a compare/contrast essay

Introduction

What should I talk about?– How you came to believe what you believe• Upbringing, literature you have read, religion, etc

– How your understanding of the world has changed over time (remember, philosophical journey)

– Eventually narrow down to your thesis statement

Labeling• Make a key at the top of the person’s paper using your

highlighters• Sample:– Green=Statement– Pink=Proof– Yellow=Commentary

• Label the topic sentence• Label the transition at the end• Highlight statement, proof, and commentary using

your key

Evaluate Your Claim• Does it clearly state your position on prompts 1-4? Repeat

for each prompt section. EVALUATE YOUR PROOF• Do you establish that your statement is indeed evident in

the reliable source material you used?• Do you have direct quotes from the original source(s)?EVALUATE YOUR COMMENTARY• Do you address the WHY of your statement? In addition to

what your sources indicated, what has led YOU specifically to accept this as truth? Include explanation, anecdotes, etc.

• Do you include a specific COMPARISON to your cited philosopher or thinker? OR

• Do you include a specific CONTRAST to your cited philosopher or thinker?

Evaluate Connections

• Draw a line between the first quote’s commentary and the claim. Evaluate if you have made this connection in your commentary.– If yes, draw a check mark next to the line– If no, draw and “x” on the line.

• Repeat with your second (and third, etc) quote• Only draw a check mark if the connection is clear

and explicit. I should not need to take a leap of faith to get where you are going.

Integration of Proof

• Look for your quotations• Is your quote sitting alone, not tied to the

sentences around it?– Example: Nietzsche said “God is dead.”

• If so, you need to “couch” it.– Example: Unlike Nietzsche who believed that

“God is dead,” I believe that God’s spirit is still at work in the world…

Conclusion

What should I talk about?– Always go forward in a conclusion• How you think exploring other beliefs has impacted

you• How you see your philosophy impact the way you live

your life in the future

Mechanics CheckThe moment you’ve all been waiting for! Check for:•Comma usage•Plural vs. Possessive (One Republic’s vs. One Republics)•Capitalization of proper nouns•Run-on sentences and sentence fragments•Spelling•Word choice that isn’t quite right•Anything else you seeEven if you aren’t sure, mark it. You know when something doesn’t look or sound quite right. You will double-check later

Language Register Check

• Are you staying in formal register? Look back at notes to check.

• Use a pen or a pencil to circle any register drops and write “register” next to these circled areas.

• You may use personal pronouns like “I,” “me,” and “my.”– Absolutely no “you” or “your” unless it is in one of the

quotes you are using.

Grade Breakdown

135-150 = A120-134 = B105-119 = C90-104 = D89 and under = F

10% (15 points) per day late

On Block Day:

• Final copy• This work shopped draft• Turnitin.com receipt.• Even if you are not here, it is due. You will need to

make arrangements to have it to me by the beginning of your class period.

• If you are missing your turnitin.com receipt, it is considered late, even if you have everything else with you.