Class Discussion,
Main Room
Date 2/2/98
Start log: Monday, February 2, 1998
3:22:13 pm Virtual Park Hall time --
JasonOg says, "group two is nothing but a bunch of queers"
KurtDa says, "I think that was uncalled for Jason."
AndrewGo says, "Yeah"
FrankBl says, "you only wish ya'll had the goodds to rock the house"
JasonOg says, "you started it"
KurtDa says, "your just a group two wannabe"
AndrewGo says, "You are one too"
KurtDa says, "not you Andrew, Jason"
JasonOg says, "why don't we just pick on group one"
AndrewGo says, "Okay"
KurtDa says, "ok"
FrankBl says, "lets go "
JenniferCa has arrived.
AndrewGo says, "Group one sux"
Mr.Cole says, "AHEM!"
JasonOg says, "group one is for LOSERS!"
FrankBl says, "who is in group one"
KurtDa says, "hi Mr. Cole"
AndrewGo says, "I mean, group one is full of beaytiful people"
JenniferCa says, "hey everyone"
NickSm says, "there just ain't enough luv in the room"
AndrewGo says, "Right, Mr. Cole?"
KurtDa says, "Jennifer, what group are you in?"
FrankBl says, "I agree"
JenniferCa says, "three"
Mr.Cole says, "Hi, Kurt. Getting territorial these days, huh? It's a good thing we'll be breaking up your tribal affiliations soon."
KurtDa says, "who needs love when you got the MOO"
FrankBl says, "what did you expect"
JasonOg says, "NOOOO"
JasonOg has a hissy fit
JoeSa has arrived.
KurtDa says, "can we chose groups this time, like with captians and stuff"
MiMa has arrived.
KurtDa says, "captains"
JasonOg laughs at Kurt's stupidity
Mr.Cole says, "Did everyone get their papers back alright?"
KurtDa says, "say something new Jason"
JasonOg says, "Mockery is the funnest"
MiMa says, "yessir"
JoeSa says, "I got mine back, but it wasnt alright"
Mr.Cole says, "And has anyone successfully downloaded a copy?"
KurtDa says, "Yea, I think the e-mail screwed up because my grade was lower then I thought it should have been"
FrankBl says, "I went to post my follow ups and only one ended up showing up on the web board"
AndrewGo says, "My mom is going to call you"
JasonOg says, "no"
AndrewGo says, "Just Kidding"
KurtDa says, "MOMMY!!!!!"
AndrewGo says, "My dad"
KurtDa says, "MOOOOO!!!"
JasonOg says, "i'm going to jump out my window"
JoeSa says, "downloaded where, Mr. Cole?"
KurtDa says, "I would, but my window is on the first floor, I wouldn't go very far"
Mr.Cole says, "Downloaded to your own machine (as opposed to your email account), somewhere you can read it easily."
JasonOg says, "i'm actually happy with my grade"
WendyFr has arrived.
KurtDa says, "hi Wendy"
JasonOg says, "hi wendy"
FrankBl says, "Mr Cole I went to post my follow ups and only one ended up showing up on the web board"
JoeSa says, "Oh OK"
WendyFr says, "Hello"
WendyFr says, "What's going on?"
JoeSa says, "Hey Wendy"
KurtDa says, "no no no, you're supposed to say 'hello Kurt' "
WendyFr says, "Hey Joe"
JasonOg says, "Wendy, are you taking Anthropology"
WendyFr says, "Hello KURT"
Mr.Cole says, "Frank, I see several responses by you on the WB. I think you forgot to reload.""
WendyFr says, "NO, Jason"
WendyFr says, "why?"
FrankBl says, "I do not understand"
JasonOg says, "sorry, thought you were in my class"
WendyFr says, "I did too, Mr.Cole"
Mr.Cole says, "Everyone listen because I've gotten panicked messages about this a number of times."
WendyFr says, "No :)"
JasonOg says, "yes sir"
AndrewGo says, "@who"
Mr.Cole says, "After you post to the web board, you will usually need to "reload" the main WB page in order to see your postings on it. Netscape has a "reload" button. I'm not sure how other browsers do it, but they all should have a reload com
mand somewhere."
KurtDa says, "everyone, type 'look WendyFr'"
WendyFr says, "What?????"
ShannonMc has arrived.
WendyFr says, "What are you doing, Kurt?"
KurtDa says, "haha"
AndrewGo laughs.
KurtDa says, "uh.......nothing"
JasonOg laughs
KurtDa laughs.
WendyFr says, "WHAT?"
WendyFr cries.
AndrewGo keeps laughing
WendyFr cries.
JasonOg grabs his stomach
KurtDa says, "oh stop your pouting and grow up"
WendyFr says, "y'all are mean"
JenniferCa says, "i guess i just dont find the humor"
Mr.Cole says, "The technical explanation is kind of complicated, so I'll forego giving it. Suffice it to say that the main page changes every time you post, so you need to get a "fresh" copy of it to see the changes. this is really tru of any p
age that changes frequently (like our home page)."
Mr.Cole says, "Did you all get that?"
JasonOg says, "how do we do this"
KurtDa hugs Wendy and says 'I'm sorry'
WendyFr smiles.
JoeSa says, "yes sir"
MiMa says, "yes!"
WendyFr says, "I think so"
KurtDa says, "There is your luv Frank and Nick"
FrankBl has disconnected.
ScottFr has arrived.
FrankBl has connected.
KurtDa says, "what up Scott"
FrankBl says, "What did I miss"
ScottFr say, "not much, hows it going"
MaggieCa has arrived.
AnandVy has arrived.
JoeSa says, "hey partners"
MaggieCa says, "hello everyone. Sorry I'm late"
ScottFr say, "we weren't supposed to get online Friday were we?"
KurtDa says, "pretty good, before class I was explaining the dominance of group two to group three, and then we ganged up on group one. It was fun."
Mr.Cole says, "OK, then. I'm going to send you off to your groups. Today will be alittle unstructured, but I want you to talk about your papers. I'll leave the precise assignment up to you. You can talk about the intros you wrote, problems you
are facing, arguments to make, whatever."
ScottFr say, "sweet"
WendyFr says, "Hey y'all"
ShannonMc leaves for the Three.
WendyFr leaves for the One.
AndrewGo says, "YEAH, baby "
MaggieCa leaves for the One.
NickSm leaves for the Two.
JoeSa says, "To the one"
JulieOw leaves for the Two.
MiMa goes out.
JoeSa leaves for the One.
JenniferCa leaves for the Three.
FrankBl leaves for the Three.
MiMa has arrived.
MiMa leaves for the One.
JasonOg leaves for the Three.
AnandVy says, "We were supposed to write another paper."
ScottFr say, "Mr. Cole, about Friday were we supposed to be here?"
KurtDa leaves for the Two.
AnandVy says, "?"
GeraldLa leaves for the Three.
Mr.Cole says, "Friday was a web board day, as usual."
ScottFr say, "cool, just making sure"
AnandVy leaves for the One.
ScottFr leaves for the Two.
AndrewGo leaves for the Two.
Mr.Cole says, "Hey, Andy. What's up?"
AnandVy has arrived.
AnandVy leaves for the One.
MaggieCa has arrived.
Mr.Cole says, "What's up?"
MaggieCa has disconnected.
Mr.Cole [to write]: in an organized way.
Mr.Cole [to write]: in an organized way.
MaggieCa has connected.
A small swarm of 3x5 index cards arrives, engulfs Mr.Cole, and carries him away.
A small swarm of 3x5 index cards blows in and disperses, revealing Mr.Cole.
A small swarm of 3x5 index cards arrives, engulfs Mr.Cole, and carries him away.
A small swarm of 3x5 index cards blows in and disperses, revealing Mr.Cole.
A small swarm of 3x5 index cards arrives, engulfs Mr.Cole, and carries him away.
A small swarm of 3x5 index cards blows in and disperses, revealing Mr.Cole.
MaggieCa leaves for the One.
A small swarm of 3x5 index cards arrives, engulfs Mr.Cole, and carries him away.
A small swarm of 3x5 index cards blows in and disperses, revealing Mr.Cole.
A small swarm of 3x5 index cards arrives, engulfs Mr.Cole, and carries him away.
A small swarm of 3x5 index cards blows in and disperses, revealing Mr.Cole.
A small swarm of 3x5 index cards arrives, engulfs Mr.Cole, and carries him away.
A small swarm of 3x5 index cards blows in and disperses, revealing Mr.Cole.
A small swarm of 3x5 index cards arrives, engulfs Mr.Cole, and carries him away.
A small swarm of 3x5 index cards blows in and disperses, revealing Mr.Cole.
A small swarm of 3x5 index cards arrives, engulfs Mr.Cole, and carries him away.
A small swarm of 3x5 index cards blows in and disperses, revealing Mr.Cole.
A small swarm of 3x5 index cards arrives, engulfs Mr.Cole, and carries him away.
A small swarm of 3x5 index cards blows in and disperses, revealing Mr.Cole.
A small swarm of 3x5 index cards arrives, engulfs Mr.Cole, and carries him away.
A small swarm of 3x5 index cards blows in and disperses, revealing Mr.Cole.
A small swarm of 3x5 index cards arrives, engulfs Mr.Cole, and carries him away.
A small swarm of 3x5 index cards blows in and disperses, revealing Mr.Cole.
A small swarm of 3x5 index cards arrives, engulfs Mr.Cole, and carries him away.
A small swarm of 3x5 index cards blows in and disperses, revealing Mr.Cole.
A small swarm of 3x5 index cards arrives, engulfs Mr.Cole, and carries him away.
A small swarm of 3x5 index cards blows in and disperses, revealing Mr.Cole.
Mr.Cole says, "OK, folks. Wrap it up. I want to talk to you for the last few minutes"
GeraldLa has arrived.
MaggieCa has arrived.
KurtDa has arrived.
ScottFr has arrived.
WendyFr has arrived.
AnandVy has arrived.
JasonOg has arrived.
JulieOw has arrived.
JenniferCa has arrived.
ShannonMc has arrived.
AndrewGo has arrived.
KurtDa says, "I don't know what you're talking about Wendy"
FrankBl has arrived.
WendyFr says, "that"
KurtDa says, "what"
WendyFr says, "That's not funny. Y'all are mean."
NickSm has arrived.
WendyFr says, "I messed up"
WendyFr cries.
AnandVy says, "Yeah I'll try to figure out the WB"
JoeSa has arrived.
KurtDa says, "What are you talking about!!!"
WendyFr says, "nothing"
MiMa has arrived.
ScottFr cries with her for no apparent reason
KurtDa laughs at her for no apparent reason
Mr.Cole says, "Attention, folks. I have a slide presentation about organization & structure, probably the biggest single proble in the first set of papers. If you have questions, speak up"
FrankBl says, "Shannon and Jenny where are you"
JulieOw says, "Julie thumps Kurt for no apparent reason"
ShannonMc says, "I am out here Frank"
ScottFr say, "shoot"
JenniferCa says, "right here"
Mr.Cole shows slide #1.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
STRUCTURE and ORGANIZATION
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Mr.Cole shows slide #2.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
I. THESIS
A clear thesis is probably the single most important element in any
paper's organization.
Your thesis is, in essence, your point, the thing you are trying to prove.
Without a clear sense (for yourself) of your thesis, it is very difficult
to write in an organized way.
A thesis should be saying something _persuasive_. It should be trying to
change the way the reader views or thinks about your chosen topic. Whether
you write about politics, literature, or sports, in an argumentative paper,
you are implicitly trying to change people's minds.
The thesis is frequently expressed in a single sentence, often the final
one of the introduction. This is not a hard and fast rule, however. A
thesis may be expressed over several sentences. It may never be stated at all,
only implied. (I do not suggest the last tactic unless you are very confident
in yoour writing).
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Mr.Cole says, "Questions?"
JoeSa says, "I think we all need to "
KurtDa says, "yes,"
ScottFr say, "I usually say it first is that bad?"
JoeSa says, "woops"
WendyFr says, "I don't think so"
MiMa says, "nope"
JoeSa says, "no sir"
FrankBl says, "none"
MaggieCa says, "no sir"
ShannonMc says, "none here"
KurtDa says, "Can you show the slides in smaller pieces and a little slower"
JulieOw says, "nope"
AnandVy says, "No"
Mr.Cole says, "First _can_ work (almost anything _can_ work), but it is more traditional to lead up to the statement of your thesis with more general things."
JoeSa says, "I'm about to get cut-off..."
Mr.Cole says, "Sorry, shannon, the slides come in one block."
ShannonMc says, "that's ok"
AndrewGo says, "Sorry"
Mr.Cole shows slide #2.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
I. THESIS
A clear thesis is probably the single most important element in any
paper's organization.
Your thesis is, in essence, your point, the thing you are trying to prove.
Without a clear sense (for yourself) of your thesis, it is very difficult
to write in an organized way.
A thesis should be saying something _persuasive_. It should be trying to
change the way the reader views or thinks about your chosen topic. Whether
you write about politics, literature, or sports, in an argumentative paper,
you are implicitly trying to change people's minds.
The thesis is frequently expressed in a single sentence, often the final
one of the introduction. This is not a hard and fast rule, however. A
thesis may be expressed over several sentences. It may never be stated at all,
only implied. (I do not suggest the last tactic unless you are very confident
in yoour writing).
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
ScottFr say, "shannon, just scroll back up"
Mr.Cole shows slide #3.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
THESIS, cont.
A vague thesis can be as bad as no thesis at all. I often see theses
that look like this:
"Goodman and Neusner have many similarities, but also many
differences."
This thesis does not tell the reader anything. It is not trying to
persuade anyone. A better thesis might be:
"Despite their apparent differences, Goodman and neusner are both trying
to accomplish the same thing: to motivate students to do their best."
Another common error is the kitchen-sink thesis:
"Gun control is wrong because it doesn't stop crime, it deprives
us of our freedom, and it would punish hunters."
This thesis is clear as to what the main point is ("Gun control is wrong")
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
ScottFr say, "or he can just show it again"
ShannonMc says, "I got it all"
AnandVy says, "But why is it wrong?"
JasonOg says, "what is wront with the kitchen-sink thesis"
Mr.Cole says, "Oops, some of that one got cut off. The point was that the three elements of that thesis don't seem related to each other in any way."
AnandVy says, "Exactly"
JasonOg says, "but they all represent why gun control is wrong"
Mr.Cole says, "A better version of that last one might be "Though no one approves of violence, gun control advocates ignore the many disadvantages of control for the minimal benefits it provides.""
Mr.Cole says, "OK?"
AnandVy says, "Yes."
MaggieCa says, "OK"
Mr.Cole shows slide #4.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
II. PARAGRAPHS
The purpose of your body paragraphs is to prove your thesis. A well-formed
thesis should help you define the structure and content of the body of the
paper.
A paragraph should be _unified_. It should contain a single main idea
which somehow advances the thesis.
A paragraph should also be _developed_. It should _fully_ explain and support
its point. This includes having good textual or factual support for any
assertions it makes.
These two points go hand-in-hand. It is hard to develop a disunified paragraph
because it has too much going on in it. That ius where you most often find
people making unsupported generalizations.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
MiMa says, "ok"
JoeSa says, "does anyone in group onewant to meet together to get a good thesis ?"
KurtDa says, "its time guys"
ShannonMc says, "frank, you watching?????"
MiMa says, "joe, want to get together tonite and talk about the papers?"
ShannonMc says, "is it time to go?"
ShannonMc says, "hey jenny"
JoeSa says, "I'll call you I guess"
FrankBl says, "oh my "
JenniferCa says, "yeah"
Mr.Cole says, "Yeah, sorry. I will continue the slide show tomorrow. Check the home page for revised assignment dates."
GeraldLa has disconnected.
JulieOw has disconnected.
KurtDa says, "ok, see ya"
ShannonMc says, "Once I write my paper, if it's not too late, would you mind reading it?"
MaggieCa says, "Why don't we meet here"
ScottFr goes out.
WendyFr says, "bye"
AndrewGo has disconnected.
JenniferCa says, "thats cool"
MiMa says, "can we?"
FrankBl says, "see ya'll"
ShannonMc says, "what room are you in?"
MaggieCa says, "yes"
FrankBl has disconnected.
JasonOg goes out.
JoeSa says, "state a time,partners"
KurtDa has disconnected.
MiMa says, "ok, what time?"
WendyFr goes out.
MaggieCa says, "8:30"
ShannonMc says, "I got your number, I'll call you"
JenniferCa says, "316, but i have another class at 5:35"
AnandVy says, "Cool. See you guys."
Mr.Cole says, "I would happy to look at a draft, Shannon, but I won't do your revisions for you. Come to me with specific questions and I will try to help."
JoeSa says, "OK sounds good"
ShannonMc says, "my number is 1920, call me later"
MaggieCa says, "see y'all"
MiMa says, "alright, Bye!"
MaggieCa goes out.
JoeSa says, "bye"
JenniferCa says, "ok"
ShannonMc says, "bye!"
JoeSa has disconnected.
MiMa goes out.
JenniferCa says, "later"
Mr.Cole says, "Um, who still needs to talk to me?"
ShannonMc has disconnected.
NickSm says, "moi"
JenniferCa has disconnected.
AnandVy says, "I'm having trouble with the WB."
Mr.Cole says, "Anyone else?"
Mr.Cole says, "OK, Nick, wait in my office. I'll be there in a second"
Mr.Cole says, "Anand, let me do one thing and then I'll try to help."
End log: Monday, February 2, 1998 4:18:35 pm Virtual Park Hall time --