1 june 15 agenda problem solution essays reading comprehensions essay 3 guidelines

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June 15 Agenda

Problem solution essays

Reading comprehensions

Essay 3 guidelines

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Warm-up

Maryland professors test open-source textbooks: 3, 648 students in intro-level psychology courses will have saved roughly half a million dollars by end of academic year (based on an estimated

traditional textbook cost of $120)

Open Textbook Library

http://open.umn.edu/opentextbooks/BookDetail.aspx?bookId=45

Similarly, College Open Textbooks http://www.collegeopentextbooks.org/

Also the University System of Maryland’s Open Source Textbooks initiative, and the state of Washington’s Open Course Libraries, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the California State University system

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Warm-up: Key vocab

open-source textbook

open-educational materials

copyrighted materials

alternative academic resources

legal issues

Readings on note-selling

College Textbook Prices Increasing Faster Than Tuition And Inflation

by Tyler Kingkade, The Huffington Post

Jan 4, 2013

New strategy would drop college textbook costs to zero

by Carrie Wells, The Baltimore Sun

March 22, 2014

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Vocab I

1. Textbook costs have well outpaced the 559 percent increase in tuition and fees over roughly the same period.

2. The nine-fold increase in textbook prices also dwarfs the increase in the cost of medical services.

3. Publishers often include supplemental materials such as CD-ROMs and access to websites, which drive up the price for textbooks.

4. Faculty members admitted revisions to textbooks are often minimal and not always warranted.

5. There is now growing evidence that rising college textbook prices and the “college textbook bubble” are also unsustainable

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Vocab II

1. The materials are licensed openly, so anyone with an Internet connection can access them.

2. Digital learning is transforming higher education.

3. The textbook industry is also working to offer cheaper alternatives to hardcover textbooks.

4. The open-source textbook concept has been embraced by student.

5. The bookstore contracts are not always lucrative.

6. the cost of printed textbooks outweighs their usefulness

7. Students can last the semester without having to buy the textbook, or outwit by trying to buy cheaper editions.

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Writing problem solution essays

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GenresExpository: explains or reports information that has been

learned. When we wish to discover the factual intricacies of the world, we seek out expository writing.

Argument: shares an opinion or makes an argument. When we are moved to take action, it is often because of a piece of persuasive writing.

Narrative: tells a story, truth or fiction, to entertain a reader.

Report: makes clear why the issue is the one that needs to be investigate & provides facts and details of the situation

Problem-solution:

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Perspectives1. Faculty/Professors: adopt reasonably priced textbooks; create intro

level textbooks free for students; course package

2. University administrators: incentives for faculty participation; tech and operational support

3. State & federal legislatures: joint efforts with universities and open-source textbook providers for open-educational repertoire

4. Bookstores: rental services ; cheaper alternatives to hardcover textbooks ; partnering with open-source textbook providers

5. Publishers: joint efforts with professors, universities, bookstores and legislatures for open-educational materials

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Evaluating the solutions

1. Faculty/Professors:

2. University administrators:

3. State & federal legislatures:

4. Publishers:

5. Bookstores:

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Comprehension Questions1. According to the American Enterprise Institute, what is the change of

college textbook prices than they are three decades ago? How is that compared to increase in tuition and fees?

2. How is the textbook profits distributed between publisher and bookstores? In which way does it create problems ?

3. According to the Government Accountability Office, what contribute to the increasing textbook prices? List at least two reasons?

4. University of Michigan economics professor Mark J. Perry noted that “just like the ongoing home price increases and housing bubble of the last decade were unsustainable, there is now growing evidence that rising college textbook prices and the “college textbook bubble” are also unsustainable.” What does he mean by “unsustainable?”

5. Many professors think introductory-level courses are well-suited for open-source textbooks, but not advanced courses. What do you think?

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Problem solution essay: Structures

 Simple structure

I.Intro

II.Identify and demonstrate the problem

III.The feasible solution(s)

IV.Answering possible objections

V.Recommendation

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Problem solution essay: Structures

Complex structure

I.Intro

II.Identify and demonstrate the problem

III.Evaluate the alternative solution: why it is not feasible (evidence)

IV.Evaluate the feasible solution

V.answering possible objections

VI.Recommendation

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Problem solution essay: The importance of evaluation

To evaluate the problem and the solution in order to persuade the audience

To state clear positive or negative judgments

To compare and contrast  

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Evaluating the alternative solutions

Feasibility: Will the solution actually solve the problem?

Logical consideration: cost-effectiveness? Practicality? Legality? Ethicality?

Consequences: short-term or long-term problems

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Pre-reading questions

Can you identify one problem concerning college textbook prices?

What do you think could be a solution?

What kind of evidence could illustrate your points?

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June 16 Agenda

Class presentation

Writing problem-solution essay

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June 18

Critical thinking and

critical writing revisited

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Good reader Good writer

Singers listen to vocalists

Tennis players watch championships

Actors evaluate award-winning performances

Medical students observe surgeons

…

Close reading helps to improve writing in terms of:

1) Ideas

2) Strategies to organize ideas

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How to become a critical reader?

When you read critically, you write critically.

A reading is an argument.

A reading is a response.

So you argue or respond because you bring to your reading your own perspective,

experience and personal values.

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How to become a critical reader?

Asking questions:

Why did the author begin the essay that way?Why use a personal story?

Does the essay need more evidence?What if the transition is replaced with another one?

Does the conclusion fall flat?

…The better you become at analyzing other’s work, the

better you will react to your own writing.

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Being a critical reader (strategies)

1) Making notes and outlines

2) Writing summaries

3) Looking for thesis

4) Looking for topic sentences

5) Checking organization pattern (e.g. comparison, cause-effect)

6) Checking logic and coherence

7) Checking evidence (e.g. sufficient, relevant )

8) Considering language (vocab & sentence patterns): persuasive or not

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From a critical reader to a critical writer

The better you become at analyzing other’s work, the better you will react to

your own writing.

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Problem solution essay: Identifying problems

1. Which local, national or international problems interest you?

2. What you know about it?

3. What you need to know about it?

Example

Problem: the lack of Halal food for Muslim students

Audience: the manager of the cafeteria

Attitudes: skeptical

Probable reactions: serious consideration

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Problem solution essay: Structures

 Simple structure

I.Intro

II.Identify and demonstrate the problem

III.The feasible solution(s)

IV.Answering possible objections

V.Recommendation

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Problem solution essay: Structures

Example:

The 30-minute appointment at the Writing Center is insufficient

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Problem solution essay: Structures

Complex structure

I.Intro

II.Identify and demonstrate the problem

III.Evaluate the alternative solution: why it is not feasible (evidence)

IV.Evaluate the feasible solution

V.answering possible objections

VI.Recommendation

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Problem solution essay: Structures

Example:

The 30-minute appointment at the Writing Center is insufficient

Longer time? Too many clients

Online tutoring? Face2face is more efficient

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Problem solution essay: The importance of evaluation

To evaluate the problem and the solution in order to persuade the audience

To state clear positive or negative judgments

To compare and contrast  

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Evaluating the alternative solutions

Feasibility: Will the solution actually solve the problem?

Logical consideration: cost-effectiveness? Practicality? Legality? Ethicality?

Consequences: short-term or long-term problems

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Writing alternative solutions: Exercise

Example: serving Halal food for Muslim students on campus

Alternative solutions: Cost?

Practicality?

Legal?

Ethic?

Short- and long term consequences?

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Essay guidelines: A Problem-solving Paper

For the essay assignment, you’re asked to write a problem-solving paper based on your understanding from the readings.

Structure

1.Describe the phenomenon of soaring textbook prices for college students.

2.How you or your friends feel about the textbook prices for college students. Are they affordable? Do you think high textbook prices are reasonable? What do you think are problematic? Identify and analyze the potential tensions between students, professors, university administrative and textbook publishers. State your perspectives.

3.Please make suggestions on what do you think are the best solutions for college textbook prices. Follow either the simple or complex structure of the problem-solving essay.

FormatYou paper should be about 750 words. You are free to choose a title of your essay. You must also include (at least) 1-2 citations in the paper. Remember what we’ve discussed about avoiding plagiarism.