English 100 Math The Write Way
Due Dates:
Complete Draft for peer review: Wednesday, Oct. 30
Final submission (in manuscript form): Friday, Nov. 1
Length and Format: Your final paper, typed up in manuscript form, should be two to three pages long. You will need to follow MLA guidelines as you formally cite the examples you refer to in your paper. This means you will need to include parenthetical citations in the body of your paper and a “Works Cited” list at the end. We will be learning about how to use MLA guidelines for citations in class, but I’ll be happy to give you extra help outside of class if you’d like.
Assignment: For this essay you will demonstrate to Nancy your understanding of how writers can use math to effectively support arguments or claims in their essays. To demonstrate how math can be used as effective support, you will need to refer to specific passages in essays or articles that incorporate mathematical support. In addition to examples of passages that demonstrate effective use of mathematical support, it may be useful to examine one or more negative examples—how writers have used math in dishonest or ineffective ways. Your task will be to explain why these passages demonstrate effective/ineffective use of math to support a claim. For each example, you should (1) provide a brief summary that includes some general context for the example, (2) analyze the math that was employed, and (3) explain/analyze how the example effectively or ineffectively illustrates the writer’s claim or argument.
Notes:
q You may find your own examples in the newspaper or in news stories on the Internet, or you may refer to articles/essays we have discussed in class. (If you find your own articles/essays, you will need to make a copy of each one you use and attach it to your final essay.)
q While it makes sense to use non-examples to explain how math can be used effectively in essays, you should not rely entirely on one or more non-example(s). Be sure to refer to at least one positive example of a situation where math has been used effectively to support a claim.
Organization Suggestions: Here are a couple of ways you could outline your paper.
I. Introduction & Thesis (Think of your thesis as a response to the question, “How can writers use math effectively to support their claims in articles and essays?”)
II. Body Paragraphs
q Option one—Use several examples
o Paragraph 1: One thing writers need to keep in mind when they use mathematical support... >>Example #1
o Paragraph 2: Another concern when using math... >> Example #2
o Paragraph 3: A final consideration writers must make when using math as support... >> Example #3
OR
q Option two—Use one extended example to illustrate several different points about the use of math as support in essays.
III. Conclusion Sum up your thesis and main points.