- Next: Copy and paste the essay paragraph(s) you selected, placing the text under the first section heading: “I. Original Paragraph and Description.”
- Just below the copied and pasted paragraph, in complete sentences, briefly describe:
a.) The source your paragraph is about (i.e., what text(s) your essay was responding to)
b.) The main idea of your selected paragraph(s) excerpt
c.) A sentence or two about why you think this paragraph needs improving. Be specific.
- In Trimble’s “Thinking Well,” closely read/review the sections called “The Novice” and “The Veteran.”
- Next, choose one of the remaining sections in Trimble’s piece (the choices are listed below) and use its central idea to evaluate the paragraph you chose earlier:
a.) “Phrase Your Thoughts Clearly”
b.) “Anticipate your Reader’s Responses”
c.) “Some Concluding Thoughts”
- Then once again, copy and paste that same paragraph that needs improvement into the section called, “Revised Paragraph.” Now you will perform a rewrite, using Trimble as your guide to revision – specifically, rely on the advice he offers in the section you chose to use.
- Finally, in the assignment’s third and last section, “Reflection,” do the following. Your responses to these prompts below should be in the form of one thoughtfully composed paragraph. Use complete sentences. Do not respond with bullet points, sentence fragments, or format your response as a list:
a.) Explain why you picked this section of Trimble to apply to the revision of your paragraph
b.) Evaluate the quality of the second, now revised paragraph
c.) Explain, using specific examples from both the original and rewritten paragraphs, how applying Trimble’s advice improved the paragraph.