Discussion for The Book of Sand Rough Draft Discussion

In Lesson 1, you chose a topic for your compare-and-contrast essay.

During Lessons 3 and 4, you continued to develop your essay topic by developing examples and general statements.

In Lesson 5, you wrote a rough draft of your essay that compares and contrasts.

In Lesson 6, you revised your compare-and-contrast essay draft for details to support your topic sentences.

For the discussion in this lesson, consider what questions you have about your Compare and Contrast Essay Portfolio rough draft. Perhaps you’d like some feedback about sentence variety or wonder if your details are truly supporting a topic sentence. Reread your rough draft and jot down a few questions that you’d like feedback on.

Post your questions and perhaps an appropriate portion of your Compare and Contrast Essay Portfolio rough draft on the discussion board and ask for ideas for revisions. Because others will be seeing your questions and possible portion of the essay for the first time, they can often give great suggestions for revisions that will make the essay more complete and interesting. They may catch grammar mistakes and suggest changes that didn’t occur to you.

Here are a few questions and concerns I have about my rough draft of my compare and contrast essay:

1. Are my topic sentences clear and focused? Do they effectively introduce the main points I will be discussing in each paragraph?
2. Do my paragraphs flow smoothly from one idea to the next? Are my transitions between paragraphs and sentences clear and logical?
3. Are my examples and details strong enough to support my topic sentences? Do they provide enough evidence and examples to convince the reader of my points?
4. Is there enough variety in my sentence structures and lengths? Could I improve the flow and readability of my essay by using more varied sentence structures?
5. Are there any grammar or punctuation mistakes that I need to correct? Are there any sentences that are unclear or confusing?
6. Overall, does my essay effectively compare and contrast the two subjects? Have I achieved a good balance between similarities and differences? Could I strengthen my argument by exploring additional points of comparison and contrast?

I will post these questions and a portion of my rough draft on the discussion board to ask for feedback and suggestions for revisions.

Some possible questions to ask about your Compare and Contrast Essay Portfolio rough draft:

1. Are there any areas in my essay where I could improve sentence variety?

2. How well do my details support the topic sentences in my essay? Are there any places where I could add more specific and relevant examples?

3. Are there any grammar mistakes or errors in my rough draft that need to be addressed?

4. Does my essay flow smoothly from one point to another, or are there any parts that feel disjointed or unclear?

5. Are there any sections in my essay where I could provide more clarity or further develop my ideas?

6. Are there any areas in my rough draft where I may have strayed from the focus of the compare-and-contrast essay prompt?

It's important to be specific and provide a portion of your rough draft when asking for feedback, as it helps others to understand the context and provide more targeted suggestions for revisions.

It looks like you are seeking feedback on your rough draft for your compare and contrast essay. It's great that you are looking for input to improve your essay. To get feedback from others on the discussion board, follow these steps:

1. Reread your rough draft: Take the time to review your essay and consider areas where you believe you could use some feedback or improvement. Look for aspects such as sentence variety, supporting details, transitions between paragraphs, and overall clarity and coherence.

2. Jot down your questions: Write down specific questions you have regarding your essay. For example, you might want to ask about the effectiveness of your topic sentences, if your supporting details adequately support your thesis, or if your grammar and sentence structure are correct.

3. Select an appropriate portion to share: Identify a section of your rough draft that highlights the specific aspect you are seeking feedback on. It could be a paragraph or a couple of sentences, but make sure it captures the essence of your question.

4. Post on the discussion board: Create a new discussion post with your questions and include the selected portion of your rough draft. Clearly state your concerns or specific areas you want feedback on. Be respectful and open to suggestions from others on the board.

By following these steps, you can effectively engage with others in the discussion and receive valuable feedback to help you revise and enhance your compare and contrast essay draft.