Expository Excellence: The Summary & Response Essay
An assignment oft-given by professors and upper-grade level teachers. The purpose: ensures learners have read the material and it succinctly demonstrates their understanding.
Mr. LeCara
Average rating:
5.0
Number of reviews:(175)
What's included
5 live meetings
5 hrs 50 mins in-class hoursHomework
2-4 hours per week. • Session 01 Home Assignment: Choose an article to summarize | intro practice • Session 02 Home Assignment: body crafting practice • Session 03 Home Assignment: conclusion practice | complete summary essay • Session 04 Home Assignment: add citation | final edits | submit finished essayAssessment
Because the essay is intentionally broken down into separate components, students will demonstrate progress through discussion and practice of skill during each session. Further progress will be assessed through the submission of their completed essay in full.Class Experience
US Grade 8 - 11
A. OVERVIEW Ever been assigned reading about something you had little to no interest in reading? Have you ever suffered through an essay assignment, wondering what goes where and why? Have you ever sat silent in a class while they reviewed a reading assignment because you had no idea what you read? In high school and college, knowing how to craft a summary and response essay is a handy skill to have. These essays are primarily expository essays with the purpose of demonstrating reading comprehension and critical thinking, but in a shortened form through a succinct critical review (analysis) of nonfiction material. But even before you write the essay, it's good to know how to prepare for it so you are not suffering through the process. And if you've ever struggled through how to write an essay or what goes where, this is the perfect course for you. Understand this: the ability to critically analyze is not only a skill practiced in academia, but in the workplace, the military, and even in life. Possessing the skills to assess and evaluate information in order to analyze its impact on you, your work/profession, society and/or the world around you is an invaluable asset. B. HOW STUDENTS WILL LEARN Students will use their prior knowledge of essay crafting to assess their current understanding and purpose of an expository essay. More specifically in this case: a summary/response essay (aka analysis essay). From there, learning will take place through the focus on essay formatting and content to demonstrate critical analysis and higher order thinking. Students will have a chance to learn, practice, and then demonstrate their learning during this course. C. HOW STUDENTS WILL INTERACT WITH TEACHER AND EACH OTHER Students will have access to the teacher 24/7. As a group, students will be expected to share their experiences before, during, and after attempted strategies. D.CLASS STRUCTURE Session 01: student intros | review of course | document set-up | the intro of an essay/practice Session 01 Home Assignment: choose an article to summarize | intro practice Session 02: the body of an essay/practice Session 02 Home Assignment: body crafting practice Session 03: conclusions/practice Session 03 Home Assignment: conclusion practice | complete summary essay Session 04: parenthetical citations and documenting your resources using the MLA format Session 04 Home Assignment: add citation | final edits | submit finished essay Session 05: sharing | class discussion on process and self reflection
Learning Goals
Working on this essay will:
• Spark an interest in the surrounding world through the reading of select nonfiction
• Distinguish what makes a successful analysis essay by demonstrating critical thinking in writing response
• Clarify essay structure and purpose
• Provide exposure to parenthetical citations and the documentation of resources using the MLA format
NOTE: This course has been designed to work in conjunction with "Power Talk: Conquer Your Fear of Public Speaking." Students who have invested time in learning about the power of the written word can then take that same essay and apply it to a course that focuses on the power of the spoken word.
Other Details
Supply List
Students will need to have access to Google docs for collaboration. All other materials will be shared by teacher.
External Resources
In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:
Joined June, 2018
5.0
175reviews
Teacher expertise and credentials
Connecticut Teaching Certificate in English/Language Arts
Students who take this course will be able to apply the skills learned throughout their lifetime and in many courses, not just those that are English related. The ability to demonstrate an understanding of reading material is essential. Doing so in a way that demonstrates critical thinking is vital.
The explanations and strategies shared come from years of teaching English and AP Language and Composition. Great for students who wrestle with essays, essay structure, and/or how to demonstrate a critical understanding of anything they've read. Reviews
Live Group Class
$100
for 5 classes1x per week, 5 weeks
70 min
Completed by 8 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 13-18
3-5 learners per class
