Module 9 - The end is near - Karla Erdman, writer

Module 9 - The end is near

3/21/2014

(1) The writing is a daunting process; one in which few students really engage into correctly. Through your 3-week process, you have been learning more about your own writing process and preferences. Take a moment to reflect upon your process and share some techniques you employ in order to maintain time management and work through difficulties. Also, note some habits which you may want to try to improve.

(2) As your writing process nears to a close, you are continuing to prepare for the oral presentation. Discuss how you will prepare for your presentation and what you think makes an awesome presentation/presenter.

Please separate your posts as is done above.
Be sure to respond to a minimum of one (1) person during the discussion.

Kasey Gallagher

3/15/2014 12:26:36 pm

When I write a paper, I like to get all my personal thoughts written down first. Then, I like to go back and see where I can fit different research in. After that, I like to go back and add information where its needed and take information away when its not necessary. I like to do a really really rough draft even before I do my rough draft. Before I finish writing my entire draft, I edit over what I have. Its a lot easier for me to make changes as I go than it is after I have everything finished.

I plan to prepare for my presentation by making sure I know what different things I want to emphasize to the class and the way I want to do it. I want to make sure my slides are easy to understand and I want to be able to explain my topic through them without having too much information on them. I think I'm a good presenter because I know how to keep things interesting while getting my point across to my audience.

Devin Blattner

3/15/2014 01:28:21 pm

Kasey, I agree with you when you say that you like to get all your thoughts written down first before you start writing. I also like to do that because I think it helps organize the paper that's being written. Outlines do the exact same thing and are the same concept. It would be really hard to write a long organized research paper without a simple outline done.

Devin Blattner

3/15/2014 01:22:35 pm

1) Throughout the 3-week writing process I have bettered my time management when writing a paper. Time management is a hard thing for high school students because we are so used to having a lot of time for assignments and the teachers babying us. This English cyber course is the exact opposite of those classes. One must perfect time management in order to get their work done and get a good grade on it in this class. For example, I am practicing good time management right now by getting all my work done early this week since I am leaving for Disney at 5 a.m. on Wednesday and need to have all of module 8 and 9 done by then.

2) I will prepare for my oral presentation by making sure I know my topic well and have all the correct facts. I will also prepare notecards with different points to talk about if we are allowed to use those. Dressing professional and being prepared are two key characteristics of an awesome presenter/speaker.

Kasey Gallagher

3/15/2014 02:10:16 pm

Right there with you on time management! I think it's hard to make time for all the different things that need to be done outside of our school work while still putting enough time and effort into each individual piece of our writings.

Alyssa Saggio

3/18/2014 01:48:02 am

I completely agree with the time management. I feel as though this specific cyber class has forced me to get all of my work done at a steady pace. It's nice to have deadlines to push us as students. I think it really beefs up the writing process as a whole. Also, when talking about your presentation, I like how you addressed the fact that you plan on "dressing professionally." I'm not saying that presenters should wear a suit and tie or dress/skirt. However, I do not think we as students should come in sweats; this allows the audience to take you and your presentation more seriously. Think about your credibility as a writer (ethos...)! If you are speaking to a new audience, they don't know you. Show that you're presenting your own topic in a professional manner and not wasting anyone's time.

Tori McCaslin

3/21/2014 11:44:26 am

I also struggle with time management. I have trouble with remembering what is due when and how much time I have to complete it. I never liked to work on more than one assignment at a time, but like Mrs. Erdman mentioned, working on thins simultaneously will definitely help me.

Alyssa Saggio

3/16/2014 03:39:33 pm

Personally, when writing any type of research paper, my initial thoughts generally deal with what topics can give me the most information. My thesis for the paper is also extremely important to me, because without a strong thesis, writing a paper may be pointless. For me, making an outline is probably the easiest way to get a paper or essay started; it allows me to organize my thoughts, gather examples, and add in new ideas. I feel as though I should try to work on finding as many resources as possible so that I am able to use different opinions and statistics to establish credibility and and provide my audience with some type of logic and data for them to understand.

There are several key elements that may make up a "good presenter." First off, the slides should never be too long; they should be short phrases, rather than sentences or paragraphs, that are then explained by the presenter in more depth. Second, it is vital for all presenters to speak loudly and clearly. Many of my own peers tend to completely ignore presenters who are quiet and sound uninteresting when they speak. Although there are tons more, I think that eye contact is essential during a presentation. While I do get nervous and sometimes have to look at a power point or flash cards to help guide myself through a presentation, I think it is unacceptable and just plain boring for a person to read "word for word," directly off of the written power point.

Brian Burke

3/18/2014 05:20:05 am

From the beginning of the course it was stressed that one should have good time managing skills. I myself have found that to be 100% true. Through the 3 week writing process I have had to manage different types of school work and time so that I'd be able to write the essay. The essay is not as big of a challenge than I had previously thought. Through better use of my time I have been able to work on schoolwork more effectively. It has made time management a little easier for me during the writing process. I plan to continue to improve time managing skills to earn a stronger grade.

I do not usually stress oral presentations too much. Once I have it mapped out with a basic outline as to what to say it should come easy when I put it together. I believe a good presentation is easy to follow and provides the most vital of information as well as leaving out fillers.

Cole

3/18/2014 01:25:56 pm

I agree that the research paper isn't as difficult as a thought it was going to be. I thought I was going to get extremely stressed while doing it, but I'm actually doing well on it so far. Unlike you, I'm not the best at oral presentations. Preparing for it will be easy, but while giving the presentation, I sometimes mess up on some things and that makes me even more nervous. I agree that a good presentation should be easy to follow, otherwise people may not pay attention to it.

Alyssa Saggio

3/19/2014 04:03:33 pm

Hi Brian, I have to agree that the time management dealing with this specific paper is very important. However, I also found that it's not as easy as you're making it seem, in my opinion. It was very challenging for me to complete all my assignments for all classes the night before they are actually do. I have so many things going on that I simply cannot finish all my work before three a.m..

Also, I do agree with you about how putting a presentation can be very easy. On the other hand, I would have to agree with Cole about how I actually act in a presentation. Preparing is easy but I found that not matter how hard I prepare or think I have exactly what I wanna say memorized, I always stumble on my words and forget what to say; this happens for me even with a small amount of people too. Hopefully, this presentation will not be that way.

Cole

3/18/2014 07:05:07 am

I improved on my time management a lot this year. I am handing in everything on time or before it's due. These past 3 weeks have been especially daunting because it was a lot that I had to get done. I always write down the assignments that I need to do. Once I do that, I kind of map out mentally what I'm going to do on which days in order to get it done on time. I try to get things in earlier to get those extra points. I also made it a habit to come home most days and try to get at least one thing done before I go out and do something.

To prepare for my presentation, I will make good note cards to follow along with my presentation. A good presenter is someone who doesn't look down at their cards the whole time. Also, they should be loud and clear with the audience so they are understood correctly. It also helps to not be dull while giving the presentation. If you get on a more personal level with the audience, then they will listen and get you better than if you're just talking like you have to be up there.

Alyson

3/21/2014 10:02:39 am

Time management has always been a problem for me and I'm trying really hard to work through that. It's still a process for me. I think if I also map things out I'd be alot more likely to have things done on time. I'm gonna make notecards for my presentation too.

Tori McCaslin

3/18/2014 11:29:00 am

When I start to think and plan about my paper, I like to think a lot and write down all of my ideas. Once I do this, it helps me see what works well together and what flows. Then I start to research each point I thought about and see if I could expand it enough to make sense in my paper. I enjoy writing a “rough rough” draft just to ramble and get all my thoughts down.

When thinking about my presentation, I like to make note cards to emphasize my main talking points. I also like to say it too myself a few times so I can hear it. This helps me realize if it makes sense or not. I will try to make my slides have both pictures and information. However, not too much information because then it can become boring and hard to read.

Alyssa Saggio

3/19/2014 04:07:44 pm

I love your "rough rough" draft idea. It seems like a good way to get the paper started, especially when your stuck on ideas or outlines. Also, I am right there with you on the amount of information that is put on slide during a PowerPoint presentation. Pictures are very useful in demonstrating examples too!

Brian Burke

3/21/2014 04:27:39 am

I agree with Alyssa's comment about the rough draft process. I sometimes have difficulties starting my work but when I get all my idea out it becomes easier to piece together. And I also want my presentation to not being boring to the audience. So I too, plan on adding the right amount of visuals and information.

Alyson

3/21/2014 10:00:20 am

In order to stay on time and work through the difficulties I was having, I needed to take a step back and walk away from my paper. When I found out that I had to start over, I was very frustrated I walked away from the paper for awhile and look for more research than what I originally had.

A good presenter is someone who knows enough about the topic that they are presenting to speak without much guide. They can use the presentation as a reference, but who really wants to listen to someone who just reads off of a powerpoint.

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Module 9 - The end is near

Mrs. Erdman

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