Day 10: Summary-Critique Overview

[10 minutes] Warm-up

Today, I will be introducing our next paper—the Summary Critique. Before we get into the details of the components of that paper, let’s practice the art of critiquing. I would like you to please get into groups of two or three and take a look at the first three slides on today’s Power Point. 

As a group, “critique” the images. Elect someone in your group to write down the key evaluative words and/or phrases. I will have you share those words with the class in about 5 minutes.

Do you think critiques are different in an academic setting? What may be the purpose behind critiquing academic work?

With this in mind, let’s begin our lecture on the next assignment—the Summary Critique.  

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[20 minutes] Lecture on Introduction in Summary Critiques

You may open up the Summary Critique PowerPoint as you see fit and/or follow along on the big screen. Also, here is a handout that correlates to the lecture. Please fill it out accordingly when the information is given. 

The format of the summary/introduction (makes up paragraph 1 or 1-2, sometimes 3):

Summary:

• Includes a few opening sentences that announce the author(s) and the title, and briefly explain the topic of the text.
• Presents the aim of the text and summarizes the main finding or key argument.
• Ends with a brief statement of your evaluation of the text. This can be a positive/positive or positive/negative transitional thesis.

This video discusses how the summary for a summary critique essay should look and explains the content in detail. Feel free to watch this video on your own time.

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[5-7 minutes] Group Discussion

Okay, we are going to stop on this slide. Please get into groups of three or four and share your handout answers to parts I-III, Then go over the discussion questions on part IV.  It’s also an oral communication class, so let’s communicate!

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[20 minutes] Lecture on the Body of a Summary Critique

Now, we will take a look at the body structure of a Summary Critique. Please continue to follow along on the handout as we go over the remaining slides. Again, please feel free to ask questions. At the end, I will have you share your handout answers with the class.  

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[20 minutes] Group Writing Activity

For the last portion of today’s class we are going to practice some of the content we have discussed thus far. Please get into groups of two or three and turn to the last page of your handout titled, Part VII: Practice. We will be practicing the construction of a summary critique introduction.

Directions: 

1. Read the article titled, “What Our Education System Needs is More F’s”
2. Based on that article, practice forming the introduction sentence following the examples given in the handout.
3. Then, work together to construct the introduction paragraph and a transitional thesis that follows the positive + negative or positive + positive construction.
4. Upload the document to each of your group member’s Dropbox, and call is Summary_Critique_Group_Work.
5. The complete introductory paragraph is due at the start of the next class.

Homework:
This activity is due before the start of the next class.

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Supplementary material:

If you would like more information on the structure of a summary-critique, please watch this video on your own time. If you have questions, please feel free to ask!