W7: What does the draft of my final project paper look like? What help do I need?

Question

W7: What does the draft of my final project paper look like? What help do I need?
In this discussion, you have a chance to get and give feedback about the final paper that will be in your portfolio. Posting your draft by mid-week will help ensure you get more feedback. This is a threaded discussion. Instructions on how to post are shown below.

Part 1 Essay Draft

Post a draft of your final project essay for others to review. Copying and pasting it into the forum textbox (rather than attaching it as a Word file) is preferred. The format may not look the same, but that’s okay. Don’t worry if your draft is rough or not quite finished. Post as much of it as you have done. Please put your thesis statement in bold. Please include at least one in-text citation and one Work Cited or References entry. Make your initial post by mid-week to give folks time to review it.

Part 2 Concerns and Request for Help (optional)

After you have posted your draft, please share any concerns you may have about the process of writing this paper. (If you don’t have concerns or questions, that’s fine. You don’t have to post anything in this section.) Do you have any questions about MLA or APA usage? Is there anything troubling you about this essay? Do you need help in any specific area? Did you find any aspect of this essay (research, outlining, drafting, etc.) particularly stressful? If so, let us help!

***For your student replies, answer some or all of the checklist questions below (enough to reach the required word counts, please). Do NOT copy and paste the questions into your post, but do include the numbers, so we will know to which questions you are responding. Answer in complete sentences.

An example is below.

4. I do not see a transition word in your topic sentence for paragraph two. Perhaps you could add “furthermore” at the beginning of the sentence.

Here are the questions to help with your review of your peers’ papers. Please be sure to review at least two (2) papers.

Does the piece meet the requirements of the assignment? Do you know what the thesis statement is? Is the thesis statement one concise sentence?
Does the introduction provide a good gateway into the paper? Does the conclusion provide a satisfying sense of closure?
Do the supporting details of each paragraph support that particular topic sentence? Are there any sentences that do not belong? Why do they not belong?
Did the author use transitions? Which words are transitions and where are they used? Can you suggest any other transition words that would work well in this essay?
Do you see any sentences that could be improved upon?
Did the author use the third person only and avoid the first and second person? Do you see words that have negative connotations or that create logical fallacies (such as using the phrase “No one will accept the idea that…”)?
Do you see grammatical or mechanical issues that distract from the writer’s ideas? What effects do those issues have on your view of the paper?
Did the author use signal phrases for quotes and in-text citations for quotes and paraphrases within the essay?
Do you see any problems with their MLA or APA usage?

Instructions on how to post in this threaded discussion:

This discussion is a bit different from what you might be used to. You will be posting in a group made up of folks who may be in a similar field. How do you know where to post? You decide which thread you should post in based on the program (major) you have chosen (see thread descriptions below). Make your initial post in that thread. If you have not decided what program you will be in, just choose the thread that interests you most. Click the link here to see the description of the university’s programs and the schools those programs are in: Schools and Programs at APUS

Thread 1 – Schools of Arts & Humanities, Education, & Health Sciences. Please see the attached list which shows APUS programs (majors) and the schools they are located in. The general studies program is included here. Make your initial post as a response to my post here. Do not start your own thread. Thanks.
Thread 2 – School of Science, Technology, Engineering, & Math. Please see the attached list which shows APUS programs (majors) and the schools they are located in. Make your initial post as a response to my post here. Do not start your own thread. Thanks.
Thread 3 – Schools of Security & Global Studies & Business. Please see the attached list which shows APUS programs (majors) and the schools they are located in. Make your initial post as a response to my post here. Do not start your own thread. Thanks.
Make your initial post-mid-week to give folks a chance to respond to you. Make sure all your posts add to and expand the discussion. The highest grades go to those students who really contribute to an energized, stimulating conversation. Be sure to respond to initial posts in the thread that you are in. Feel free to visit other threads as well.

When you respond to others, do not simply compliment them on a job well done. Ask questions and/or provide thoughtful insight and continue the discussion they have started. Look for connections among the students posting in your thread. What commonalities do the students share? What differences do you see? If someone asks you a question, be sure to respond.

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