ELT Cast

ItC 90: Introduction and Conclusion Paragraph Development

In this episode, I explain how to develop an introduction and conclusion paragraph when writing a five-paragraph (academic) essay. Newsletter: https://www.benjaminlstewart.net/ **Audio Gear** - Microphone: Shure SM7B; Microphone pre-amp processor: dbx 286s; Audio interface/recorder: Zoom Podtrak4; Screen recorder/streaming software: OBS; Video/audio editor and normalization (14 lugs): Kdenlive; Music attribution - Joystock @ https://www.joystock.org/; https://www.benjaminlstewart.org/; @bnleez (Twitter) --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/benjamin-l-stewart/message

ItC 89: M.E.A.L. Plan - Developing a Body Paragraph

In this episode, I discuss paragraph development using the acronym, M.E.A.L. (plan). Page: https://benjaminlstewart.org/M-E-A-L-Plan-f29fd645d5e04fca871ecd3e2c67087f  Attribution: Intro/Outro music: Benjamin Tissot (also known as Bensound) --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/benjamin-l-stewart/message     Paragraph Types in Academic Writing When writing a thesis paper, there are three different types of paragraphs to consider: an introductory paragraph, a body paragraph (i.e., following the M.E.A.L. Plan), a transitional paragraph, and a conclusion paragraph. When writing a typical five-paragraph essay, the same types of paragraphs apply except for the transitional paragraph. An introductory paragraph, transitional paragraph, and conclusion paragraph all include a thesis statement or the main idea of the entire thesis. Body Paragraph Development in Academic Writing Like an essay or literature review, a BP has a beginning, middle, and end. Think of a BP as a "mini essay". Each paragraph should develop one main idea, describing what, how, why, when, where, with whom, etc. about a single main idea. A section of a literature review contains a series of main ideas that is organized in a logical fashion: topical, categorical, process, etc. (See Organizing Your Argument). Thus, BPs are organized within each of the two-four sections of a (2,250-word) literature review in a way that builds an argument related to the section title (level II heading) that relates directly to the thesis statement (or the main idea of the entire essay).Consider the acronym, M.E.A.L., as in MEAL plan, when developing a body paragraph. The MEAL Plan does not apply to an introduction paragraph, transitional paragraph, or conclusion paragraph.Main Idea (Original idea-no citation): When developing a body paragraph (BP), each sentence serves a particular purpose. A BP typically begins with the main idea of the paragraph, called, "the topic sentence". A reader should be able to get the gist of the meaning of the text by reading only the topic sentence of each BP. It's common for English language learning writers to find it challenging to develop a topic sentence to begin each BP. Sometimes a topic sentence can be determined before developing the BP, while at other times, the topic sentence is unclear until the entire BP has been written. Either way, a topic sentence should begin each BP and express clearly the one idea (or claim; See Toulmin Method in Organizing Your Argument).When developing a topic sentence (the main idea of the BP), there are a few things to keep in mind. 1) Try to avoid using copula verbs, the most common being the verb "to be". As stated earlier, the topic sentence is a claim, a position, an assertion, a proposition, an opinion, etc. that represents one idea. Avoid expressing facts as a topic sentence. 2) A topic sentence should not be too general nor too specific. A topic sentence should be more specific than the thesis statement and section title (level II heading) and more general than the evidence sentences within the paragraph that express examples, details, facts, statistics, etc. To make a topic sentence more specific add prepositional phrases, relative (adjective) clauses, and subordinating (adverbial) clauses. 3) Avoid using personal pronouns in the topic sentence and instead (re)state its antecedent (i.e., the noun the personal pronoun represents). 4) Avoid questions and imperatives when writing a topic sentence. As a general rule, avoid all rhetorical questions throughout your text with the exception of perhaps an essential question in the Introductory Paragraph. 5) Avoid transitions to begin a topic sentence: introductory phrases, sentence connectors, and beginning a sentence with a subordinating clause.Evidence (Not an original idea: citation required): When developing a literature review, the evidence (sentences) will be the citations used to support the writer's original ideas. When developing the results and discussion section of a paper, the evidence will be the findings that result from having analyzed collected data. A good rule of thumb is to present the evidence immediately after the main idea of the paragraph (i.e., the topic sentence); that is, the second sentence of the BP. After presenting the first piece of evidence in a BP, then it's at the discretion of the writer how evidence sentences and analysis sentences are to be stated.Analysis (Original idea-no citation): The role of an analysis sentence is to connect the evidence to the main idea of the BP. As the writer, ask yourself the following: What is the importance of the evidence as it relates to the topic sentence (main idea of the paragraph)? What does the evidence mean to the reader of your text? How do you as the writer interpret the evidence as it relates to the main idea? How should the reader interpret the evidence in lieu of the main idea from the topic sentence? Think of the analysis sentences as a comment, explanation, compare-and-contrast, synthesis, etc., using the writer's critical thinking skills to interpret and express the point of the evidence as it relates to the main idea of the BP. Analysis sentences can also be used to connect ideas to other parts of the thesis paper that have already been discussed. It's the writer's responsibility to express why the evidence relates back to the main idea. An analysis sentence should always come after the evidence it is mentioning. Stated another way, evidence sentences should always precede an analysis sentence.Link (Original idea-no citation): The linking sentence connects the main idea of the current paragraph (i.e., topic sentence) with the main idea of the next body paragraph and should be the last sentence of the BP. Properly including linking sentences provides flow and connects ideas throughout the section. For this reason, it's recommended to avoid transitions to begin topic sentences as stated earlier. As an alternative, the final sentence of a BP could also serve as a summary, especially in cases when a BP concludes a section. MEAL Plan (Body Paragraph) Coherence Since each BP sentence serves a particular purpose, the organization of how each sentence is stated can be the difference between a coherent and incoherent paragraph. Here are a few examples of BPs according to the MEAL plan (* indicate incoherent BPs) - click on the comments to see further explanations: MEEAAL MEEEEAL Not ok MEEAAAL ok *EMEAL Not ok *MEAAAL Not ok MEEAEAL ok MEAEAL ok *MEAEL Not ok *MEAELA Not ok Transitions Within Body Paragraphs Avoid using any one type of transition (e.g., sentence connectors). Instead, mix it up a bit and include introductory phrases and subordinating clauses to being sentences within a paragraph. Avoid transitions to begin a paragraph, however. Paragraph Length Avoid using any one type of transition (e.g., sentence connectors). Instead, mix it up a bit and include introductory phrases and subordinating clauses to being sentences within a paragraph. Avoid transitions to begin a paragraph, however. Links for Developing Body Paragraphs YouTube Videos San Antonio College Excelsior OWL Duke University Capella University Walden University KSU Writing Center **Audio Gear** - Microphone: Shure SM7B; Microphone pre-amp processor: dbx 286s; Audio interface/recorder: Zoom Podtrak4; Screen recorder/streaming software: OBS; Video/audio editor and normalization (14 lugs): Kdenlive; Music attribution - Joystock @ https://www.joystock.org/; https://www.benjaminlstewart.org/; @bnleez (Twitter)   --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/benjamin-l-stewart/message

ItC 88: Navigating Course Content using Trello

**Audio Gear** - Microphone: Shure SM7B; Microphone pre-amp processor: dbx 286s; Audio interface/recorder: Zoom Podtrak4; Screen recorder/streaming software: OBS; Video/audio editor and normalization (14 lugs): Kdenlive; Music attribution - Joystock @ https://www.joystock.org/; https://www.benjaminlstewart.org/ @bnleez --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/benjamin-l-stewart/message

ItC 87: Student Podcast Template

**Audio Gear** - Microphone: Shure SM7B; Microphone pre-amp processor: dbx 286s; Audio interface/recorder: Zoom Podtrak4; Screen recorder/streaming software: OBS; Video/audio editor and normalization (14 lugs): Kdenlive; Music attribution - Joystock @ https://www.joystock.org/; https://www.benjaminlstewart.org/ @bnleez --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/benjamin-l-stewart/message

ItC 86: Using Trello on a cell phone

**Audio Gear** - Microphone: Shure MV7; Microphone pre-amp processor: dbx 286s; Audio interface/recorder: Zoom Podtrak4; Screen recorder/streaming software: OBS; Video/audio editor and normalization (14 lugs): Kdenlive; Music attribution - Joystock @ https://www.joystock.org/; https://www.benjaminlstewart.org/ --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/benjamin-l-stewart/message

ItC 84: Introduction to Student Podcasting (part II)

Description This semester, you'll produce a weekly podcast. See below the requirements for completing your podcast. Podcast Requirements Speak a minimum of 8-10 minutes and no longer than 60 minute Option 1: The topic of the podcast can be anything that links to anything we have discussed in class. Your discussion might relate to different topics and/or can be a reflection (expressing what you think). Option 2: If you plan to create a serial podcast, then you may choose one topic to develop the entire semester. For those who had me in Prope, you may continue the same topic by creating new podcasts to further develop what you discussed last year. Include a hook, introduction (podcast name, tagline, your name, date, and key points of the episode), body (choose two-four key points), and conclusion (thank the audience, closing statement and/or what to expect in future episodes). Find an example of a podcast that serves as a model in how you present your intro and outro. Upload episodes between Thursday to Sunday of each week. Each of your episodes should draw on information (content) taken from other podcasts. The information taken from these sources should be included in your episode: 1) description of what was said, 2) your interpretation or feelings about the information (or how it relates to the key point of your episode), and 3) reference where you got the information (who said it). Avoid reading any text during your podcast episode. Using background music is optional. If you do use background music make sure to choose only music which is under the public domain (attribution not required) or a creative commons license (attribution required). Register Podcast Add your name and OneDrive URL to Teams folder where episodes (accepted audio files) will be uploaded each week. Optional: If you decide to publish a public podcast (e.g., https://anchor.fm), create an Anchor account (or any other podcast host of your choice) and include your public URL along in addition to your OneDrive URL mentioned above. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/benjamin-l-stewart/message

ItC 85: ICT Overview for fall 2021 semester

Fall 2021 Courses Discourse Analysis (5th semester) | https://trello.com/b/9sj2AeuP Communicative Abilities in English I https://trello.com/b/6cI1VqiX Listening & Speaking I https://trello.com/b/hwXiSBMt Audio Gear - Microphone: Shure MV7; Microphone pre-amp processor: dbx 286s; Audio interface/recorder: Zoom Podtrak4; Screen recorder/streaming software: OBS; Video/audio editor and normalization (14 lugs): Kdenlive; Joystock @ https://www.joystock.org/; https://www.benjaminlstewart.org/ --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/benjamin-l-stewart/message

ItC 83: Introduction to Student Podcasting (part I)

This is one of two podcast episodes introducing student podcasting for two different subjects I'm scheduled to teach this fall 2021 semester (Aug.-Dec. 2021). Podcast Requirements Speak a minimum of 3-5 minutes and no longer than 60 minutes. The minimum will increase throughout the semester. Choose any topic that you wish to discuss the entire semester. It must be a topic you will not get tired of discussing each week over the 16-week semester. Include a hook, introduction (podcast name, tagline, your name, date, and key points of the episode), body (choose two-four key points), and conclusion (thank the audience, closing statement and/or what to expect in future episodes). Find an example of a podcast that serves as a model in how you present your intro and outro. Upload podcast episodes between Thursday to Sunday of each week. Each of your episodes should draw on information (content) taken from other podcasts. The information taken from these sources should be included in your episode: 1) description of what was said, 2) your interpretation or feelings about the information (or how it relates to the key point of your episode), and 3) reference where you got the information and who said it. Avoid reading any text during your podcast episode. Using background music is optional. If you do use background music make sure to choose only music which is under the public domain (attribution not required) or a creative commons license (attribution required). Register Podcast Add your name and OneDrive URL to Teams (private) folder where episodes (accepted audio files) will be uploaded each week. Optional: If you decide to produce a public podcast (e.g., https://anchor.fm), create an Anchor account (or any other podcast host of your choice) and include your public URL along in addition to your OneDrive URL mentioned above. Audio Gear - Microphone: Shure MV7; Microphone pre-amp processor: dbx 286s; Audio interface/recorder: Zoom Podtrak4; Screen recorder/streaming software: OBS; Video/audio editor and normalization (14 lugs): Kdenlive; Joystock @ https://www.joystock.org/; https://www.benjaminlstewart.org/ --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/benjamin-l-stewart/message