MbShea@PWP@English@UMCP

The structure and type of paragraphs you will write follow Aristotle's stasis theory (very much a system of analysis and action, like your scientific method steps):

• Stasis 1: Conjecture (two types:  query, OR line of inquiry that is settling)
• Stasis 2: Definition (Here, we have three sub-routines, each with a separate paragraph)
  • Brief simple Functional definition (what is a rain garden, briefly, by two functions
  • "kitchen sink" --Classification (what type of technology is this? Hint: low impact development and storm water management; history details to establish ethos of technology) 
  • Description (Illustrative; give detail on the layers of soil and the type of plants) 
    • Where is Stasis 3?  TBD: hint -- practical causality -- this appears within the illustrative paragraph.  You can keep this within the illustrative paragraph OR separate out as form/function comment

• Stasis 4: Evaluation (is this environmental technology good or bad?  Use Dr. Davis' research as you do not have authority to evaluate based on your expertise)

We will leave Stasis 5 (policy) out of this memo as we are writing a brief, informative definition memo. You can close on a "hint" of policy or what ought we do, but let's take this up next class.

I would think you need about one natural language/ referral source per these paras: classifying and illustrating, BUT one formal source of the evaluating paragraph.  For Davis in this evaluation para: Use APA (author, date) citation from APA guidelines. Include a bibliography entry for that citation and a set of curated referral links).

Audience scenario for this memo: Here is Jane, our boss. She asked  for the memo at the end of our last staff meeting.

She will read the memo on her small device, in a concrete parking garage, just before meeting Governor Hogan.

Sources for you:

Look for a slide set or other public communication of Davis' findings. (The only formal APA citation

Use the Bioretention Manual (PG County; warning -- large PDF)

The Low Impact Development Center can be helpful.

EPA -- search on bioretention, low impact development, and rain garden.

Memos also have a standard format:  See the image to the left.  Also, look at the email heading in your software.  This electronic message is based on the memo format.  

Bonus question:  what is the difference, traditionally, between a memo and a letter?

Topic sentences: A list of qualities for you to strive for

• Usually a short direct sentence (think announcement)
• Signals the topic in the paragraph (think preview)
• Hooks the reader by 1) raising a question or 2) provoking thought
• Can be placed anywhere, but early on in the paragraph is the best default strategy for most professional documents; in other words, at the beginning of the paragraph
• Contains an element of transition from the previous paragraph

Note:  topic sentences can be implied in tightly coherent prose (for now, leave this subtle technique to the professionals!)

Connection to reading: topic sentences at beginning of paragraphs help readers skim.  Skimming is a legitimate way to read, especially in professional life.

Let's look at examples of topic sentences useful in the rain garden memo:

Rain gardens, or bioretention ponds, are a kind of low impact development.  Low impact development....

Rain gardens have two components:  layers of percolation material and carefully chosen plants.

Rain gardens protect the local environment by absorbing water run-off from impervious surfaces and by sequestering pollutants.

Dr. Allen Davis studies rain garden effectiveness.  Davis, a civil engineering professor, has been studying bioretention for more than twenty years.

Let's also think about sentences generally.  General advice to you?  Write shorter sentences than those you are familiar with in literature and many of your textbooks. 

Now, let's think about sentences: 

Sentence Patterns

Buffy and Sentences

Pitch the Verb

Here are some readings for you, to prepare for Wednesday.  This outline also emphasizes some skills we will take up in this class.  The reading and notetaking strategies can help you in all your classes. In class, we will quickly review logos, pathos, and ethos, too.

• Use stasis theory as a way to assess document contexts. See these two slides/posters for hints on stasis in action. Shea and Mozafari case study

• Learn to evaluate the ethos and appropriateness of sources

  • Primary and secondary sources

  • Technical/professional scientific literature and lay audience literature

  • Emphasis on professional praxis documents

  • Critical analysis of sources, including media literacy

• Reading and writing strategies for efficient and targeted critical thinking

• • Check out Raul Pachego Vega’s excellent blog/website, with this set of resources for undergraduate students 

    • Reading strategies

    • Note taking strategies

To your left on the navigation bar, click into the syllabus like to read that guidance document for this class. Read the syllabus rationale document, too, to preview the assignments and understand my teaching choices.

Today, we will set up a GroupMe, preview the course, and sketch something that will help me with a new class. Sketching is one of the ways I try to capture some aspects of our class in notes.  Last year, a student sketched this at the end of the class.  The thought bubble contains hints of some of our key concepts in the class.

Thank you, Ben H.  Let's have a good semester!

Here is the google doc OfficeHoursInTheSky (trademark pending!) to gather tonight between 8-10 and on Wednesday between 8-10.  If you leave a question, perhaps ping me with + function in the comments option.

To wrap up, you need a folder with a cover sheet.  You can use a hard copy/write on it or type in a digital copy.  I may not be able to print for you.