NS 310 “Science and Science Fiction” Spring 2010

FORMING SMALL GROUPS

We will spend the next several weeks in small groups working on our class papers. Your small groups will provide peer review for your papers, in particular on your thesis statement, your outline, and your first draft.

Small groups should have 4-6 members each.

For each step—thesis statement, outline, and first draft—you will distribute copies to your small group and give feedback, in the form of written and oral reviews. Part (1/3) of your grade on your paper is on participation in small groups. This participation is proved through sign-up sheets on the days you meet in small groups.

I will provide class time for small groups to meet. Small groups may, at their discretion, meet outside of class as well. If you miss class, you may request your small group to meet outside of class—but it is at their discretion. (Keep in mind that each individual component is only a small part of your overall grade, so that missing one meeting will not be fatal. Missing several, however, will hurt your grade.) You will have to make up that meeting during that week.

Schedule for small groups:

Apr 8: Organize into small groups; distribute and discuss thesis statements

Apr 20: Small groups distribute and discuss outlines

Apr 29: Small groups distribute first drafts

May 4: Small groups discuss first drafts

(May 11: Paper due (must include all material—thesis statement, outlines, first drafts—as well as final draft for full credit) )