Write-up | Group Discussion Guidelines

Step 1. Prepare a 600 word (about one page if typed-single spaced) write-up (if you regularly have a half-page you need to challenge yourself to push your analysis further).  At the top of your page include this heading:
Your name
Class number & meeting time
Fall Term 2010
Title of the assignment (for example J4: Analyzing Historical Films)

Step 2: Write-up submissions.
> Write-ups are due before the group meeting; this is done to inspire a more substantial exchange of ideas beyond the "off the top of my head" approach. 
> At least 1 hour before the assigned meeting time for your class, send email copies of your one-page write-up to each member of your group (not to the professor because later at the end of the term you will submit hard-copies of everything you wrote).  Late submissions are marked down (the date & time stamp on your email is what verifies its timely submission).
> During the course of the term you will be writing & receiving Feedback pages that are based on these write-ups.

Step 3: Group Participation guidelines  
> In your group you will briefly summarize your points in a group discussion.  Note: do not read to others what you wrote.  If they like what you said they have a copy of it to read later.
> Keep a digital copy of your work, for later for the complete journal submission at the end of the term, you will be asked to turn in your write-ups in paper form. 
 

Later> Step 4: End-of-term hard-copy submission.  Click on Journal submission

WRITING IS THE MIRROR OF THE MIND.  When you want to see what you look like, you look in the mirror.  But where do you look to see what is in your mind? A reflection of what is in your mind, visible to yourself and others, is what you write.  If your writing is clear, then it shows that your thinking is clear; the converse is also true as unclear writing reveals unclear thinking.  Writing is the means of clarifying and refining our thinking. The mere process of writing out our thoughts compels us to have to clarify and structure our thinking.  That is why the Department of History requires that a majority of your grade be based on essay exams with the overall intent to clarify our thinking on historical issues specifically and improving our thinking skills generally.