• Find Another Discussion Question (DQ) to Comment On:  The idea of this intensive essay regime is to encourage a dialogue in the classroom which will foster cooperative learning. By building on each other’s essays, everyone will be progressively learning. Read through the other DQ’s and find one which makes a statement or opinion you will be able to base your own thoughts on for the classroom.
• Comment: Make constructive comments and be sure not to grow negative. Be sure to make statements which are progressive and move towards an idea or a suggestion. This is not so much an avenue for editorializing as it is a way to foster new ideas. Build the comment in three layers: the immediate reaction, the neutralizing concept and then the new idea.
• Construction: The next paragraph should be uniquely your own with only the idea you have fostered. It should either be the exploration of a thought, the processing of that new concept or even a suggestion for change. Whatever the topic, you should be able to use this part of the essay as where you show your true colors. The Professor wants to see you making grounded contributions to the forum while progressing ever forward.
• Examples: If you have already passed the 300 word minimum of the DQ at this point, great. If you haven’t, then build a short paragraph on examples that support your thoughts. It can be based on either fact or hypothesis, but it must substantiate your claims of the constructive portion of your essay.

Have a good class!

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