ENG.

100
Dr. Hirata-Knight

WRITING LOGS

COLLECTION DUE DATES:

1) Feb. 12th (10 entries minimum)
2) Mar. 19th (16 entries minimum)
3) Apr. 21st (12 entries minimum)
The purpose of the writing log assignment for this class is to help studentwriters conceptualize, research, organize, and draft the final paper #4 in
major stages of the writing process: generating ideas, researching a topic,
drafting, and revising. Paper #4 will be on some aspect of Sustainability in
Hawaii and one of its four major pillars: environmental, social, political,
economic issues (open to modification). [55 points total: 15, 20, 20]
You will generate your log entries via computer/online. Print out your log
entries on 8 1/2 x 11" computer printer paper (using .12 font size) on writing
log collection due dates, and make sure they are accurately dated and
sequentially stapled together for collection.
For this assignment, you will be doing both brainstorming and research. For
instance, some of your log entries will consist of your own initial thoughts on
the issue, or perhaps your thoughts about what is happening in your writing
process--that is, what portions of the paper you are having trouble with,
what are some of your strengths, etc. Other later entries will consist of
research information that you are gathering about a sustainability issue.
We will be approaching the topic of sustainability broadly. You can write
your paper about any aspect of sustainability, because in the final analysis,
we are all affected in some way by this term in regards to its connection to
issues regarding the environment, social justice, politics and power, and the
economics of sustainable industries. You might, for instance, write an
argument about the environmental necessity for more sustainable sources
of energy, or the longterm economic gains of green energy. You may also
want to explore the politics of sustainability in regards to issues of social
justice and how resources such as land use are disseminated and/or
exploited throughout the state. In preparing a local focus to this project, the
state of Hawaii is experiencing a number of these issues as we look to the
future and our role in the movement toward increased sustainability here in
the islands. As we brainstorm both in and out of class, you will see that
there are many possibilities for an interesting and compelling argument
paper that may affect the way you view yourself and your relationship with
the world around you.
In your writing log you will 1) narrow your focus so that you are dealing with

one specific issue and then with one specific aspect of that issue, and 2)
devise a strong claim/thesis relating to your issue and offer supporting
evidence for that claim. Your writing log entries should consist at first of
your thoughts and reactions to the issues you are considering for your
paper, and then, when you have decided on your specific topic, you should
use the writing log to help gather, organize, and draft your material.
It will be your responsibility to have your writing log available for collection
on the dates indicated on the calendar. I will deduct points if the log is
late (2 points for each day it is late, including weekends and
holidays).
In grading your entries, I will take into consideration the amount of time you
spend on this activity and your seriousness of purpose. I'll be looking for
growth in your thinking. I'm interested in your analysis and development of
ideas and argument strategies and, at times, I may make suggestions to
further your argument and perhaps focus your thinking on the issue. Each
entry should be at least one page; it may be longer if necessary. Make sure
you DATE EACH ENTRY.
First set of entries: Generating Topic Ideas--Brainstorming
As you brainstorm and begin to generate ideas for the final paper, read,
read, read!: look at articles in newspapers, online news and magazine
sites, or watch television news shows relating to any local or international
sustainability issue. Find out what sustainability is (different definitions) and
begin thinking about various aspects of certain sustainability
problems/issues that intrigue you and that you might want to write about for
your paper. Select ten sustainability news stories/articles (one for each
entry): first, briefly summarize the main points in news article, then discuss
why a particular news article or issue interests you, and what focus you
might take in a paper on that topic. It's fine to select issues that you don't
know much about; you'll find out more about them later through your
research. You may discuss a number of different topics in this phase of your
writing log, always keeping in mind whether or not you would like to write
about this sustainability topic for your final paper.
Second set of entries: Gathering Data--Researching
At this point, you should narrow your focus on one of the four areas you will
be addressing in your final paper on sustainability: environment, social
justice, politics, or economics. This section of your log should consist of your
research on your chosen area and issue. Gather as much information as you
can about the issue (reaching the point of critical massmore than
enough research to work with for the assignment). You might want to
interview someone who is knowledgeable about your topic, and you will

certainly want to read about your issue in a variety of sources such as

newspapers, book-length studies, academic journals/periodicals, magazine
articles, etc.
Each log entry should consist of at least one page discussing your
research and how you plan to incorporate it in Paper IV : Cite the
author, publication date, title of the article or book, and the source
publication from which you have gathered your research. 1) Summarize the
articles main points you have read, and 2) analyze its value: write an
analysis of the source in regards to how and where you might use it in a
particular argument. Be sure to note where you find material, in case you
want to cite it in your paper or refer to it again later. Note that this is to be
your own analysis of your research, not just a mere listing of sources. When
you finish the research portion of your paper, your task is to pick out the
most pertinent/relevant material, organize it, and use it to support your
argument in your final paper, or use certain sources as potential objections
to your argument which you must address and overcome.

Third set of entries: Writing the Paper--Drafting

You should now use your writing log for drafting main portions of your final
paper. Devise a claim and specifically focused thesis and decide what
position you plan to argue in your paper. Your entries in this section should
consist of the following:
1. Clear and strong possible claims/thesis for your argument.
2. What approach and type/form of argument you are using (outline
possible structures).
3. Specific parts of major points in your argument (along w/major research
sources).
4. Identify and address the major opposing arguments to this issue.
Then decide how you will organize your paper and conduct any necessary
additional research. Now in your draft entries, try out styles of writing, and
explore ideas related to your topic. At this point you should be writing
specific portions of your paper in your log. When writing your paper,
locate important segments, put them together in a logical fashion, and add
any final information and/or editing touches. You'll be surprised to see how
much of your paper is already done by the time you develop your final draft.
Just dont wait to the last minute!
Note: If you are consistently keeping up with your writing log entries, this
exercise can be extremely productive for a thorough exploration of the
necessary stages in the writing process (i.e., brainstorming ideas,

researching, drafting, and revising). This writing log process is also your
opportunity to revise and refine your final research paper before turning in
the final draft, so please use this assignment to your advantage.