TWO-MINUTE PRESENTATIONS

Each of you needs to prepare an informal two-minute presentation to the class about your paper topic. Here's what I'm expecting:

• You will be present during the assigned class date for the presentation.
• You will present with your camera on so that people can see you.
• Your presentation should address the following:
  • Introduce yourself.
  • Indicate which text or texts you are working with by title and author.
  • Explain why you are interested in them.
  • Share your working thesis that explains the specific interpretation you will argue for in the paper. Please note that a thesis is a provable point, not a topic.
  • Give some additional details that will support your initial thesis.
  • The point is to engage in a different form of prewriting: by having to publicly talk about your thesis, it compels you to think through what you are trying to prove clearly enough to a live audience that will react to your claims that you can adjust and refine your topic.
• The rest of the class will need to make comments, observations, and suggestions about the topic to help you refine your topic before you start formally writing it.