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How will you revise your narrative essay to hook your reader?

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The Hook Do you like to fish? If so, you probably know the importance of using the right kind of hook or bait if you want to catch a particular fish. Similarly, your opening to your essay needs to “catch” your readers’ attention long enough so that the next lines can “reel them in.”
Consider using one of these techniques in your revised narrative essay: a focusing question, some dialogue, or a short scene. Here’s an opener that uses a scene to interest the reader in the topic of single parenthood:
“Mom, please! All the kids at school have one. Do you want me to be a social outcast?” My son glared at me and slouched against the row of gleaming cell phones, as other customers shot disapproving glances my way. Did they think I was an ogre for not indulging him or a permissive parent for allowing him to speak to me like that? Ah, parenthood… Whatever made me think I could raise a child to adulthood? And now I was facing the frightening prospect on my own.
Discussion: Notice that both of this week’s readings start off with engaging openings.

  • Which one of the readings did you prefer? Why?
  • How did Wilson or Leopold hook you as a reader?
  • How will you revise your narrative essay to hook your reader?

Example End References
Leopold, S. (2013). Willie, my thirteen-year-old teacher. In S. S. Thurman, & W. L. Gary, Jr. (Eds.), Ticket to write: Writing skills for success. [Vital Source Bookshelf] (p. 134-137). Retrieved from myeclassonline.com
Wilson, B. (2013). Popular culture: Shaping and reflecting who we are. In S. S. Thurman, & W. L. Gary, Jr. (Eds.), Ticket to write: Writing skills for success. [Vital Source Bookshelf] (pp. 624-626). Retrieved from myeclassonline.com

Test for Understanding

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Practice Test
Take the 5-question Practice Test to test your knowledge of this week’s content and to receive feedback on your responses. You must complete the Practice Test before taking this week’s Test for Understanding. The Practice Test can be taken as many times as you need in order to master the content. Once you complete the Practice Test with a score of 100% (5 out of 5 points), a link to the Test for Understanding will appear. Click on the Practice Test link to access the Practice Test. Once you complete the Practice Test, click “OK” to view your results. Be sure to read the feedback for each question.
Test for Understanding
This 20-question Test for Understanding assesses how well you understand and can apply the information in this week’s Learning Resources.
To prepare for the Test for Understanding:

  • Review the assigned Learning Resources.
  • Take the Practice Test until you have answered all 5 questions correctly.

About the Test for Understanding:

  • The Test for Understanding has a 40-minute time limit and must be completed in one sitting.
  • For each minute taken in excess of 40 minutes, students will have a 1-point deduction from the test grade.
  • If you encounter technical difficulties during the Test for Understanding, or if you have questions about how an online test works, contact Student Support for more information.

Once you have completed the Test for Understanding, you will be shown the correct answer for each question.
Click on the Test link to access the Test for Understanding. Please note, you will not see this link until you have completed and scored 5/5 on the Practice Test.
Please answer each question and click Submit when you have completed the Test. If you are inactive for a period of time during the test, you may be prompted to exit the test. Remember to carefully read the prompts provided by the test. For example, click “Cancel” (as in cancel the exit) to stay inside the test. If you click “OK” or “back,” you accept to exit the test. Please be mindful about staying active inside the test (i.e., how much time you spend between items) so the test does not time you out.

Demonstrate familiarity with the major concepts, theoretical perspectives, empirical findings, and historical trends in psychology.

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Self-Assessment The following six Program Outcomes capture a set of optimal expectations for performance at the completion of the baccalaureate degree by students who major in psychology at Walden. They are based on the fundamental skills and abilities u

 Self-Assessment
The followingsix Program Outcomes capture a set of optimal expectations for performance at the completion of the baccalaureate degree by students who major in psychology at Walden. They are based on the fundamental skills and abilities underlying what all psychology majors should achieve as per APA Undergraduate Standards. When students have completed their requirements for the BS in Psychology at Walden University, they should be able to do the following:

  1. Demonstrate familiarity with the major concepts, theoretical perspectives, empirical findings, and historical trends in psychology.
  2. Understand and apply basic research methods in psychology, including research design, data analysis, and interpretation.
  3. Respect and use critical and creative thinking, skeptical inquiry, and when possible, a scientific approach to solve problems related to behavior and mental processes.
  4. Understand and apply psychological principles to personal, social, and organizational issues.
  5. Tolerate ambiguity, act ethically, and reflect other values that are the underpinnings of psychology as a science serving a global society.
  6. Apply cultural competencies to effective and sensitive interactions with people from diverse backgrounds and cultural perspectives.

To prepare:
Review the six Program Outcomes for the Psychology program.
By Day 3
Post your response to the following:
Pick two of the outcomes. For each one, discuss a specific scenario you experienced that demonstrated your mastery of this outcome. For example, you might discuss how cultural awareness came into play in your professional life, how you identified a potential ethical issue at your internship, a time you were able to critically analyze a dubious claim in a class assignment, a time you were hired to design surveys, or what experience helped you finally understand the value of statistics. Be as specific as possible in your explanation of your two examples.

Which one of the S.O.L.E.R skills was the most difficult and why?

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Blinded by the Light—S.O.L.E.R

In this assignment, you will learn about and practice the skill of effective listening. To do this, you will listen not only with your ears but also with your eyes and body. You will begin to understand the importance of posture and eye contact to the active listening process by practicing this skill and critically analyzing your experience of this practice.
A common acronym among the helping professions for practicing effective listening is S.O.L.E.R. This stands for the following:

  • Squarely face the person.
  • Open your posture.
  • Lean toward the sender.
  • Eye contact maintained.
  • Relax while attending.

Tasks:
It would be a good idea to review the basic attending skills video before you begin this assignment. After you have completed the attending skills video exercises, practice the SOLER skills described above with a partner at home or work. You are to engage in a fifteen-minute conversation where you are primarily the listener. Practice each of the S.O.L.E.R skills. Ask your partner for feedback on how this conversation was different from other conversations you have had with him or her. Next, switch roles. Introduce the concept of S.O.L.E.R to your partner and have him or her try it with you. See what you can observe and compare it to your experience as the listener. The attending skills video has some examples of this type of conversation and follow-up feedback session that should help you better understand what you are being asked to do. Post this feedback and your experience of the conversation to the Discussion Area.
In your response, answer the following questions:

  • Which one of the S.O.L.E.R skills was the most difficult and why?
  • What were the greatest obstacles to listening you found in the exercise? Why?
  • How were your observations and experiences reflective of or contrary to research on active listening that you have found in professional literature?
  • How might you improve your listening skills going forward?

Submission Details post your responses in at least 3–4 paragraphs to this Discussion Area. Your response should rely upon at least two sources from professional literature. This may include the Argosy University online library resources, relevant textbooks, peer-reviewed journal articles, and websites created by professional organizations, agencies, or institutions (.edu, .org, or .gov). Write in a clear, concise, and organized manner; demonstrate ethical scholarship in accurate representation and attribution of sources (i.e., APA format); and use accurate spelling, grammar, and punctuation.