Due October 3 & 4:
Read Skill 6 and A&B pp. 41-49.
Work on Problematizing Papers at home.
Due October 5 & 6:
Read Skill 28
First draft of the body paragraphs for your Problematizing Paper is due. This means you should 1) be done with your research; 2) be done creating beautiful parachuter-topic-sentence hamburger paragraphs that are not anorexic! Print one copy and bring to class.
Secret quote: "Hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard."
Friday, September 30, 2011
October 3 & 4
Skill 6 Spotlight--thesis statements. Do exercise on p. 514, "Developing a Thesis Support Structure."
Writing Lab--work on body paragraphs. They're due next time.
See next post for revised schedule.
Writing Lab--work on body paragraphs. They're due next time.
See next post for revised schedule.
September 29 & 30
Skill 10 Spotlight--topic sentences. Hamburger handout. Parachuter trinkets. In pairs, students tried to make 11 sentences into a paragraph. Then we rewrote the topic sentence.
Writing Lab--I gave 10 points for pink prewriting and 5 points for a textbook.
See next post for a revised schedule.
Writing Lab--I gave 10 points for pink prewriting and 5 points for a textbook.
See next post for a revised schedule.
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
September 27 & 28
Trinkets--marble or kaleidoscope to symbolize looking deeply into a problem from various angles. As you know, this is what you are trying to do in your first paper. (If you haven't brought your Zip-Loc medicine bag yet, please bring it--you're missing out on the goodies!)
Skill Spotlight--Skill 25, pages 597-600. I reviewed some important points in the reading. Then I drew a graphic on the board to help you visualize the "left" (Democrats, liberals, etc.) and the "right" (Republicans, conservatives, etc.). We talked about bias in sources: all sources have a bias--you want to figure out what that bias is so that you understand your source better and where the writer is coming from so you can balance out your research. Then we looked at this Mother Jones site and this American Enterprise Institute site to look for clues--is the source left-leaning? centrist or moderate? right-leaning?
Use the Pioneer Online Library. User name, pioneer. Password, friend. I recommend the SIRS Researcher.
Google Docs--please write your "Problematizing a Topic" paper on Google Docs. Google "docs" and click on the second hit. It will help you create a Google account and sign in. Then choose "New" and "document" from the drop-down menu. At the top, click on "private to me" and share your document with me by adding my email address. Your "Problematizing" paper will be peer reviewed and graded electronically.
Announcement--The syllabus tells you that I use the following categories and percentages: Please be aware of the following:
Skill Spotlight--Skill 25, pages 597-600. I reviewed some important points in the reading. Then I drew a graphic on the board to help you visualize the "left" (Democrats, liberals, etc.) and the "right" (Republicans, conservatives, etc.). We talked about bias in sources: all sources have a bias--you want to figure out what that bias is so that you understand your source better and where the writer is coming from so you can balance out your research. Then we looked at this Mother Jones site and this American Enterprise Institute site to look for clues--is the source left-leaning? centrist or moderate? right-leaning?
Use the Pioneer Online Library. User name, pioneer. Password, friend. I recommend the SIRS Researcher.
Google Docs--please write your "Problematizing a Topic" paper on Google Docs. Google "docs" and click on the second hit. It will help you create a Google account and sign in. Then choose "New" and "document" from the drop-down menu. At the top, click on "private to me" and share your document with me by adding my email address. Your "Problematizing" paper will be peer reviewed and graded electronically.
Announcement--The syllabus tells you that I use the following categories and percentages: Please be aware of the following:
- Assignments are 30% of your grade.
- Projects (papers) are 60% of your grade.
- Participation is 10% of your grade.
Another Announcement--As explained in the syllabus, remember that if you are absent, you are responsible to read the class blog and catch up by the time you get back. Something that was due the day you missed is due the day you get back. If you missed a quiz, you'll take it the day you get back. (I just checked the syllabus, and it doesn't specifically mention quizzes, so up to this point in the term, I will not dock you for taking a quiz the time after the time you get back.)
HOMEWORK:
1. Work on "Problematizing" Paper at home. It should be on Google Docs and shared with me. You might still be doing research.
2. Read Skill 6, "Convert loose structures into thesis/support structures."
3. A&B, read Chapter 2, Concepts 6 & 7, pages 41-48. (This assignment was not on the schedule...sorry.)
September 23 & 26
Semicolons (A1 only)--Grammar Girl and Auntie Beth's Songs
Topics and research article--tell the class what topic you've chosen and show me that research article you printed (10 points).
Prewriting (pink paper)--complete front and back for next time.
HOMEWORK:
1. Read Outliers chapter.
2. Read Skill 10.
3. Finish Prewriting.
This information was posted late (on September 27 at 2:30 pm)
Topics and research article--tell the class what topic you've chosen and show me that research article you printed (10 points).
Prewriting (pink paper)--complete front and back for next time.
HOMEWORK:
1. Read Outliers chapter.
2. Read Skill 10.
3. Finish Prewriting.
This information was posted late (on September 27 at 2:30 pm)
Thursday, September 22, 2011
September 21 & 22
A&B Chapter 1 quiz
Read "Fresh air...Davies." On facing pages in your WN, play the "Believing and Doubting Game" by writing reasons to believe the ESPN article on one page, and reasons to doubt it on the other.
Note from A&B, Chapter 2, pp. 29-30:
dualists--think there are right and wrong answers, the professor knows the right answers, and it's the students' job to learn them.
multiplists--think all answers are equally valid and professors merely want students to have an opinion and state it strongly.
relativism--is the best: take a position in the face of complexity and justify that decision after weighing the reasons and evidence.
What's Your Angle? Handout describes Paper 3: Problematizing a Topic (the last page has a schedule).
HOMEWORK:
1. Read A&B Skill 7 (starts on p. 519) and Skill 25 (p. 597).
2. Decide on a paper topic, and bring an internet article on that topic.
Secret word: autumn
Read "Fresh air...Davies." On facing pages in your WN, play the "Believing and Doubting Game" by writing reasons to believe the ESPN article on one page, and reasons to doubt it on the other.
Note from A&B, Chapter 2, pp. 29-30:
dualists--think there are right and wrong answers, the professor knows the right answers, and it's the students' job to learn them.
multiplists--think all answers are equally valid and professors merely want students to have an opinion and state it strongly.
relativism--is the best: take a position in the face of complexity and justify that decision after weighing the reasons and evidence.
What's Your Angle? Handout describes Paper 3: Problematizing a Topic (the last page has a schedule).
HOMEWORK:
1. Read A&B Skill 7 (starts on p. 519) and Skill 25 (p. 597).
2. Decide on a paper topic, and bring an internet article on that topic.
Secret word: autumn
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
September 19 & 20
Suburban Legends (B2 only)--In your WN, write endings to the two Legends.
Wallowing in Complexity
1. Read "Shadow Scholar."
2. WN: What do you think of the way the author makes a living? (B1 only)
Believing and Doubting Game
If you weren't here, review the text, p. 39. In your WN, first "believe" by writing reasons that would support "Ed Dante"; then "doubt" by writing reasons that wouldn't support Ed Dante.
HOMEWORK:
Read Chapter 2, pages 28-37.
Secret Word: Utes (If you've read this post and found the secret word, write the word on a piece of paper with your name and period, fold it up, and "secretly" hand it to me. :) Thanks for reading, BTW.
Wallowing in Complexity
1. Read "Shadow Scholar."
2. WN: What do you think of the way the author makes a living? (B1 only)
Believing and Doubting Game
If you weren't here, review the text, p. 39. In your WN, first "believe" by writing reasons that would support "Ed Dante"; then "doubt" by writing reasons that wouldn't support Ed Dante.
HOMEWORK:
Read Chapter 2, pages 28-37.
Secret Word: Utes (If you've read this post and found the secret word, write the word on a piece of paper with your name and period, fold it up, and "secretly" hand it to me. :) Thanks for reading, BTW.
Friday, September 16, 2011
September 15 & 16
Homework due--Chapter 1, Parts 1-3.
Wallowing Complexity--30 Days: Muslims in America DVD
1. WN Prompt: What part of the Christian's experience would have challenged you? Would you have stayed for 30 days? Why or why not?
HOMEWORK:
College Essay Revision (due by October 7 & 10 because sometimes it's better to let writing sit before revising it)--I returned most of your essays with grades/comments. If you'd like to revise your essays, you can earn up to 50% of the points you didn't get. The assignment was worth 50 points, so if you received 40/50, after revising you could possibly receive 45/50. Here's what you must do if you want me to read your revision:
1. Don't assume that I marked everything you'd need to revise--otherwise, I'd be doing the revising for you. Read my feedback and use this opportunity to revisit and rethink your essay. Print a fresh copy.
2. Turn in the copy that I graded under the fresh copy.
3. Highlight anything you changed on the old copy.
4. Write me a paragraph explaining what you revised and why. Staple this paragraph on top of the fresh copy.
Wallowing Complexity--30 Days: Muslims in America DVD
1. WN Prompt: What part of the Christian's experience would have challenged you? Would you have stayed for 30 days? Why or why not?
HOMEWORK:
College Essay Revision (due by October 7 & 10 because sometimes it's better to let writing sit before revising it)--I returned most of your essays with grades/comments. If you'd like to revise your essays, you can earn up to 50% of the points you didn't get. The assignment was worth 50 points, so if you received 40/50, after revising you could possibly receive 45/50. Here's what you must do if you want me to read your revision:
1. Don't assume that I marked everything you'd need to revise--otherwise, I'd be doing the revising for you. Read my feedback and use this opportunity to revisit and rethink your essay. Print a fresh copy.
2. Turn in the copy that I graded under the fresh copy.
3. Highlight anything you changed on the old copy.
4. Write me a paragraph explaining what you revised and why. Staple this paragraph on top of the fresh copy.
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
September 13 & 14
College Essay Reflection
Write me a note telling me how you feel about your essay(s). What was easy/difficult about writing it? If you had more time, what would ou do to the essay(s)?
Semicolons, Dashes, and Colons quiz--see me if you missed this.
Elmo "Real Writers" Presentations
Here's a link to an interview with a "real-world writer." After reading the interview, determine what audience the writer usually writes to, what genre his/her writing is (see p. 24 in the textbook for a list of genres), and what purpose his/her writing serves. Then highlight your favorite quote about writing.
HOMEWORK:
1. Writer's Notebook--Considering your future, what writing do you see yourself doing?
2. Read Chapter 1 (pages 5-27) and in your Writer's Notebook do Parts 1, 2, & 3 on page 27.
3. Bring your textbook to class every time.
Secret word(s): peach cobbler (If you see this, write the words on a little piece of paper with your name and put it in the green mug on my desk.)
Write me a note telling me how you feel about your essay(s). What was easy/difficult about writing it? If you had more time, what would ou do to the essay(s)?
Semicolons, Dashes, and Colons quiz--see me if you missed this.
Elmo "Real Writers" Presentations
Here's a link to an interview with a "real-world writer." After reading the interview, determine what audience the writer usually writes to, what genre his/her writing is (see p. 24 in the textbook for a list of genres), and what purpose his/her writing serves. Then highlight your favorite quote about writing.
HOMEWORK:
1. Writer's Notebook--Considering your future, what writing do you see yourself doing?
2. Read Chapter 1 (pages 5-27) and in your Writer's Notebook do Parts 1, 2, & 3 on page 27.
3. Bring your textbook to class every time.
Secret word(s): peach cobbler (If you see this, write the words on a little piece of paper with your name and put it in the green mug on my desk.)
Thursday, September 8, 2011
September 9 & 12
Peer Reviews of College Application/Scholarship Essays
Writing Spotlights
1. Sentence lengths
2. Avoiding cliches
Revision Reflection in your Writer's Notebook
HOMEWORK:
1. Read and highlight/annotate Trimble's Writing with Style advice about Semicolons, Dashes, and Colons--quiz next time.
2. Revise your essays. Be sure to start each essay by stating the question or prompt you're answering or responding to!
3. Staple together (oldest on the bottom/newest on the top) first draft, peer review drafts, and final draft.
Secret word: colon (If you see this word, write it on a piece of paper with your name and give it to me for an extra credit point.)
Writing Spotlights
1. Sentence lengths
2. Avoiding cliches
Revision Reflection in your Writer's Notebook
HOMEWORK:
1. Read and highlight/annotate Trimble's Writing with Style advice about Semicolons, Dashes, and Colons--quiz next time.
2. Revise your essays. Be sure to start each essay by stating the question or prompt you're answering or responding to!
3. Staple together (oldest on the bottom/newest on the top) first draft, peer review drafts, and final draft.
Secret word: colon (If you see this word, write it on a piece of paper with your name and give it to me for an extra credit point.)
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
September 7 & 8
Writer's Block--read this report about how multi-tasking decreases your ability to concentrate.
Writing Lab--spend an hour working on your college essays. (10 participation points)
Homework:
1. Finish and revise your college application essays and bring 4 copies to class next time for peer reviews. (10 points)
secret word...shhh: concentrate
Writing Lab--spend an hour working on your college essays. (10 participation points)
Homework:
1. Finish and revise your college application essays and bring 4 copies to class next time for peer reviews. (10 points)
secret word...shhh: concentrate
Thursday, September 1, 2011
September 2 & 6
WN Responses to This I Believe essays
Listen to five (5) of the following This I Believe essays and write a 5-minutes personal response to each.
An Honest Doubter
Have I Learned Anything Important Since I Was Sixteen?
A Grown-Up Barbie
Be Cool to the Pizza Dude
Getting Angry Can Be a Good Thing
Why I Close My Restaurant
Living Life with "Grace and Elegant 'Treeness'"
Happy Talk
Always Go to the Funeral
An Athlete of God
College Application Essays WN prewriting--Decide which essay questions to answer and spend a 1/2 hour (or more) prewriting. Next class period, we are going to the Writing Lab. The time after that, we'll be peer reviewing your essays. The time after that, they're due for a grade.
Listen to five (5) of the following This I Believe essays and write a 5-minutes personal response to each.
An Honest Doubter
Have I Learned Anything Important Since I Was Sixteen?
A Grown-Up Barbie
Be Cool to the Pizza Dude
Getting Angry Can Be a Good Thing
Why I Close My Restaurant
Living Life with "Grace and Elegant 'Treeness'"
Happy Talk
Always Go to the Funeral
An Athlete of God
College Application Essays WN prewriting--Decide which essay questions to answer and spend a 1/2 hour (or more) prewriting. Next class period, we are going to the Writing Lab. The time after that, we'll be peer reviewing your essays. The time after that, they're due for a grade.
August 31 & September 1
Peer Review--perform a "usability test" for another student. Make notes and provide feedback--then sign the bottom.
Reflection--Write a one-page reflection. What did you learn about writing for an audience? If you were to revise, what changes would you make? In general, what did you learn about writing from this assignment?
Parallel Structure quiz--Complete the following sentences with words of your choice but preserve the parallel structure.
1. My dad gave me the money to go to the store and get grapes, chicken, lettuce, and ___________.
2. Struggling to get my breath, batting at the water, ____________________, I felt like I was going to drown.
3. In Belgium, I ate chocolates, walked to the museums, and _______________.
4. My idea of a utopia would be a place where elves eat seaweed, ____________________________.
Neighborhood ABCs (WN)--listen to this NPR story, choose a letter, and write a sentence about your own neighborhood.
HOMEWORK: Investigate the website of a college you would like to attend. Go through the steps to apply so that you can find essay requirements. Print the essay question(s) and bring to class. You must have essay topic questions for next time.
FYI--Paper 2: College Application Essay
Reflection--Write a one-page reflection. What did you learn about writing for an audience? If you were to revise, what changes would you make? In general, what did you learn about writing from this assignment?
Parallel Structure quiz--Complete the following sentences with words of your choice but preserve the parallel structure.
1. My dad gave me the money to go to the store and get grapes, chicken, lettuce, and ___________.
2. Struggling to get my breath, batting at the water, ____________________, I felt like I was going to drown.
3. In Belgium, I ate chocolates, walked to the museums, and _______________.
4. My idea of a utopia would be a place where elves eat seaweed, ____________________________.
Neighborhood ABCs (WN)--listen to this NPR story, choose a letter, and write a sentence about your own neighborhood.
HOMEWORK: Investigate the website of a college you would like to attend. Go through the steps to apply so that you can find essay requirements. Print the essay question(s) and bring to class. You must have essay topic questions for next time.
FYI--Paper 2: College Application Essay
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