Flawed Assumptions Undergird SAT
Best schools behind bars? (Thanks to Rick for alerting me to this. Consider this in light of the "new" paternalism.)
Monday, September 29, 2008
Friday, September 26, 2008
Next Week!
Class Schedule Change September 29 and October 1/FYW/ Dr. Thomas
NO REQUIRED CLASS MEETINGS next week.
Meet with Dr. Thomas during your appointment time (either Monday or Tuesday per schedule).
By midnight Wednesday (October 1), submit your draft of Essay 2 and both peer-reviewed copies of that draft.
Ben and Lindsey: You must submit your draft of Essay 2 to your peer group (Ben = pink; Lindsey = green) before submitting it to Dr. Thomas. PLEASE, would someone on pink and someone on green email Ben Granger and Lindsey Appleby to confirm the groups? Also, Ben and Lindsey need to select an appointment time for next week; see the schedule and email me your choice ASAP.
Wednesday OPTION: I can hold class Wednesday as an OPTION for any who want to meet and discuss your books, your essays, or any of the topics of the class. PLEASE EMAIL ME IF YOU WANT TO HAVE AN OPTIONAL CLASS WEDNESDAY.
NO REQUIRED CLASS MEETINGS next week.
Meet with Dr. Thomas during your appointment time (either Monday or Tuesday per schedule).
By midnight Wednesday (October 1), submit your draft of Essay 2 and both peer-reviewed copies of that draft.
Ben and Lindsey: You must submit your draft of Essay 2 to your peer group (Ben = pink; Lindsey = green) before submitting it to Dr. Thomas. PLEASE, would someone on pink and someone on green email Ben Granger and Lindsey Appleby to confirm the groups? Also, Ben and Lindsey need to select an appointment time for next week; see the schedule and email me your choice ASAP.
Wednesday OPTION: I can hold class Wednesday as an OPTION for any who want to meet and discuss your books, your essays, or any of the topics of the class. PLEASE EMAIL ME IF YOU WANT TO HAVE AN OPTIONAL CLASS WEDNESDAY.
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Monday, September 15, 2008
More Tips and Hints after E.1 Drafts
Here are some things that have popped up since I responded to your E.1 drafts:
• You are always free to ABANDON an essay draft; yes, you can start an entirely new draft/essay at any point during the process of any essay. Real writers do that, and you may also (just keep in mind that we have slightly different requirements in the academic world for completing our writing "assignments").
• When you check a number on the Conventional Language web spot, note that each number has revision guidelines—edit, delete, revise, or add. Note what the number suggests!
• Consider that I responded to your drafts after ONE reading; my initial responses could be off-base. Think about my comments, but do not feel they are commandments! (I changed my mind about one student's essay today.)
• You are always free to ABANDON an essay draft; yes, you can start an entirely new draft/essay at any point during the process of any essay. Real writers do that, and you may also (just keep in mind that we have slightly different requirements in the academic world for completing our writing "assignments").
• When you check a number on the Conventional Language web spot, note that each number has revision guidelines—edit, delete, revise, or add. Note what the number suggests!
• Consider that I responded to your drafts after ONE reading; my initial responses could be off-base. Think about my comments, but do not feel they are commandments! (I changed my mind about one student's essay today.)
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Next step: Revision
Revision is an opportunity to see again. After reading your drafts to E.1, I suggest that most of you focus on a few key aspects as your revise. Using the on-line version of Conventional Language, consider the following:
• Begin your essay with something that urges the reader to continue reading. Be specific and vivid from the beginning. Narrative techniques and specific (and real) examples often work to engage the reader. Consider some of the following openings:
From Barbara Kingsolver, "Letter to My Mother" and "High Tide in Tucson"
From Amy Tan, "Mother Tongue"
• All aspects of your writing must be purposeful. A key part of your purpose is to choose your words carefully for specificity, clarity, and appropriateness (particularly tone). See (24) and (19).
• Simply writing a statement doesn't make it true. Know your topic well; this requires research in many cases. Once you are writing from an informed position, it is crucial that you show the reader the evidence supporting those claims.
• Know your focus, (41), and organize, (31), your essay in some way that best presents that focus clearly and coherently to your reader.
• Begin your essay with something that urges the reader to continue reading. Be specific and vivid from the beginning. Narrative techniques and specific (and real) examples often work to engage the reader. Consider some of the following openings:
From Barbara Kingsolver, "Letter to My Mother" and "High Tide in Tucson"
From Amy Tan, "Mother Tongue"
• All aspects of your writing must be purposeful. A key part of your purpose is to choose your words carefully for specificity, clarity, and appropriateness (particularly tone). See (24) and (19).
• Simply writing a statement doesn't make it true. Know your topic well; this requires research in many cases. Once you are writing from an informed position, it is crucial that you show the reader the evidence supporting those claims.
• Know your focus, (41), and organize, (31), your essay in some way that best presents that focus clearly and coherently to your reader.
Monday, September 8, 2008
Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2008
• Share revised Cisnerso exercise—Reading like Writers. . .
• Discuss our writing processes. . .
• Peer edit
• Discuss our writing processes. . .
• Peer edit
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