Thursday, December 30, 2010

Writing 102 Thursday 8:30-12:15

We began the class by discussing different types of writing:  expository (academic writing), marketing communications writing, journalists –writing for the news media, science writing. humor writing, technical writing, creative writing-poetry or drama, fiction, screenwriting/playwriting,  writing for the internet (HTML), legal writing: case law, briefs (potboiler”), letter writing/personal communication writing and also journal writing, and advertising copywriting. This class focuses on expository writing and MLA citation.

The instructor also told the class about the various forms of citation: MLA and APA academic -- humanities (MLA), social sciences (APA), American Medical Association, Bluebook  (law), and Chicago (journalism).  Also there are individual types of citation as specified by individual  journals.

Next we did paired introductions,where each member of the class was matched with another. Each person did a four-minute interview and then introductions were written. The introductions were put on the overhead doc cam. Each interview had a reader. The writer of the interview could see where the reader "stumbled" in reading. This was usually due to a missing word or a missing definite article.

After the introductions, we discussed the research paper. The instructor put the research paper assignment sheet on the overhead projector and we went over it. At the break, students who had done free writing met with the professor to get keywords in case they want to develop their free writing into a research paper.


We moved on to poetry. The instructor put up a table and students told which genre or poetry movement they wanted to work on. Some students had not yet made their selection, so the instructor made the table "editable" so any of the students can go on and enter their choice.


After we did the poetry selections, the instructor briefly reminded students that the poetry assignment had been sent to them by e-mail and that they could also find it in the Links section of the blog. In addition, she pointed out the "explication" link and the poetry reading link. 


Next she showed students the literary databases at the library. She told students LION was her favorite but there were two others the students could use:  Literary Reference Center and Literature Resource Center. She suggested students obtain their criticism firstj, and the reason for this is that if a poem is chosen, there may not be literary criticism on that particular poem. As part of the class is learning about literary criticism, it is important that students have at least one article as part of their poetry project.  Note:  do not be surprised if this is somewhat difficult to find. You may need the help of the instructor or a librarian.


After we discussed the poetry assignment, the instructor showed students the drama literary terms, which is also in the "Links" section.

Note:  the information on order the Lester book will be put here when the instructor figures it out.


To do for next class (Assignments):

Decide on topic for research paper and find five sources for the paper. Put the sources in the form of an Annotated Works Cited and bring to next class. All topics must be approved by instructor

Begin research on your poetry genre. Obtain two sources and put on an Annotated Works Cited. Post your genre or school/movement.

Read the first half of the poetry reading (link at blog) First eight pages.

Read the first third of the glossary terms from the drama link. Possible quiz or exercise on these terms.

Be prepared for quiz on syllabus.

Possible quiz on drama terms A-C

Link to order access to writershelp.com from the publisher (also see my email, sent Thurs. evening):


http://whbeta.bedfordstmartins.com/ebooks/helphandbook.php

Note:  the writershelp people do have the payment button working.

Also the bookstore has cards in.

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

All Students Taking Finals

Please email me at the comcast address before you go to take the final.

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Advertising

Advertising students who were in class the day we analyzed the Old Spice commercials might enjoy this Julian Assange parody.


Tuesday

We had student presentations of questions.

The class had a short time to figure out logistics for our Christmas party on Thursday. Students will present their ads at that time.

During the last 15" of class, students did the course evaluation.

To do for next class;

Have your ad ready to present. It would be a wise idea to stop by the room and make sure you can bring the ad up on the computer. The password is the same as the user name.

Speech Critical 1402

Students should complete another type of evaluation form.

99 Writing Classes

If you want to read an online copy of Harris' Urban Legends essay, it is posted at ehow.

Your essay must interact with Harris' work.  You should aim for a minimum of three quotes from it, and preferably five.

Friday, December 3, 2010

Writing 99 Friday

We organized for the portfolio. A list of the categories was put on the board. Students are supposed to bring their papers next Friday, organized as on the list.

Next we read through the assignment for Essay #4. We discussed the essay questions in class. Students were given a hard copy but the essay is also posted online.

Finally we did in-text citations. We went through a model MLA paper on the overhead screen. We saw how each author or article was listed in the Works Cited.

We worked through exercises from the writershelp.com site. We went around the room, with each person taking a citation example

Next week:

Bring your portfolio, per above.

Turn in essay on either of the two questions. It must have in-text citations and a Works Cited.

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Writing 99 MWF

Friday

The portfolios will be read on the 15th, so students have to have their file completed by Decemeber 10. Essay #4 is also due on that date.

Today the instructor gave a quiz over some of the most basic errors that have been covered in class but that students are still making. There were, however, 9 As, 3 Bs, 1 C and two Fs. 

After the quiz, the instructor returned papers for Essay 4 and a few other essays.

The instructor went over grades that had not been recorded and made the additions or corrections.

She took rough drafts for Essay #4. Of 17 students in attendance, only five submitted a rough draft.

To do for next class: 

Work on Essay #4.


Wednesday

The instructor handed out file folders for the portfolio and the students put their papers together.

Students should bring their rough draft for Friday. See the link below to the assignment. In addition, any student who has a late paper should turn it in between now and Dec. 10.

Students who have not done the exercise at writershelp.com should do the three commas exercises.  They are:

Exercise: Major uses of the comma 1

Exercise: Major uses of the comma 2

Exercise: All uses of the comma



Monday

The instructor returned  most of the expatriate papers. She told students that Wednesday would be spent getting the portfolio together and they should bring all their papers to the next class.

In addition, she discussed the assignment for Essay #4.  The RD is due on Friday. This essay must have in-text citations and a Works Cited.