We went over the definitions assignment using the book. The instructor first, however, explained the importance of this assignment in the overall practice of researched writing. She pointed out that the assignment is directly applicable to a part of ENG 102, which many students will be taking next semester. There is a definitions section of a research paper.
Using the text, we went through the criteria for the definitions section, such as the definition itself, followed by the expanded definition. We discussed whether a historical definition might be necessary and whether the Oxford English Dictionary should be consulted.
Students were told this paper needs be no more than two pages, as that is about all that will be required to cover their topic.
To Do for Next Class:
Write two pages of rough draft for Monday's class, definition.
Wednesday, Nov. 9
Definition Assignment:
Two choices of topics. One is a student topic, contributed by Alicia. The other is from p. 578 in the book. Both are expanded upon in this post.
Friendship. Define a friendship. Tell what it is and what it isn't. You can choose from different types of friendships, such as Platonic friendships (male-female that are just friends), BFF, neighbor-friends, or choose the specific part of friendship that is part of a romantic relationship.
Technical term. Choose a technical term from this class or one of your other classes. Define this term by paraphrasing from your text. In addition, locate a specialized dictionary or encyclopedia at the library's database page. Add the definition of an expert. Expand your definition through the use of examples.
Regular encyclopedias like Encyclopedia Britannica can also be used. Document your source by putting the last name of the author or the title in quotes.
Go to this link and type in five sentences. Instructions are posted at the document.
Monday, Nov. 7
The instructor started the class off with what would be needed from students for the work in the lab on Wednesday. Those items are listed below under "to do for next class."
Next she distributed a handout on commas and asked students to review it before Wednesday.
We talked about the next essay, which is "definition." We read an example from the book called "I Want a Wife" by Julia Brady. The instructor explained the origins of this essay, and what times were like at the beginning of the women's liberation movement. She asked students how many in the class came from a family or even knew a family where the woman stayed at home. Less than half the students raised their hands.
We broke into small groups and each group was assigned a question(s). After analyzing the essay, students reported back to the group on what they found.
To Do for Next Class:
Bring portfolio. We will be entering sentences that were marked up for commas on one document.
Read the comma handout.
Think about a topic for the definition essay. Also work on an essay topic for the argumentation essay, which is coming up next week.
