College Writing, October 18 & 20, 2010

CLASS: Questions:

1. What does the story ultimately mean?

2. What do the teeth symbolize? Why?

3. How is Helen's story one of self-discovery and identity?

4. Is this is sad story? Why or why not (please go deeper than Helen's death)?

5. In what ways is this a story about relationships? What is it specifically trying to say about them?

READ: Finish the book by Wednesday

WRITE: Revision of essay #3 -- be sure it includes the rhetorical devices discussed in class today.
Journal 10: Free-write into narrative (one per family)

Piece 1

Piece 3

Piece 2

College Writing, October 13, 2010: Up with details! Down with vagueness!

NOTE: I very badly owe you a "housekeeping day." So as to better utilize the weekend, we will forge forward today, then on Monday, we will revisit the following concepts: 

       1. will continue Evaluating Quality in discussion of articles

       2. review and discuss parrallelism quiz (not taking by 6pm, yet)

       3. revisit themes of Reluctant Fundamentalist

WRITE:

Dominant impression prep: I want you to get used to getting an overall impression from a work and then expressing that impression in one general sweep...one broad brush-stroke. To do this, study the piece thoughtfully. Consider its purpose, tone and audience. Be honest with yourself and don't try to pretend to be an art critic. Be you. Capture the fullness of your own voice. Then, simply, write one sentence that sums up the way you feel about it -- your overall impression. You will leave your single sentence as a comment under each post containing the famous art pieces in the above posts. The point of this assignment will be to get you prepared to create a strong dominant impression. And then...

Essay #3: Description. You will write a descriptive essay. Your subject will be any one of the following:

1. a room or space in your home
2. a stranger you can observe out in the world
3. a famous painting or portrait
4. a body part or small aspect of someone you know

Some ideas: a pretty girl, your boyfriend’s smile, your best friend’s eating habits, your sofas, the cafeteria lady, your brother napping in front of the TV, a particular article of clothing on your mom, a garden, etc.

The only thing it MUST be is something observable. I want you to view your subject as you write, so be sure it is available for even just a short time.

Pre-write about the sensory details you experience around the subject before you write. Use any of the pre-writing activities used in class. Consider interesting ways to protray images.
Make sure your essay contains a discernible dominant impression, usually found in the same spot as a thesis, and both objective and subjective details (most be more than one page).

Active Reading test article

Here!

IMPORTANT NOTES FOR MONDAY

I will arrive early to the designated rooms for Monday's tests. Approximately 3pm & then 5pm for each class. Please feel free to come early. (Six o'clockers, you are invited to take the test with my three thirties if you want and assuming there is adequate room). So, basically, please come early if you are interested in getting the test over with.

Also, special note for 3:30 class (thanks, Sam): I forgot to give you the article for homework. I will give it to you in class tomorrow. Otherwise study up!

College Writing: Wednesday, October 6, 2010

IMPORTANT NOTE: Monday's classes will meet in computer labs so you may type your Active Reading tests! 3:30pm will meet in F210 and 6pm will use D004.  

STUDY: Active Reading Test Monday

Journal #7: Read about this terrible tragedy out of Rutgers. React to it and the multimedia presented here from Ellen and the Governor. State your specific stance on and possible reactions to cyber-bullying in general.

Journal #8: Facebook and Indentity Part 1: React and respond to this Boston Globe article. Do you agree? Disagree? How does the new "social me dia" world need to adapt or change.

Journal #9: Read the article I gave you in class, apply the tenets of Evaluating Quality. Discuss how your assessment differs from the previous oil drill article. 

The Falcon Film Files: Journal #6: We Used to Wait Film (Arcade Fire)

The Falcon Film Files: Journal #6: We Used to Wait Film (Arcade Fire)

College Writing: October 4, 2010

Class is modified for Wednesday, check REMINDERS for updates.

STUDY: Active Reading test MONDAY

WRITE: Journal 6: Literary Analysis: Read the short story "Dentaphilia." What do you think it means? Explain what you think the teeth might symbolize? How might this story reflect themes of self-discovery and identity in a way that is similar to RF?