During class this Wednesday evening (April 29), I will be collecting the research proposals for your final projects. I will review them and return them next week (or respond sooner by e-mail upon request).
Also this Wednesday, the following students will give oral presentations on their final projects: Taikyah H., Deb M., Mindy D., Samira C., Amanda S., Scott B., Desiree C., Angelina E., Todd T. and Julia C.
Everyone else, whether they have signed up for it or not, must give their oral presentations during next week's class (May 6).
As I mentioned in class last week, I've been having some difficulties accessing my e-mail account lately, so if you have urgent questions or concerns, call me at the number provided on the course syllabus.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Final project instructions
For your final project in the course, you will select one of the following research options:
1.) Art/lit option: Research the life and work of one artist or writer and write a paper discussing how one of that person’s works (a painting, poem, story, play, novel, etc.) was significant in his or her career. I suggest you select an artist or writer and a work with which you are already familiar and in which you are interested.
2.) Local history option: Research a significant person, landmark or institution in a local community’s history and write a paper discussing the subject’s influence (good, bad or mixed) on that community. If you select this option, I suggest you take advantage of the Kenneth Dorn Regional History Study Center at FMCC’s Evans Library as well as other local libraries, museums and historical societies.
3.) Science/tech option: Research a cutting-edge development in science, technology, engineering or medicine and write a speculative paper discussing what the future significance of this development might be. For example, you might research how scientists are developing a new technique for curing a disease, or how a software company is designing a new Web application.
4.) Social problem option: Research a current problem in society and write a paper arguing in favor of one possible solution to the problem. The problem you select should be something very specific (for example, “crime” is too broad a topic; it would be better to select a specific type of crime, in a specific geographical or social context.) Your paper need not offer an original solution, but it must describe the pros and cons of the solution you support as well as the pros and cons of the most likely alternatives.
No matter which option you choose, your speculation, argument or analysis must be based on evidence from your research sources, not merely your own personal opinions or “common sense.” I will be happy to suggest specific sources for your individual project, and of course the staff at the FMCC library is available for research consultation.
The final paper will be 5 to 7 pages long (double-spaced in a standard 12-pt font) and will include a separate cover sheet and a separate “Works Cited” page listing your sources according to MLA style. Your paper must use at least five separate sources. You will use in-text citations to attribute each summarized idea, paraphrase or quotation to its source.
Timeline for research project:
April 22: Read chapters 5, 6 and 7 in Research Papers textbook.
April 29: One- to two-page research proposal due in class, with annotated bibliography describing at least three likely sources. (Proposals must include summary of topic, research questions and working thesis.) Oral presentations begin.
May 6: Oral presentations continue. Review for final exam.
May 13: Final papers due at the start of class. Final exam.
1.) Art/lit option: Research the life and work of one artist or writer and write a paper discussing how one of that person’s works (a painting, poem, story, play, novel, etc.) was significant in his or her career. I suggest you select an artist or writer and a work with which you are already familiar and in which you are interested.
2.) Local history option: Research a significant person, landmark or institution in a local community’s history and write a paper discussing the subject’s influence (good, bad or mixed) on that community. If you select this option, I suggest you take advantage of the Kenneth Dorn Regional History Study Center at FMCC’s Evans Library as well as other local libraries, museums and historical societies.
3.) Science/tech option: Research a cutting-edge development in science, technology, engineering or medicine and write a speculative paper discussing what the future significance of this development might be. For example, you might research how scientists are developing a new technique for curing a disease, or how a software company is designing a new Web application.
4.) Social problem option: Research a current problem in society and write a paper arguing in favor of one possible solution to the problem. The problem you select should be something very specific (for example, “crime” is too broad a topic; it would be better to select a specific type of crime, in a specific geographical or social context.) Your paper need not offer an original solution, but it must describe the pros and cons of the solution you support as well as the pros and cons of the most likely alternatives.
No matter which option you choose, your speculation, argument or analysis must be based on evidence from your research sources, not merely your own personal opinions or “common sense.” I will be happy to suggest specific sources for your individual project, and of course the staff at the FMCC library is available for research consultation.
The final paper will be 5 to 7 pages long (double-spaced in a standard 12-pt font) and will include a separate cover sheet and a separate “Works Cited” page listing your sources according to MLA style. Your paper must use at least five separate sources. You will use in-text citations to attribute each summarized idea, paraphrase or quotation to its source.
Timeline for research project:
April 22: Read chapters 5, 6 and 7 in Research Papers textbook.
April 29: One- to two-page research proposal due in class, with annotated bibliography describing at least three likely sources. (Proposals must include summary of topic, research questions and working thesis.) Oral presentations begin.
May 6: Oral presentations continue. Review for final exam.
May 13: Final papers due at the start of class. Final exam.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Assignments for this week
In class this Wednesday, April 8, I will collect the final drafts of Essay #2. Please remember to turn in a copy of your rough draft as well as your final draft so I can see your revisions and factor them into your grade.
Because several students did not attend last week's class and some attended but did not bring a rough draft to discuss, they will be allowed to get together with others in the same boat -- on their own time -- to critique their rough drafts. They will be allowed to turn in final drafts a week late (with a grade penalty for lateness).
In class this week, we will discuss a few new grammar and style concepts and the first two chapters of the textbook on research papers. Students must come prepared to discuss these chapters.
Because several students did not attend last week's class and some attended but did not bring a rough draft to discuss, they will be allowed to get together with others in the same boat -- on their own time -- to critique their rough drafts. They will be allowed to turn in final drafts a week late (with a grade penalty for lateness).
In class this week, we will discuss a few new grammar and style concepts and the first two chapters of the textbook on research papers. Students must come prepared to discuss these chapters.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
No class tonight: Spring Break
I'm sure you're all aware there will be no class tonight, because the college is on break, but I thought I should check in with a reminder about next week.
The rough draft of Essay #2 will be due next Wednesday, April 1 (no fooling). Remember to bring three copies — one for me and two for classmates, so we may critique it. Here are the instructions (for anybody who has misplaced the copy I handed out in class):
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For either option, you must cite your subject text as well as the additional reference texts, using MLA style. Provide in-text citations as well as a full listing of source information on a separate Works Cited page.
The first draft of your essay will be due at the start of class on Wednesday, April 1.
At the top of your first page, include your name, my name, the name of the course (EN103) and the date you’re turning it in. Be sure to label it “first draft.” Bring three copies –- one for me and two for classmates who will critique it during class. Your draft should be 2 to 5 typed, double-spaced pages long. The pages of each copy should be stapled together.
You will revise your essay based on feedback from me and the classmates who read it. The final version must be 3 or 4 typed, double-spaced pages long. You will turn in one copy of the final, revised essay and a copy of the original first draft at the start of class Wednesday, April 8.
The rough draft of Essay #2 will be due next Wednesday, April 1 (no fooling). Remember to bring three copies — one for me and two for classmates, so we may critique it. Here are the instructions (for anybody who has misplaced the copy I handed out in class):
Instructions for Essay #2
Choose one:
Option A: Analyze an argument
Write an essay in response to either “Racist Like Me” by Debra Dickerson or “I Want a Wife” by Judy Brady. Your essay must analyze the subject essay’s rhetoric and present your own argument ‑‑ either disputing the writer’s thesis outright or presenting a reasonable alternative position (do not simply agree with the essay you are analyzing). Be sure to review Joseph Kelly’s informative piece “What Are Essays?” and discuss some of the concepts he explains (premises, logical/ethical/pathetic arguments) as they apply to your subject essay. You are welcome (but not required) to research the author of your subject essay and discuss how her life and other work may be relevant to the essay in question.
Option B: Analyze a fictional narrative
Write an essay analyzing one or more aspects of “Cathedral” by Raymond Carver or “A Good Man is Hard to Find” by Flannery O’Connor. Be sure to review the handout “Literary Analyses” for guidance on writing about literature. It is essential for your essay to have a narrow topic and a clear, focused thesis based on your analysis. For example, you may choose to focus on the development of characters in the story, the writer’s use of language, themes of the story or other elements of the narrative that make it meaningful or make it “work” (be clear about how you define meaning or functionality). You are welcome (but not required) to research the author of the your subject story and discuss how his or her life and other work may be relevant to the story in question.
Choose one:
Option A: Analyze an argument
Write an essay in response to either “Racist Like Me” by Debra Dickerson or “I Want a Wife” by Judy Brady. Your essay must analyze the subject essay’s rhetoric and present your own argument ‑‑ either disputing the writer’s thesis outright or presenting a reasonable alternative position (do not simply agree with the essay you are analyzing). Be sure to review Joseph Kelly’s informative piece “What Are Essays?” and discuss some of the concepts he explains (premises, logical/ethical/pathetic arguments) as they apply to your subject essay. You are welcome (but not required) to research the author of your subject essay and discuss how her life and other work may be relevant to the essay in question.
Option B: Analyze a fictional narrative
Write an essay analyzing one or more aspects of “Cathedral” by Raymond Carver or “A Good Man is Hard to Find” by Flannery O’Connor. Be sure to review the handout “Literary Analyses” for guidance on writing about literature. It is essential for your essay to have a narrow topic and a clear, focused thesis based on your analysis. For example, you may choose to focus on the development of characters in the story, the writer’s use of language, themes of the story or other elements of the narrative that make it meaningful or make it “work” (be clear about how you define meaning or functionality). You are welcome (but not required) to research the author of the your subject story and discuss how his or her life and other work may be relevant to the story in question.
-----
For either option, you must cite your subject text as well as the additional reference texts, using MLA style. Provide in-text citations as well as a full listing of source information on a separate Works Cited page.
The first draft of your essay will be due at the start of class on Wednesday, April 1.
At the top of your first page, include your name, my name, the name of the course (EN103) and the date you’re turning it in. Be sure to label it “first draft.” Bring three copies –- one for me and two for classmates who will critique it during class. Your draft should be 2 to 5 typed, double-spaced pages long. The pages of each copy should be stapled together.
You will revise your essay based on feedback from me and the classmates who read it. The final version must be 3 or 4 typed, double-spaced pages long. You will turn in one copy of the final, revised essay and a copy of the original first draft at the start of class Wednesday, April 8.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
What's up for this week's class (March 18)
I have four main things planned for tomorrow night:
1) I'll hand back the mid-term quizzes and go over them in detail.
2) I'll introduce a couple of new grammar and style concepts.
3) We'll talk more about the handout on "Literary Analyses" and the short story "Neon Tetra" and start talking about "Cathedral."
4) I'll give you the instructions for Essay #2, the first draft of which will be due in two weeks.
1) I'll hand back the mid-term quizzes and go over them in detail.
2) I'll introduce a couple of new grammar and style concepts.
3) We'll talk more about the handout on "Literary Analyses" and the short story "Neon Tetra" and start talking about "Cathedral."
4) I'll give you the instructions for Essay #2, the first draft of which will be due in two weeks.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Curious about subtext?
I didn't get to go into detail about this tonight, but here's some food for thought about Curious George and The Man in the Yellow Hat: Curious George and Colonialism
Monday, March 9, 2009
Mid-term test this Wednesday
Are you ready for the test this Wednesday, March 11? (Scroll down to the end to see what else we will do this week.)
The test will include a multiple choice section, a short-answer section and a short essay section. I'll give the test at the end of class, so those who finish more quickly than others may leave. I expect most students will take about 45 minutes to complete the test, but I will allow more time for those who want it.
The questions will cover material including the grammar and style issues we've discussed in class as well as several of the rhetoric-and-composition terms and concepts from the readings and class discussions.
Below is a list of some (but perhaps not all) of the terms and concepts that will likely appear on the test. (Click on the underlined terms to read their definitions at dictionary.com; keep in mind these definitions are general and don't discuss the terms in any specific context).
Narrative
Thesis (also explicit versus implicit theses)
Rhetoric
Anecdote (n.), anecdotal (adj.)
Premise
Satire
Irony
The personal essay
The argumentative essay
ALSO SCHEDULED THIS WEEK: Before the test, we will talk about the handout on "Literary Analyses" and the short story "Neon Tetra" by Eric Puchner. If time permits, we also will begin talking about "Cathedral" by Raymond Carver.
The test will include a multiple choice section, a short-answer section and a short essay section. I'll give the test at the end of class, so those who finish more quickly than others may leave. I expect most students will take about 45 minutes to complete the test, but I will allow more time for those who want it.
The questions will cover material including the grammar and style issues we've discussed in class as well as several of the rhetoric-and-composition terms and concepts from the readings and class discussions.
Below is a list of some (but perhaps not all) of the terms and concepts that will likely appear on the test. (Click on the underlined terms to read their definitions at dictionary.com; keep in mind these definitions are general and don't discuss the terms in any specific context).
Narrative
Thesis (also explicit versus implicit theses)
Rhetoric
Anecdote (n.), anecdotal (adj.)
Premise
Satire
Irony
The personal essay
The argumentative essay
ALSO SCHEDULED THIS WEEK: Before the test, we will talk about the handout on "Literary Analyses" and the short story "Neon Tetra" by Eric Puchner. If time permits, we also will begin talking about "Cathedral" by Raymond Carver.
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