February 14, 2011 - Monday

Class Work



1. What topic did you select? What two items are you comparing? What organizational pattern are you using? (Share charts and topics)

2. What "research" have you conducted? What do the experts say about your items?

3. Which one you you prefer? How will you convince the readers that one is clearly the better of the two, if one is.

4. Let's look at one more essay - "Malls vs. Small Shops" http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/composition/comparison.htm

5. Take a look at the techniques advertisements use to try to convince you to part with your money! (Magazine activity)
http://www.superbowl-commercials.org/3561.html

Homework

Conduct additional research to support your ideas. Add the cites to your Works Cited page.

Write your draft. Bring a paper copy to class on Wednesday for a peer editing activity. Concentrate on your organization. Be faithful to ONE pattern of organization.

Comparison/Contrast Essay -
Sample Essays:
"Malls vs. Small Shops"
http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/composition/comparison.htm

"Neat People vs. Sloppy People" (Handout)

How to organize for writing - (Notetaking)

Homework
1. Select your topic - what two items will you compare and contrast? Bring it to class on Monday.
2. Create a chart using one of the two methods of organization. Fill it in.
3. Conduct research on both of your topics. What do the experts say?
4, Start your Works Cited page. I suggest EasyBib!

Wednesday

Class Work
1. What did you find out about on-line dating? What was your source? Show me your Works Cited entry. What are your thoughts on the information in the article?
2. Back to the "perfect person to date." What did the folks in the late 1800s think?
3. Article discussion - "The Internet is destroying the world. Human communication will be rendered obsolete." p. 58 Will it?
4. Is it possible to date on-line?
What are the advantages? What are the disadvantages? Is it better to meet someone "inside out" or "the right way 'round?" "Modern Romance" p. 53
5. Facebook - friend or foe?


Homework
1. Find a song about love or the lack there of. Bring the lyrics to class. Briefly discuss the "reality" of the lyrics. Add the song to your Works Cited page.
2. Read "Who's Cheap" p. 68 in Between Worlds. Describe the best date you have been on. If you are still waiting for the "best", describe what that date would be like. What would you do? Where would you go? How expensive would it be?
3. Make a list of what you don't like to happen or do on a date.
4. Who should pay when dating? Explain.

Monday, February 7, 2011

Class Work: Did you finish the pre-diagnostic test? If so, print a copy of your results and turn it in for credit. Don't worry about the score.

1. Publish in the air - be prepared to share all or part of your body art essay. Don't be shy!
2. Get with a partner and swap papers one last time - correct any run-on sentences that remain.
3. Begin the new unit: Love in the 21st Century
http://www.onlinedatingmagazine.com/mediacenter/onlinedatingfacts.html
4. Readings from Between Worlds
A. "Modern Romance" Celeste Biever p. 51.
B. "Virtual Love" by Megan Daum p. 56
Do you know anybody who has tried on-line dating?
Is it a good idea? Advantages? Disadvantages?

Homework
1. Locate at least one additional article on the subject of on-line dating. Create a Works Cited entry on EasyBib.
2. Finish reading the articles from Between Worlds listed above. Answer the question under Thinking About the Text for both articles.
3. What about Facebook? Has it changed dating in the 21st century? This is your opinion - research will come later. Write a paragraph sharing your thoughts.

Friday - Announcements

Today in class we reviewed the rules for avoiding run-on sentences and comma splices. Next, we revised two run-on sentences from the returned essays.

Homework

1. Write the final copy of your "Body Art" essay. Check each sentence carefully and do your best to avoid run-on sentences and comma splices. The final copy is due Monday. Be sure to attach your rough draft to the final document. Place the final copy on top.

2. Urgent! Finish the pre-diagnostic test by Monday morning. I must submit a report to the English Department.

Monday Morning - January 31,2011

Class Work

Intro: Let's look at a sample narrative- "The Pond in Ralph's Swamp"

1. Share your body art story.
2. Listen for:
Dialogue
Description
The Point of the Story
3. Time to finish the Connect Composition diagnostic!
4. EasyBib is your friend! Be sure you can log on.
4. Let's get rid of those pesky run-on sentences!
http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/

Homework
1. Create a Working Bibliography for the two articles on body art from the Between Worlds book.
2. Find an additional article about body art that contains information you could use in your body art essay. Add that source to your Working Bibliography.
3. Add dialogue to your story if you missed it the first time.
4. Bring a paper copy of your improved body art paper to class on Wednesday.

Class Work



1. Discuss the history of tattoos, piercings, and other body art.

http://www.amnh.org/exhibitions/bodyart/glossary.html


http://tattoo.about.com/cs/articles/a/museum_display.htm


2. Participate in a group/class discussion of the questions following the short essays.

3. Questions about the on-line assessment - have you finished the diagnostic test?

4. What are the characteristics of an excellent personal essay that is used to illustrate a larger issue? (See Part 2, sections 11 a and b in The McGraw-Hill Handbook.)

5. Practice punctuating dialogue: http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/quizzes/quotes_quiz.htm

Also see Part 10, sections54 b and c in The McGraw-Hill Handbook. (p. 757)

Homework

1. Write a one page "story" about your personal body art experience. If you have not had one, explain why you refrained. (Draft) How do you feel about body art? What point are you trying to make? What is the larger issue? Bring the draft to class on Monday.