Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
1. We have a guest today to get us signed on to Write Now! Grab a computer and get it up and running!
2. Return "Writing Is" essays - well done! We need to work on sentence punctuation to avoid run-on sentences.
http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/runons.htm
Meet the FANBOYS!
See p. 521 in Write Now
3. Take your Body Art paper and locate all of the FANBOYS. Highlight them. Look at what is on either side. If you find you have two independent clauses, make sure you add a comma between the first independent clause and the FANBOY. Otherwise, you have a run-on sentence.
4. Look at last Thursday's blog for links information about in-text citations. Be sure you have given credit to your sources in your Body Art paper.
Homework
Use the My Comp Lab link to Write Click. Put your Body Art paper into the program. Look at the suggestions for corrections. Make the necessary corrections. Save your paper. Be sure to print a paper copy. Bring the corrected paper copy to class along with the first draft. Label the corrected copy Draft 2.
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Let's slow things down a bit . . .
Activity #1: Rock descriptions . . .
Activity #2: Back to the sentences from Tuesday
- pp. 439 in Write Now - sample paragraph
- p. 443 in Write Now - "Zoom Out"
Activity #3: Creating in-text citations . . . see p. 384 in Write Now
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/02/
Activity #4: We are writers! (It is time to share your paper with a small group.)
Homework
Be sure you cite at least three different sources in your Body Art essay. You could add a line from one of the essays we read to begin the unit. You could quote a classmate, friend, or family member. You can include information from the history of body art articles. Perhaps you did a bit of research and have a quotation about health issues related to body art. Maybe you found a famous quotation from a poem, song, play, or book. Whatever you quote, use in-text citations.
In addition, create a Works Cited page in MLA format. Use EasyBib for ease and accuracy. http://www.easybib.com/
Sign in. The site will keep track of your sources as you add them.
Monday, September 5, 2011
September 6, 2011
1. Review the rules for punctuating dialogue.
- p. 422 in Write Now - Chapter 20 - "Narration"
- http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/quizzes/quotes_quiz.htm
- http://fictionwriting.about.com/od/writingexercises/qt/punctuation.htm
2. Partner activity to practice punctuating dialogue.
3. Work on the dialogue in your "Body Art" paper. Read your experience to a partner. Place the paper between the two of you so that you can see the paper. If you have your paper on a jump drive or if you e-mailed it to yourself, you will be able to see it on the computer screen - we have the cart today! Check the punctuation. If you have no dialogue, work with your partner to determine the best places to add dialogue in your paper.
4. Work on description . . . see Chapter 21 in Write Now - p. 437.
5. Go to : http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/composition/narrative.htm
Let's look at the examples together
6. Group Activity . . . random grouping
Homework
1. Add description and dialogue to your Body Art paper. Remember, even if you are opposed to body art, you have a story to share. Be sure your description shows your opinion on body art. Are you for it or against it? You cannot sit on the fence. Make a decision. Your description will show your opinion.
2. Continue your extended research. Look at last Thursday's blog or refer to your paper handout for ideas.
3. If you have not signed into EasyBib, now is the time to do so! http://www.easybib.com/
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Thursday, September 1, 2011
1. Submit Essay #1 - Writing is . . .
- The final copy goes on top. I only grade what is on top.
- The rough draft is next.
- The peer editing sheet is on the bottom.
- Staple all together and submit.
2. Take a look at some sample personal writing samples. Each makes a point, that is each has a thesis. You will be making a point about tattoos, body piercings, hair design, or make-up when you write your next essay. The "person experience" will be the center piece of your writing.
http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/composition/personal.htm
Handouts: "If Only" and "Fish Cheeks"
3. Review the rules for punctuating dialogue.
3. Conduct some in-class research on tattoos, body art, hair design, and make-up. You will also interview at least three others in the room to research their opinions on body art.
(Groups of up to 6 -
Station A: For 10 minutes, write an argument supporting the use of body art.
Station B: For 10 minutes, write an argument against body art.
Station C: Investigate the history of tattoos
Station D: Investigate the history of piercings
Station E: Interview each other. Ask about tattoos, piercings - or the lack there of. Consider the following questions:
1. Do you have piercings or tattoos?
2. If so, what motivated you to alter your appearance?
3. If not, what is your motivation to avoid body art?
4. Do your friends or relatives have body art? Did that influence your decision to have or avoid body art?
5. If you have piercings or tattoos, describe the experience.
Be sure to get the correct spelling of the student's name. Use today's date as the date of the interview. Add this information to EasyBib.
Homework
1. Look back at your notes from the group investigation stations. Decide if you are going to write to write in favor of or against body art. Conduct additional research. What are some of the guidelines from business? Do opinions differ among generations? What do the health experts say?
2. Write the draft of your personal experience. If you have no personal experience with tattoos or piercings, think of a time when you changed your hair or dressed differently. Those experiences are also memorable. Bring the draft of the experience to class on Tuesday.
3. Be sure you have a paper copy of the essay. We cannot print in this room. We have no computers. You MUST have a paper copy.
4. Bring your Write Now book to class. You must have your own copy by Tuesday.
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
September 30, 2011
1. Peer Editing: We will be using the EMCC Writing Rubric for this exercise. You will be working in groups of four.
2. Sign your name at the top of the peer editing sheet as the author.
3. Pass your paper to the person on your right. You are now the Content Editor. Read your neighbor's paper and rate subject matter, focus, and support. Be sure to praise the things you like and to give suggestions or ask questions about items that confuse you.
4. Pass the paper to the right. You will be the Clarity Editor for this paper. Look at the organization. Did the author include the four parts suggested. (Look back at Thursday's blog post to review the parts.) Rate the paper in the Clarity section. Give suggestions and not the parts you like.
5. Pass the paper to the right. You are now the Editing Editor. The paper needs to be in MLA format.
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/01/
or
Look at the sample student essay in Write Now - p. 216 or 384 if you have a paper copy of the book. If you have the on-line version only, see Chapter 17.
Visit this site for guidelines and examples.
Did the author cite any source? If so, is there a Works Cited page. Ask the author if he or she used EasyBib. http://www.easybib.com/ If not, suggest that the author sign in to the site.
Don't forget to check for proper Grammar/Usage/Mechanics. (GUM)
6. Pass the paper back to the owner/author. Take a look at your paper. Do you understand the remarks of your editors? If not, take this opportunity to talk.
The final copy of this paper is due on Thursday, September 1, 2011. You need to bring the following:
- Final copy
- Draft
- Peer Editing Page
The final copy goes on top.
*******************************
7. Back to tattoos . . . today, think like a reporter. Can you answer Who/What/When/Where/Why/How about tattoos? Use these questions as the focus of your research.
Look back at "Under My Skin." See Thursday's post for the link. Find three important lines from the reading. Write them on a post-it note. Post the note on the board. Read what others saw as the most powerful lines and post like lines by like lines.
Homework
1. Finish your "Writing" essay. It is due on Thursday.
2. Read "On Teenagers and Tattoos by Andres Martin on p. 24 of Between Worlds.
http://wps.ablongman.com/wps/media/objects/362/370953/ramagefm.pdf
See chapter 6.
3. Do some research about the history of tattoos. Bring in five interesting facts. Start a new Works Cited page on www.easybib.com
Thursday, August 25, 2011
August 25, 2011
1. Get ready to write.
- Part I - use the quotation about writing as the focus of your introduction. Why does this quotation relate to you as a writer? Does it relate to other writers? Is is always true? Is is sometimes true? Do you like this feature of writing?
- Part II - Tell about an experience or two you had with writing. What do you write? When do you write? Describe the experience in detail. Was there conversation regarding the writing? Did others like your writing? What did you do with the writing? What did you learn about yourself as a writer because of this experience.
- Part III - Wrap it up. Based on your background, what do you hope to learn as a writer in this class? With what do you need help? What are your strengths? What can you contribute to help others?
- Part IV - End with another quotation about writing. This can be a statement of your own; a quotation from a friend, family member, or classmate; or another quotation from a quotation book or web site.
2. Include a Works Cited page - MLA format - use EasyBib. This is an on-line site designed to put your information into the correct format. You will need to sign in. A real name is not required; however, you must provide a real e-mail address. The site will save your citations if you push the right buttons. Watch and see. Sign in on your own.
3. Begin to discuss body art - see "Jerry Richardson Doesn't Want
Cam Newton To Get Any Tattoos" posted on Yahoo yesterday . . . a paper copy is provided for your use.
What do you think - should Cam Newton be able to get a tattoo if he wishes? Is this fair? Explain.
Homework
1. Finish the draft of your "Writing" paper. Bring a paper copy of the draft to class on Tuesday.
2. Read "Under My Skin" by Jon Bowen. (Handout) www.salon.com/health/feature/1999/06/23/tattoo/print.html
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
First Day of School
Class Work
1. Welcome activity.
2. What is writing?
- Why write?
- When is writing important?
- Are there different types of writing?
- What is good writing?
- What kind of a writer are you?
- What personal experiences, good and bad, have you had with writing?
3. There are varied opinions about writing. Visit http://www.quotegarden.com/writing.htm
and locate a quotation that you feel best defines your idea of writing.
4. Explain your quotation to the others at your table.
5. This quotation will be the focus of your first compostion for this course.
Homework
1. Write the first draft of your paper. The purpose of this paper is for you to introduce yourself to me by telling me what you think about writing. Include a personal example.
2. Consider this an invitation to write. Do not worry about form at this point in time.
3. Bring a paper copy of your writing to class on Thursday. You may or may not be finished, but bring at least one typed page - double spaced. We will do more work on this on Thursday.
4. Just write!