September 22, 2011 - Thursday

Class Work


1. Review your group's descriptors of "the perfect date."
2. Listen to the 1890 version of "the perfect man and woman."
3. How do the lists differ? In what ways have things remained the same?
4. What caused the changes?
5. Discuss dating. In what ways has the Internet changed dating, or has it?
6. On-line dating . . .consider the pros and cons. Let's look back at the articles you read for homework.
7. Topics related to relationships - let's generate some possibilities.
8. Discover how to write a definition paper by studying sample essays: "What is a Yankee?"
"A Few of My Favorite Things" and "Break It to 'Em Gently" (handouts)

Homework

• Use the graphic organizer for writing a "Definition Paper" and begin your research. Bring it to class on Tuesday.


• Keep track of your sources by starting a new Works Cited page. (Consider using EasyBib or you may use My Comp Lab.


• Review the guidelines for writing a definition paper in Write Now - pp. 444-451.

September 20, 2011, Tuesday

Class Work

1. Your Body Art paper is due today. Please place the following items in your paper packet.

• Place the final copy on top. I grade the copy on the top.



• Place at least one draft next. The draft where you identified the FANBOYS and made decisions about correct punctuation is a good choice. Those of you who sent your draft to me to review may use that copy.



• Also include your "rock" paper and notes. The bright green sheet is a good choice for notes. Other notes, if any, are also good choices.



• I will use the EMCC writing rubric to score this essay.

2. We will return to the FANBOYS and commas. We will also meet the "snob words" and semi-colons. All work together to join two independent clauses. Run-on sentences will be in the past! Note: Snob Words are more formally known as conjunctive adverbs. http://www.engl.niu.edu/wac/conjadv.html

• Open a Word document



• Type a sentence about _________. Type another sentence about _______.



• Join the two sentences together using the comma/FANBOY structure.



• Join the two sentences together using a semi colon/snob word/comma structure.

http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/powerpoint.htm

3. Let's begin a new unit. We will be writing a definition paper. Do not pick a topic yet. We will generate possible topics today and Thursday.

4. You will be working in two groups. Both groups will come up with a list of the characteristics of the perfect date. We will compare lists. What is common? What differs?

5. Has dating changed over the last 20 years? Are your dates like those of your parents or grandparents?

6. How has the Internet changed dating. . . or has it?

Homework

1. Read "Modern Romance" by Celeste Biever p. 51 in Between Worlds. Look at the Thinking About Text questions and answer, in writing, any three.

2. Read "Virtual Love" by Meghan Daum, p. 56 in Between Worlds. Look at the Thinking About the Text questions and answer, in writing, any five.

Bring your answers to class on Thursday. We will not have the computers, so please bring a paper copy.

Thursday, September 15, 2011

Class Work

1. How did it go with Write Now? Have you started the first diagnostic test? Did you try Write Click? What were the positives? What were the problems? Was your experience a "plus" or a "minus?"

2. Let's go back to the FANBOYS and to the interesting sentences. . . how did you fix them? Get with a partner and compare corrections. I will assign a # to your team. Write your correction on the board.

3. Back to the Body Art papers . . . highlight all of the FANBOYS. Check for independent clauses on both sides of the FANBOY. If you find independent clauses on both sides, place a comma between the first independent clause and the FANBOY

independent clause, FANBOY independent clause

4. Citing Sources: go to http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/02 for examples.

5. Also see p.385 and the sample essay on p. 394 in Write Now.

6. Do you have in-text citations in your essay? If not, you need to quote somebody or something!

7. You must also have a Works Cited page. Either use the feature in MyCompLab to create a Works Cited page, or use EasyBib. http://www.easybib.com/
If you use EasyBib, be sure you sign in. Go through all of the steps to get to the Works Cited page in a Word document. If you do not go through all of the "clicks," you run the risk of having "interesting" formatting. If you complete the "clicks," you will have a perfectly formatted page.

Homework
1. Finish your essay. On Tuesday please bring your final copy, at least one draft, and your "rock" paper. Place the final copy on top.

2. Complete Diagnostic Test #1 in MyCompLab. You must purchase the book and code and sign in to do this. Contact me if you have questions.

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Class Work

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

Class Work
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.

September 6, 2011

Class Work

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

Class Work

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.