October 17, 2013

Class Work

1. How is your research coming along? How many spaces have you completed on the graphic organizer?
2. I would like to see your annotated bibliographies - either print a paper copy or simply make it visible on the computer.
3. Looking at art - Locate a piece of art - photo, sculpture, painting, or other medium which represents your chosen topic.
Let's practice:
 Looking at Art

• What is the title of the work? How does the title help you to understand the message? What is the message?
• How does this work relate to your topic? Discuss.
• What is the most obvious image in the work. To where is your eye drawn?
• Look at the colors. Are they symbolic? Would the message be different if the colors were different? Explain.
• Study the shading and shadowing. How do these elements impact the overall message?
• How do the lines and angles impact your eye as you study the work?
• Who is the artist? When was the work created? Is the artist's message about a specific event in history? What was going on in the world when the work was created? Is the art universal - speaks to people of all times and in all places, or is it limited to the audience for whom it was created.
• How does the work relate to us in 21st century America?

Time:

 

Here are some other questions to consider when looking at art:

http://www.kinderart.com/artspeak/artart3.shtml

Post a paragraph or two in Canvas - yes, in CANVAS. The space is available in Assignment #10. Include the picture in the post. Give credit to the artist, if known. Paragraphs should read like paragraphs, not lists.

Consider looking up a bit of information about the artist and the work. Why was it created? When was it created? Was it popular at the time? Does the title of the work give you any hints about the art? Where was it created? Do you know where this art is kept today?

On Tuesday, you will share your art selection with the class and lead us through the questions and explain how that work of art relates to your term. This of this like an art gallery tour, and you are the docent!


4. Sample essay: "I Know It's an Object, But is it Art?
5. "What is a Yankee?" http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/composition/definition.htm

Tips for writing a definition paper are also available on the link listed above.

6. Let's look back at your graphic organizers for writing definition papers. How is your research coming along? What information do you still need to locate?
For homework, continue with the research. Add to your annotations as you locate information about your term. Bring your notes/annotations/research/graphic organizers to class on Tuesday.
 

 

Class Work

1. Returning to the topic . . .At your table,  make a list of relationships. The list might include the best relationship you know of. Perhaps it is the love a mother has for her child. Maybe it is the affection one has toward a partner.  It could be the excitement of a new relationship. It might be the love a husband has for a wife and a wife has for her husband after many years of marriage. What about friendship? Love lost even counts.

2. Sharing of Love Songs...do this at your table / Groups of 3 or 4/

After viewing/listening/reading lyrics, share what is similar and what is different about these songs... What makes them  popular?

2. Think about a childhood friendship. Think of the "who, what, when, where, why, and how" of that relationship. ( Group according to birthday months . . . Jan/Feb/March = Group 1, April/May/June = Group 2, July/Aug/ Sept = Group 3, Oct/Nov/Dec = Group 4.

• Tell the others in your group about that friend or those friends. Person with the birthday closest to today begins. Sharing goes around the circle clockwise.
• Now that you have heard the stories of others, what is similar about the early friendships? What differs?

3. Think about your first sweetheart. This might have been a childhood crush. The person might have someone you knew from the neighborhood or from school. Perhaps your first "crush" was on someone who never knew you even liked him or her. Talk about it in your groups. Did the relationship end painfully or happily? Discuss.

Homework: Read: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A22952-2004Apr18.html "Boy Friend: Between Those Two Words, a Guy Can Get Crushed"

Decide who in your birth-month groups who will be A, B, C, and D.

Answer the following questions:
     A. Copeland refers to the Greek myth of Tantalus who is punished by the god who deny him the ability to reach water to quench his thirst or to pick succulent fruit that hangs just beyond his grasp. Conduct a bit of research on the myth ... read more... and explain why Copeland used this literary allusion in her opening. Are there additional examples in the essay that could be linked to the myth?
     B. How does Copeland support her view that although no one talks about the "friend-crush", it is actually quite common?
     C. Copeland believes that it is usually the male in the friendship who is  "crushed." Why do you think that males are more apt to be the "victims" in a friend-crush . . . or are they? Support with evidence from the article and from your observations in life.
     D. How does Matt Brochu's crush story end? How does the columnist finally come to an understanding of his crush? Was the ending a surprise? Was there evidence in the essay that pointed to the conclusion?

Discuss as a group on Thursday. Share answers. As a group, post in Canvas. List all names on the answer sheet. Post in the person's spot whose name is closest to the beginning of the alphabet. You will post on Thursday. A space will be provided for the posting. Be ready with your part.


4. Think about  your first true love. How did you meet? How long did it last? How did it end, or did it? Discuss at your table.

5. Now it is time to come up with a topic. What one word related to relationships will you define?

6. Begin working on the Definition Graphic Organizer. (handout) For homework, continue your research. Keep an annotated bibliography in EasyBib. www.easybib.com
Don't forget to start a new project before creating entries. I will check annotated bibliographies on Thursday. You will need to call up your project on EasyBib or give me a paper copy. This is a work in progress. There is no space for posting just yet.

October 10, 2013 - Thursday

Class Work

1. First, participate in a peer editing activity. Remember, the writer must take a stand. You topic relates to some aspect of Body Art. The paper should be 3-5 pages long.

• Have the paper showing on the screen in a Word document. You can copy/past it from MyCompLab into Word.
• Sit in groups of four - no exceptions!
• Listen carefully to the directions.

For homework, write the draft copy of your essay. Use MLA formatting. Post in MyCompLab. (50 pts.) Use the space for the DRAFT. Do NOT post in the Final Copy space.

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Bring in the lyrics to a popular love song. You may also include a YouTube link if one is available and is appropriate for a PG13 audience.

2.Back to the relationship topics...

Tina Turner once sang, "What's love got to do with it?"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pu8KFlfzk3Y

In class on Tuesday, we briefly talked about the advantages and disadvantages of on-line dating.

For homework, you will need to read an additional article.

Handout only: "Virtual Love" by Meghan Daum

As you read the article, look for what Daum says are the advantages and disadvantages of on-line dating. In addition, answer questions 1-8 under Thinking About the Text. Post your answers in MyCompLab. You do not need to type the questions. Be sure to number your answers. Answers need to be written in complete sentences. (40 pts.)

What is the answer to Tina Turner's question? What is love? How does it impact relationships?

Discussion: What is the best relationship you know of? Perhaps it is the love a mother has for her child. Maybe it is the affection one has toward a partner.  It could be the excitement of a new relationship. It might be the love a husband has for a wife and a wife has for her husband after many years of marriage.

Handout: "Private Lives" Read the article. Underline at least three powerful words, lines, or phrases. Post them on sticky-notes. Place on the board. Be sure to read what has already been posted before posting yours. If the same lines have been selected, place your note by the one already there. A discussion will follow.

We are moving toward the next writing piece which will focus on a definition of a term related to relationships. Think broadly. You will not be limited to "love stories." We will study more possibilities next week.

October 8, 2013 - Tuesday

Class Work

1. Let's meet your audience. At your table, share with the others. This is posted in MyCompLab. Just read it to the table members. Then, discuss what you plan to include in the paper to convince them.

2. Here are some more tips for writing an argumentative essay:
http://www.roanestate.edu/owl/argument.html

3. Let's go back to "Cry Wolf" and look at the documentation.

http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/composition/argument_sample.htm

You will need to document your sources and use internal reference notes.

http://leo.stcloudstate.edu/research/mlaparen.html

http://virtual.parkland.edu/walker102/mla.htm


For homework, decide which stories, statistics, interviews, and/or researched information will result in the best introduction. Save the leftovers for the conclusion. Keep track of your source on EasyBib or citation site of your choice.

Write your draft. Remember, you must take a stand. You must convince your audience of your opinion.  Post your working bibliography at the end of your draft.

Post in MYCOMPLAB.

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Moving on . . .

Parsing a rock...parsing a person . . . What are the qualities of the perfect date in 2013?

For homework, read "Virtual Love" by Meghan Daum. In MyCompLab, post a one or two paragraph reaction to the topic of the essay. Here is the link:

http://masf212.wordpress.com/2006/06/01/love-special-modern-romance/

 
Post in MyCompLab.

October 3, 2013 - Thursday

Class Work

We saved this for today... Conduct a bit of research to get ready to write a persuasive essay about body art.

 

• Are there any statistics that would help you make your point?
• Who needs to know your point of view - identify your audience (Post in MyCompLab - see below)
• Has your term been in the news? Find a story or two.
• Use the notes from the group research to reference the history of your topic.
• Has the body art been prominent in the media - movies, television, recordings, YouTube, etc?
• Is the body art featured in a song or poem?

Answer the questions. Please bring your answers to class. Be sure to keep track of your sources. EasyBib is a good place to do this. Annotate each source for note keeping purposes.

Let's take a closer look at "audience."

Your task with the next essay is to write to a specific audience to convince that audience that your chosen type of body art is OK or to convince that audience that your chosen type of body art should be avoided.

The first step is to decide on a position - for or against.

Second, identify your audience. Who needs to hear your thoughts? What are their values? What common ground do they share with you? How might you qualify your position to influence their opinion? Is your audience friendly, or is your audience against your stance? What does your audience already know about your topic and stance?

Handout: Sample Audience Profile

Your task is to write an audience profile. Try to be as specific as possible and include such information as economic status, gender, age, interests, and values. Are the members of the audience friendly or hostile? What claim will you make? What reasons will you need to provide to convince them that your claim is valid? What type of evidence will you need to convince them? Take the next 10 minutes to describe your audience. Post in MyCompLab.

Now that  you know your audience, how will you convince them? Please visit: http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/composition/argument.htm

Let's look at the ways in which a writer convinces an audience.

When considering the various persuasive techniques that might be used, know that the best question to ask is, "Does this make sense?" If the answer is, "Yes," then you have correctly used argumentative techniques.

We will look at part of the sample essay in class. Please finish reading it and the annotations for homework. "Cry Wolf" is a good example of a persuasive essay. Simply click on the "sample essay" link at the site noted above.
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Claims, Reasons, and Evidence

A good argumentative or persuasive essay is developed with a claim, reasons why that claim is true, and with evidence that the reasons are accurate.

To learn more about Argumentative Writing go to MyCompLab.

• Go to Resources.
• Click on Writing
• Click on Writing Strategies
• Select Argument
• Work through the modules for homework

In addition, complete Comprehensive Diagnostic Test #1 in MyCompLab.

October 1, 2013 - Tuesday

Class Work

MyCompLab is now ready for you to register.
Course: EatonEnglish101 8:00 am
Course ID: eaton76645

1. Please return to your Body Art groups. This was the assignment:
Group Activity:

• History of tattoos
• History of hair design
• History of piercings
• History of body modifications
• History of clothing/fashion design
• History of make-up.( War paint counts!)

Join one of the five groups listed above. You will conduct a quick Internet search and look for the beginnings or history of your body art assignment. Consider:

• Where did it begin?
• Why was it done?
• Did age have anything to do with the "ritual?" Was it a ritual?
• How was it done? What were the materials/tools that were used?

Prepare a brief presentation for the class. Feel free to use PowerPoint to show pictures or to point out amazing facts! Keep track of your sources. Create a Works Cited page for the group. What sources did you use?

 

You have 15 minutes to coordinate. Each person in your group needs to have a part. Prepare a slide or page that provides names and assignments. I need that when your group begins.

 

2. Presentations: Take notes during the presentations. Notes will be collected. You may hand write the notes. Bulleted lists are fine.

 

3. At your table, read your Body Art story. One volunteer from each table will share with the class. Others may volunteer to share. Listen for:

A. Details

B. Plot

C. Dialogue

D. Message/purpose

 

4. How does one persuade in writing? What tools can you use? What techniques work?

Consider how products are sold to you. Grab a magazine. Glance through it and concentrate on the ads. What is done to get you to spend your money on the products? (Focus on three ads. Respond in writing to the following:

 

• Consider the colors used
• Determine the target audience.
• What is your first impression? To where is your eye drawn?
• Look at the presentation of the product
• Observe the others in the picture.
• Read the words.
• Bottom line: Would you spend your money on the product? If so, explain. If not, what would need to happen to get you to purchase the product?

5. For homework, post your reactions to the ads in Canvas.

• Three ads
• Answer the questions
• 10pts. each

6.Save this for Thursday... Conduct a bit of research to get ready to write a persuasive essay about body art.

• Are there any statistics that would help you make your point?
• Who needs to know your point of view - identify your audience
• Has your term been in the news? Find a story or two.
• Use the notes from the group research to reference the history of your topic.
• Has the body art been prominent in the media - movies, television, recordings, YouTube, etc?
• Is the body art featured in a song or poem?

Answer the questions. Please bring your answers to class. Be sure to keep track of your sources. EasyBib is a good place to do this. Annotate each source for note keeping purposes.

 

 

September 26, 2013 - Thursday

Class Work

1. EMCC Writing Rubric Review: You need to have a copy of your "I Am A Writer" essay showing on the screen or printed on paper. I will give you a paper copy of the rubric.

2. Register for EasyBib: www.easybib.com

3. We will register for My Comp Lab on Tuesday. I ran into trouble creating the course.

4. Let's talk about body art.

5.  What do you think about body art? Do you have piercings or tattoos? If so, is there a story? (sharing) Consider your hair - styling it is also a form of body art. You might have a story about it as well! How about the way you dress? Have you ever worn something that "changed you or impresses or shocked others?
Make up is also body art. Do you have any stories to go with a make-up experience?

6. Group Activity:

• History of tattoos
• History of hair design
• History of piercings
• History of body modifications
• History of clothing/fashion design
• History of make-up.( War paint counts!)

Join one of the five groups listed above. You will conduct a quick Internet search and look for the beginnings or history of your body art assignment. Consider:

• Where did it begin?
• Why was it done?
• Did age have anything to do with the "ritual?" Was it a ritual?
• How was it done? What were the materials/tools that were used?

Prepare a brief presentation for the class. Feel free to use PowerPoint to show pictures or to point out amazing facts! Keep track of your sources. Create a Works Cited page for the group. What sources did you use?

Homework

Part I: Read "Under My Skin" by Jon Bowen http://www.salon.com/1999/06/23/tattoo/

Answer the following questions for "Under My Skin." Be prepared to discuss in class.

1. How do the anecdotes about himself and his tattoo artist ("Flash Gordon") enrich this essay?

2. Bowen deliberately shifts from first person "I" to second person "you" as he describes the process of getting a tattoo and reconsidering the tattoo. Find three examples of the second person perspective as you evaluate this strategy.

3. Find three examples of Bowen's use of humor, catchy phrases or lively tone to keep this informative essay from becoming tedious or predictable.

4. The author uses allusions that may be familiar to many readers. Do you know the origin of "Flash Gordon", "tabula rasa" or "to undo or not to undo - that's the question?" How do references to familiar characters or phrases help or hinder an essay?

5. Evaluate Bowen's inclusion of direct quotations from tattoo technicians and medical specialists to describe the reasons for removal, the degree of pain, and the results. How does Bowen keep this research from making his essay too technical or inaccessible for the readers?

(Questions from Between Worlds pp. 32-33.)

Post your responses in Canvas. You do not need to type the questions. Simply number the answers. This is due Tuesday.

Part II
Write the final copy of your introductory essay - The Writer in You. Post the final in Canvas. Please print a paper copy for me to use.

Part III
On paper, write out your personal Body Art story. This should be about a page long. Post in Canvas.