As our six week semester slams to a halt, I wish you a good summer and suggest some good reading as discussed in class. Feed your mind: Enrich your life. Laugh. Makes for a better life.
Please check out these interactive websites to sharpen your grammar and punctuation skills. The Purdue site also provides tons of information on style, MLA, APA: you name it!
There is NO ONE who doesn't need to expand their vocabulary, so please, play on Freerice. com. Fill a belly(someone else's) and a mind (yours).
List of Interactive Sites
-- Go to Brookdale’s Main Page
--Click on Quicklink: Academic Depts.
--Scroll down to Writing Center
--Click on Writing Center
--Click on On Line Resources
------Check out Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL) and
---------The Writers Complex at Empire State College
This site from Dalton State provides a wide variety of interactive exercises and lessons.
http://www.daltonstate.edu/faculty/mnielsen/writing_lab_practice_exercises_list.htm
http://www.freerice.com/ for vocabulary. It'a imperative to have the best words to chose from if you want to win an argument or prove a point.
An optimist is someone who falls off the Empire State Building, and after 50 floors says, 'So far so good!'
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Assignment Due Tuesday June 23
Final revision for Story Behind the Photo. Use the Essay Planner handout to help guide your revision.
Proofread for focus, development, and organization.
Proofread for punctuation.
Proofread for focus, development, and organization.
Proofread for punctuation.
Study the handout on punctuation rules.
Quiz on Tuesday!!
Scroll down to the June 2 entry for directions to a BCC website for additional self-testing. Also check out the Purdue website there.
Remember: check your e mail every day this week-end.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Assignment Due Thursday June 18
Revise essay on Someone Special: Essay 3 (correction) Draft 2
Annotate in the margian showing - in brief notes - what the paragraph is about. This will help you see if you have kept to the rule: 1 paragraph/ 1 topic.
Be sure each topic is developed with description, illustrations; use the five senses!!!!
Be sure your intro and closing paragraphs reflect each other.
Annotate in the margian showing - in brief notes - what the paragraph is about. This will help you see if you have kept to the rule: 1 paragraph/ 1 topic.
Be sure each topic is developed with description, illustrations; use the five senses!!!!
Be sure your intro and closing paragraphs reflect each other.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Assignment Due Tuesday June 16
The Story Behind the Picture
The first draft of this essay should be very well developed. It will get more work than your previous first drafts because you know more now and should be more skillful.
Print a hard copy to proofread three separate times.
Proofread first to examine your intro and thesis.
Then proofread to correct any punctuation/sentence structure errors.
Next proofread looking only for spelling errors to be corrected.
Take a break.
Proofread again to be sure each paragraph supports your focus.
Be sure there is only one topic per paragraph.
Develop your essay with details, and description.
Make sure your closing paragraph is strong and reflects the introductory paragraph.
Look once again at the introduction. Does it “hook” the reader’s interest?
Underline the thesis. After reading the entire essay, be sure it still works.
You have time to do this; use the writing process to create your best work. There should be some fun involved in this. After all, it’s all about you!
This essay carries more weight than the others as you should understand what makes a good essay. Hand in all copies/ drafts that brought you to the Draft 1 ready to be handed in.
Make use of what you’ve learned in Chapter 11.
The first draft of this essay should be very well developed. It will get more work than your previous first drafts because you know more now and should be more skillful.
Print a hard copy to proofread three separate times.
Proofread first to examine your intro and thesis.
Then proofread to correct any punctuation/sentence structure errors.
Next proofread looking only for spelling errors to be corrected.
Take a break.
Proofread again to be sure each paragraph supports your focus.
Be sure there is only one topic per paragraph.
Develop your essay with details, and description.
Make sure your closing paragraph is strong and reflects the introductory paragraph.
Look once again at the introduction. Does it “hook” the reader’s interest?
Underline the thesis. After reading the entire essay, be sure it still works.
You have time to do this; use the writing process to create your best work. There should be some fun involved in this. After all, it’s all about you!
This essay carries more weight than the others as you should understand what makes a good essay. Hand in all copies/ drafts that brought you to the Draft 1 ready to be handed in.
Make use of what you’ve learned in Chapter 11.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Assignment Due Thursday June 11
Chapter 11 on Illustration. Read from page 151 -156; read Natalie Goldberg’s essay Be Specific on page 163.
Page 164: Wrtie out the answers to Questions on Subject #1 and #2. Write out the answers to Questions on Diction, #1 and #2 for class discussion.
If you have not handed in Draft 2 of The Lottery or Day with a Pop Icon, be sure it’s handed in by Thursday, the 11th.
Bring in a picture of yourself. Others may be in the picture. You will be writing about that picture and the story behind it.
Page 164: Wrtie out the answers to Questions on Subject #1 and #2. Write out the answers to Questions on Diction, #1 and #2 for class discussion.
If you have not handed in Draft 2 of The Lottery or Day with a Pop Icon, be sure it’s handed in by Thursday, the 11th.
Bring in a picture of yourself. Others may be in the picture. You will be writing about that picture and the story behind it.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Assignment Due Tuesday June 9
Revise Essay 1 to create Draft 3: Spending a Day with a Pop Culture Icon. The second drafts lacked the addition of description: physical and sensory details that bring the essay alive. Use dialogue when possible. Be the eyes and ears for the reader.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Assignment Due Thursday, June 4
Congrats to All! You did some really good work in class on The Lottery.
On Thursday, hand in the final revision - Draft 2 - of the essay on The Lottery. Be sure to attach Draft 1 behind it.
Need work on grammar, punctuation, prepositions or any other specific area? The Learning Assistants at The Writing Center can work with you. Just make a 1/2 hour appointment. Instructions to make an appointment are in the column to the right, OR you can always drop in.
On Thursday, hand in the final revision - Draft 2 - of the essay on The Lottery. Be sure to attach Draft 1 behind it.
Need work on grammar, punctuation, prepositions or any other specific area? The Learning Assistants at The Writing Center can work with you. Just make a 1/2 hour appointment. Instructions to make an appointment are in the column to the right, OR you can always drop in.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Assignment Due Tuesday June 2
Thursday's journal assignment: Write about a person who made a significant impression in your life. Name three or four qualities of that person you admire or respect. Describe some actions or behaviors that show those qualities.
Homework: Take your journal assignment and build on that for Essay 3, Draft 1.
- Be sure you have a thesis - topic sentence that suggests what is to follow - in your intro. What do you really want to say in this essay?
- Make sure each paragraph has only one topic in it.
- ONE PARAGRAPH/ ONE TOPIC!
Essay must be 3 ½ - 4 pages, double space, 12 point font.
Study all rules of punctuation.
To test yourself go to:
www.Brookdalecc.edu
click: Quicklinks
“ Academic Depts.
“ Writing Center
“ Writing Center (again)
“ The Writers Complex at Empire State
Here you can click on Punctuation Points and do the exercises on Commas and semi-colons.
Here you can also click on Grammar Workout and do the exercises on Fragments and Run On Sentences.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Assignment: Due Thursday May 28
Using the notes and commentary from our class discussion, write a 3-4 page essay on Shirley Jackson’s short story, The Lottery. By the end of class you should have your topic and focus.
Be sure to use examples from the story or, if applicable, from life to develop your point.
When working on your topic sentence, ask yourself, “What do I really want to say in this essay?”
Double space – 12 point font
Re: CLASS DISCUSSION: We discussed themes in Jackson's story including tradition, the lottery. Why did the community have this tradition? Was there any mention of discontinuing the lottery? Look at the handout for commentary on tradition and group thinking.
The black box played a big role in the lottery. Jackson gives considerable description on how it is stored, it's appearance, the fabric, how worn it is. When it is brought out for the lottery, the men ask for help to steady it on the stool. No one responds right away. Look at the handout for commentary on the box. It's both feared and revered.
For a video of The Lottery:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tN5V8cQ2DAk
After watching part one, look on the right sid of the screen to find part two.
Need a copy of the handout from class? It's in my file at the Writing Center or you can email me at mcapra@brookdalecc.edu and I will send it to you.
Be sure to use examples from the story or, if applicable, from life to develop your point.
When working on your topic sentence, ask yourself, “What do I really want to say in this essay?”
Double space – 12 point font
Re: CLASS DISCUSSION: We discussed themes in Jackson's story including tradition, the lottery. Why did the community have this tradition? Was there any mention of discontinuing the lottery? Look at the handout for commentary on tradition and group thinking.
The black box played a big role in the lottery. Jackson gives considerable description on how it is stored, it's appearance, the fabric, how worn it is. When it is brought out for the lottery, the men ask for help to steady it on the stool. No one responds right away. Look at the handout for commentary on the box. It's both feared and revered.
For a video of The Lottery:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tN5V8cQ2DAk
After watching part one, look on the right sid of the screen to find part two.
Need a copy of the handout from class? It's in my file at the Writing Center or you can email me at mcapra@brookdalecc.edu and I will send it to you.
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Assignment Due Tuesday May 26
Read and study Chapter 14 Editing for Grammar
pages 608 -613.
Read and study handout on Use of Commas - FANBOYS
Revise Essay 1 to create Draft 2: Day with a Pop Culture Icon
In class we discussed introductions and use of description. Refer to your notes.
Look at your introduction. Underline the thesis. Be sure you created a focus point that you can develop in the body paragraphs. Include more description and illustrations to develop your story as discussed in class.
Read The Lottery by Shirley Johnson
Immediately after reading the story, write your reaction to the story and the author’s writing techniques. Did she create suspense? Show her use of description and illustrations, dialogue. Why were these effective techniques? No more than a page.
Need another copy of The Lottery -- http://www.classicshorts.com/stories/lotry.html
pages 608 -613.
Read and study handout on Use of Commas - FANBOYS
Revise Essay 1 to create Draft 2: Day with a Pop Culture Icon
In class we discussed introductions and use of description. Refer to your notes.
Look at your introduction. Underline the thesis. Be sure you created a focus point that you can develop in the body paragraphs. Include more description and illustrations to develop your story as discussed in class.
Read The Lottery by Shirley Johnson
Immediately after reading the story, write your reaction to the story and the author’s writing techniques. Did she create suspense? Show her use of description and illustrations, dialogue. Why were these effective techniques? No more than a page.
Need another copy of The Lottery -- http://www.classicshorts.com/stories/lotry.html
Friday, May 15, 2009
What You Will Need:The text Subjects & Strategy, a flash drive, and folder and/or binder to organize paperwork.
Assignment 1
Due Thursday, May 21
Read Chapter 5 on Description beginning on page 107 up to 113 discussing the use of description as a writing strategy and the importance of using description to create a dominant impression.
READ The Shaw on page 111
Answer briefly (yes written, and yes, typed double spaced) the 3 questions under “Analyzing James Blake Wilson’s Essay.”
When you answer the questions, note what paragraph the answer is in.
Now that you’ve read and understood the information about description, revise and complete Essay 1 adding description. Follow the instructions below:
SAVE ORIGINAL AS ESSAY 1 DRAFT 1 WRITTEN IN CLASS
Topic: How you'd spend a day with a Pop Culture Icon of your choice. Why that person? Remember to keep it real!
CREATE ESSAY 1 DRAFT 2 POP CULTURE ICON
This draft should have more use of description.
It's imperative to save EVERY draft of everything you write, identified by draft, date, and title
Contact Information:
English 121-402 RL
Instructor: Mary Anne Capra / email: mcapra@brookdalecc.edu
Tuesday / Thursday 9:30 a.m. - 11:50 a.m. /May 26 - June 25
Room 230 Larrison Hall
Due Thursday, May 21
Read Chapter 5 on Description beginning on page 107 up to 113 discussing the use of description as a writing strategy and the importance of using description to create a dominant impression.
READ The Shaw on page 111
Answer briefly (yes written, and yes, typed double spaced) the 3 questions under “Analyzing James Blake Wilson’s Essay.”
When you answer the questions, note what paragraph the answer is in.
Now that you’ve read and understood the information about description, revise and complete Essay 1 adding description. Follow the instructions below:
SAVE ORIGINAL AS ESSAY 1 DRAFT 1 WRITTEN IN CLASS
Topic: How you'd spend a day with a Pop Culture Icon of your choice. Why that person? Remember to keep it real!
CREATE ESSAY 1 DRAFT 2 POP CULTURE ICON
This draft should have more use of description.
It's imperative to save EVERY draft of everything you write, identified by draft, date, and title
Contact Information:
English 121-402 RL
Instructor: Mary Anne Capra / email: mcapra@brookdalecc.edu
Tuesday / Thursday 9:30 a.m. - 11:50 a.m. /May 26 - June 25
Room 230 Larrison Hall
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