Today's Class (and homework)

Today (Thursday) in class, we discussed some of the readings, and the requirements for the second paper. In addition, I gave three more readings for homework. Be sure to read these, and write a Reading Response:

"The Soul of a New University"
"The Implications of Considering Students as Consumers"
"The Purpose of Education"

Homework for Thursday

As discussed in class...

Read "Homemade Education," "The Idea of the University," and "Learning in the Key of Life," and write a Reading Response.

This Week...

I've really enjoyed getting to read so many of your rough drafts over the past week--and again, thanks for all of your patience during this odd week while I was out of town.

Please remember to check the list of items to include with your Final Draft on Tuesday...and be sure to bring your course reader to class on Tuesday, as well.

See you then...

What's Due with the Final Draft (and other news)

First of all, please remember that there is no class this Thursday (10/19).

Second, don't forget to email me with any questions at all. I will have limited email access Wed-Sat, but I will do my best to get back to you as quickly as possible.

Third, if you are going to email me, and it is going to include your rough draft, please remember the following: 1) It needs to be either a ".doc" or ".rtf" file; 2) You should include some specific questions/area of interest (don't just say "hey Krut, revise this"...); 3) It should get to me by Sunday at noon to allow proper time for me to read it and send comments.

And finally, as you know, you will not simply be turning in the Final Draft on Tuesday, 10/24. You must turn in:

*The Final Draft
*One copy of your Rough Draft (preferably the copy with the workshop comments on it).
*Any prework (The detail exercise, "steps of the event" exercise

Please staple all of this together with a sturdy staple. Also, don't forget to include your name and page numbers according to MLA format (see the Writer's Reference for this format).

As always, please email me with any questions at all..

Important Information for tomorrow's Class

It turns out that the Course Reader is missing a page that we need for tomorrow's (Tuesday) class...so, I've emailed it to everyone... If you did not get my email, please email me, so I can send it to you.

Please be sure to print it out and bring it to class tomorrow, along with the two copies of your rough draft...Thanks!

This Week...details

As you know, the Rough Draft of the Personal Narrative essay is due on Tuesday. Please remember to bring two, typed copies to class for workshop. The Final Draft is due on Tuesday, 10/24.

...and, of course, please remember that there is no class session this Thursday (10/19).

Good Links to the Right

I have placed some important links to the right of this blog. Many of them are about grammar issues you've looked into for class, but if you are unfamiliar with any of them, please read them as soon as possible. Each link covers a common issue in student writing--I think we can all benefit from looking them over...

Important Announcement (for the 1:00 section)

This post is just for the 1:00-2:50 section.

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT:

Bring a blue book to tomorrow's class (Tuesday, 10/10). Blue books can be purchased (they're around 10 cents) at the bookstore or Arbor convenience store. We will be taking part in a "special exercise" tomorrow in class. With that in mind, the group projects (on grammar) will now be on Thursday...more schedule changes will come in class.

You do not need to bring any of your books now, either--just make sure you have a blue book and something to write with. Thanks!

Your First Paper (Personal Narrative) Requirements

As discussed in class, the Course Reader mysteriously missed out on the inclusion of the First Paper details. So, here they are in writing (to back up our class discussion)...

Your First Essay--Personal Narrative (Understanding Experience)

The genre name sums up what this paper is all about--you will be writing about an event in your life, and its significance. When we talk about significance, we ask: how did this event affect your life? Did it make you realize something you didn't know before? Did it teach you something? Did it help you focus on your goals? The event on which you choose to write should be an experience that answers one of these questions. Each paper will be personal, and all of our events will be individual. However, there are certain things (Basic Features) that all essays should include. They are . . .

A Well Told Story: Your essay should tell the story of the event. It should be written clearly so that a reader can follow, and become involved. It is important here to remember that you are writing for others--although it is personal memory, its purpose is to share that experience with readers. Make sure the story is told in a manner the reader can follow.

A Vivid Presentation of Significant Scenes and People: Readers should not only be able to follow your story, but be able to actually visualize it. Make sure that the scenes and people involved are vivid. Can a reader see this person? Can a reader picture the scene? Be descriptive, and a reader becomes part of the event.

Indication of the Evexperiencingce's Significance: Through your writing, a reader should be able to gather the significance of the event. There are two ways of accomplishing this. Some writers choose to show the significance through the story. Others choose to directly explain the significance. Since each of us is unique, how you approach explaining the significance may be different for each writer. Personally, I find that a combination of the two works well. I recommend trying both, then choosing (or combining them). It is different for every writer. I suggest looking carefully at how the essays we read address this issue.

"Basic Features" adapted from The St. Martin's Guide to Writing

Techincal Requirements:

*2 full pages-4 pages--no more than 5 pages, font size 12, default margins
*no cover page is necessary--please refer to Writer's Reference for format specifics
*the following materials need to be included in your portfolio:
-Final Draft
-Rough Draft
-Workshop Comments
-All pre-work (homework, in-class work that relates directly to essay)
*all materials must be kept together in a manila envelope or stapled.

ROUGH DRAFT due Tuesday, 10/17
FINAL DRAFT/PORTFOLIO due Tuesday, 10/24

Please remember that if you have ANY questions at all, ask me. Stop by during office hours, email me, or set up an appointment.

Due by November 1

CLAS is an excellent resource for students--particularly during your first year. In addition to tutoring, they offer a number of worthwhile workshops.

You must attend at least two of these (schedule and list found here: http://www.clas.ucsb.edu/schedule/Gwrkschd.htm) and then write a typed, one-page summary of each workshop (so, two summaries). These summaries are due no later than November 1--meaning, you can turn it in any time beforehand.

Don't put this off--there is much worthwhile information offered. Also, please note that you have to sign up in advance (see the link above for details).

Please see me with any questions at all.

Due Thursday

As announced in class...

1. Read the letter you received at the end of class on Tuesday, and write a letter in response (using the questions written on the back). This can be handwritten.

2. Read the first three essays ("A Woman in April," "Handed My Own Life," and "Levi's") in the Course Reader. Write a Reading Response.

Also, don't forget to bring the Course Reader and the Writer's Reference on Thursday.

Thanks...

This is a Test

Testing...testing...testing.