Week 9

This week is all about getting Essay #2 ready.  We're going to spend time in class the first part of the week looking at drafts.  The second part of the week I'll be out and you will have time to work on your extra credit assignments (See Week 8) and/or working together on your photo walk project on campus.

In our first essay the two skills we focused on were developing appropriate content and organization.  This second essay challenges you to show your ability to choose a meaningful topic and narrow your approach so that you reach your audience with skill and ease.  As you work on your drafts, please make sure to look at the readings for this week from WTDB.  All three are chosen in light of the essay. Along with the notion of narrowing the topic, I'd like for you to become more aware of your writing voice.  Take time revising your work!  Here's a short reminder of the importance of process.

We will be changing up the evaluation process for this second essay.  I will be collecting your papers and assigning numbers to them.  These will then be delivered to another class.  Two people will read and evaluate your essay using the following rubric.  You should become very familiar with this document as you, too, will use it to evaluate the work of others.  It should also serve as a map of sorts to let you know the quality of your work before you turn in the essay.

Once the papers are evaluated, I will read through them, making sure that the grades are not inflated.  You will have an opportunity to appeal your grade once you get them back if you think that you were unfairly evaluated.  Your appeal will need to be based on the rubric.  As you can see, thinking about your audience will be very important.  As such, keep in mind that your essay is personal but it is not a journal entry.  There should be something in your writing that appeals to your readers.

The essay is due 10/31 for classes that meet on MW, 11/1 for classes that meet TR, and 11/2 for classes that meet on MWF.  Essays will need to be turned in both as a hard copy text and also in a digital format via Turnitin.  Please remember that I will not read any essays that are not first submitted to Turnitin.  Also, any late submissions will receive a 50 point deduction.

WDTB:  "Syntax," "Writing Is a Communal Act," "Make Statements and Answer Questions."

Important Service-Learning Extra Credit Activity

On Saturday, November 17 (1-5pm) IF Club at Kendall and IAC will be hosting Shanty III, an event that focuses on global poverty, a powerful and destructive force that shows itself even in the wealthiest of countries, institutions, and people.  It is not merely a physical condition but one that affects the heart and spirit of humans around the globe.  I will be posting more on the event next week but wanted you to give you a heads up.