Day 5 & 6

Monday we reviewed exercises from chapters 1-3 in WLTC. We began with a lengthy discussion following a freewrite on the qualities of good writing.

Students then shared essays plans and/or essays. Only two students had drafts for review. Today, we had a small class, most students came in, dropped off their essays and left. It was strange. Other about half the class didn't show.

I wonder what that means (smile). I have to check my roster, maybe students have dropped the class.

Monday's homework was to start reading Edward P. Jones's book, but the bookstore didn't order it, so we will start with The Autobiography Black Panther: Robert H. King, followed by The Known World. This will give students a chance to purchase it. I called the college books store to see if the manager can order it. Check public libraries, independent booksellers like Books Inc. on Park Street in Alameda, Marcus Books in Oakland, or one of the many corporate sellers and yes, on-line.

We will conclude the class with Black Like Me.

I'll return the essays tomorrow with comments. You have a couple of days to get it back to me with corrections and an essay where you instruct the writer how to correct and/or revise the essay per comments.

Bring Wise's book to class. We are not finished with it. The handout I gave students on paraphrasing was to be completed by Thursday. If you have any questions, bring them up in class.

Today we looked at standard form, arguments with missing claims or hidden assumptions (Occam's razor 61, 62-63). We completed Exercise 3D, 3B and 3C. Homework for Thursday, July 1 is Exercise 3E).

Wednesday students will make their first presentations (reference Exercise 21 page 42-43). Students are to bring in one ad and one cartoon to share. Strudent will identify the argument and present it in standard form on the white board. Please note any implicit messages or hidden assumptions.

There will be a cyber-assignment attached to this presentation.

Finally, students are to respond to the following prompt at the link above. Begin the three paragraph response with an introduction which brings in Wise and then responds to same question as reflected in your life.

What trigger (3-4) moments predisposed Tim Wise to interrogate his life? Find three (3) instances in you life which when reflected upon predisposed you to think, act, be a certain way today? What choices have you made (possibly brave or courageous choices Wise would say) to be where you are right now?

To exercise critical thinking means to take measured steps until one's eyes are adjusted to the darkness. Critical thinkers reflect and tread lightly just in case he or she needs to back track and find those bent leaves and footprints still visible he or she passed along the way.

Living consciously or being awake as opposed to sleep walking through life means one takes nothing for granted, yet keeps notes, makes plans and then tears up the paper just in case. One doesn't want to make a trail, the fun or lesson is in the journey--what one finds along the way not in the destination.

This response should be about 250 words.