Cyber-Assignment: The Known World
1. Look at the themes: slavery, power and literacy. How do these three (3) themes play out in individual character's lives? Choose three to examine.
After looking at other themes students were told they could choose three (3) other themes to examine. Themes we looked at were: sacrifice, family, slavery, freedom, wealth, poverty, and personal histories and how these lives and their stories are changed or impacted both negatively and positively by the dominant social discourse.
Respond in three (3), in five (5) sentence paragraphs. Include a citation in each paragraph. Respond to a student post.
2. Fallacies 6A (in class contest). The E Team, E for Excellence won the first round with 17 points to the A Teams 15. We will have a rematch on Tuesday (smile).
3. Exercise 7B pp. 163-164. We didn't get to this. We will complete it on Tuesday in groups.
Homework:
1. Read in WLTC pp. 157-173. Skim the entire chapter. Complete exercises: 7A (163). You can post here and email to me as well (just in case).
2. Be prepared to do exercises: 7C, 7D, and 7E in class and 7B (see above).
3. Finish TKW. Homework, post five arguments in standard form taken from TKW here.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Moving Forward
We will write arguments using three forms: Toulmin, Rogerian and Aristotelian or Classical. Students will present these arguments orally. The essays will be about 250-500 words long.
The Known World (Classical)
From the Bottom of the Heap (Rogerian)
Black Like Me (Toulmin)
Let's look at due dates to see what is reasonable. Note the length of the essays.
The Known World (Classical)
From the Bottom of the Heap (Rogerian)
Black Like Me (Toulmin)
Let's look at due dates to see what is reasonable. Note the length of the essays.
Tuesday students worked in small groups on Exercise 6A in WLTC. We also talked about the Wise essay. Homework was to complete the second or third 100 pages (smile). Maybe it was second hundred--all I am certain of is, we complete the book next week. The other aspect of the homework was to complete the rest of 6A. We will review the answers in the morning.
We will look at revision strategies in the morning (handout and film--at a later date). We will also share at least one successful essay, more in the coming week. Students will also have an opportunity to develop thesis sentences related to themes from The Known World. We will use the Classical Argumentative form or Aristotelian, for this essay.
I will give students a sample essay using this form Tuesday to practice in groups. Let's look at next Thursday for essay plans for TKW using the classical form. Final drafts the following week. This will give students who are revising essays a chance to complete these revisions.
We'll start From the Bottom of the Heap next. It is an easy read, even if the issues addressed are not. Robert King is in town tomorrow for a screening of a film about the Angola 3. He will be at both screenings: 4 PM at the University of San Francisco's "Presentation Theatre" on Turk (near Masonic) in San Francisco, and at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts on Mission at Third Street for the 7:30 PM screening.
As a part of Human Rights Watch Film Festival, the University of San Francisco is screening and panel discussion also includes a screening of the film, COINTELPRO and Mr. King will be joined by Richard Brown of the San Francisco 8 and Will Crossman. I think the USF event will be pretty remarkable, but YBCA will be great as well. YBCA costs $8 for tickets. A friend of mine said if anyone wants to go to the YBCA event and can't afford it let her know, which means you have to let me know (smile).
Oh, if anyone needs the book: From the Bottom of the Heap, now is the time to tell me, so I can order copies. It is $12.00.
If nothing else, the first essay assignment was a great illustration of the difference between argument, opinion and explanation. Don't you think?
We will look at revision strategies in the morning (handout and film--at a later date). We will also share at least one successful essay, more in the coming week. Students will also have an opportunity to develop thesis sentences related to themes from The Known World. We will use the Classical Argumentative form or Aristotelian, for this essay.
I will give students a sample essay using this form Tuesday to practice in groups. Let's look at next Thursday for essay plans for TKW using the classical form. Final drafts the following week. This will give students who are revising essays a chance to complete these revisions.
We'll start From the Bottom of the Heap next. It is an easy read, even if the issues addressed are not. Robert King is in town tomorrow for a screening of a film about the Angola 3. He will be at both screenings: 4 PM at the University of San Francisco's "Presentation Theatre" on Turk (near Masonic) in San Francisco, and at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts on Mission at Third Street for the 7:30 PM screening.
As a part of Human Rights Watch Film Festival, the University of San Francisco is screening and panel discussion also includes a screening of the film, COINTELPRO and Mr. King will be joined by Richard Brown of the San Francisco 8 and Will Crossman. I think the USF event will be pretty remarkable, but YBCA will be great as well. YBCA costs $8 for tickets. A friend of mine said if anyone wants to go to the YBCA event and can't afford it let her know, which means you have to let me know (smile).
Oh, if anyone needs the book: From the Bottom of the Heap, now is the time to tell me, so I can order copies. It is $12.00.
If nothing else, the first essay assignment was a great illustration of the difference between argument, opinion and explanation. Don't you think?
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Today, the inclimate weather kept the many away. Thanks to those who braved the stormy weather (smile). We reviewed 5 more of the exercises from Hacker and Dennis shared http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=teMlv3ripSM
(This is the complete sketch: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQFKtI6gn9Y)
Dennis tell us about the argument and the fallacy. You can post it here.
Homework is to bring in an example of one of the fallacies depicted in Chapter 6, also to complete WLTC Exercises 6A: 1-5 on page 145. If students want to answer more that's fine. We will complete them all between Tuesday and Thursday.
Next week we will continue in TKW and look more closely at inductive and deductive reasoning using Venn Diagrams (157-199).
I will email students graded responses to their Wise essays. Thanks for your patience.
(This is the complete sketch: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQFKtI6gn9Y)
Dennis tell us about the argument and the fallacy. You can post it here.
Homework is to bring in an example of one of the fallacies depicted in Chapter 6, also to complete WLTC Exercises 6A: 1-5 on page 145. If students want to answer more that's fine. We will complete them all between Tuesday and Thursday.
Next week we will continue in TKW and look more closely at inductive and deductive reasoning using Venn Diagrams (157-199).
I will email students graded responses to their Wise essays. Thanks for your patience.
Sekou Sundiata "Blink Your Eyes" Cyber-Assignment Homework
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RR0nTMg3kbs
Watch and listen to the poem. What is the argument? What evidence supports the argument? What in your experience supports this argument? What in Wise supports this argument?
Watch and listen to the poem. What is the argument? What evidence supports the argument? What in your experience supports this argument? What in Wise supports this argument?
Cyber-Assignment 2 today
A good way to keep reading logs for the book is to keep them according to characters. As a first profile describe Henry Townsend.
Post your profile here.
Post your profile here.
Cyber-Assignment 1 today
Today we will, in groups, complete the balance of the Hacker exercises. Post summaries ofThe Known World reviews here now or later.
Students brought in visual arguments. I want students to have an opportunity to share them.
I plan to show students a clip from the film: The Great Debaters. The film is based on the true story of a small black college in Wiley, Texas's debate against, in the film, Harvard, in reality, the University of Southern California in the 1930s.
It is a great cinematic moment (smile). There is no writing assignment attached to it, just a way to observe how powerful argument is in changing the world or at least making it a better place to live in.
If you'd like to respond fell free to do so.
Students brought in visual arguments. I want students to have an opportunity to share them.
I plan to show students a clip from the film: The Great Debaters. The film is based on the true story of a small black college in Wiley, Texas's debate against, in the film, Harvard, in reality, the University of Southern California in the 1930s.
It is a great cinematic moment (smile). There is no writing assignment attached to it, just a way to observe how powerful argument is in changing the world or at least making it a better place to live in.
If you'd like to respond fell free to do so.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
The Known World, WLTC, etc.
Today in class the plan is to review the Hacker handout on Argumentation and review Chapter 6 in WLTC. Read the chapter. We will complete Exercise 6A in class. Homework is to bring in a visual fallacy to share. Be prepared to explain it.
We will take some time to get into Lit Circles to talk about The Known World. We want to complete it in two weeks, beginning with last Thursday. A student suggested we spend more time on TKW and less on the other two books, which are easier to read.
TKW is not a fast read. Try to complete 2-4 chapters (100 pages a week). Develop character profiles. It will help one keep track of the events and the shifting chronology.
I am still wading through Wise. I plan to respond to all students with grades by Thursday.
We will take some time to get into Lit Circles to talk about The Known World. We want to complete it in two weeks, beginning with last Thursday. A student suggested we spend more time on TKW and less on the other two books, which are easier to read.
TKW is not a fast read. Try to complete 2-4 chapters (100 pages a week). Develop character profiles. It will help one keep track of the events and the shifting chronology.
I am still wading through Wise. I plan to respond to all students with grades by Thursday.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Other Announcement: Free Medical Check-ups
April 1-4 in Sacramento
April 9-12 at the Oakland Coliseum
Free medical, dental and vision services. Details on-line at RAM website: http://www.ramusa.org/expeditions/schedule.htm
Remote Active Medical, an organization that provides free services to the unemployed, under served, uninsured, under insured, and those who cannot afford to pay for these services.
Arrive at 3:30 AM to get a number.
Patients will be seen from 5 AM to late afternoon, early evening. The organization can also use volunteers.
April 1-4 in Sacramento
April 9-12 at the Oakland Coliseum
Free medical, dental and vision services. Details on-line at RAM website: http://www.ramusa.org/expeditions/schedule.htm
Remote Active Medical, an organization that provides free services to the unemployed, under served, uninsured, under insured, and those who cannot afford to pay for these services.
Arrive at 3:30 AM to get a number.
Patients will be seen from 5 AM to late afternoon, early evening. The organization can also use volunteers.
Wise Essay
Extension
If students need it. The Wise essay can be submitted up to Monday at 12 noon. Students can give me the reading logs Monday, if they are not digital. For TKW type your logs.
I will give students a reading schedule Tuesday, since the syllabus is not accurate anymore (smile). Bring a grammar style book to class on Tuesday and to each class, along with a dictionary, WLTC and the novel. We meet in A-204 on Tuesday.
I know we are moving fast, but this is an accelerated schedule. Don't get behind on the reading. Turn in essays which reflect your best writing. MLA should be perfect. For this essay I am paying attention to how well you define the term and how well you use evidence and incorporate it into the text.
It is a short essay, which means it shouldn't have been that difficult to write. Make sure you include the question after the heading of the paper, followed by the essay starting with the title.
In a word document arrange your essay as follows:
1. Final draft of the essay.
2. Essay Planning--IPS and outline
3. Peer Reviews
4. Related Cyber-assignments
5. Reading Logs
Redo the header and count all the pages. Headers are one half inch from the top of the page. I gave students a handout at the beginning of the class with this information on it. Make sure you put titles on each section and begin each section with a new page. The sections can take the titles from 1-5 (see above). You do not have to put a heading on the Final Draft of the essay. I think I can figure that out (smile).
In the Works Cited page, which is a part of your essay, don't forget to use a hanging indent for any citation longer than 1 line. If there are any articles or books read which were not cited, include them in a bibliography. Bibliographies look just like Works Cited pages.
Keep an error log on your essays. I will probably make students write correction essays for all essay which do not get a passing grade the first time.
If you did not complete the freewrite, make sure you complete it. Post your thesis anonymously and respond to student arguments with your name.
If students need it. The Wise essay can be submitted up to Monday at 12 noon. Students can give me the reading logs Monday, if they are not digital. For TKW type your logs.
I will give students a reading schedule Tuesday, since the syllabus is not accurate anymore (smile). Bring a grammar style book to class on Tuesday and to each class, along with a dictionary, WLTC and the novel. We meet in A-204 on Tuesday.
I know we are moving fast, but this is an accelerated schedule. Don't get behind on the reading. Turn in essays which reflect your best writing. MLA should be perfect. For this essay I am paying attention to how well you define the term and how well you use evidence and incorporate it into the text.
It is a short essay, which means it shouldn't have been that difficult to write. Make sure you include the question after the heading of the paper, followed by the essay starting with the title.
In a word document arrange your essay as follows:
1. Final draft of the essay.
2. Essay Planning--IPS and outline
3. Peer Reviews
4. Related Cyber-assignments
5. Reading Logs
Redo the header and count all the pages. Headers are one half inch from the top of the page. I gave students a handout at the beginning of the class with this information on it. Make sure you put titles on each section and begin each section with a new page. The sections can take the titles from 1-5 (see above). You do not have to put a heading on the Final Draft of the essay. I think I can figure that out (smile).
In the Works Cited page, which is a part of your essay, don't forget to use a hanging indent for any citation longer than 1 line. If there are any articles or books read which were not cited, include them in a bibliography. Bibliographies look just like Works Cited pages.
Keep an error log on your essays. I will probably make students write correction essays for all essay which do not get a passing grade the first time.
If you did not complete the freewrite, make sure you complete it. Post your thesis anonymously and respond to student arguments with your name.
Recap
Today in class:
1. Freewrite on-line
2. Argumentation--video (handout from Diana Hacker's Rules for Writers (pp. 344-368 5th Ed; 371-380 6th Ed.) Read handout for homework. You do not have to do the exercises on the last two pages. We will complete the exercises in groups in class.
3. The Known World - Homework, Find a published review of the book using a library database. Bring the article to class. Post a summary after class. Handout from book (Author interview and a list of characters). Read it.
4. Cyber-Assignment due before class:
Post a response to Argumentation video. What is argumentation? Discuss 4 points about argumentation you learned, that perhaps you were unaware of.
What is another term (one word) for argumentation? What is an objective argument?
Discuss 4 points made that mirror those already discussed in WLTC. Be specific and use page numbers from WLTC.
Why is audience important? Why did Norm need an example? How did Fred's need for a new van help explain how to write an argument?
Summarize the key points of the discussion on argumentation.
1. Freewrite on-line
2. Argumentation--video (handout from Diana Hacker's Rules for Writers (pp. 344-368 5th Ed; 371-380 6th Ed.) Read handout for homework. You do not have to do the exercises on the last two pages. We will complete the exercises in groups in class.
3. The Known World - Homework, Find a published review of the book using a library database. Bring the article to class. Post a summary after class. Handout from book (Author interview and a list of characters). Read it.
4. Cyber-Assignment due before class:
Post a response to Argumentation video. What is argumentation? Discuss 4 points about argumentation you learned, that perhaps you were unaware of.
What is another term (one word) for argumentation? What is an objective argument?
Discuss 4 points made that mirror those already discussed in WLTC. Be specific and use page numbers from WLTC.
Why is audience important? Why did Norm need an example? How did Fred's need for a new van help explain how to write an argument?
Summarize the key points of the discussion on argumentation.
Cyber-Assignment
Post your arguments from the Wise essay here anonymously. Comment on a classmate's argument (3). Put your name in the comment.
Put one of the arguments in Standard Form.
Put one of the arguments in Standard Form.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Homework: Bring in a copy of your essay via Internet, if you haven't already done so, include the final draft on top, the Initial Planning Sheet and Outline second, Cyber-Assignments from blog on Wise, followed by the Peer Review with electronic comments.
Using headings and a new page per section, paste the Wise cyber assignments, the class notes if applicable and your reading logs (if typed). If not, you can give me a copy of the paper copy for now.
For future reference, type everything.
Other homework: Review previous chapters. We'll try to get to Chapter 6: Fallacious Arguments (131). Bring Wise to class, along with The Known World.
Using headings and a new page per section, paste the Wise cyber assignments, the class notes if applicable and your reading logs (if typed). If not, you can give me a copy of the paper copy for now.
For future reference, type everything.
Other homework: Review previous chapters. We'll try to get to Chapter 6: Fallacious Arguments (131). Bring Wise to class, along with The Known World.
Cyber-Freewrite
Read a poem from the collection (handout). Find at least one argument and put it in standard form (WLTC 56-57). Also, comment on the poem in a summary analysis.
Include at least one citation or line in your reflection.
Include at least one citation or line in your reflection.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Wise Essay Assignment and Due Dates
Tim Wise Essay Assignment and Due Dates
In each essay this semester include three citations from Wise: 1 block quote, 1 in-text citation, and 1 free paraphrase. (3 for the entire essay which should be between 3-4 pages long, not including the works cited page.)
The essays this semester are to be typed. Please include an outline with the essay. Read 1 scholarly article on the theme: "privilege." You do not have to cite it, include it in the bibliography section of your essay.
Use the 3-part thesis to develop the thesis for this essay. (See handout). The three part thesis is the complete thesis vs. the open thesis (WLTC 81).
Find a scholarly article to augment your research on "privilege." Ask the librarian for the password for the library database. Email this article to yourself as well for Tuesday.
This is a Definition Essay. Choose one question to write the essay.
Essay Questions
1. The word "privilege" is used multiple times in Tim Wise's book White Like Me: Reflections on Race from a Privileged Son. How does the author define the word and what examples does he use to support his claim that privilege is not earned, it is inherited, that privilege by its very nature, like capitalism, means there is a clear divide between those that have and those who have not?
2. Choose 3-5 salient arguments which illustrate the point that one's "privilege" affects all aspects of one's life. If one is among the "anointed" then life is good, if not, what then according to Wise?
3. Look at Wise's writing: style, tone, language used or diction. Analyze his examples used to illustrate his definition of privilege--describe their variety. One student looked at privilege in education and how privilege effected a child’s self-esteem and academic achievement. Identify other themes. Who is Wise’s audience? What are the strengths of his argument(s), what if any are its weaknesses?
4. Wise uses his life to illustrate "privilege." Describe how he does this and its effectiveness.
Use Writing Assignment 10 (Part 1 & 2) in WLTC to help with this essay assignment, specifically (124-126). Also read the essays on pages 127-128. The definition is the focal point of the essay. Include the title of the book and its author in the introduction.
The essay is due Tuesday, March 15, 2011 via Internet. We will meet in A-232. The final draft is due Thursday, March 17, 2011. I’d like a printed copy and an emailed copy. Make sure you paste the essay in the email and identify the assignment.
In each essay this semester include three citations from Wise: 1 block quote, 1 in-text citation, and 1 free paraphrase. (3 for the entire essay which should be between 3-4 pages long, not including the works cited page.)
The essays this semester are to be typed. Please include an outline with the essay. Read 1 scholarly article on the theme: "privilege." You do not have to cite it, include it in the bibliography section of your essay.
Use the 3-part thesis to develop the thesis for this essay. (See handout). The three part thesis is the complete thesis vs. the open thesis (WLTC 81).
Find a scholarly article to augment your research on "privilege." Ask the librarian for the password for the library database. Email this article to yourself as well for Tuesday.
This is a Definition Essay. Choose one question to write the essay.
Essay Questions
1. The word "privilege" is used multiple times in Tim Wise's book White Like Me: Reflections on Race from a Privileged Son. How does the author define the word and what examples does he use to support his claim that privilege is not earned, it is inherited, that privilege by its very nature, like capitalism, means there is a clear divide between those that have and those who have not?
2. Choose 3-5 salient arguments which illustrate the point that one's "privilege" affects all aspects of one's life. If one is among the "anointed" then life is good, if not, what then according to Wise?
3. Look at Wise's writing: style, tone, language used or diction. Analyze his examples used to illustrate his definition of privilege--describe their variety. One student looked at privilege in education and how privilege effected a child’s self-esteem and academic achievement. Identify other themes. Who is Wise’s audience? What are the strengths of his argument(s), what if any are its weaknesses?
4. Wise uses his life to illustrate "privilege." Describe how he does this and its effectiveness.
Use Writing Assignment 10 (Part 1 & 2) in WLTC to help with this essay assignment, specifically (124-126). Also read the essays on pages 127-128. The definition is the focal point of the essay. Include the title of the book and its author in the introduction.
The essay is due Tuesday, March 15, 2011 via Internet. We will meet in A-232. The final draft is due Thursday, March 17, 2011. I’d like a printed copy and an emailed copy. Make sure you paste the essay in the email and identify the assignment.
Cyber-Assignment and Wise Essay
Freewrite 1
Writing Assignment 10 Step 1: Composing an Argument Based on a Definition (124-125)
Freewrite 2
The Muslim world is in the news a lot lately and with this attention Muslim women.
You see Muslim women walking around campus in hijab. Who are these women? What is their interior? Is there one answer to this question (smile)?
There are varying definitions of what it means to be a woman in A Islam. These films give a multiplicity of women an opportunity to let their voices be heard.
Choose a short film and write a response. Do this freewrite after Writing Assignment 10 Step 1. You need headphones for this assignment. I have watched: "Muslimah Q," "The Journey," "We Live in the 21 Century," "Half Valued Life," "Niger: Djamila's Story," "A Call at Night," and "The Path to Follow."
http://womensvoicesnow.org/watch These short films are all by women directors who live in Muslim countries or Muslim communities.
In Lit Circles: Explore the definition of the terms that head the chapters in Wise's book. Find an example that exemplifies the his meaning. Try to get through all the chapters.
There are 7: Belonging, Privilege, Denial, Resistance, Collaboration, Loss, Redemption. As a group post your example for each term: word and page number with the beginning of the example, an appropriate signal phrase. Use ellipses marks. Look for concrete examples to illustrate the terms.
We didn't get to this.
For homework, summarize the Epilogue. Post your summaries here. also for homework, decide which term you would like to define in an essay; fill out the initial planning sheets, complete an outline and bring to class.
The polished essay is due, Thursday, March 17, 2011. Bring in a rough draft electronically, that is, email it to yourself (don't forget to paste it as well) Tuesday, March 15, 2011, for a peer review.
Writing Assignment 10 Step 1: Composing an Argument Based on a Definition (124-125)
Freewrite 2
The Muslim world is in the news a lot lately and with this attention Muslim women.
You see Muslim women walking around campus in hijab. Who are these women? What is their interior? Is there one answer to this question (smile)?
There are varying definitions of what it means to be a woman in A Islam. These films give a multiplicity of women an opportunity to let their voices be heard.
Choose a short film and write a response. Do this freewrite after Writing Assignment 10 Step 1. You need headphones for this assignment. I have watched: "Muslimah Q," "The Journey," "We Live in the 21 Century," "Half Valued Life," "Niger: Djamila's Story," "A Call at Night," and "The Path to Follow."
http://womensvoicesnow.org/watch These short films are all by women directors who live in Muslim countries or Muslim communities.
In Lit Circles: Explore the definition of the terms that head the chapters in Wise's book. Find an example that exemplifies the his meaning. Try to get through all the chapters.
There are 7: Belonging, Privilege, Denial, Resistance, Collaboration, Loss, Redemption. As a group post your example for each term: word and page number with the beginning of the example, an appropriate signal phrase. Use ellipses marks. Look for concrete examples to illustrate the terms.
We didn't get to this.
For homework, summarize the Epilogue. Post your summaries here. also for homework, decide which term you would like to define in an essay; fill out the initial planning sheets, complete an outline and bring to class.
The polished essay is due, Thursday, March 17, 2011. Bring in a rough draft electronically, that is, email it to yourself (don't forget to paste it as well) Tuesday, March 15, 2011, for a peer review.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Class Recap and a Few Assignments & a Cyber-Assignment or 2
Today in class the lecture was a review of Chapter 5: The Language of Argument . In Lit Circles students completed exercises: 5A, 5B and 5C. Homework is to complete Exercise 5D (pp. 1170118), 5E (119-120), A, B & C. Read pages 120-130.
We have passed the dates for the Wise essay. We will use a variation on Writing Assignment 10 (pp. 124-125) in WLTC for this assignment.
The term will come from the text: namely, "privilege." How does Wise define privilege in his memoir: White Like Me?
We will look at Essay Planning next week: Tuesday, March 8 and Thursday, March 10. this includes completing an Initial Planning Sheet and an outline. The essay will be due on Tuesday, March 15, the final draft with notes from the text and all cyber and group assignments on March 17 via Internet.
The freewrite
The freewrite, which only one student completed, was to look at pp. 72-74, distinguishing between arguments and explanations. If you did this freewrite, you can post it here.
Other Assignments
We also didn't get to review the signal phrases identified in Wise (homework) or the answers to WLTC Ex. 4A page 81-82. Read chapter 5. Pay attention to defining "abstract terms," of which "privilege" fits.
We might complete Writing Assignment 10 as a freewrite both Tuesday and Thursday. Students can practice with "privilege." The essays on pages 126-128 are also interesting.
Wise Questions for Further Thought: A Cyber-Assignment
Think about the following questions and respond here. I know, I didn't tell you abut this in advance (smile). Take your time, you can complete it over the next week, due Tuesday, March 8. Post here.
Food for thought
1. How is defining a term a way to clarify one's meaning? Is there an element of surprise involved when one does this? Give examples.
2. What surprise has Wise encountered along the journey to unpack the notion of "privilege" and how does that plays out in his life and by extension others like himself, whether they acknowledge it or not?
3. If a person refuses to acknowledge a verifiable fact, does its existence cease? What does Wise say about this?
4. Wise use of volatile words incite strong responses. One wonders how he gets away with it and why.
5. What does he say about this journey and the responses he has received and receives based on his choice to go places his peers often refuse? Why does he go there when he doesn't have to?
We have passed the dates for the Wise essay. We will use a variation on Writing Assignment 10 (pp. 124-125) in WLTC for this assignment.
The term will come from the text: namely, "privilege." How does Wise define privilege in his memoir: White Like Me?
We will look at Essay Planning next week: Tuesday, March 8 and Thursday, March 10. this includes completing an Initial Planning Sheet and an outline. The essay will be due on Tuesday, March 15, the final draft with notes from the text and all cyber and group assignments on March 17 via Internet.
The freewrite
The freewrite, which only one student completed, was to look at pp. 72-74, distinguishing between arguments and explanations. If you did this freewrite, you can post it here.
Other Assignments
We also didn't get to review the signal phrases identified in Wise (homework) or the answers to WLTC Ex. 4A page 81-82. Read chapter 5. Pay attention to defining "abstract terms," of which "privilege" fits.
We might complete Writing Assignment 10 as a freewrite both Tuesday and Thursday. Students can practice with "privilege." The essays on pages 126-128 are also interesting.
Wise Questions for Further Thought: A Cyber-Assignment
Think about the following questions and respond here. I know, I didn't tell you abut this in advance (smile). Take your time, you can complete it over the next week, due Tuesday, March 8. Post here.
Food for thought
1. How is defining a term a way to clarify one's meaning? Is there an element of surprise involved when one does this? Give examples.
2. What surprise has Wise encountered along the journey to unpack the notion of "privilege" and how does that plays out in his life and by extension others like himself, whether they acknowledge it or not?
3. If a person refuses to acknowledge a verifiable fact, does its existence cease? What does Wise say about this?
4. Wise use of volatile words incite strong responses. One wonders how he gets away with it and why.
5. What does he say about this journey and the responses he has received and receives based on his choice to go places his peers often refuse? Why does he go there when he doesn't have to?
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Writing Arguments
1. Today in class we reviewed terms from WLTC, Chapter 4: open/complete thesis, premise, counterargument, refutation & concession (why the two together?), dialectic, conclusion, joining words, coherence (what is that?), empathy.
2. We also looked at incorporating evidence and reviewed "signal phrases." We picked out examples in Wise and noted that his book was not using MLA guidelines for evidence cited.
3. We also reviewed ellipses marks.
4. In groups we started a 3-4 paragraph essay defining a term from the following list: white privilege, race, resistance, collaboration, redemption. Each paragraph could be minimally 5 sentences long, one sentence a citation either a free paraphrase, a in-text citation or a block quote.
I suggested that the essay end in a long quote (block quote 5+ lines of text set off without quotations marks.) Students should have a grammar style book to refer to for this. WLTC goes over this beginning on page 210, but it by no means comprehensive. Bring your grammar style book to class.
When students do not bring their books to class, I think they are not prepared, especially when also missing are chapter notes. In Lit Circle/Group Discussions students are to stay on topic which means any conversation needs to be tied to the texts--life experiences need to be tied to the text.
Catch up on the reading. Some students do not have their books. There is still time to drop the class (smile). A serious student has his or her materials and is prepared. I told students a month ago to get the book from a public library in the San Francisco Bay Area.
The first essay assignment is due next week. It will be a definition essay, similar to what we practiced in class. More will be given to you on Thursday in class.
I am not certain what is going on with the blog and posts. Save them, so if they dissappear you have them and emailing them to me if you are having trouble it fine.
Post the summaries where indicated last week. If you are finished with Wise, skim Chapter 5 in WLTC. Bring in questions. I will allow students to review last week's homework we didn't get to today. I might start the class with the argumentation video if I can get a projector or we might just wait until next week.
I passed out invention worksheets. Some writers find them useful. If you have never used them before see if it helps clarify your topic and argument.
2. We also looked at incorporating evidence and reviewed "signal phrases." We picked out examples in Wise and noted that his book was not using MLA guidelines for evidence cited.
3. We also reviewed ellipses marks.
4. In groups we started a 3-4 paragraph essay defining a term from the following list: white privilege, race, resistance, collaboration, redemption. Each paragraph could be minimally 5 sentences long, one sentence a citation either a free paraphrase, a in-text citation or a block quote.
I suggested that the essay end in a long quote (block quote 5+ lines of text set off without quotations marks.) Students should have a grammar style book to refer to for this. WLTC goes over this beginning on page 210, but it by no means comprehensive. Bring your grammar style book to class.
When students do not bring their books to class, I think they are not prepared, especially when also missing are chapter notes. In Lit Circle/Group Discussions students are to stay on topic which means any conversation needs to be tied to the texts--life experiences need to be tied to the text.
Catch up on the reading. Some students do not have their books. There is still time to drop the class (smile). A serious student has his or her materials and is prepared. I told students a month ago to get the book from a public library in the San Francisco Bay Area.
The first essay assignment is due next week. It will be a definition essay, similar to what we practiced in class. More will be given to you on Thursday in class.
I am not certain what is going on with the blog and posts. Save them, so if they dissappear you have them and emailing them to me if you are having trouble it fine.
Post the summaries where indicated last week. If you are finished with Wise, skim Chapter 5 in WLTC. Bring in questions. I will allow students to review last week's homework we didn't get to today. I might start the class with the argumentation video if I can get a projector or we might just wait until next week.
I passed out invention worksheets. Some writers find them useful. If you have never used them before see if it helps clarify your topic and argument.
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