Due 10/1

We'll do the background reading quiz today, so I don't have to deal with 35 people coming in to do a make up quiz.

For Thursday, also read Franklin's "Dialogue between Franklin and the Gout." As our first work associated with Neoclassicism (also known as the age of Reason) focus on how this world view differs from the extremism of Puritan literature. Pay special attention to the ideas of:

Reason
Moderation (not too much or too little)
Personal improvement
Science

This is a fun work, so make sure you're prepared to discuss it in class.

Due 9/30 (10/1)

Neoclassicism background reading:

Pages 84-97

Expect a quiz on this material either on the ASVAB day or Thursday.

Due 9/29

Please read:

"Upon a Wasp..." page 62
"To my dear and loving..." page 57

Consider what makes these strong examples of Puritan poetry.

Due Monday, 9/28

Edwards Introduction and Body Paragraph


Using the format provided in Part I of your “Musings” packument, write an introduction and body paragraph on “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God.” Make sure to pay careful attention to the question word guidance for the different steps of analysis.


Thesis: Edwards creates fear in the audience in order to ________________________.


POA: Edwards uses imagery, structure, and rhetoric.


Your body paragraph will focus on the discussion of his use of imagery. (Even if something is a simile, for example, we'll still discuss it under the category of imagery since it's the image that really counts here.)

Reminders:

 Limit your use of forms of “to be” especially passive and progressive.
 Maintain formal voice.
 Practice establishing context in your introduction along with relevant background information.

Be sure to provide a quotation from the text that will serve as your evidence (your "where" part of analysis.)

Due Monday, 9/21

Be prepared for a Passive, Progressive, and Linking quiz.

Create a chart based on the Bradford/Smith readings that has the following:

One column focusing on details more unique to Bradford's work.
One column focusing on details more unique to Smith's work.
One column identifying what similiarites the two pieces had.

Under each column, you may with to consider such things as:

-Characterization of speaker, community members
-Values of community
-Lifestyle/living conditions
-Voyage
-Relationship with Native Americans
-Style of writing
-Purpose of writing
-Selection of details

This is just a start, so you can feel free to include other observations that I haven't mentioned. Try to aim for about 4-5 observations under each column.

Have a great weekend!

Due 9/17

1. Thesis/Antithesis Practice is due Thursday.

2. Passive Progressive Linking Practice is also due Thursday.

3. Your first reading assignment is due on Friday:

Smith: "General History of Virginia" (42-47)
Bradford: "On Plymouth Plantation (50-54)

Compare and contrast the writing styles and content of these two authors. Also, be sure to think about your lecture on geographic determinism and what you know about the differences between the Northern and Southern colonies as you do your reading.

Continue...

...working on Antithesis/Thesis. There will be a short assignment assigned tomorrow that is also due Thursday, so make sure you manage your time well.

Due Thursday, 9/17

Step 1: Select a topic of your choice that you would like to write practice antithesis/thesis paragraphs with. You might consider something from:
 Music
 Movies
 Politics/Policy
 Food
 Hobbies, Sports, activities
 (Anything else that interests you—if you’re unsure about your topic, check with me first)

Step 2: Following the guidelines in the “Musings” packet, write an Antithesis/Thesis statement with 2 POA points. Remember to focus on the concept of opposing, not just opposite. (Note that you’re not writing an entire introduction, just the antithesis/thesis).

Step 3: Write a corresponding antithesis paragraph. Make sure to remember your qualifying transition. You should have 3 pieces of evidence to support your antithesis paragraph and use standard paragraph format.

Step 4: Write a corresponding thesis paragraph. Make sure to use an appropriate contrasting transition word that acknowledges your antithesis, and clearly state your thesis and POA point. You should have 3 pieces of evidence and use standard paragraph format.

Step 5: Proof read your paragraphs, checking for conventions errors, and making sure that you match the structure given to you in the packet.

A more printable version is available here.

Due Monday, September 14th

Read Part 2 of the Musings Packet.

Then, take this list of transitional words, and sort them into like categories of your own choosing. For example, you may create a category of "sequence" and put all words in that category that seem to suggest a sequence.

Randomized Transitional Phrases

Due Friday, Sep 11

Bring your syllabus, if you haven't already done so.

Read Part 1 of the "Musings" packet. (Pages 1-5)

First Assignments Due Thursday, 9/10

You have two assignments: Your signed syllabus form and the writing pretest.

Imagine you are writing an essay on one of the following topics:

1. Why is the study of past events (history) important in a world that is focused so much on the present and future developments?

2. Why is the study of past writing (literature) important in a world that seemingly places little emphasis on this medium of expression?

Now, the assignment:

Write an introduction and a body paragraph that address ONE of these topics. Set up your introduction as if you were writing the entire essay, but you, of course, will just be writing one body paragraph.

Please use this as an opportunity to show off your best writing in terms of vocabulary, structure, organization, and ideas. I understand that this is essentially a ‘first draft’ and has not undergone a lengthy revision process, but you should proof read for conventions.

Please type in 12-point font.


Due Thursday, 9/4!