CLASS SCHEDULE AND ASSIGNMENTS

Keep up with assigned reading!

I started to write...to save myself...I had to seek out the truth and unravel the snarled web of my motivations.  I had to fnd out who I am and what I wanted to be, what type of man I should be, and what I could do to become the best of which I was capable.

--Eldrige Cleaver, Soul on Ice

"...there is in writing the constant joy of sudden discovery, of happy accident."

--Henry L. Mencken (1880-1956)

• Except for the first week of class, text chapters are assigned for the upcoming week (e.g., Week 2's reading(s) will serve as discussion and assignment basis fro Week 3.)
• Unless otherwise noted, all essays are due at the beginning of the class that follows the peer review. Your folder must be put on my desk, even if i do not call for them!
• Absence from class does not change due dates, participation in classroom activities, nor any other class assignments or deadlines.
• FYI: In college, "read" and "study" are synonymous.  (Some reading assignments will overlap information from previously assigned chapters.  Why?)
• Your instructor reserves the right to edit, delete or augment this schedule as may be necessary.

Week 1 - Aug 31:  Introduction to course/info cards.  Read CHAPTER 1, pp 3-29 for our next class!  Discussion: "Why Do We Write?" [CHAPTER 11, pp 313-331 on "Description" for Wk. 3]  Free-writing, brainstorming; Why Do We Write? What Is a Student? (Check out the Writing La, W-124, before next week.)

Week 2- Sept 7: Diagnostic Test (Bring a green Scantron & a pencil) Continue to read Ch 11, the plan for writing description; what to include/excule.  Read CHAPTER 3, "The Body Paragraphs,"  pp 47-58. [Try the topic sentences excercise, p 55.] Readings:  "A Day at the Theme Park,"  W. Bruce Cameron, p 633, and "Hush, Timmy - This is Like a Chruch," Kurt Anderson, p 634.  Portfolio information up-date.

Week 3- Sept 14:  Diagnostic test results; begin remedial work, if you score is below 70%.  (The signed paper that you have completed all your remedial work is due to me in Week 8!)  Discuss CHAPTERS 3 & 11.  Paragraph design; topic sentences.  Begin descriptive paragraph; peer review 2nd meeting this week; bring 2 copies of your rough draft for it.  Descriptive paragraph due (paper #1) 1st class of next week!  Begin reading CHAPTER 7, "Word Logic," pp 145-168, and CHAPTER 8, "The Reading-Writing Connection," pp 169-179.

Week 4- Sept 21:  "Skabted Writing, Charged Words" lecture.  Be Nosy about Words!  Advertising Analysis.  CHAPTER 8 discussion.  Continue reading CHAPTER 3, pp 61-78.  Read CHAPTER 2 "Thesis Sentence." Transitions hand-out. 

Week 5- Sept 28:  Process Analysis.  How & Why to write them.  CHAPTER 9, "Process Analysis" pp 197-215.  Peer review process analysis: 2 copies.  Organization of analysis check.  Discuss Thesis versus Topic Sentences.  Chapter 15, "Writing in Class:  Exams & 'Response essay, " pp 423, 435.  Reading:  "O the Porch,"  Garrison Keiller, p 603.

Week 6- Oct 5:  Process Analysis paper due (#2).  Sentence development.  CHAPTER 6, "Sentences,"  pp 117-143.  CHAPTER 9, "compare/Contrast," pp 215-233.  Reading:  "What is Poverty?"  Jo Goodwin Parker, p 604.

Week 7-Oct 12:  Grammar discussion.  Compare/contrast writing discussion & assignment.  Peer Review: 3 copies.  MID-TERM. Bring paper, pens.  CHAPTER 2, "The Teses Statement," pp31-46.  Readings: pp 296-310.

Week 8- Oct 19:  If not administered yet, take Mid-term exam.  Compare/contrast paragraph due (#3).  Discussion possible research paper (#4) topics.  Begin guided research project: deadline given for final paper.  Discuss thesis statements.  Read Chapter 14, "Wriiting a Paper Using Research," pp 296-310.

Week 9- Oct 26:  Library research.  Search engines; Boolean search.  Chapter 4, "Beginnings and Endings," pp 79-90.  Working thesis peer review (part of project #4).  E-MAIL YOUR WORKING THESIS TO ME no later than 4 p.m. on our second class day this week! <frances.ilnicky@harlingen.tstc.edu>

Week 10- Nov 2:  Continued lecture on research papers.  MLA format; in-text quotes.  See text, p 409.  Check research progress to date.  Peer review of Introduction and/or Conclusion and working thesis (yes, "again!")

Week 11-Nov 9:  Continue work on research paper's thesis, and documentation.  Rough copy peer review (portion of project TBA).

Week 12- Nov 16:  Continued research paper guidance.  MLA format of Works Cited page.  Rough copy peer review (portion of project TBA).

Week 13- Nov 23:  Wrap-up; Q & A for research papers.  FINAL WRITING PROJECT DUE.

Week 14- Nov 30:  Prepare for final examination.

Week 15- Dec 7:  FINAL EXAM WEEK.  Do NOT miss the final exam!  Remeber: Regardless of previous grades earned in this class, anyone who is absent durein the fanal examination will receive an "F" in the course.

The final exam for this class is scheduled for December __, 2009 at __ o'clock in our classroom. 

Bring pens, blank paper.  Plan on using "the facilities" before class begins, as no one will be allowed to leave and reenter the classroom during the exam time.  You will have the entire class period to complete your exam.  All electronic devices (yes, including cell phones) must be left outside the classroom.