Tuesday, November 14, 2017

What makes good writing?

Today's Agenda:
1. Assignment, essay 2 revision due
2. What do you need help with?
3. Writing prompt--Ben Myers poem, "The professor pauses mid-lecture."
4. Discussion of your comments
5. Good writing analysis from Hillerman, Bowden assignment
6. Vista writing analysis of difference
7. Review due dates for essay 3

What can you learn from good writing?  
1.      What are five characteristics that make these samples good writing? Give specific examples.
2.      What two things about their writing can you use to improve yours? Be specific.
Hillerman:
·         Storytelling
·         Action Verbs
·         Description
·         Precise details
·         Imagery (similes, metaphors)
·         Emotion (why?)
What is one thing that really stands out to you about this writing? Why?
Bowden:
·         Storytelling
·         Action Verbs
·         Description
·         Precise details
·         Imagery (similes, metaphors)
·         Emotion (why?)
What is one thing that really stands out to you about this writing? Why?




Thursday, November 9, 2017

Survival Guide

Clark’s College Survival Guide for Classes
(Treat college like your job, a job you’re paying to have)
  1. ·         Show up
  2. ·         On time
  3. ·         If commuting, leave early. If not commuting, leave early.
  4. ·         Follow instructions
  5. ·         Take notes in every class
  6. ·         Complete assignments on time
  7. ·         Show an interest in the class
  8. ·         Speak up, ask questions
  9. ·         Don’t be the only person in class to do so
  10. ·         Read the assignments, books and other assigned sources
  11. ·         Don’t plagiarize—do your own work, in your own words
  12. ·         Learn your professors’ names, spell them correctly
  13. ·         Learn your professors’ pet peeves, interests
  14. ·         Don’t make excuses for poor work—learn and correct it
  15. ·         Don’t whine
  16. ·         You have to take classes you’re not interested in. So? Be an adult and do the work.
  17. ·         Take classes in your interest as soon as possible.
  18. ·         Don’t take a bunch of hard classes in all the same semester—spread them out.
  19. ·         Write complete sentences
  20. ·         Grammar problems? Go to Grammarly on line, or tutoring center
  21. ·         Stay off your phones, no earplugs
  22. ·         Avoid sitting at back of class
  23. ·         Be noticed by the professor for good reasons
  24. ·         Many professors have psychological “fudge factors.” If you’ve followed these tips and your grade is on the borderline, it often pays off.

Socially there is much more to college than class.
  1. ·         Get an internship.
  2. ·         Get involved with a group, any group. Make new friends.
  3. ·         Go to events.
  4. ·         Have fun.
  5. ·         Follow your passions.