Monday, December 14, 2015

Lesson for Tuesday, December 15

Hi! I'm at the vet with my cat, who seems to have a large, infected wound from a cat fight. Yay!

Today, I need you to finish your work on your peer edits. These MUST be finished by the end of the day -- the settings for peer edits are different on turnitin.com, and you con't just submit any time.

. MAKE SURE YOU HIT SUBMIT WHEN YOU ARE DONE!!!

Tuesday, December 8, 2015

Introduction to Syntax and Syntactic Schemes

Syntax: The order of words and grammatical structure of a sentence

ex. "Passive voice" The sentence is constructed in such a way that the subject of the discussion os the recipient of the action.
--The race was won by the walk-on freshman.
--The walk-on freshman won the race.
When discussing complex issues or developing ideas more fully, passive voice can lead to lengthy, awkward, unclear sentences.

SO-we will be looking at how to make sentences clear and effective -- combining sentences, expanding sentences, and intentionally using grammar to develop our ideas

We will also be intentionally using syntax to create rhythm, poetry, musical devices as we write.  You do this, generally, by repeating words, phrases, and grammatical structures so that the meaning of your discussion is reflected by and developed by your word order.

This is especially important when writing something that will be spoken to an audience. Many of our texts will be political addresses.

Let's start with a very basic form of syntactic scheme that almost always makes you sound amazing: Parallel Structure












Wednesday, December 2, 2015

Drafting Your Definition Essay: (part three of the prewrite)

Before you write your essay, know what you will discuss, and when.

1. First, clearly articulate what you want to show us about yourself -- you beliefs, perspective, values, priorities
2. How will you begin?
  • A narrative / anecdote that raises an experience relevant to this issue
  • Begin with a definition
  • Raise the general context or significance of your idea -- why does it matter to you (or the audience) and why do we need to understand it?
  • Just start with description and no explanation -- "in media res" 
3. What aspects of the issue will you address as you progress?
4. How will you end?

Tuesday, December 1, 2015

Definition Essay Prewrite Part Two

Today, we will continue develop our definition and description papers.

Use the details, word choices, anecdotes, and contrasts you developed yesterday as the foundation of a discussion of the meaning and message of your definition.

Remember the definition is personal and subjective -- a way for you to communicate a feeling, belief, value, or point-of-view.  Use today's work as a way to communicate how the details you generated will communicated these ideas

Make a new table.

On the left-hand side, provide                   On the right hand side, discuss how
one of the elements you developed            this element establishes or develops
yesterday -- a detail, word choice,             the figurative, personal, subjective
anecdote, or contrast                                  purpose of your definition


Make sure you do at least one of these for each of the different categories we wrote on yesterday.

Definition Essay Prewrite Part One

Today, we will begin our work on the essay by generating the descriptions, word choices, narratives, and contrasts that will help us define and describe our topic of discussion. 

Begin by identifying a concept to define. Please refer to the requirements and suggestions laid out in the assignment description.

Next, insert a 2X5 table in your document. In the left hand cell, provide the following topics for your prewrite idea generation (In Red). In the right-hand column, provide as many details, word choices, anecdotes, or comparisons as possible. Focus on the ideas that will clarify the unique, subjective meaning of your concept and help you communicate your meaning to the audience 
Details/Imagery 
Connotative Diction 
Figurative Language
Narrative
Comparison.