Class # 4

Quiz.

Groups discuss Macke's "Permanent Tracings."

We discuss the writing process (see the inside of the cover of Reid).

I describe the levels of revision: global, structural, and sentence-level. See this for help with basic revision.

Then we do what's called Peer Review, which means everyone traded drafts and filled out comment sheets about the drafts they read.

Please note: the main purpose of this exercise is for the READER to practice reading and analyzing a draft, so s/he can read his/her own draft analytically and make changes accordingly.

Homework

1. Read in Reid "Observing Wolves" by Farley Mowat pages 66-73. In your journal, answer question #1 on page 73.

2. In your journal describe: A) what comments readers had about your draft, and B) what you learned from reading others' drafts.

3. Revise your draft. Consider global and structural issues: is it meeting the assignment with observation and discovery? Is it clearly organized? When those issues are dealt with begin considering sentence-level issues: vivid word choice, consistent verb tense, clear sentences with variety in structure. Also put it in the correct MLA format (see page 466 Everyday Writer). Bring to class a new copy of your essay, which is Draft #2, The Revision. Also bring Draft #1 and its comment sheets.

4. Two vocabulary words.

Class #3

Quiz.

Groups discuss the examples of writing genres that everyone brought to class.

We read Samuel Scudder's "Take This Fish and Look At It" on page 60 and discuss the Observation paper assignment, including techniques for doing this kind of writing.

Then groups read Muir's description of the Yosemite Valley on pages 56-57 and annotate it for the techniques for writing about observation (see Reid p. 54-55).

I hand out copies of the assignment sheet for the Observation paper. If you need another copy of it, email me please.

Homework:

1. Read in Reid pages 90-95 for an example of a student essay called "Permanent Tracings" that meets the Observation essay assignment.

2.Then begin observing your chosen subject. Fill at least two pages of your journal with observation notes. These can be very rough, including lists, drawings, quotes, bubble charts or sketches.

3. Write Draft #1 of your observation essay. For help with shaping the paper, look at pages 80-85 in Reid. It may be hand-written, but do skip lines so it's easier to read and make changes on. The goal is to have as many pages as possible, but there is no page requirement at this stage. Revising will be easier if you have too much and are paring it down, rather than struggling to reach the required pages. E-mail questions to me as you have them! kvloden@yahoo.com Bring your first draft to class on Thursday.

4. Two vocabulary words in your journal.