Genres and Observation

First of all, you show each other your genre examples.  Enter them into your daybooks.

Then we meet Samuel Scudder. We discuss observation. The student.

Here's a link to the Scudder article if you lose your copy.

And here is an example of the kind of writing that meets this assignment ( see handout also).


Homework:



1. Identify what you will observe for your Observation/Description Essay. You may begin taking notes as you observe. You are required to have two full pages in your daybook of notes/drawings/diagrams related to this observation, but they can be done at any time throughout the work period for this essay.


2. Draft #1 is due on Wednesday Oct. 13 next week.


3.  Read "The Iguana" for discussion Monday.

Purpose, Audience, Genre

In your daybook: Brainstorm a list of all the different types (genres) of writing you have done in the last year or two.  Anything counts : lists, applications, school assignments, memos, internet stuff (?).  Then next to one of the longer pieces of writing, jot down several sentences describing the situation that called for that piece of writing -- what was the occasion, purpose, and audience?  What was the genre of this writing?  Was your piece effective?

Remember, the parts of a rhetorical situation are just what you should consider in order to communicate effectively.

Now you will do a reading and discuss it.


If there's time,  today you'll describe something you can look at tonight.

Homework:

1. Find 3 examples of different genres of writing and bring them to class. See if you have anything around home that is NOT effective at achieving its purpose.

The Rhetorical Situation

First off, we get acquainted.

Then you get in to groups to discuss the Zinsser speech.

If there is time, you write some description in your daybook.

No homework.

Why is English so Hard to Spell?

Consider this list of words:  depression/ though/ government/ law/ castle/ knight/ elevation/ cough/ victory/ congregation/ London.  You place them in groups according to what you think their source language is: Anglo-Saxon, French or Latin.

Old English spoken for us.

Then the Vikings are busy   leading to the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle.

Speaking of castles, we come to Middle English.   And for a review, we look at it all here.

Homework:
Read the handout "Writing English as a Second Language" and be ready to discuss tomorrow.  As you read, underline any words you are not sure about.

Greetings

Today we look at the syllabus and you do some writing.  No homework.