Class #6

Final versions of the Observation Paper, with all drafts and comment sheets, were handed in.

We discussed the techniques for writing about memories in Reid.

We looked at an example of this kind of writing, and then groups read and annotated "The Boy's Desire" by R. Rodriguez.

I handed out the assignment sheet for the next paper, and then we discussed Section 24 in the Everyday Writer. Exercises 24.1 was assigned.

Extra practice with subordination and coordination can be found here.

Homework

1. Read in Reid "Lives on the Boundaries" pages 109-116.

2. Fill at least one page of your journal with notes and freewriting, collecting ideas for your Remembering essay.

3. Then create Draft #1 of your Remembering essay to bring to class Thursday.

4. Journal check Thursday. Be prepared to turn your journal in to me. PLEASE make sure that your vocabulary words are numbered so I don't have to count them. They are each worth three points (word, context, definition).

5. Two vocabulary words.

Class #5

Quiz.

Groups discussed Mowat's observation of wolves.

Everyone did an exercise using Everyday Writer to practice for editing your second draft.

Peer Review of Draft #2.

Homework

1. Edit carefully and create the final version of your observation paper. Remember to bring all drafts and yellow comment sheets to turn in with your final version. The final version must be in MLA format, as seen in the Everyday Writer, typed and double-spaced. Special warning on editing: fix sentence fragments and run-ons (Sections 34 and 35 in Everyday Writer), watch your verb tenses, check "lie" and "lay," and double check how to punctuate dialogue.

2. In your journal, do #1 and #5 from "Postscript on the Writing Process" on page 89 in Reid (yellow box).

3. Read pages 102-108 in Reid.

4. Two vocabulary words.

Class #4

Quiz.

Groups discussed Macke's "Permanent Tracings."

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

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

Then we did 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 try to put it in the correct 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.