Course Assignments

Writing #4: Proposal Extravaganza

Overview: For this essay, you’ll investigate and find a problem within your field of interest. You need to find a problem that can be solved. Once you’ve found your problem, you will need to recommend a solution. Your goal is to persuade readers to accept your proposed solution. This proposal is designed for you to learn more about the intricacies about your chosen field of interest.  A proposal calls for research, so “you need to know your subject in order to report on it!”   As such, you need to become an expert about the problem by conducting research. Interview assignment – use this assignment to receive feedback about your solution or to further understand the problem.  You might interview professors, professionals, or students. You will need only 1 interview, and it can be conducted via face-to-face, email, phone, or Skype. Interviews should not exceed more than 15 or 20 minutes (See Interview Handout).   Library Sources - look at academic journals and books that are most popular in your field of interest.  Ask professors in your field for advice on where to look AND ask your reference librarians.  They know so much about research and databases and collections of works that can be found within your field of interest. You should have 3 academic journals as your sources. You cannot use any websites! Audience: The audience for this proposal is other students who may be interested in entering the profession or professionals within your field who could benefit from your proposed solution. You will be the “expert,” thanks to your research and shared interests. Purpose: The purpose is to clearly define a problem and propose a cogent solution that will benefit your field of interest. You will become an expert about the topic, and you must persuade your audience to accept your proposal. Features: A Well-Defined Problem. Conduct research about a problem within your field. Add information from an interview and journals. (This information will be used as “evidence” to your research.) Clearly DEFINE the problem.  A Recommended Solution. Research a feasible solution. Describe the solution. Explain solution with enough detail to help audience understand. A Convincing Argument for Solution.  Convince audience solution is the best/only way.     Explain plan of operation/procedure. Anticipate Questions. Consider any questions readers may have about your proposal.       Show how advantages outweigh the disadvantages.       Prepare to refute disapproval. You know how to do this part already. A Call to Action.   Persuade readers to accept solution.   You may want to ask readers to take action. An Appropriate Tone. Be reasonable and respectful.      Don’t use anger or self-righteousness. It is easier to catch the appropriate reaction with honey than a baseball bat. Various writing strategies. Definitions (see below) Illustration Description Compare/Contrast Rhetorical Analysis Examples Summary / Paraphrase/Quotation Appropriate style and design. Feel free to include images of typical writing or charts to help you illustrate your solution. This is optional. If you include visuals, it will not be included in page count. Be sure to use Academic Voice as much as possible. You may use headings and subheadings, too!

Grading / Criteria Guidelines: Consistent Focus - A tightly focused topic on a problem and a solution for the field you’re interested in, which can help others in the field.  Content  - see Features. Organization -- Organization is up to you—several possible solutions vs. single solution. Also, don’t be afraid to think about adding extra information in the form of graphics. We will discuss this approach in class. Style -- Style should be appropriately formal with variety of syntax (sentence structure) and diction (word choice). Mechanics -- English language conventions should be adhered to and form correct mechanics (capitalization, spelling, etc.) and usage (subject/verb agreement, pronouns, etc.) in compliance with format conventions (MLA—the style we use in English). Evidence of Process – drafts, revisions, notes that clearly show forward progress. Length:  The proposal should be 4-5 pages, including a Works Cited page.  You will likely come in around 4 full pages to say everything you need to—you may work up to 5 pages if necessary. Format:  The first page and subsequent pages need to strictly follow the MLA style.  An example is located in your textbook and in your handbook.  As well, you can find samples online at such sites as the Purdue University OWL (online writing lab): http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/557/01/. Reviews: Have at least two people read your paper before you turn it in.  We’ll have class time for this, but you may need to find one reader outside of class (the Learning Center). Make your appointment well ahead of the due date so you can make recommended changes. Remember: tutors will not edit your papers for you!!! We will have peer review forms for this report. Read your report aloud at least once and have someone read it out loud to you at least once. Reading your own writing helps you learn to “hear” your own style.  For instance, do you mix up “where” and “wear”?  Do you forget to put in plurals such as writing “he get” instead of “he gets”?  Do you misplace “your” for “you’re”?  Spell check won’t help you—at least most of the time it won’t.  If you can start to “hear” your writing, you can find words that can be omitted, added, or changed. You may have to find time outside of class to conduct this verbal peer review, but we will try to have class time for it. Final Form: Reread the assignment sheet to be sure you have not forgotten anything. Do a final, close proofreading of your finished draft; make sure all margins, style formatting, and headers are correct. Your name should be written on the front of a three-prong pocket folder. Front Left Pocket of Folder: final draft (stapled). Three-Prong Part of Folder: brainstorming, any additional exercises (annotated bibliographies), prewriting, first full draft & revised drafts, along with all peer review forms placed in the order written. Back Right Pocket of Folder: copies of sources used (highlight information used/I will need only title page, copyright page, and page(s) for the cited information), interview questions and notes or responses, and any notes to me.

Writing Assignment #3: Text-Pix Investigation

Overview: A rhetorical analysis “examines in detail the way texts work.” We all know that similar information can come across differently depending on the audience (age, gender, education level, and etc.). Authors of a website use one set of strategies to grab the reader’s attention and deliver their message, while authors of a magazine like Time or Popular Photography may use another. The question is, why does it work? What strategies do these publications use to convey information to different audiences, and how do they differ? This assignment is designed to help you be a better informed “consumer” of texts by doing a close reading and analysis of rhetorical strategies and choices made by authors. You will also be asked to explore and evaluate the writer’s choice of a medium for delivery (i.e., how the text is packaged and conveyed).  What are the benefits? What audience considerations have been accounted for? Can you identify general rules for these different modes of delivery (electronic, print, graphic, etc.)? This assignment will provide you with a set of critical reading skills that will help you in your research for your final essay. Audience: Aside from your instructor, consider your audience to be fellow student scholars whose research would benefit from your expert assessment.  Purpose: For this project, you will choose a selected, pre-approved print text (which will be provided by the instructor) that is either from They Say I Say. Then, you will need to locate a visual text (a magazine advertisement, a reputable website, or an informative brochure) designed to appeal to an audience interested or involved in the selected subject. (The general subject matter of both should be similar enough to allow comparison. This is not an argumentative paper; therefore, you will have to make sure the visual text matches the content of the print text. One is not better than the other because both are directed to 2 different audiences. REMEMBER PURPOSE!!!!) Your choices should present different “versions” of relevant, related information that appeal to variations in audience. Your job is to explain how audience, purpose, and context (in terms of style and detail) affect the language, format, structure, tone, and etc. used by the source. Why do different rhetorical choices made by the author / publisher account for the differences you see?  What was the key purpose and message of the text? How did the chosen medium play a role? The goal here is not to argue or criticize. It is to identify and fairly evaluate techniques used by texts to successfully reach a target audience. Compare the two: why does the medium matter? Why does language or format matter? Who is the targeted audience? By learning to recognize these audience appeals and rhetorical techniques, you should be better able to locate relevant sources for your final paper. Features: Your print text will be provided in class and administered to you. The printtexts are from They Say I Say.  Your visual text can come from the internet, a magazine ad, a college website, a company website, or a company logo. Choose one that provides a visual representation of your subject that appeals to persons involved in some way in the selected topic (a student, professional, researcher, businessman, customer, and etc.).  After performing a close reading of your selected texts, generate a list of characteristics you identify that will allow you to create an across-the-board comparison. In other words, you want to be able to discuss both texts by using the same or similar categories of features. It might help for you to narrow it down to two focuses, such as format (medium) and language (word choices) or tone (voice) and structure (use of headers, bullets, or syntax).  Your ultimate goal is to show your reader how the intended audience of a text factors into the choices an author makes in creating that text. Remember one is NOT BETTER THAN THE OTHER. You are doing a “surface” comparison of what strategies the author used to have the desired impact on the targeted audience.

Grading / Criteria Guidelines: ·         Consistent Focus – How the design and content choices of different publications for the selected topic are meant to meet the needs of specific audiences and function accordingly. ·         Content  - A successful analysis and evaluation addresses the following: WHAT is at work? Pay close attention to use of language and details. WHO is the target audience? Consider factors like gender, age, educational level, professional vs. entertainment interests – all influence the way information is best received. WHAT does it mean? Make specific claims about effects on the reader. HOW does it work?  Identify strategies or techniques used by the text to reach the reader. Include explanations of your observations and selection of details – don’t just assume the reader knows what you mean just because you point to it. HOW do you know?  Use the text itself for evidence, illustration, and support for observations or claims you make. DOES it work?  This is where Evaluation comes into play. Why does a strategy “hit” or “miss”? Why is the strategy used? ·         Organization – Use Topic Sentences to organize paragraphs. Organize your essay by category or strategy and text (See [FG]). ·         Style -- Style should be appropriately formal, 3rd person. ·         Mechanics -- English language conventions should be adhered to and form correct mechanics (capitalization, spelling, etc.) and usage (subject/verb agreement, pronouns, etc.), in compliance with format conventions (MLA). ·         Evidence of Process – drafts, revisions, notes, and etc. that clearly show forward progress. Be sure to include a copy of each source used and all materials that display analysis. Length:  The essay should be no less than 3 FULL pages, PLUS a copy of the visual source (in back pocket of folder) and a Works Cited Page. (2 ½ or 2 ¾ in page length is not acceptable.) Format:  The first page and subsequent pages need to strictly follow the MLA style.  An example is located in your textbook and in your handbook.  As well, you can find samples online at such sites as the Purdue University OWL (online writing lab). Reviews: ·         Have at least two people read your paper before you turn it in.  We’ll have class time for this, but you may need to find one reader outside of class (the Learning Center). Make your appointment well ahead of the due date so you can make recommended changes. ·         We will have peer review forms for this report. ·         This report will be submitted to SmartThinking Tutor prior to due date. This site is available via Angel. Final Form: ·         Reread the assignment sheet to be sure you have not forgotten anything. ·         Do a final, close proofreading of your finished draft; make sure all margins, style formatting, and headers are correct. ·         Your name should be written on the front of a three-prong pocket folder. ·         Front Left Pocket of Folder: final draft (stapled). ·         Three-Ring Part of Folder: prewriting, brainstorming draft, first full draft & revised drafts, SmartThinking response, along with all peer review forms placed in the order written. ·         Back Right Pocket of Folder: photocopy of visual source used, notes on article in TSIS, and any notes to me.

Writing Assignment 2: Cinematic Connoisseur Essay

Overview: Your first essay was based on “self” and your own experiences; you’ll now turn your focus outward a bit. While you will remain in the picture by focusing on your ability to judge, you now must juggle your abilities to acknowledge and refute opinions as well as analyze a film. Moreover, you will learn how to be more concise in your writing. An Evaluation is not a traditional academic genre, but it is a great way to practice a lot of different writing strategies: description, summary, illustration, analysis, and etc.  Crafting an Evaluation also allows you to anticipate others’ opinions, create unbiased assessments, and form concise descriptions. Audience: Your primary audience will be (other than your instructor) fellow students who may want to see the film. Remember to not “spill the beans” about the film’s plot. Purpose: For this assignment, you will select a film from a list in class. While watching this film, you will analyze your experience, and then, you will research the director(s), actors, producer(s), and composer(s) [check out this website for valid information: www.imdb.com]. You will give credit where it is due. Furthermore, your goal as a writer will be to create a dominant impression for your audience. Catch the reader’s attention, but do not give them too much. Create a sound thesis and provide evidence to support it. An evaluation is a not a forum for you to rant or rave about whether it was good or not. No, you have to consider more than just the overall sensation of a film. You have to notice all the details: acting, dialogue, costumes, music, scenery, and overall plot (including run-time and rating). Also, the purpose of this activity is to develop your critical thinking skills. You will be consistently analyzing the film, critic(s), and yourself. Features: A concise description of the subject: Inform readers just enough about the subject, but do not give away the plot. This essay is not a summary; it is an evaluation. So, only provide readers with enough need-to-know information, which will help them understand your evaluation. Clearly defined criteria: You need to be able to understand your own judgment, and you need to be able to define the criterion that formulates your judgment/evaluation. A knowledgeable discussion of the subject: You need to know your subject. Research other reviews and apply them to your own review. Showing your knowledge about others’ opinions will establish your credibility as an evaluator. You must either acknowledge or refute one critic in your essay, which means you will have a Works Cited page for the critic and the IMDB website. A balanced and fair assessment: The center of an evaluation is a judgment, but this judgment must acknowledge the positive and the negative aspects of your subject. Well-supported reasons: You must provide reasons and evidence about your judgment. In order for your evaluation to be balanced and credible, you must provide evidence (e.g. movie/critic quotes or scene/music descriptions) of your assessments.

Grading / Criteria Guidelines: Consistent Focus— Remember your audience. Do not spoil the plot for them, but give them a fair, balanced assessment of the film. Focus on the good and bad details of the film. Content— Catchy title.  Have fun. Only summarize when you must.   Acknowledge and refute others’ opinions. Support your judgment with evidence. Organization— Shape the order and content of your essay in a way that will capture your audience’s attention as well as establish your credibility. Style— Style should be appropriately formal with variety of syntax (sentence structure) and diction (word choice). Mechanics— English language conventions should be adhered to—form correct mechanics (capitalization, spelling, etc.) and usage (subject/verb agreement, pronouns, etc.), to compliance with format conventions (MLA). Evidence of Writing Progress— Evidence of writing process (drafts, revisions, notes, etc.) clearly shows forward progress. Length:  3-4 pages, PLUS a Works Cited page.  If you opt for the three pages, then it must be three FULL pages. Format:  The first page and subsequent pages need to strictly follow the MLA style.  An example is located in your textbooks. You can also find samples online at the Purdue University OWL: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/557/01/. Reviews and Revision: Have at least three people read your paper before you turn it in.  We’ll have class time for this, but you may need to find one reader outside of class.  May I suggest the Learning Center?  Please make your appointment well ahead of the due date so you can make recommended changes.  Read your evaluation out loud at least twice and have someone read it out loud to you at least once.  Learn to “hear” your own style and what your tendencies are as a writer.  For instance, do you use the word “that” unnecessarily?  If you “hear” your writing, you can find words that can be omitted. Final Form: Your name on the front of the folder. Front Left Pocket of Folder:  final draft (stapled). Three-Prong Part of Folder: brainstorming draft, first full draft, and revised drafts along with peer review forms, placed in the order of creation. Back Right Pocket of Folder:  your notes on the film, a printout of the film’s production crew/information from the www.imdb.com website, and a print out of the critic’s source that you use in your essay.

Writing Assignment 1: Literacy “Mash-Up” Narrative

Overview: For this first assignment, you’ll compose a literacy “mash-up” narrative.  Texts in this genre can reveal how you learned to read or write, or reveal some pivotal experience involving the role of either reading or writing, whether positive or negative. As long as literacy is the primary focus of the text, a variety of story lines are available to you.    Audience: Fellow students who might learn more about you as a writer, student, and person as well as the instructor. Purpose: For your paper, you must focus on the role of reading or writing. You can choose the specific topic for the literacy narrative you want to tell—something significant that happened to you, or around you, related to you—but it must have to do, somehow, with your ability to read or write. Think of a special book or an old typewriter that had captured your interest and evolved you as a person. OR think of an evil English teacher that has scared you forever. Good or bad, it doesn’t matter. The overall goal of the assignment is to have you answer the question: "What experience has most shaped you as a reader or a writer?” Features: These are important features of a literacy narrative, like any narrative: It must be a well-told, coherent story; It must contain relevant, vivid details; and There must be a clear indication of the narrative’s significance (purpose and audience). In the chapter on Narrative in your textbook, you’ll find ideas on how to focus your work, consider the rhetorical situation, choose a pattern for organization, and more. Use all possible sources to make progress, ask questions, and organize your time.

Grading / Criteria Guidelines: Consistent Focus – a literacy event in your life focused on reading or writing. Content - include details to support your narrative of the event. Organization - logical progression: transitions and paragraphs that move the narration from the beginning to the end. Style - appropriately semi-formal with variety of syntax (sentence structure) and diction (word choice). You can write in first-person. Mechanics - English language conventions should be adhered to by using correct mechanics (capitalization, spelling, etc.) and usage (subject/verb agreement, pronouns, etc.), along with correct format (MLA). Evidence of Writing Process - all drafts, revisions, notes, etc. that clearly show forward progress. Length:  3-4 pages If you opt for the shorter paper (3 full pages), remember that it must be very concise in order for you to relate the details to support the main focus.  Shorter is sometimes harder. Format:  The first page and subsequent pages need to strictly follow the MLA style.  An example is located in your textbook and in your handbook.  As well, you can find samples online at such sites as the Purdue University OWL (online writing lab).   Reviews: You need to have at least three people read your paper before you turn it in.  We’ll make class time for this, or you may be assigned a peer reviewer online (someone from class).  If you should miss a class when we will be peer reviewing, may I suggest the Learning Center?  Please make your appointment well ahead of the due date so that you can make recommended changes (see information on the college’s web site or in the syllabus).  The Learning Center is a place you should regularly visit as you become a more experienced writer—their professional and student tutors can make a big difference in your writing skill acquisition.  I’ll hand out review forms for you to use (get extra copies on the course blog).  Also, be sure to share this assignment sheet with any reviewers outside class. Final Form: Reread the assignment sheet to be sure you have not forgotten anything. Do a final, close proofreading of your finished draft; make sure all margins, style formatting, and headers are correct. Write your name on the front of a three-prong pocket folder. Front Left Pocket of Folder: final draft (stapled). Three-Prong Part of Folder: brainstorming drafts, first full draft & revised drafts, along with all peer review forms placed in the order written. Back Right Pocket of Folder: any additional exercises, prewriting, or notes to me.