Dude, you are so bromantic.

Post your thoughts about the article and its issues here.

No Child Left Behind

Read the essay in Chapter 6 called "No Child Left Behind". The author does not take any side on the issue she is writing about. Write one paragraph that you could use as a conclusion that DOES take a side.

Why Vote?

Please post your comments here.

Profile Introduction

Please post the introductory paragraphs of your profile pieces here.

Eavesdropping

Post your eavesdropping news stories here as comments.

WOMEN

Write a two to five paragraph profile of the woman you researched from the Annie Leibovitz book. Make her interesting using a combination of personal observations, facts, personal and private information. 

Alec Baldwin: Why Him?

Based on the article by Ian Parker, what type of person is Alec Baldwin? How does the writer use dialogue to convey this? What other things does the writer do to SHOW you what kind of person Alec Baldwin is without telling you? What techniques do you think this writer uses effectively that you can use in your own writing?

Your Favorite Band Sucks, part two.

Please post your new, improved piece of writing here as a comment. Do not include notes about what you have changed, etc...Just the reworked piece.

Get Your Own YaYas Out!

Write about one of your grandparents using the style of David Sedaris, as discussed in class.  

Your Favorite Band Sucks!!!

Think about the first time you saw your favorite band live.  Was the concert hall packed and sweaty?  Did someone spill their beer on you, or burn you with their cigarette?  Were you deaf for days?

Alternatively, think about the first time you heard your favorite band (not live).  Did you have a sudden moment of enlightenment when they came on the radio?  Were you listening to the cd when you had your first kiss?  Did you steal the record from your dad's collection?

Spend a few minutes jotting down details about ONE of these experiences (whatever you think is most vivid).  Then, tell me a story (in about three paragraphs), using sensual language (I don't mean sexual language, I mean 'involving the senses'--I want to hear the music, smell the beer and cigarettes).

The point is to convince me that your favorite band rocks, not by invoking logic (I don't care how many grammys they won), but by making me wish I were at that show or listening to that cd.

Of course, I'd like to know the name of the band, but other than that, try to keep background info (like the band's bio) to a minimum.

The point of this assignment is to measure your ability to make a point through storytelling, a skill that will be necessary for your first major paper.  Please write your response as a comment.

Good luck!

Syllabus Terms

Write about the term you were assigned.  Remember that we are trying to figure out what these things mean in the context of the class, so one of you sentences might mention what you think it has to do with the class.  Post your sentences as a comment and don't forget to put your name and email address on it.  I'll go first.