Works Cited Page!

Several of you did not include a works cited page with one of your papers. The works cited page is part of the MLA format, and at least one of your three revised papers must include a works cited page. If you did not include a works cited page, you may submit one by leaving it on my desk in idc 312 cubicle a before 8:45 AM on Tuesday, December 2nd. I will add this page to your portfolio for you. IF you do not have a works cited page in to me by this time, I will have to submit your portfolio to the committee without it.

Portfolios Due Tomorrow!!!

Don't forget to turn in your portfolio tomorrow!!!! Portfolios are due by NOON. Make sure that you follow the directions on the portfolio agreement, and don't forget to sign and enclose the agreement with your portfolio.

Please submit your portfolios in the box on my desk in IDC 312 Cubicle A. IDC stands for Interdisciplinary Center. The IDC is on the West Campus across from the little snack shop near our classroom.

Class does not meet on Tuesday 12/2. I will be holding conferences during class time on Thursday, December 4th. If you were not in class last Tuesday, than you have not yet signed up for a conference. The only times left are 6:20, 6:30, 6:40, and 6:50.


I hope that you had a great holiday. I look forward to reading your portfolios. GOOD LUCK!!!!

revision and editing checklists

Go through each of these checklists for the essays in your portfolio.

As a general rule, the best time to revise is not immediately after you have completed a draft (although at times this will be necessary). Instead, wait a few hours--even a day or two, if possible--in order to gain some distance from your work. This way you will be less protective of your writing and better prepared to make changes.

One last bit of advice: read your work aloud when you revise. You may hear problems in your writing that you can't see.

Revision Checklist
1. Does the essay have a clear and concise main idea? Is this idea made clear to the reader early in the essay (almost always in the first paragraph)?
2. Does the essay have a specific purpose (such as to explain, entertain, evaluate, or persuade)? Have you made this purpose clear to the reader?
3. Does the opening of the essay create interest in the topic and make your audience want to read on?
4. Is there a clear plan to the essay? Does each paragraph develop logically from the previous one?
5. Is each paragraph clearly related to the main idea of the essay? Is there enough information in the essay to support the main idea?
6. Is the main point of each paragraph clear? Is each point adequately and clearly supported with specific details?
7. Are there clear transitions from one paragraph to the next? Have key words and ideas been given proper emphasis in the sentences and paragraphs?
8. Are the sentences clear and direct? Can they be understood on the first reading? Are the sentences varied in length and structure? Could any sentences be improved by combining or restructuring them?
9. Are the words in the essay clear and precise? Does the essay maintain a consistent tone?
10. Does the essay have an effective conclusion--one that emphasizes the main idea and provides a sense of completeness?


Once you have finished revising your essay, you can turn your attention to the finer details of editing your work.

After revising an essay (perhaps several times) until we are satisfied with its basic content and structure, we still need to edit our work. In other words, we need to examine our sentences to make sure that each one is clear, concise, forceful, and free of mistakes.

The following checklist can serve as a guide when editing paragraphs and essays.

1. Is each sentence clear and complete?
2. Can any short, choppy sentences be improved by combining them?
3. Can any long, awkward sentences be improved by breaking them down into shorter units and recombining them?
4. Can any wordy sentences be made more concise?
5. Can any run-on sentences be more effectively coordinated or subordinated?
6. Does each verb agree with its subject?
7. Are all verb forms correct and consistent?
8. Do pronouns refer clearly to the appropriate nouns?
9. Do all modifying words and phrases refer clearly to the words they are intended to modify?
10. Is each word in the essay appropriate and effective?
11. Is each word spelled correctly?
12. Is the punctuation correct?

Revision Notes

Make sure that your paper has a clear, specific, manageable, and interesting thesis statement. The thesis statement should do more than simply state the topic; it should state a position that you will explain and illustrate with evidence/examples and analysis.

Develop a thesis by considering these questions:

1. What is your topic exactly? (Try to state your answer in specific terms.)

2. What points do you want to make about your topic?

3. What is your purpose in this project? (Is it to reflect on your own experience? Is it to explain some aspect of your topic to a particular audience? Is it to argue for a position or for a course of action?)

4. Develop a working thesis that draws on your answers to questions 1 and 2 and that reflects the purpose you described in your answer to question 3.

Make sure that you have paragraphs with a clear topic. Make sure these topics support your thesis. If you have paragraphs that deal with similar topics, consider combining them. You might also clarify how the topics are distinct from one another with a specific topic sentence.

Make sure that you present your body paragraphs in the best order. Develop fluid transitions between each paragraph.

Make sure that you are doing “higher level thinking.” Don’t just skate around the surface of your topic; push yourself to explore the topic and say something interesting. Avoid making generalizations. Do not claim to know or understand something that you do not. If you have an opinion or impression about something, you should be able to explain why you have that opinion or impression. Review the list of fallacies in your PH if you need to refresh your memory.

Read your papers out loud. This is a great way to check sentence clarity, organization, and transitions. Read slowly and make corrections as you go along. Read aloud after each revision.

Pay attention to the language you are using. Weak or vague language may work as a placeholder for ideas in a draft, but your revisions should contain crisp, strong language. Do not use phrases like “the person I am today” or “society today.” These phrases are vague. Also, make sure that you are using language that is appropriate for a college paper. Avoid slang and colloquial expressions. For more about this, check out this.

Carefully read the feedback that you receive. If a comment is not clear, please check with me. The papers in your portfolio will be evaluated for revision.

Because I cannot line-edit your drafts, it is your responsibility to attend to sentence-level errors in your paper. If you noticed that I have corrected a specific type of area in one part of your paper, it is your job to see if that error occurs elsewhere and to correct it.

Tips for Making Your Essays More Complex

Links of Interest

Here are some links to English Department Policies that you may find useful:

English 100 Portfolio Guidelines

English 100 and English 110 Course Descriptions


And some handouts from the Writing Center:

Using MLA citation

Independent and Dependent Clauses

Structure of a Basic Expository Essay

Calendar Updates & Extra Office Hours

Hello Students!

Here is the calendar for the rest of the semester. Please note the extra office hours. If you need to meet with me at a different time, please e-mail me to set up an appointment.

At this point, you should be thinking about revisions. Even if you have not received my comments on a paper yet, you can still be working on revision. TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE WRITING CENTER!!! Make appointments and go frequently. This could make a big difference for the revisions in your portfolio!

WEEK 12

M 11/10 EXTRA OFFICE HOUR at Coffee Shop in Libarary 3:30-4:30

Stop by to discuss revisions or other issues.

T 11/11 VETERANS DAY HOLIDAY (CLASS DOES NOT MEET)

R 11/13

Discuss Department Essay Exam

WEEK 13

T 11/18 Paper # 4 due

Department Essay Exam. Do not miss this day!

R 11/20 Workshop and Revision Strategies

Paper # 5 due

WEEK 14

M 11/24: Extra Office hours to discuss portfolio revisions

Library Coffee Shop 3:30-4:30

T 11/25 More Revision Strategies

R 11/27 THANKSGIVING (CLASS DOES NOT MEET)

WEEK 15

M 12/1 Portfolios due by 9am sharp!

T 12/2 PORTFOLIO READING (CLASS DOES NOT MEET)

R 12/4 CONFERENCES FOR PORTFOLIO RESULTS

Paper # 5: Definition

English 100

Fall 2008

Paper # 5: Definition


Paper Schedule:


R 11/6: Paper Assigned

M 11/10: e-mail thesis and plan to me by midnight

R: 11/13: Draft due

T: 11/20: Revision due



What I’m looking for:

Introduction stating your main point (thesis)

Body Paragraphs with strong topic sentences that relate back to the thesis

Body Paragraphs presenting evidence that supports, illustrates, and explains your main point

Conclusion that restates your main point and reflects on your evidence

Backing up your ideas with examples rather than summarizing

Specifics – not generalizations

Consideration of the issues covered in your PH

Attention to language, grammar, and mechanics

Original thought / Independent intellectual effort

Essay Title


Choose one of the following topics:


In “The Necessity of Myths,” Neil Postman argues that shared myths, dreams, and “gods” unite and influence society and are thus an integral feature of public education. He writes: “Our genius lies in our capacity to make meaning through the creation of narratives that give point to our labors, exalt our history, elucidate the present, and give direction to our future.” What are the great narratives that define your ideas about education? Do you feel that these narratives are shared with others (family members, friends, fellow students)? Use specific, vivid details to explain your subject. Describe the parts or characteristics of the narrative(s), discuss its causes and effects, or trace its development.


In “The Necessity of Myths,” Neal Postman considers that narrative offered in the words of Emma Lazarus inscribed on the Statue of Liberty: “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.” How do you define the idea of “liberty”? Articulate your unique take on the word. You might compare or contrast it with similar words or associate it with recognizable people, places, or ideas. Use concrete examples and precise details to make your definition both interesting and clear.


Define a term that you feel needs clarification. Perhaps it is an abstract term like “friendship” or “success.” Or perhaps it is a new or unusual term or phrase found in pop culture (“OMG,” “shorty,” “bff”). Or perhaps you want to define jargon or a technical, legal, or political term (when is someone an “adult,” what is a “conservative”). Give your readers a reason to read: why does this tern need clarification? Explain.

Class Cancelled Today 11/4

Dear Students,

I am not feeling well and must cancel class this afternoon. I will be posting the topic for paper 5 and the portfolio contract on the blog. I will also e-mail these documents as attachments. Please remember that class meets at 5 pm on Thursday. Please e-mail me if you have any questions.

Don't forget to vote!

Thanks, Michelle

American Dreams

A Dream Deferred

by Langston Hughes

What happens to a dream deferred?

Does it dry up
like a raisin in the sun?
Or fester like a sore--
And then run?
Does it stink like rotten meat?
Or crust and sugar over--
like a syrupy sweet?

Maybe it just sags
like a heavy load.

Or does it explode?

What is an Expository Essay?

The expository essay is a genre of essay that requires the student to investigate an idea, evaluate evidence, expound on the idea, and set forth an argument concerning that idea in a clear and concise manner. This can be accomplished through comparison and contrast, definition, exempla, the analysis of cause and effect, etc.

Please note: This genre is commonly assigned as a tool for classroom evaluation and is often found in various exam formats.

The structure of the expository essay is held together by the following:

A clear, concise, and defined thesis statement that occurs in the first paragraph of the essay.

It is essential that this thesis statement be appropriately narrowed to follow the guidelines set forth in the assignment. If the student does not master this portion of the essay, it will be quite difficult to compose an effective or persuasive essay.

Clear and logical transitions between the introduction, body, and conclusion.

Transitions are the mortar that holds the foundation of the essay together. Without logical progression of thought, the reader is unable to follow the essay’s argument, and the structure will collapse.

Body paragraphs that include evidential support.

Each paragraph should be limited to the exposition of one general idea. This will allow for clarity and direction throughout the essay. What is more, such conciseness creates an ease of readability for one’s audience. It is important to note that each paragraph in the body of the essay must have some logical connection to the thesis statement in the opening paragraph.

Evidential support (whether factual, logical, statistical, or anecdotal).

Often times, students are required to write expository essays with little or no preparation; therefore, such essays do not typically allow for a great deal of statistical or factual evidence.

A bit of creativity!

Though creativity and artfulness are not always associated with essay writing, it is an art form nonetheless. Try not to get stuck on the formulaic nature of expository writing at the expense of writing something interesting. Remember, though you may not be crafting the next great novel, you are attempting to leave a lasting impression on the people evaluating your essay.

A conclusion that does not simply restate the thesis, but readdresses it in light of the evidence provided.

It is at this point of the essay that students will inevitably begin to struggle. This is the portion of the essay that will leave the most immediate impression on the mind of the reader. Therefore, it must be effective and logical. Do not introduce any new information into the conclusion; rather, synthesize and come to a conclusion concerning the information presented in the body of the essay.

For Tuesday 11/4

Read “The Necessity of Myths” by Neil Postman, LS 300-306

Bring two clean, typed copies of paper # 4 to class

and don't forget to vote!

It does not say RSVP on the Statue of Liberty

Cher's speech begins around 4:15.

And here is the poem by Emma Lazarus inscribed on the Statue:

The New Colossus

Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand
Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.
"Keep ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she
With silent lips. "Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"

Essay # 4

Nash, Angell, and Ehrenreich consider new kinds of work conditions that deeply affect self-image and social attitudes. In the work world you expect to enter, which issues of individual power and vulnerability will be important to you? What concerns do you think are most important for twenty-first century working life?

How will these issues affect others in society?


Things you may want to consider:

Job availability
Job hours
Job location
Work conditions
Work safety
Benefits (health care, child care)
Retirement
Maternity/Paternity Leave
Unionization/ Right to Organize
Sick Leave
Vacation
Salary/Wages
Raises/ promotion
Job security
Privacy
Personal appearance

WEEK 9

T 10/21 Revision of Paper # 3 due

Preparing for paper # 4: In-class essay

Discussion: How to use quotes effectively

Read PH Chapter 10: Writing to Persuade

R 10/23

Read and Annotate: WORK AND POWER p. 377 in LS

Homework: Write a one-page definition of work

WEEK 10

T 10/28: Draft Paper # 4 in class

Discussion: How and when to cite your sources (using MLA format)

Read “This Pen for Hire” by Abigail Witherspoon, LS 332-342

R 10/30: Draft of Paper # 4 returned

Read “Professions for Women” by Virginia Woolf, LS 366-371

WEEK 11

T 11/4 Paper # 4 revision due

Assign Paper # 5

Discuss portfolio contract

Read “The Necessity of Myths” by Neil Postman, LS 300-306

R 11/6: Class meets at 5:15 ( 1 hour and 15 minutes later than we usually meet)

Distribute Handout

WEEK 12

T 11/11 VETERANS DAY HOLIDAY (CLASS DOES NOT MEET)

R 11/13 Paper # 5 due

Discuss Department Essay Exam

WEEK 13

T 11/18 Return Paper # 5

Department Essay Exam. Do not miss this day!

R 11/20 Workshop and Revision Strategies

WEEK 14

T 11/25 PORTFOLIO DUE

R 11/27 THANKSGIVING (CLASS DOES NOT MEET)

WEEK 15

T 12/2 PORTFOLIO READING (CLASS DOES NOT MEET)

R 12/4 CONFERENCES FOR PORTFOLIO RESULTS