Assignment/Paper/Project
Descriptions:
∑ Blogging-
Every week, I would like you to blog on the class blog. You will use
the class blog to talk about controversial topics for papers, readings
we have read in class, class discussions, questions on what to do with
papers, comments on how the class is going, etc. I would appreciate
everyone keeping personal comments to a minimum- Start your very own
person blog for that type of commentary. (10 weeks x 5pts= 50 points
possible)
Writing
Assignment #1: *Minute Paper: Should not be longer than two
pages. 25 pts.
∑ Bring in a piece of everyday writing: Grocery list, Notes for
a class, a "to do" list, an e-mail, a message on a card, a
reminder to a roommate, etc. Be ready to share it in class.
Writing
Assignment #2: *Minute Paper: Should not be longer than two
pages. 25 pts.
∑ "They" say "Write about what you know."
So, write about whatever you want, but write about something you know.
If you are almost an expert on relationship advice, write about that.
If you know about feeding cows or duck hunting or painting toenails,
write about that. Using myself as an example, I would write about playing
tennis (a particular match that pushed me to my limits) and not about
duck hunting. Be ready to share in class.
Writing
Assignment #3: *Minute Paper: Should not be longer than two
pages. 25 pts.
∑ Write an imaginary letter to your parents with the topic of
college life, and then write a letter with that same topic to some other
audience of your choice (a sibling, a friend, etc). Be ready to share
what you had to change with each audience. Be ready to read them in
class. [Use exercises on pages 134-5 for help.]
Writing
Assignment #4: *Minute Paper: Should not be longer than two
pages. 25 pts.
∑ Write up a list of at least 5 memories that you could write
about in great detail for a larger paper. Be ready to work with that
list in class.
Writing
Assignment #5: *Minute Paper: Should not be longer than two
pages. 25 pts.
∑ Go online and type in the word "weblog" into a Yahoo!
or Google search. Read some thoroughly and print off a weblog that interests
you. Be ready to share your findings in class.
Writing
Assignment #6: *Minute Paper: Should not be longer than two
pages. 25 pts.
∑ Bring in a list of at least 5 people (famous or not, dead or
alive) that you find interesting.
Writing
Assignment #7: *Minute Paper: Should not be longer than two
pages. 25 pts.
∑ On class weblog, write your "Top Ten" list for things
you want to know more about. Your major? Why mosquitos are attracted
to certain objects? Why most first-year English classes here in the
U.S. are composition based?
Writing
Assignment #8: *Minute Paper: Should not be longer than two
pages. 25 pts.
∑ Research one of the "Top Ten" things you listed. Find
someone, an author/journalist/another student/weblogger, that informs
you in an article or essay or book more on that subject. Bring it into
class and share what you found.
Writing
Assignment #9: *Minute Paper: Should not be longer than two
pages. 25 pts.
∑ TBA.
Writing
Assignment #10: *Minute Paper: Should not be longer than two
pages. 25 pts.
∑ TBA.
Paper #1:100
points.
∑ Assigned Aug.26. Due Sept.25.
∑ A Narrative Paper. Length: 5-7 pages. Open
Topic: a start to a Memoir (help on pages 167-181), a Profile (help
on pages 242-255), or something using Everyday Writing or Commentary
on your daily life?, etc. (Get topic OKay'D by me before conferences
for Paper #1). MLA format.
Paper #2:100
points.
∑ Assigned Sept.25. Due Oct.30.
∑ The Infamous "Stretch Project:" A Research Paper on
something that YOU want to (stretch you brain into) know/learn more
about (schizophrenia, the NDSU parking problem, possible jobs in your
major, graduate schools for your major, how bad/good fast food is for
us, etc.). The format for these "Stretch Projects" can take
on the form of the following: a Review (of music? a TV show?) or a Commentary,
etc. ** This project could also simply stretch you into learning a new
tool: web page design, Adobe Photoshop, iMovie, etc. Length: 5-7
pages. Non-MLA format is allowed (basically, you can really
be creative with this one!).
Paper #3:100
points.
∑ Assigned Oct.30. Due Nov.26.
∑ There are Three Options for this
paper: 1) Answer the question "Who Are You?" 2) Answer the
question "Does Media Influence Our Society or Vice Versa?"
OR 3) A topic that deal with Flowers for Algernon (Analysis or Commentary
using the book as the main source for background information). Length:
4-6 pages. MLA format.
Final Presentations:
100 points.
∑ Assigned Nov.11. Given Dec.4. through Dec.11.
∑ A Choice of Three Projects to tackle (Pick
ONE): 1) A group project where you and 2-3 other students
create a "fake" business using what you know about yourselves
(creating a business that you would want to work at) and what you know
about the world (what would be profitable and why?). (required: a logo,
motto, business letterheads, expenses and profits sheet, etc) [creating
a visual of the building OR a commercial is extra points]. 2A) An
individual project where you research a country you know nothing
about (find out about people there, the colleges, the entertainment,
etc) (required: creating a handout for the entire class) [creating a
visual of the country is extra points] or 2B)an individual project
where you plan a "fake" trip around the world (two
restrictions: you have one month and $15,000) and tell us where you
would go and why and what you would see/do there (required: a handout
of a map showing us where you'd go along with expenses) [creating a
traveling journal is extra points].
*With these Final
Presentations, you'll have to do just that. No need to write up a paper
in addition to the requirements above although you may want to have
notes written up. Just present your findings to the class in a 15-20
minute presentation during the last three days of class.
Final In-Class
Essay:50 points.
∑ Assigned Dec.11. Due Dec.11.
∑ TBA on that day.