Ruined Comparison Papers

For all those looking for a place to post their papers (like myself), I created a post to organize them so that Lauren wouldn't have to go hunting for them. Additionally, the whole blog stays organized, and there's no confusion. (Thank you sweet Admin privileges!)

Reflection: What kind of writer am I?

It is time to look at yourself in the mirror...well, sort of. Look at your writing, and the rubric we use in class to evaluate your writing. What are your strengths? Do you have a strong voice when you write? Does your personality come through on the paper? Or, in your quest to sound professional, are you sounding dry and formal? Do your sentences have strong verbs or do you find yourself using the passive voice too often? Do you structure your essay so that your argument grows ever more forceful, like a piece of music, reaching a crescendo and then resolving sweetly at the end? Or does it all sound the same? How are your conclusions? Your introductions? Are your sentences varied or are they all the identical length? Do you pause for effect? Make use of rhetorical questions? How often do you include descriptive adjectives and other modifiers---to make the words come alive on the page? What are your weaknesses? How is your grammar? Where would you like to see yourself go next (as a writer)? What do you have to do to get there?

Homework for the week of March 23, 2009

Monday, March 23, 2009
In class: you will take the SRI test and discover your lexile score.
Homework: Please bring ALL of your essays to class so that we can compile them.

Tuesday, March 24, 2009:
In class: Revision work and 1:1 conferences.
Homework: Reflective piece on your own writing.

Wednesday, March 25, 2009:
In class: MTC & trip!
Homework: Comparative reflective piece on reading vs. seeing the play

Thursday, March 26, 2009:
In class: Their Eyes Were Watching God Intro/discussion
Homework: Read to chapter 13. Revisions for Ruined are due--typed, MLA format

Friday, March 27, 2009:
In class: Discussion
Homework: Finish the novel

Discussion Questions for Ruined

1) Is there anyone in the play who escapes from some form of damage--either psychological, physical or both? Defend your answer with passages from the text.
2) How are birds used as symbols in the play? Defend your answer with passages from the text.
3) What is the climax of the play? Defend your answer.
4) Discuss the role of power in the play. Who has it, how does it shift, and why is it important?
5) how are women symbols of Africa? Defend your answer.
6) Which male character do you most sympathize with and why?
7) How are songs and poems used in the play? How do they help the play?
8) How would you relate the play to the expression, "the political is personal, the personal is political"?
9) Which female character do you sympathize the most with and why?
10) What is your favorite moment in the play? Why?

Syllogism Practice

1.
mp: All men are mortal
min p: Socrates was a man
conclusion: Therefore,

Is this syllogism true or false? Explain.

2.
mp: All weeds are plants
mp: The flower is a plant
con: Therefore, all weeds are flowers

Is this syllogism true or false? Explain.
--

3.
mp all terriers are dogs
min pr all dogs are mammals
con Therefore, all mammals are dogs

Is this syllogism true or false explain?

Homework for the Week of March 9, 2009

Monday, March 9, 2009:
In class: You will prepare discussion questions for a focused discussion of Ruined
Homework: Finish discussion questions and don't forget your permission slips!

Tuesday, March 10, 2009:
In class: We will discuss Ruined
Homework: Do some research on the Congo. Try to find an outline of the history of the country and some general ideas of what the wars were fought over.

Wednesday, March 11, 2009: In class: We will continue our discussion of Ruined as guided by our guest Candido from the Manhattan Theater Club.
Homework: Create your own topics for an essay and bring in a thesis statement based on your topic.

Thursday, March 12, 2009
In class: We will finish our discussion of the play and read your favorite scenes from the play.

Homework: Complete outlines of approved essay topics

Friday:
In class: You will perform your favorite scenes from the play
Homework: Read the first 100 pages of Their Eyes Were Watching God*** might change this depending upon the week. In-class essay test Monday, essay question practice on Tuesday.

Homework for the Week of March 2, 2009

Monday: It snowed, so everyone was off the hook!

Tuesday: In class exam, no homework tonight

Wednesday: In class, multiple choice practice, another homework free night! Woah.

Thursday, In class, syllogism, homework: read Act I of "Ruined," try a syllogism yourself.

Friday: In class, essay pointers and discuss Act I. Homework, revise essays and finish reading the play, prepare discussion questions.