Character Study/Mental Model Essay...and some other stuff

This is the last essay, and I'm trying to give you plenty of class time to work on it. Here are some things to think about using as an outline:
* Articulate what you don't understand about your subject.
* Describe physical characteristics symbolic of what's interesting/perplexing about your subject.
* What do others say or think about your subject?
* What is your subject's voice?
* What is the universal theme that your interest in your subject reveals?

Other Stuff:
The deadline for missing work was yesterday. If you've completed posts, you need to send me an email so I know to check your blog.
Don't forget the four posts for cycle 26.

Composition Readings

Here's something I just read that made me think of composition class. It's kind of an anti-how-to or maybe a character sketch of self. Read it (or not).

Cycle 25 - Everybody

Okay, the final month is here. And each class is on their respective "plan" for the remaining 4 cycles. Be sure you're consulting the calendars I created for you often. Sophs, it's quality project all cycle, and "Stuckness" in class; Freshman, bring A Midsummer Night's Dream and get ready to do some performing; Composition, this cycle we write our nature essays.

Cycle 24 - Composition

Public Interest essays are finished. They were a different kind of essay, involving background research, control of writing for more pages, and subtle presentation of big questions and ideas that people care about. Our next essay will slow us down and allow some meditation on the natural world. In addition, we'll read some quintessential naturalist writing.

The Plan:
Day 1 - Evaluations, Muir essay.
HW - One blog post or 2 pages in journal.

Day 2 - Muir essay.
HW - One blog post or 2 pages in journal.

Day 3 - Finish essay if needed, assorted short nature pieces, brainstorm essay.
HW - One blog post or 2 pages in journal.

Day 4 - Computer lab time to draft.
HW - One blog post or 2 pages in journal.

Cycle 23 - Composition

This cycle we're working on Public Interest essays. We've read several model essays that approach public issues in different ways: comedy, satire, point of view shift, and analysis. Your challenge is to much a structure and voice to your topic, and not to write a journalistic piece but keep your essay entertaining, personal, and insightful. And for the rest of the semester, on a week like this when we're working on an essay, you don't need to be posting to your blog. One thing at a time. Instead, this cycle's grade will be based on revisions of Public Interest essay.

Plan and Homework
Day 1 - Computer lab time to work on draft on wikispace.
HW - Print three drafts for elbowing.

Day 2 - 12:30 class, you're still in the computer lab this day and don't need your three drafts until day 3. 10:30 class you will be elbowing today.
HW - Make revisions according to feedback. Bring 3 drafts for elbowing (both classes).

Day 3 - Elbowing
HW - 10:30, final draft due next class. 12:30, elbowing session 2 next class, bring 3 revised drafts.

Day 4 - 10:30 essays due. 12:30, elbowing.
HW - Final drafts. Back to posting for 10:30.

Welcome to 4th Quarter - Cycle 22 - Composition

Our essay topics are becoming more complex and are moving away from being exclusively personal explorations. This cycle we're exploring a public interest issue. Again, we'll be using the wikispace as a way to collaborate and get feedback. We'll also take a look at a full-length example essay. And don't forget about our digital photography sentence work.

A Few Important Changes
1. Label all your posts with cycle number. And add a side bar element for "labels."
2. A few weeks ago, I set up a blog reading schedule. But it was too confusing for me. So the new plan is that I'll read your blogs at the end of each cycle. So for both classes, your posts are due F-days by midnight.
3. Continue to pay attention to the quality of your blogging. They are an especially good place to start exploring public interest topics. Do some web research, start linking and commenting.

Day 1 - Discuss 3 short public interest examples, sentence work
HW: Make sure you have topics posted on wiki, respond to two classmates' ideas, post

Day 2 - "Getting In"
HW: Post

Day 3 - "Getting In"
HW: Post

Day 4 - Work on public interest draft
HW: Post, prepare for elbowing on Day 1 of next cycle

Composition - What To Do

Welcome to the blogosphere composition students. Last week, you had a chance to learn how to use our Composition Corner wikispace and set up your own blog.

How we'll use the wiki:
This space will be a virtual writers' workshop. You will post ideas, drafts, and feedback. We might also decide to use the space in other ways. Remember, it's a community space, not a place for you to post whimsically.

How we'll use the blogs:
You already have your notebook. Now you have a virtual notebook. You can complete the 10 pages of writing per cycle requirement on your blog, in your notebook, or a little of both. The advantages to the blog are a real sense of audience, an opportunity to follow ideas in depth over several posts, and others can help you by sending comments.

What to do this weekend:
Post something from your Defining Moment draft to the wiki. Then, give somebody else's draft some feedback. You might also help to organize our pages. And get started on your blog by polishing and posting some work from your notebook.