Author: Professor Choi

We began by going over the assignment sheet for the Personal Narrative Essay. Then students began filling out the Personal Narrative Pre-Writing Worksheet using their neighborhood photos as inspiration.

We also discussed “A Coney Island of the Mind” by Katie Roiphe as a great example of: (1) using present tense to slow down and put us in the moments of her story; (2) making the setting of Coney Island an individual character – we could feel exactly what the historic Brooklyn neighborhood looks, sounds, and feels like!; and (3) character development (showing us how a character changes through a particular turning point in her life).

Homework:

(1) Using the Personal Narrative Pre-Writing Worksheet that you completed in class, write your personal narrative introduction. This introduction will need to be posted online before 12pm on Sunday, September 16. Details can be found by clicking the “Discussion” tab, then clicking “Personal Narrative Introductions.”

(2) Print, read and annotate “The Way We Live Now: 11-11-01; Lost and Found” by Colson Whitehead. Create: (1) a vocabulary list; (2) a 1-2 paragraph summary of the reading; and (3) at least 2 critical thinking questions for us to discuss.

(3) Review the following stories we already read:
Superman and Me” by Sherman Alexie
“Hers; The Ignominy of Being Pregnant in New York City” by Anna Quindlen
“A Coney Island of the Mind” by Katie Roiphe (handout)

Note all of the elements of what makes a great story. Pay particular attention to how the stories unfold, how the authors develop characters, the incorporation of vivid detail and imagery to “show” us moments rather than just “tell” us about them, plot development, the “so what?”, and so on!

 

Thank you to all the students who posted their Labor Day Stories on time. I look forward to reading them! Constructive comments on these stories can be made up until class on Wednesday, 9/12. Remember to give specific feedback on what works well and what needs revising.

For those who didn’t post, please note that every assignment (or lack of assignment) counts towards your grade. Remember to complete all assignments by the deadlines as outlined on the “Class Notes/Homework” page.

Our discussions today focused on what makes an effective personal narrative. Responses were based on our own personal experiences as well as the tips from the readings in Unit 2.

We also discussed hooks and different methods for hooking readers into our personal narratives.

Students then spent some time drafting the introductions to their Labor Day Weekend stories.

Homework:

(1) No classes on 9/10. Our next meeting will be on 9/12.

(2) Bring an inspiration photo taken in your neighborhood to our next class on 9/12. This photo will be used in a class activity and serve as the basis of your personal narrative. It must be your own photo and printed out.

(3) Print and actively read the remaining readings in Unit 2 by 9/12:
Figurative Language
“A Coney Island of the Mind” by Katie Roiphe (handed out in class)
“Superman and Me” by Sherman Alexie
“Hers; The Ignominy of Being Pregnant in New York City” by Anna Quindlen

(4) For the stories by Roiphe, Alexie, and Quindlen, you must create: (1) a vocabulary list; (2) a 1-2 paragraph summary of the reading; and (3) at least 2 critical thinking questions for us to discuss. This can be written or typed, and will be checked/collected on 9/12.

(5) Finish and revise your Labor Day Weekend stories. Feel free to make them longer. Make sure to include figurative language. Post online under “Discussion” in the “Labor Day Weekend stories” by Monday, 9/10, so students have a chance to read and respond to them.

We began class with a quick quiz on the course information provided on the Syllabus. Please review the Syllabus for any questions you may have about the course and make sure to reference it regularly over the semester.

We spent the remainder of class going over the Unit 1 readings.

Homework:

(1) Please note that there are no classes on Monday, 9/3, due to Labor Day. Our next class meeting will be next Wednesday, 9/5, and CUNY will follow a MONDAY schedule. Thursday, 9/6, will follow a regular Thursday schedule.

(2) Write a summary of the article titled, “TV Dinners in a Netflix World.” This will be collected in class on 9/5. (Typed summaries are optional, but greatly appreciated!)

(3) Download and print the following Unit 2 readings: Narration and Description. Actively read both texts and be ready to discuss them in class on 9/5. You must bring these readings to class.

(4) Begin looking for a personal picture (that you actually took, not from the Internet) that captures a memorable occasion in your neighborhood or one that encapsulates its spirit. This will be used for a class activity on Wednesday, 9/12. You must print this picture and bring it to class on 9/12.

(5) Reminder: Read the selections in topic 2 “Subject-Verb Agreement & Comma Usage” in the Grammar Guide by Week 5 (9/24).

Good to meet you all today!

Today, we went over the course syllabus, which outlines what this course is about, the policies, the assignments, and all other pertinent information. Please go over this document again yourselves and remember to contact me if you have any questions about anything.

Homework:

(1) Sign up for our OpenLab course site and familiarize yourself with the layout, links, and information. Request membership/join course.

(2) Sign up for your New York Times Subscription.

(3) Do the readings in Unit 1: Introduction to College Writing.

(4) Do the readings for Topic 1: Fragments/Run-Ons & Commonly Confused Words in our Grammar & Conventions Guide by Wednesday, 9/5. We may have a quiz on the reading that day.

See you on Wednesday!