When I start to write I think a lot of things. My mind tries to focus on one topic at a time. I don’t like going off topic because then I will have so many errors and too many mistakes. I always write more than one draft, which I can compare the difference from before and after. I always fix some point in my writing. So that way I can organize my paper by editing and finding synonyms instead of being repetitive. The title did not surprise me I think it is true. The first draft is really helpful for me. The second draft makes me more aware of the things I missed out or if the paper was rushed.
Category: Announcements (Page 1 of 4)
Dear prof Sarah Schmeler
My journey this year was busy with work and school at the same time, which was exhausting, because i had to head to work right after I was done with all my classes. I used to go to work while I was very tired, but juggling two full time schedules was a first for me. However, I did not give up on either of them. My brother was able to help me out with work this semester, so that I could get a little rest after I was done with my classes. This journey has taught me how to work harder through my struggles. This semester, in this class I was able to meet such good friends who has helped me out when I needed their help or advise. This motivated me to continue to do better in school. I was also able to help other students as well, which really made love this class even more. Professor Schmerler made the class better with her creative style of teaching, and she had made the course easy by making herself available during office hours, and by using her excellent skills to teach the class, which made it easier to understand.
You are almost done! It is Unit 5: Final Portfolio Time. I am going to summarize your assignments for the whole semester here, grouping them under their respective “Units.” I hope this helps you remember and organize as you start with Unit 1. Good luck! Note: I put “++” next to those assignment that I felt were the most major and ought to be included in your Final Portfolio. Please know that you are welcome to also include other assignments that you feel shed good light onto you and your work in this class.
What happened in Unit 4 — Multi-Modal:
The Multi-Modal Unit asked that you take the Research you did in Unit 3 (of your skill/interest area) and creatively switch it into a digital genre of your choice (video essay, video sports interview, video diary, podcast…). There wasn’t much time for this. You did your best, ++and included a link in your Final Portfolio to what you made. In a way, Unit 4 is yet another genre mashup — only this time: digital!
What happened in Unit 3 — Inquiry / Research:
You stuck with the same skill you used in Unit 2, only delving into it to find out what problems or issues surround it. (You may have completed a couple of Worksheets I provided over spring break to help you organize your thoughts.) ++You wrote a proposal for research to me, at minimum 4 paragraphs, explaining what further inquiry or research would do for this problem, shedding new awareness on it. You gave credit to your (excellent!) sources where credit was due!
Note: This personal Research was hopefully very interesting both to you and to me. It was not something I could find verbatim on the Internet, in a box, or on an essay site. It made you want to do more! (see unit 4)
What happened in Unit 2 — Genre and Rhetoric:
+You choose a skill/something you do well. This “skill” would become the focus of/form the written content of all your future Unit assignments henceforth.
++Your first genre switch was that you create a written “recipe” for a skill/something you do well
You listed 10 or so types of writing (genres) that you encounter in your life
++You picked one of these genres/forms of writing and gave me a clear example of it
++You analyzed this example rhetorically (who is its audience? its writer? who is impacted by this genre? what kinds of language to they use? etc.)
++You did a creative switch in which write about your “skill” in the form and style of this genre
You had readings assigned and you wrote and posted reflections on them. Depending on your section number, they would be: “Shitty First Drafts” by Annie Lamott and “Navigating Genres” by Kerry Dirk and “Internal Revision: A Process of Discovery” by Donald Murray.
You were working on the train, bus, in transit to record Outer and Inner Dialogues in at least three different locations or times, with setting and situation noted. (Note: We didn’t have time to address this assignment, but you may include it in your Final Portfolio with some prefatory notes to me if you wish!)
What happened in Unit 1 — Language and Metacognition:
This was a very long Unit. I will put “++” next to the major assignments, but there were many small ones as well:
++lipograms and general constraint writing — one without descending letters on the topic of “fear” and one without ascending letters on the topic of “cure”
++a formal essay on the topic of “freedom”
You wrote reflections on assigned readings including (depending on your section #) one by author Laura Carroll called “Backpacks v. Briefcases”; one by author Nelson Graff called “Teaching Rhetorical Analysis”; and “Grammar to Get Things Done” (section 115 only)
A reflection on how this Unit had been working for you (its challenges, its triumphs) so far, and how you felt.
Short in-class writings about your day, your path to school, little things you noticed…
Lots of vocabulary work (section 439 in particular)
I have an English Dept. meeting today at 1PM, but Dylan from Section106 has kindly offered to help you! I will come to join him after the meeting, and my ETA is 2:15PM.
Dylan is a wise and savvy brainstormer and facilitator. Peer help is often what you need when you need to get a project to fruition.
I am there for, well, the usual. : )
-see you. Good luck with end of term.
Your “My Journey” document must be printed and brought to class on your Final Exam Day. It will take the place of your Final Exam. The English Dept. must have something on file for you in lieu of an exam. I have made a format for you, below:
My Journey format for Submission to Eng Dept
Basically, you include your name and section # and label it “Final Reflection” and bring it!
see you. If you have something specific you want to work on, please bring it with you.
up to 3PM, if students need me. Extended time in these stressful times.
: )
Cafeteria. See you.
Please check your section’s Assignments page for an accounting of what is due in hard copy for UNIT 2 when you return from break. (We discussed this last class.)
I will post about your upcoming research work shortly.
See you at Office Hour tomorrow from 1-2PM and or have a great and safe and healthy Spring Break!
At the Cafeteria.
