Below are the readings for each class this semester along with the due dates for the major assignments . These are subject to change. For the most up to date readings and due dates, as well as the details of the writing and other assignments due for each class, see and follow the instructions under the Weekly Agendas tab.
Week 1
Wednesday, 8/28:
- Introductions & First Day Writing Activity
Week 2
Monday, 9/2:
- No classes scheduled
Wednesday, 9/4
- Article: “How to Read like a Writer” by Mike Bunn
- Resources: the library, computer labs, the Writing Center,
- Resources (Tips for Success on The OpenLab for Students)
Week 3
Monday, 9/9
- Read: “Maybe I Could Save Myself by Writing” by José Olivarez
- Read: “The Fourth of July” by Audre Lorde
- Reading/Writing Resource Essay: “Quotation Handout” by Carrie Hall
Wednesday, 9/11
- Personal narrative/blog: “Why I became a radiographer” by Dhrusha Jethwa
- Podcast from Story Collider: Career Path: Stories about career journeys featuring Jenn Kamara and Theresa Ball
Week 4
Monday, 9/16
- Personal Narrative/essay: “Go Carolina” by David Sedaris
Wednesday, 9/18
- Reading/Writing Resource Essay: “Shitty First Drafts” by Anne Lamott
Week 5
Monday, 9/23
- Come prepared to draft Unit 1 during our class
Wednesday, 9/25
- Read: “Later” by James Surowiecki
- Bring a full draft of Unit 1 to class
- Come prepared to work on revising Unit 1 during our class
Week 6
Monday, 9/30
- Unit 1 assignments (Education Narrative) Due by the start of class
- Short in-class reflection on writing Unit 1
- Reading/Writing Resource Essay: “Research Starts With a Thesis Statement” by Emily Wierszewski, pages 231- 235 in Bad Ideas About Writing
Wednesday, 10/2
- No classes scheduled
Week 7
Monday, 10/7
- Read: “A Talk to Teachers” by James Baldwin
Wednesday, 10/9
- Read: “Research Starts with a Thesis Statement” from Bad Ideas About Writing
- Read: “Schools are Killing Curiosity” from The Guardian
Week 8
Monday, 10/14: College Closed
Tuesday, 10/15 (Monday schedule)
Wednesday, 10/16
Week 9
Monday, 10/21
- Library session
Wednesday, 10/23
- “Chapter 3: As He Himself Puts It – The Art of Quoting” Graff & Birkenstein
- Article: “Backpacks vs. Briefcases: Steps Toward Rhetorical Analysis” by Laura Bolin Carroll
- Bring the first source for your annotated bibliography to class: Use the City Tech library’s online databasesor the internet to locate one reputable source that helps you respond to your research question. Some useful databases are NexisUni, Academic Search Complete, and Opposing Viewpoints. Remember that the first source you come across will not necessarily be the best one! You will have to look at multiple sources to find one that is truly useful for your specific question.
- Come prepared to draft your first annotation for your annotated bibliography
- Reading/Writing Resource Essay: “Citation and Formatting Guide” (City Tech Library)
- Reading/Writing Resource Essay: “MLA Style Introduction” (Purdue OWL)
Week 10
Monday, 10/28
- Bring one more source for your annotated bibliography to class: Continue researching and looking for sources. Try to explore a variety of genres for this assignment: consider journal articles, TED Talks, podcasts, Op-Eds, letters, or news reports.
- Come prepared to draft your second annotation
Wednesday, 10/30
- Bring the last source for your annotated bibliography to class: Continue researching and looking for sources to make sure you have the strongest research possible. Try to explore a variety of genres for this assignment: consider journal articles, TED Talks, podcasts, Op-Eds, letters, or news reports.
- Come prepared to draft your third annotation
Week 11
Monday, 11/4
- Have an electronic version of your Unit 2 annotated bibliography with you
- Come prepared to work on your draft during our class
Wednesday, 11/6
- Bring a draft of your annotated bibliography to class
Week 12
Monday, 11/11
- Unit 2 assignments (Reflective Annotated Bibliography) are due.
- Short in-class reflection on writing Unit 2
- Readings to be distributed in class
Wednesday, 11/13
- Blog: “10 listicle examples that will make you love the form” by Corinna Keefe
- Article: “The listicle as literary form” by Arika Okrent
Week 13
Monday, 11/18
- Read: “Annoying Ways People Use Sources” by Kyle Stedman:
- Come prepared to continue working on drafting Unit 3: Writing in a New Genre, including your one-page reflection and genre analysis (Part II) of this assignment.
Week 14
Monday, 11/25
- Come prepared to continue working on drafting Unit 3: Writing in a New Genre, including your one-page reflection and genre analysis (Part II) of this assignment.
Wednesday, 11/27
- Classes follow Friday schedule
Week 15
Monday, 12/2
- Reading TBA
- Bring a print or digital copy of Unit 3 to class.
- Come to class prepared to finish the final touches on Unit 3
- Unit 3 assignments (Writing in a New Genre) are due by the end of the day
Wednesday, 12/4
- Reading TBA
- Come to class prepared to conference the major assignment you plan to revise (Unit 1 or 2) and to work on those revisions.
Week 16
Monday, 12/9
- Come to class prepared to work on your revision for the final portfolio
Wednesday, 12/11
- Come to class prepared to brainstorm and prepare for the Final Reflection which we will write during class next time.
Week 17
Monday, 12/16:
- Come prepared to write your Final Reflection about the semester in class
- Final Reflection and Portfolio due (including your revised work)
Wednesday, 12/18:
- Conclusions
