Good Morning Musees,

It's Monday, September 30th.  I am going to leave you alone today to work on your essays and conference with me.

The steps for your college essay are:
Draft 1 completed by tomorrow the latest
Peer Review
Revision completed by Wednesday (Draft 2)
Self Check and Final Revision completed by Thursday.
There will be mini-lessons occurring all week and interesting handouts for your enjoyment (yes, I know. :))

If you have finished early, take the time to continue to make your essay stronger.  Consider all of the descriptive techniques, show don't tell, adjectives, verbs, avoiding wordiness, grammar and mechanics, syntax, appropriate diction and point of view, get some more peer reviews, etc.

P.S. Please have essays 3 an 4 of our samples read for discussion tomorrow morning.

Have a great day.
MM

Happy Friday Musees:

Do Now:  Discussion - Essay Two (Switzerland)
Read Essay Three and Discuss
Hooks and Leads

Please work on your Draft One of your essays.
Draft One Teacher Conferences begin Monday.  Those that gave me their essays will go first.
Monday - Peer Editing.  Please have your completed Draft One Essay printed Monday morning for your Peer Edit and Conference.
Also remember to peruse Essays That Work and comment on the blog for Monday. :)
Have a great weekend!
MM

Good Morning Musees,

It's Thursday, 9/26/13

Do Now:  Please read Essay One of the sample essay handed out to you in the beginning of the period.  Also read the admission's officer's comment.  Then, let's discuss.  What did you think.

For Homework tonight, please read Essay Two on this hand out.  Write down your thoughts for discussion tomorrow.

Continue working on your College Essay in and out of school.

I will be sitting at the table Conferencing (10 minutes per person max.)  The sign up sheet is at the table.



Homework due Monday (Aside from working on your college essay):

Essays that Worked!

Follow the link to a page at Connecticut College's website. This site is unique in that it provides links to college "Essays that Worked." That is, these essays "worked" in getting that student accepted to the school. There are essays from as early as last year, thus the essays are current! Please peruse the essays that "worked" (listed on the right hand of the screen) and write a thoughtful blog post that answers the question, "Why do you think this essay worked?"

In your response be sure to list which student's essay you are responding to.

Read This!

Wow. This article really opened my eyes up to some things, so I'm sure it will open up yours, too! Make sure you read every word. No blog post required for this one... just some food for thought!Top 10 Myths of College Admissions

 

 

Happy Wisdom Wednesday:

 

Today, we will discuss your homework readings.

I would like you to spend most of the period brainstorming and beginning to write down thoughts (it doesn't have to be perfect today) for your college essay.  You should know which prompt you are writing to.  Remember your audience and purpose.  Remember all of the descriptive and style techniques we learned last week.

 

After you have something down, in the next couple of days, we will spend time reading some sample essay from other students, as well as what admissions officers had to say about them.

 

Homework due tomorrow:  See yesterday's post.  Remember, choose three and comment.  Don't forget to label which articles you comment on. 

 

 

Hello Musees,

Today is Tuesday.  Your Final Descriptive piece is due half way through the period today.  Please:
1.) Submit to turnitin.com
2.) Staple everything together (draft 1 on bottom, then peer edit sheet, then final draft on top) and place on the "big desk."

Next, due tomorrow:

1. Complete College Essay Brainstorming Sheet
2. Check out the new Common App prompts for this year and choose one that you will write your essay on by tomorrow morning.  You may even begin to brainstorm.
3. Read and annotate the articles "Don't Be Bland" and "Your Essay Makes a Difference"  Be ready to discuss these tomorrow morning. 

 Due Thursday: See blog post below, "College Advice From People Who Have Been There Awhile"

College Advice, From People Who Have Been There Awhile

By click on the following link, College Advice, you will be brought to an opinion page of the NY Times. At this page there are a variety of short articles providing advice on college from "people who have been there awhile." Read three (3) of the opinions listed and respond in a thoughtful blog response. Be sure to respond to and name all three of the articles you read in order for this blog response to count as one of your required blogs for the quarter.

 

Suggested readings: "Don't Alienate Your Professor," "Play Politics," and "Go the Wrong Way"

 

Hello WFC Crew,

Today is Monday, September 23rd.  Please work on your peer editing today.  Peer Edit Worksheets can be found on the "big desk."  Use your time wisely and peer edit with someone who in the same time frame as you. Please do not wait 20 minutes for your buddy to finish.  The purpose of peer editing is to share perspectives and offer constructive criticism.  Take advantage of this.  It is a growth process.

Your final draft of your Descriptive Piece is due tomorrow at the period half-way mark.  We will spend the second half of the period on college essay material. 

Due Wednesday (I am giving this to you know for those who have completed their descriptive piece)
Complete the Brainstorming Worksheet for the College Essay.

Have a great day!
MM

Hello WFC students,

Happy Friday!

Today: 
1.) Quick 3-minute tips on using colorful adjectives and action verbs in your description
2.) Explanation of peer review sheet
3.) Handout of descriptive essay rubric, checklist and editing key

Reminder:  If you are late for or absent from class, please make sure that you receive and read all information and handouts.  All information and skills discussed in class are expected to be reflected in your work!

Today's goal: Complete your descriptive piece and peer review and edit.
Final copy due on Tuesday to turnitin.com
Then, COLLEGE ESSAY.  YAY!

HAVE A FAB WEEKEND.
MM

Hello WFC Folks,

Today is Thursday.  Please work on your descriptive piece.  Incorporate information about being specific and "show don't tell." :)

Peer reviews will take place throughout tomorrow - Monday.  Your final revision is due on Tuesday, submitted to turnitin.com

Period 1:  class ID: 6953235
Period 6:  class ID: 6953245

Password:  muse

Have fun with this!

Descriptive Writing Assignment:

You should have completed the following brainstorm so far:

 

Choose an Object, Place, or Moment in time for this assignments: ____________________________

 Step 1 of the Writing Process: Brainstorming:

1. What is your attitude toward this choice? How do you feel about this object, place, or moment?

_________________________________________________________________

2. What kind of a tone would be most appropriate to develop in this piece? ________________________

3. What are some words, images, and descriptions you can use in this piece to help develop this tone? List these below:

 ASSIGNMENT:

Write a descriptive piece about your object, place or moment in time.

Your piece must be 1-2 pages, typed, double-spaced, Times New Roman, with one inch margins.  (See model paper, Paradise)

 

Rough Draft Due on Friday 9/20 for peer editing.  Aim for peer editing Friday. Must be in complete format.

You must work on this at home as well.

Schedule:

Wednesday: Write/Conference

Thursday: Write/Conference

Friday: Peer Edit/Conference/Revisions

Monday: Revisions/Writing

Tuesday: DUE DATE, EVERYTHING SUBMITTED STAPLED TOGETHER AND SUBMITTED TO TURNITIN.COM

 

 Apply all the elements of style that we have discussed so far in class.  Use your notes, handouts and blogs as tools.  Remember the principles, conventions and strategies discussed on your Introduction to Writing Description Handout.  Remember the tips that Vonnegut gives us.

What Would Kurt Vonnegut Have to Say?

What Would Kurt Vonnegut Have to Say?

Kurt Vonnegut is known for being an impeccable writer of style and lurid opinions, Slaughterhouse Five being one of his most notable accomplishments. Because of these facts, Vonnegut tried to show other writers "How to Write With Style" through his infamous list of writing style tips.

Today's Task:
1. Click on the link to read Vonnegut's "How to Write With Style"

2. Blog on how you think William Golding in "Huts on the Beach" fits Vonnegut's list of style "rules." What do you think Vonnegut would have to say if he analyzed and critiqued Golding's style?

3. Add a short response of how you critiqued William Golding's style. How well do you think Golding's excerpt exemplified the descriptive writing genre? What tone did he convey and what elements did he use to develop it?

A Wedding Day Story...

Monday, September 10, 2012

A Wedding Day Story...

The newly married Mr. and Mrs. float from the church doors into the shiny white limo that awaits them at the curb. As they enjoy their first 20 minutes of marriage on the ride to their reception site, they look out the window and observe “their” day: a day without a cloud in the sky, the color of pale blue for miles on end, and the sun shining brightly up above. They marvel at how the day couldn’t have been any better for a wedding day. As their eyes move from the bright sun to the moving cars that shared the road, they find themselves staring into an unexpected sight: a long, black hearse driving along side their limo. It was an odd site to see on such a blissful day, and as the hearse moved past them, the newly Mr. and Mrs. couldn’t help but wonder what the people in the black limo following the hearse, the family members of the deceased, thought about the day.

Your DO NOW: (Please write your response in a new Word document):
To practice your descriptive ability, and keeping in mind the descriptive model critiqued Friday in class and for homework, describe the day from the perspective of either the newly married bride and groom traveling in the white limo, or the grieving family members of the deceased in the black limo. Try experimenting with the various Elements of Style in your response.

Today is Monday, 9/16

Today is Monday, 9/16

This week:Descriptive Essay

Friday 9/13 - Introduction to the Elements of Style and Description
HW: Analyze the two description examples  and respond on handout

Monday 9/16- Descriptive Writing Exercise and Descriptive Essay Requirements
HW: Read LOTF model; annotate with regards to style and description; brainstorm for descriptive essay

Tuesday 9/17 - Kurt Vonnegut's "How to Write with Style" blog/ Discussion of LOTF model/Student descriptive essay model
HW: Complete Brainstorming for Descriptive Essay - choose topics and brainstorm possible descriptions (if not completed already; or, add to your brainstorming based on essay model)

Wednesday 9/18 - Full period writing/ Teacher conferences

Thursday 9/19 - Full period writing/Teacher conferences
HW:  Complete rough draft for peer review (typed, MLA format)

Friday 9/20 - Peer Review and Editing/Teacher conferences
HW:  Begin editing to your liking.
 

Thursday's Activity. Due Friday.

Six Word Memoir

Hemingway was once challenged to write a story in 6 words and he replied, “For sale: baby shoes, never worn.” In just these six words we're able to gain much insight into Hemingway's life and lifestyle. Even more, we gain insight into what he believed defined his life story. In true Hemingway fashion, there is an entire website dedicated to teens and adults uploading their own 6-word memoirs. Your first "mini-assignment" is to create your own six word memoir that you will then upload to this blog post.

What to do:
1. Visit the website called Smithmag and peruse the six word memoirs uploaded there by thousands of people. Start to get your mind rolling as to what words you will choose to define your life thus far.

2. Keep in mind that a memoir is an account of one's personal life and experiences, so start jotting down and brainstorming a list of words that come to mind when you think of your life thus far.

3. Show thought and creativity with word choice and syntax. Arrange and rearrange words to come up with a powerful six word memoir. How about using words that pack a punch rather than the average choices? Experiment with grammar and punctuation. Use semicolons, colons, dashes, periods, commas, etc. to help give strength to some words and/or phrases over others.

4. Remember, you can ONLY use six words; no less and no more.

5. Once your six word memoir is acceptable enough for you in defining your life thus far, post it to this blog post!

Due Date: TOMORROW! In order for this post to count, your Six Word Memoir must be uploaded by the start of class on Friday.

We will do this as a Do Now Thursday

Writing, Little "w" and Big "W"

In an NCTE (National Council of Teacher's of English) blog, the following was stated:

"Many of us think of writing in two ways. One we spell with a little "w" -- it's the writing such as notes to ourselves, photos at our niece's wedding, text messaging with our friends, and maybe even reports for work. The other we spell with a capital "W" -- it's the writing that we do when we have an assignment in school or when we're feeling creative. But writing, whether big "W" or little "w," is integral to our lives in the 21st century and many, many people, young and old, are writing every day."

What do you think are the qualities of good writing? That is, what qualities should you focus on improving in Writing for College this semester in order to make your capital "W" writing "good"?

How Prepared Are You For College Writing?

Welcome to Writing for College, Smithtown East Class of 2014! How prepared do you think you are for college writing? Two years ago at this time an article was printed and sent out to English teachers across the country regarding writing in college. Click on the article link entitled "No Smiley Faces in Term Papers, Please" and respond in a new Word document (starting tomorrow you can respond right on the blog.) Do you think you are ready for college writing at this point in your high school career? Do you commit the same writing faux-pas that the article speaks of?