Instructions for Formal Writing
Assignments
Paper One
Readings: Richard Rodriguez "The Achievement of Desire" (544) and/or Paulo Freire "The 'Banking' Concept of Education" (243)
Essay Options
Option 1: Write a 1000-word essay (four pages typed) that focuses on a rich and illustrative incident from your own educational experience and read it (or interpret it) as Rodriguez or Freire would. You will need to provide careful detail: things that were said and done, perhaps the exact wording of an assignment, a textbook, or a teacher's comments. If using Freire, you will need to turn to the language of Freire's argument, to take key phrases and passages from his argument and see how they might be used to investigate your case.
Option 1: Write a 1000-word essay (four pages typed) in which you tell the story of what it was like to read Freire's, essay. Include a works cited page. A story of reading--this is not a usual school exercise. Usually you are asked what texts mean, not what it was like to read them. As you prepare for this assignment, think back as closely as you can to your experience the first time through. And you will want to reread, looking for how and where the authors seems to be deliberately working on their reader, defying expectation and directing response. You want to tell a story that is rich in detail, precise in accounting for moments in the text. Since this is your story, you are one of the characters. You will want to refer to yourself as you were at the moment of reading while also mentioning your status/understandings as a student.
Paper Two
Reading: Edward
Said’s “States:” (567) Seeing Beyond Stereotypes. Working
with the term “ethnocentrism”
Virtual Fieldtrips: Crisis in Sudan.
The Online Edward Said Archive.
Assignment:
While “States” does not present
itself as an argument in defense of Palestinian rights, an argument to
locate blame or propose national or international policy—it is,
still, writing with a purpose. It has an argument, it has a
particular project in mind, and it wants something to happen.
Write an essay (700 words) that represents the
argument or the project of “States” for someone who has not
read it. You will need in other words, to establish a context and to
summarize. You should also work from passages (and images)—that
is, you will want to give your reader a sense of the text, its key terms
and language. Answer what is powerful in this paper.
Paper Three
English 1301 A Retrospective Essay
Due: Nov. 24, midnight
Homework Due Dates:
Nov. 5 Include Three Favorite Quotation from Introduction in Ways of Reading. Note why these quotations appeal to you.
Nov. 12 Publish rough draft of introductory paragraph
Nov. 19 Publish one body paragraph and works cited page
General Instructions: Write a 6-paragraph essay in which you return to Ways of Reading's "Introduction." Locate three quotations in the "Introduction" that shed light on your process of reading and writing. This assignment's focus is to note changes that have occurred in your way of thinking, reading, and writing since you first walked in this classroom. Conclude this paper by answering the questions listed below in "Body Paragraph 4." I am most interested in your ideas about this reading. It is important to converse with me seriously and thoughtfully through this paper. I value your interpretation.
Below is an outline which you should follow closely.
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Outline
Introductory Paragraph
Include Lead, Connecting Statement, Thesis
Body Paragraph
- Topic Sentence (should summarize the point of the paragraph)
- Quotation 1. (Frame with your own words. Use p. 752 in your SFH as a model).
- Beginning of Semester Reaction and Writings (you might want to quote your own papers, classroom comments--mine, yours, and others)
- Current/revised Reaction
Body Paragraph
- Topic Sentence (should summarize the point of the paragraph)
- Quotation 2. (Frame with your own words. Use p. 752 in your SFH as a model).
- Beginning of Semester Reaction and Writings (you might want to quote your own papers, classroom comments--mine, yours, and others)
- Current/revised Reaction
Body Paragraph
- Topic Sentence (should summarize the point of the paragraph)
- Quotation 3.
- Beginning of Semester Reaction and Writings (you might want to quote your own papers, classroom comments--mine, yours, and others)
- Current/revised Reaction
Body Paragraph
Summarize your thoughts on the following: 1) How this course is different from other English courses you've taken? 2) How is this course influencing your reading and writing in your other courses? 3) How are your reading and writing changing as a result of this course? 4) What one thing could I do to make this course more satisfying to you? What one thing could you do?
Concluding Paragraph
Start by restating your thesis. Follow with renaming your connecting statement and then end with a lead-like ending. Remember do not allow your reader to say “so what.” Tell them why this paper you have written is important.
Works Cited Page
Cite all essays mentioned along with the “Introduction.” Use your SFH, p. 801, #29 as a model.
Editing: Online
Gradesheet
Editing Emphasis
Review http://www.accd.edu/sac/english/1301090/cohen.htm
