assignment

Hola todos,
Since none of you seemed to pair up with a partner to discuss/propose a solution to a particular problem (which we talked about at the end of class), I have a different assignment for you.

I am asking you to choose a particular issue, dilemma, choice, question, or problem in your own life. Explain the issue in writing and describe what you think you want to do in response to this problem or issue. You don’t necessarily have to propose a solution. You could just detail how you think you want to proceed with regards to the issue. You could write about the different options you have in regards to the issue and discuss how difficult it is to decide what to do, and why.

Though it is an oft-used piece of poetry, re-read Robert Frost’s poem (below)

The Road Not Taken

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth.

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same.

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I–
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

Think of this poem not as a paean to taking the road “less traveled by” as it is most often interpreted. Instead, focus on the notion that there are two roads and that you have to choose one, knowing that it means you are closing off another path your life could have taken–not that either choose is better.

This is your assignment: Choose an issue in your life, and explore it through writing. For this paper, don’t worry about conventions–paragraphs, thesis statements, logical transitions, etc.
For this paper, just use your writing to explore and think through an issue.

Email me if you have any questions. I’ll probably do this assignment as well, and send you an example.

Laurie

reading for Saturday 4/25

the-ones-who-walk-away-from-omelas

essay assignment

Just to make you all aware, our next class sessions will be April 25th. I will out of town this weekend (April 18th) and we will not meet.

In place of the class session, you will be taking an essay test. This will be your practice for the final essay. This essay should be hand-written and will go in your portfolio. You should give yourself no more than 3 hours to write this essay, and may use a dictionary/thesaurus. (These are the parameters of the final, so mimic them as closely as possible). Please bring this to me on Saturday, April 25th.
Attached is the prompt, which is based on the Meghan Foss piece and the Fashion Thief article.

in-class-essay1

lazy

I’ve been really lazy about upkeep of this blog this semester. I am writing on here now, because I know that a lot of you have been unable to access your hunter email for the past few weeks, and I wanted to make sure everyone knew the schedule for the next few weeks.

If you would like to meet with me this week or weekend (something I would really like each of you to do), or next week, then let me know what time. I can be available Thurs 4/9, Saturday 4/11, and M-W of next week.

Please find a time when you can come and let me know.

Saturday 4/18, I will be out of town, and I will be sending you two essays to read. I will also send you a prompt. You will need to handwrite your essay, and do it in within the space of two hours. This is your practice exam for the final. I will pick these up on 4/25 and see if anyone needs extra help. These will also go into your portfolio.

Research papers: It’s up to you to pace yourself with these. I need 1) an annotated bibliography; 2) a rough draft which I will comment on and you will revise, and 3) a final draft.

The more time you give me to look it over and work with you on it, the better.

We’re getting close to the end of the semester. So… if you have any questions, be aggressive. You can email me anytime; I am usually quick with responses.

L

below is a sample of an annotation for a source:

This example uses the MLA format for the journal citation.

Waite, Linda J., Frances Kobrin Goldscheider, and Christina Witsberger. “Nonfamily Living and the Erosion of Traditional Family Orientations Among Young Adults.” American Sociological Review 51 (1986): 541-554.

The authors, researchers at the Rand Corporation and Brown University, use data from the National Longitudinal Surveys of Young Women and Young Men to test their hypothesis that nonfamily living by young adults alters their attitudes, values, plans, and expectations, moving them away from their belief in traditional sex roles. They find their hypothesis strongly supported in young females, while the effects were fewer in studies of young males. Increasing the time away from parents before marrying increased individualism, self-sufficiency, and changes in attitudes about families. In contrast, an earlier study by Williams cited below shows no significant gender differences in sex role attitudes as a result of nonfamily living.

Also, you can use easybib.com to format sources for you. Much easier. Use MLA style.

reading for saturday

wikipedia-vs