Your assignment for next class is to write an 800 word essay on some kind of grammar, spelling or punctuation issue, such as the ones we talked about in class. The question you want to answer with your essay is why this kind of thing matters (or doesn't matter). Are you a berk or a wanker? For inspiration, use the Lynn Truss piece or check out these links:
Has Modern Life Killed the Semi-Colon
Grammar Vandal
Lost Art of the Letter
Text Speak in Academia
No more Scribbler pieces. As much as I enjoy reading them, I'd rather you concentrate on your last two assignments (start thinking about your writing experience in this class and at La Salle in general for your final assignment) and your revisions.
Remember, Mon is the last class to hand in any revisions for further comments. After Monday, save all your revisions for your final portfolio.
Friday, November 14, 2008
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Poe assignment
For next class, please read two Edgar Allan Poe stories:
"The Masque of Red Death"
and
"Hop-Frog"
You can read them online at the links above or in any volume of Poe you may have. Please bring a copy of each story (either in a book or printed from an online source) to Monday's class for discussion.
Be prepared to talk about the stories, analyze them, etc. So it would be a good idea to take notes, underline, etc. We'll also be watching the Roger Corman movie version of "Masque," which also incorporates "Hop-Frog," released in 1964 and starring Vincent Price. You can watch a trailer on YouTube here.
Your Scribbler for next week is 200-250 words on the Phillies.
"The Masque of Red Death"
and
"Hop-Frog"
You can read them online at the links above or in any volume of Poe you may have. Please bring a copy of each story (either in a book or printed from an online source) to Monday's class for discussion.
Be prepared to talk about the stories, analyze them, etc. So it would be a good idea to take notes, underline, etc. We'll also be watching the Roger Corman movie version of "Masque," which also incorporates "Hop-Frog," released in 1964 and starring Vincent Price. You can watch a trailer on YouTube here.
Your Scribbler for next week is 200-250 words on the Phillies.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Discussion Questions for Eats Shoots and Leaves
Questions for the Eats Shoots and Leaves excerpt:
What's the difference between prescriptive and descriptive grammarians?
Which is Truss, prescriptive or descriptive?
Which are you?
Why has Truss written a book about correct punctuation? What do you think are her motivations and goals for this book?
How does she achieve her effect of getting the reader to identify with her cause?
What do you make of her analogy between "good manners" and punctuation?
Are you a berk or a wanker?
Is punctuation important? Why or why not?
What's the difference between prescriptive and descriptive grammarians?
Which is Truss, prescriptive or descriptive?
Which are you?
Why has Truss written a book about correct punctuation? What do you think are her motivations and goals for this book?
How does she achieve her effect of getting the reader to identify with her cause?
What do you make of her analogy between "good manners" and punctuation?
Are you a berk or a wanker?
Is punctuation important? Why or why not?
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
The Zombie Apocalypse
George Romero has made four movies dealing with what happens when the dead rise and attack the living. In his version, it's a disaster for society. The end of the world. Most zombie movies and books take this approach. All four of Romero zombie films, Night of the Living Dead, Dawn of the Dead, Day of the Dead and Land of the Dead are available at the Connelly Library.
Other resources you might use:
Zombie CSU by Jonathan Maberry
World War Z by Max Brooks
Some websites that are devoted to Zombies:
National Center for Reanimation Prevention and Control
Zombierama
Zombie Survival and Defense Wiki
Other resources you might use:
Zombie CSU by Jonathan Maberry
World War Z by Max Brooks
Some websites that are devoted to Zombies:
National Center for Reanimation Prevention and Control
Zombierama
Zombie Survival and Defense Wiki
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Assignments for Oct 27
For your next Scribbler assignment: 200-250 words (although you may write lots more for this one) on your best or worst Halloween costume experience.
Your next assignment is to write 1500 words about the Zombie Apocalypse. Imagine a world in which the dead come to life and eat the living. Society collapses and chaos reigns. You can write a story about what happens when the dead come to life. Or you can write an account of how you'll survive (or perish). A news account of how it all happened. Funny. Serious. Anything goes. Be imaginative (and entertaining). Remember, we're writing about George Romero zombies, not the Voodoo ones. The best one will receive a prize, an authographed copy of Zombie CSU: the Forensics of the Living Dead by Jonathan Maberry. Maberry himself will read the pieces and be the judge. So bring two paper copies to class on Monday night, one for me to read and mark up for revision and one for our guest to read. Prize will be awarded on Nov 3.
And a reminder that horror novelist and writing teacher Maberry will be our guest for the second half of class on Oct 27.
A little later I'll post some helpful links for the Zombie Apocalypse assignment.
Also, for next class, read and be prepared to discuss the excerpts from Lynn Truss' Eats Shoots and Leaves. I'll post some questions for you to consider.
Your next assignment is to write 1500 words about the Zombie Apocalypse. Imagine a world in which the dead come to life and eat the living. Society collapses and chaos reigns. You can write a story about what happens when the dead come to life. Or you can write an account of how you'll survive (or perish). A news account of how it all happened. Funny. Serious. Anything goes. Be imaginative (and entertaining). Remember, we're writing about George Romero zombies, not the Voodoo ones. The best one will receive a prize, an authographed copy of Zombie CSU: the Forensics of the Living Dead by Jonathan Maberry. Maberry himself will read the pieces and be the judge. So bring two paper copies to class on Monday night, one for me to read and mark up for revision and one for our guest to read. Prize will be awarded on Nov 3.
And a reminder that horror novelist and writing teacher Maberry will be our guest for the second half of class on Oct 27.
A little later I'll post some helpful links for the Zombie Apocalypse assignment.
Also, for next class, read and be prepared to discuss the excerpts from Lynn Truss' Eats Shoots and Leaves. I'll post some questions for you to consider.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Conference schedule
Here are the dates and times we will meet next week for a little one-on-one conferencing. If for some reason you can't make your conference, try to let me know ahead of time (email or phone).
Mon Oct 13 after class:
Colin
Kearston
Andre
Brendan
Sal
Natalie
Tue Oct 14
Noon Ivy
12:15 Matt
12:30 Marianne
Thu Oct 16
12:15 Liz
12:30 Lauren
Mon Oct 13 after class:
Colin
Kearston
Andre
Brendan
Sal
Natalie
Tue Oct 14
Noon Ivy
12:15 Matt
12:30 Marianne
Thu Oct 16
12:15 Liz
12:30 Lauren
Assignments for Oct 13
Your TV review assignment: 800 words in the style of a professional newspaper review of a TV show or series. You can review an entire season of a past show or the beginning of a current season. Feel free to consult newspapers online if you are having difficulty in structure.
Your Scribbler assignment: 200-250 words on anything that Greg Frost talked about in class on Monday night. Give me your impression or reaction to an idea/topic that he mentioned. DON'T just give me a synopsis of his talk. I want your thoughts.
Your Scribbler assignment: 200-250 words on anything that Greg Frost talked about in class on Monday night. Give me your impression or reaction to an idea/topic that he mentioned. DON'T just give me a synopsis of his talk. I want your thoughts.
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