Tuesday, April 1, 2008
One of the last two rules for comma usage...
ESSENTIAL AND NON-ESSENTIAL EXPRESSIONS
An essential expression/element affects the basic meaning of the sentence whereas a non-essential one does not. AVOID surrounding essential elements with commas. Placing commas on either side of a non-essential expression indicates that the information within the commas may be informative but not crucial.
Note: Reserve the pronoun "that" to introduce essential elements and the pronoun "which" to introduce non-essential ones. The pronoun who can introduce both types.
Examples:
Collin Creek Mall, which was built in 1980, has enjoyed nearly two decades of prosperous growth.
The suburban mall that has enjoyed the most prosperous growth in Texas is Collin Creek.
Jane Smith, who is usually never at a loss for words, struggled to remember her lines during her acting debut.
The actress who is usually never at a loss for words is Jane Smith.
Topics for 1 April, in class essay.
Here are some topics from which to pick for your in class essay:
- Abuse at home and domestic violence.
- Media violence.
- Single parent families.
- The effect of divorce parents on children.
- Curfews for Children.
- School Uniforms.
- Required, non-credit college courses.
The Format for Most College Writing
Here's a general, fall back format for most writing in college:
Begin the paper with the following information, single spaced, in the top left hand side of your paper: 1) your name, 2) the course number (in this case, ENG 01) followed by a comma and your professor's name (in this case: Steve Brandon); finally, 3) the date.
Double space, and center the title of your paper.
Triple space, indent five spaces, and begin your introduction.
There after, everything in your paper is double spaced.
Page set up: 1 inch margins, top, bottom, right and left. 12 point, Times New Roman font. Body paragraphs should all be indented five spaces, and be left justified.
Your paper should look something like:
Your Name
ENG 01, Steve Brandon
1 April 2008
Begin the paper with the following information, single spaced, in the top left hand side of your paper: 1) your name, 2) the course number (in this case, ENG 01) followed by a comma and your professor's name (in this case: Steve Brandon); finally, 3) the date.
Double space, and center the title of your paper.
Triple space, indent five spaces, and begin your introduction.
There after, everything in your paper is double spaced.
Page set up: 1 inch margins, top, bottom, right and left. 12 point, Times New Roman font. Body paragraphs should all be indented five spaces, and be left justified.
Your paper should look something like:
Your Name
ENG 01, Steve Brandon
1 April 2008
Title
1 & 3 April, What is Planned.
This week, you'll have a chance to practice what you have learned this semester and begin preparing for the two timed, in class essays you will write at the end of the semester. If you remember, the format for these timed essays will be as follows:
Tuesday: You draft your essay.
Thursday: You revise, proofread, and turn in your essay.
The last two weeks of class, you'll write one essay per week, and I'll let you pick the one you want to go to outside readers. My self and these outside readers will make a recommendation to either: 1) remain in English 01, Preparing for College English, to gain a better foundation; or, 2) you are prepared for English 111 and the rigors of a first year writing class. I will base your grade for the course on these final essays and the recommendation of the readers.
Do not take a recommendation to take 01 as a failure of the class. It is not. Students come to college at various levels of writing preparedness. Unlike high school, college is not about passing a test or getting a credential. College is about laying a foundation for your success in later life and preparing you to do demanding, professional work. If I make a recommendation that you repeat the course, it is because I believe you need an extra semester of work to let what you've learned this semester to "grow in" and become part of how you write, and because I *want* you to not just do well in 111 but be prepared to make the most of the experience.
If this helps any, it has been my experience that as many at as a quarter to a half of any one 01 class need two semesters of prep work before 111, that is, if they are to more than just get by in 111.
Tuesday: You draft your essay.
Thursday: You revise, proofread, and turn in your essay.
The last two weeks of class, you'll write one essay per week, and I'll let you pick the one you want to go to outside readers. My self and these outside readers will make a recommendation to either: 1) remain in English 01, Preparing for College English, to gain a better foundation; or, 2) you are prepared for English 111 and the rigors of a first year writing class. I will base your grade for the course on these final essays and the recommendation of the readers.
Do not take a recommendation to take 01 as a failure of the class. It is not. Students come to college at various levels of writing preparedness. Unlike high school, college is not about passing a test or getting a credential. College is about laying a foundation for your success in later life and preparing you to do demanding, professional work. If I make a recommendation that you repeat the course, it is because I believe you need an extra semester of work to let what you've learned this semester to "grow in" and become part of how you write, and because I *want* you to not just do well in 111 but be prepared to make the most of the experience.
If this helps any, it has been my experience that as many at as a quarter to a half of any one 01 class need two semesters of prep work before 111, that is, if they are to more than just get by in 111.
Thursday, March 27, 2008
For Tuesday, Writing
The class decided to write an in class essay on the following topic:
When do you know it's time to break up, and how is the best way to do it?
For those not in class, take an hour and a half chuck of time and develop a draft of an essay on the topic above. Then polish it through revision and proofreading. You will turn this in on Tuesday at the beginning of class, so have a hard copy ready.
Remember, chapter 15 will help you review, and trust the process for creation I give you in a post below.
Steve
When do you know it's time to break up, and how is the best way to do it?
For those not in class, take an hour and a half chuck of time and develop a draft of an essay on the topic above. Then polish it through revision and proofreading. You will turn this in on Tuesday at the beginning of class, so have a hard copy ready.
Remember, chapter 15 will help you review, and trust the process for creation I give you in a post below.
Steve
Assignment for Tuesday, 1 April
Writing: Revise and proofread the draft of the in class essay you wrote on Thursday, 27 March. You will turn in a fully polished version on 1 April.
Reading: Read pp. 36180 of Expressways. This section reviews and expands on the essay writing skills we've been discussing all semester. Pay particular attention to the discussion of an introduction and conclusion, which you will find 376-8.
What will happen next week:
This week is all about bringing together everything you've learned this semester and practicing applying it in a timed, in-class essay. In class, 1 April, you will draft another essay. On 3 April, you will revise and proofread it.
Reading: Read pp. 36180 of Expressways. This section reviews and expands on the essay writing skills we've been discussing all semester. Pay particular attention to the discussion of an introduction and conclusion, which you will find 376-8.
What will happen next week:
This week is all about bringing together everything you've learned this semester and practicing applying it in a timed, in-class essay. In class, 1 April, you will draft another essay. On 3 April, you will revise and proofread it.
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