Survey Link Not Working

Hi, All: Don't worry about the survey link. I will use the in class surveys for feedback. The link has expired.

LINK TO DIGITAL COURSE EVALUATION: PLEASE FILL OUT DURING FINALS WEEK -Prof. Parks

1:00 CLASS: https://theideaonline.org/idea/cs/survey?S=2132006/X/F/F/3193705929


2:00 CLASS: https://theideaonline.org/idea/cs/survey?S=2132425/X/F/F/1081862657

FINAL EXAM TIMES

If you are in the 1:00 MWF section of ENGL 1110, your exam is on
     MONDAY, Dec. 8th @ 11:40-1:20 a.m. in the regular classroom.


If you are in the 2:00 MWF section, your exam is on
    WEDNESDAY, Dec. 10th, @ 1:30-3:10 p.m.


If you have multiple finals on our scheduled exam day, you may move over to the other section for the exam, but you MUST contact me first to request to take the exam during the other time slot.

-Prof. Parks

Position Paper Details

Essay #4: Position Paper

Essay #4: Position Paper

Assignment: Final Draft: Construct a 3+ pages (1000 words) essay in which you
argue for or against a campus or national issue related to privacy.

Purpose: The purpose of this assignment is to help you develop your
 skill at writing in the argument genre. You will learn how to organize a well-supported 
argument on a single issue. You will practice using evidence to support claims.
 You will also learn to refute or accommodate opposing claims.

Details of the assignment:

__ 3+ pages (1000 words)
__ MLA Format
__ Double Spaced
__ 12 pt. Times New Roman Font
__ Sources Documented w/ Works Cited Page in MLA format. Website Statistics can simply be cited
in parenthesis for this essay.

1. You must include at least three claims to support your overall judgment.
2. You must include at least 1 counterargument of an opposing position.

3. You should include one concession and/or refutation within one of the main point paragraphs.
4. You need and introduction that includes a clear thesis statement and a conclusion that makes 

further recommendations for action or reasserts your claim.

Politics & Immigration from my boys!

Interesting...

http://time.com/3584611/write-better-tips-from-harvard/?utm_content=buffer63e69&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer

DUE MONDAY: HANDOUT FROM CLASS

https://drive.google.com/a/anderson.edu/file/d/0B1CO16RQfDdIY1paQkFlTDZ2WHM/view?usp=sharing

LOGICAL FALLACIES

https://yourlogicalfallacyis.com/

Another Privacy Debate

http://intelligencesquaredus.org/debates/past-debates/item/987-spy-on-me-id-rather-be-safe

Intelligence Squared

http://intelligencesquaredus.org/debates

The Freedom to Write & Friday's Blog Prize

ENGL 1110:

Thanks for diving in to the writing exercise today. I was particularly interested in your reactions and comparisons with academic writing. Some of you said you felt refreshed to get to have more freedom in this exercise. Writing wasn't as much of a burden. Some of you were even surprised and proud of your work, which is amazing considering that you only had 15 minutes to jot down some ideas. (I wonder if going tech-free and mostly distraction free helped?)

As we move into the final third of the semester, I want you to continue to explore some of the questions that may have been raised by this activity and PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE raise them in class or write about it in a blog post or send me an email.

Finally, I'm wondering if there is a way to create more of a BRIDGE between the kind of production you had today in the free-write and the frustration you sometimes feel with assigned writing. It has taken me a while to work through and past the idea of academic writing as separate from myself, but I can say that there is very little separation now.  I believe that there is a way to begin to find more value and meaning in every kind of writing that we do, especially if we talk about it more.

Feel free to comment on my blog post. Talk about where you find academic writing to be something worthwhile and why. Or, what could teachers like me do to provide more support to you as you work through papers. It's hard work, but I definitely want you to feel supported.

Anyone who comments will also be eligible for Friday's BLOG PRIZE!!!

ROUGH DRAFT GOOGLE SHARE (SUNDAY UPDATE)

Please share your paper with the other two people listed and Prof. Parks by CLASS TIME Friday. You have until 11:30 p.m Sunday to put the comments/responses onto their papers using the COMMENT function in GoogleDrive. If you have problems, contact me before class. Search using LAST NAMES if their names do not come up immediately in RavenMail.

Rough Draft Requirements: 2-3 pages (600-800 words); Double Spaced, Times New Roman, 12 pt, MLA format. Include citations as needed. *Less than 600 words will result in point deductions. More than 800 is ok, but try not to go past 1000 words. 

1:00 Class: Share your Papers with the following People and ME by Class Time Friday:

1. Olanike Onimole, Nicholas Smith, Samuel Bate

2. Jordan Sawyer, Kennedy Wallace, Kara Werline, David Meinen

3. Dylan Moffitt, Morgan Schroeder, Tessa Williams

4. Ben Burney, Nate Urban, James (Wes) Seabright

5. Anna Canova, Caleb Fettner, Levi Scott, Il Doo Park

6. Katlyn McCullough, Remmick Rogers, Devin Hartzell

2:00 Class: Share your Papers 

1. Sam Rainey, David Patrick, Josiah Mercer

2. Christa Combs, Isaac Denniston, Troy Welman

3. Lisandra Banks, Haley Reifel, Kristi Swiger

4. Austin Price, Alesha Smith, Mitchell Stacey

5. Mariah Hines, Brittany Hankins, Alexander Ruckman

6. Austin Bishop, Erin Clouse, Austin Smith

7. Erin Mace, Tibarek Admassie, Joey Cardenas

8. Andrew McGlamery, Alex Merkel, Jacob Morgan

**Please use pp. 306-307 in the CONCISE GUIDE as a basis for your comments. Everyone should put comments on the following. Thus, there should be no less than 10 total marginal comments from each classmate.

1) Presenting the Subject. Tell the writer where the subject is presented effectively. Indicate where readers might need more detailed information about the subject or where information seems only partly true or accurate.

2) Assess How Well the Judgment is Supported: Identify a passage where the judgment is supported effectively.  Let the writer know if you cannot find a thesis or if you think it is OVERSTATED or VAGUE.

3) Consider how Effectively Objections and Alternative Judgments are Counter-Argued. Comment where the writer counter-argues well. Place one comment on a section where they could add in a counterargument or where you think they might strengthen or clarify a counterargument.

4) Organization/Readability: Give one comment on an effective transition between paragraphs or where you think the essay flows well. Give one comment where the readability could be improved, such as a more effective ending? A stronger intro? Or some other place where they could rearrange?

5) Identify and label sentences that offer: 1) Criticism with Praise  2) Comparison

*Ideally, this essay should have at least 3 different sentences that either balance criticism and praise and/or offer comparisons. If the student does not use these sentence strategies, please indicate where those could be incorporated.

6) Look for vague or BANNED words such as: GOOD, BAD, ENTERTAINING, NEAT, AWESOME, UNIQUE, BORING, FUNNY, PERFECT.  (If they are using these words, alert them!!! : )

Sample Outline for Positive & Negative: Google Software Engineer

NEGATIVE EVALUATION:

Title: Now Hiring: Innovative Workaholics

1. Introduction to the Software Engineer Position
2. Judgment/Thesis: While Google offers many prestigious opportunities for young developers, it may not be the ideal company for the independent, creative engineers it actually hires.  

3. Support 1: Google Engineers are overworked.

4. Objection: The work environment is fun and you have 20% of your time allotted for your own creative projects.

Refutation: While that 20% seems to be appealing, testimonials from workers indicate that the demands of the other 80% tend to use up most of the employees’ energy.

4. Support 2: Co-Workers are too competitive with each other. There is not a common goal that is put above individual achievement.

22. Competition actually creates motivation and brings about better results.

Acknowledge/Concede: That’s true. If you are highly motivated by individual achievement, this competitive environment could work for you.

6. Additional thoughts, criticisms. Final recommendation.

POSITIVE EVALUATION:

Title:  The Rewards of Google

I.  Shared Standards: All software engineers want to be part of developing cutting edge products. They are typically very intelligent and get bored with mundane tasks. They also want the opportunity to see their ideas put into real products and affecting people's lives.

II. Google appears to offer many of these needs, including a challenging workload, an opportunity to be on the forefront of computer software in the commercial and industrial fields. Not to mention, the pay is very good.

III. Despite these advantages, Google doesn't completely measure up. The workload is often overwhelming and the community is overly competitive for many employees.

IV. Reason 1: Hours and Demands are Too High for New Hires.
-Cite evidence from research & interviews

V. Reason 2: The Competitive Environment leads to resentment between supervisors and managers in various departments.
-tell story from employees

V. Additional criticisms and recommendations. Conclusion: Perhaps a google job is good for the short term, but I wouldn't make a career out of it, especially if you want a life outside of work. If you are young, single and highly competitive, perhaps this is right where you would like to be.

DUE MONDAY! & PPT from Friday

Here are links for the assignment for Monday and from Friday's class.

1. COMPLETE THIS FORM on Your TOPIC & Save to Google Drive: https://docs.google.com/a/anderson.edu/document/d/1PSEOv1UXSnuUWTeglqR85iPnErZQ0Y7NS7ozOrQwdgk/edit?usp=sharing  



2. Finish writing your 4 Different Comparison Sentences Based on the following instructions on the last slide from Today's Power Point. Read pp. 302-303 in your Concise Guide textbook for clarification if you missed class.  https://drive.google.com/a/anderson.edu/file/d/0B1CO16RQfDdIYkRTQXZoN3VFbkU/view?usp=sharing

Blog Prize Reminder

AN AU FOOD REVIEW:

Since we are writing Evaluation essays this week, you must post an original evaluation of something you purchased and ate (or attempted to eat) on the AU campus. This can be any breakfast, lunch, or dinner serves in the MP. You must be as over the top as possible in your judgments and critiques.  The evaluation must be at least 40 words.  First 5 posts that meet the criteria win a prize!

Sample of a Stellar Paragraph

Consider modeling your "game" review paragraph after this one. Although the subject is different, the precision in word choices and strong support for judgments are effective models to follow.

Backstreet Boys Review     

      There are only four of them now, and two are in their thirties, but they are still Boys, and they are more thoroughly bland and cheesy than ever. Like the Boys' 2005 comeback album (Never Gone & surely you haven't forgotten), Unbreakable makes small nods to adult pop, peppering the processed music with tasteful piano and light guitar riffs and keeping bright, danceable grooves to a minimum. But the material stinks worse than ever. Songs like "Something That I Already Know" are all lovelorn sentiments and giant, slick power-ballad choruses. "Trouble Is," another big ballad with a mildly rootsy groove, could actually do well on country radio, where melodrama rules, and things improve slightly when the Boys crank up the tempos on songs like "Any Other Way," a light funk rocker with a catchy minor-key tune. Still, there's just no saving "Love Will Keep You Up All Night" and "Helpless When She Smiles," the titles of which alone should give you an idea of how little the Backstreet Men have to offer.

Blog Prize Challenge (Prize Awarded Friday, Oct. 24th)

AN AU FOOD REVIEW:

Since we are writing Evaluation essays this week, you must post an original evaluation of something you purchased and ate (or attempted to eat) on the AU campus. This can be any breakfast, lunch, or dinner serves in the MP. You must be as over the top as possible in your judgments and critiques.  The evaluation must be at least 50 words.  First 5 posts that meet the criteria win a prize!

FINAL EDITING SUGGESTIONS & REVISION TIPS

Your final draft will be due via Google Docs by 12:00 MIDNIGHT on WEDNESDAY.

As you revise and edit, check the following CLOSELY:

1. Make sure it is 3 FULL PAGES (Aim for 900+ words)
2. Use your CONCLUSION to make a recommendation or urge your readers to think or act on the knowledge you've just supplied. Don't write a conclusion based on just summarizing what the paper said.
3. Use a PEER EDITOR. Don't simply edit this paper on your own. Before you submit it for grading, find some people to look it over and check for clarity, grammar, and organization.
4. Read the assignment sheet closely. It's linked at the top of this page and here:                 http://auwriters.blogspot.com/p/essay-2-explaining-concept.html
5. Bring your folders with drawings, peer critiques, and other process materials on Wednesday.

CONCEPT ESSAY REVISIONS DUE MONDAY, OCT 13th

Monday: Bring a copy of your concept essay in print or on a charged laptop for some line editing activities.

Make sure your paper is 3 full pages for credit.

BRING BACK YOUR YELLOW FOLDERS with Drawing assignment, peer critique forms, and previous paper & rubric.   *If you did not receive your folder back in class Wednesday, I have them.

This includes: Troy W. , Erin M., Kristi S., Haley R, Austin P., Alex M, and Erin Clause. Everyone else should bring back their folders.

Link to Sample Concept Draft for Monday Library Activity

https://docs.google.com/document/d/18dg2zd3qXBQ0BC9RHWYptFlQaxOPJyAMHcjIavbYyk8/edit?usp=sharing

Visual Diagram/Map Assignment

Visual Outline Assignment Due Friday: Bring in an original drawing or adapted image that relates to your overall concept. For example, if you are writing about baseball, you could draw a baseball field and then plot out some key ideas onto the drawing. Or, if you are writing about romantic love, you could use a drawing of a heart and then plot ideas into different parts of the heart. This can be made on a computer or hand drawn. Try to find an image that captures a key aspect of the concept. The grade on this assignment will be based on completion and how it relates to your topic, not the quality of the drawing. Obviously, I'm not qualified to be an art critic : )

Prof. Parks

Blog Prize for Friday

In the spirit of EXPLAINING CONCEPTS. You should look up one of the  terms listed in bold below and do one of the following:

 1) Post a picture or "photoshopped" image of yourself or your online avatar that illustrates some aspect of the concept.

 2)  Write a 7-14 line original poem/ode or lyric related to the concept.

Be sure to look up the terms first! Accuracy is required for the prize.

Choose one of these:
  Dracontology, Krumping, Zorbing or Spawning (in gaming)

                                 First 5 Get Prizes!!!!

Power Point from Monday's Class: Please Review the Final Slide

Here is a link to the powerpoint from Monday's class. Look it back over and let me know if you have questions. You should definitely check out the list on the last slide to help get some ideas going.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1CO16RQfDdId3Q4eGhXZmFWMms/edit?usp=sharing

Final Checklist for Essay #1

1. Upload/Complete a DIGITAL copy of your final Profile draft.
     -12 pt. Times New Roman Font, Double Spaced, No Extra Spacing Between Paragraphs
     - 3 full typed pages [Approx. 950 words, you may have more, but less than 900 usually                              ends up in a significantly lower score]
     - MLA Format.

2. Bring any print material related to process work, including peer critique forms, outlines, hand written notes, drafts with my comments (unless they were emailed, I still have those). **Any process work you have done on the computer does not need to be printed. Just upload it to google docs.

3. We will Place the notes/process work in a yellow folder that I will provide. I am asking you to keep this material because you will have the opportunity to do one substantial essay revision at the end of the semester, so you want to keep track of this material, in case you decide to rewrite this one at the end. 

Blog Prize Challenge for Friday 9/19

Find and example of JARGON or a CLICHE in a REAL PRINT TEXT (magazine, library book, brochure, advertisement on a wall, stall talk, etc) and post a picture or link to the picture you took of that printed item.

Cool prizes for the first 5 responses!

If you don't have a camera handy, you can bring the print item to class. You need to post with a description though.

Revision Activities Due Wednesday, Sept. 17th

Before class Wednesday, try two of these REVISION activities with your own essay. There will be a short quiz at the beginning of class over which two activities you tried and how well they worked for you.

Choose 2:

1. Create a New Outline based only on the actual paper you wrote. This will help you clarify whether any new points could be added in and where you might want to move or reorder your paragraphs.

2. Cut/Paste: Print out and cut up your paper into individual paragraphs. Mix up the paragraphs and then have someone try to put them back in order. If they found this difficult, could you add in clearer transitions. Did their reordering give you any new ideas about your own organization?

3. Read the paper aloud as dramatically as you can. Try to make it come alive. If you can't "perform" the paper with enthusiasm or emotion, perhaps it's a good sign that you should add more action, description, or shorten up some sentences so that it will be more exciting for the reader.

4. Label or highlight each of the sensory descriptions in a different color: Sound, Touch, Sight, Smell, Taste. Is there a variety throughout the paper? Does the paper have balanced descriptions?

5. Count/Label the compound/complex vs. simple sentences. Think about the 5 short sentence activity from last week. Is there variety? Do you have any sections that are short/choppy. Remember, short sentences move the action, whereas long sentences slow down the reader's thoughts.

6. Choose 10 adjectives and/or verbs and replace them with more concrete, original phrases. Cut down on repetitive and overused words and phrases like: wonderful, awesome, amazing, great, very, is, are, was, "there is", "there are"; impact, and, of course, TEXT LANGUAGE!

7. Take a Picture that helps make the details more concrete and add it in to the paper.

8. Write a brand new intro or conclusion paragraph that is completely different from your original. The conclusion can be really short (3 sentences) that just leaves the reader with a final impression or judgment, or possibly a call to action.

Topical vs. Narrative (Some Thoughts)

Hi, All: Here are some thoughts on the two organization methods: Topical vs Narrative.

Question: Which one should you use for your paper?

I think it depends a lot on what you are comfortable with as a writer. If you like telling a story and there is a clear event going on with a specific timeline, then narrative usually works best. If you are aiming for a more informative, less personal experience of a place or activity, go with topical. I've seen students do great work with topical essays and narratives, although narrative can sometimes go long and can get a little too personal. The profile is not about you, but your perspective on the place or event, so be cautious with narrative. The paper usually ends up as a blend, but try to start with one for your outline

Weekly Blog Prize!

In light of the topic of "Profiles," the first three people who are willing to post their "revised" paragraph from today's activity get a prize. You can cut/paste or type it up on the comments section below.

-Prof. Parks

Sample Note Sheet for Profile: Based on Reading! (Prize Opportunity!)

Hi, All,

Your ENGL 1110 classmate created this excellent document based on the reading assignment for Friday. He shared a copy with me in his ENGL 1110 folder. Now, he's set up to fill in his plan for research and his observations and questions. Being organized early and on your own initiative is what will lead to success in this class, and this year!

I would encourage you all to create your own note taking sheets in a GoogleDoc or on your computer in a similar way, or in a way that works best for you. Check it out!

Also, the first three people to comment on this post with a THANK YOU! Get a prize on Friday, along with Ill Doo for his initiative, of course!

Prof. Parks

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1PHbTPVamzUpAEIZrjc-E2bKROs-4kB3eVTZAxuXJopw/edit?usp=sharing

Style

Check out @GhostProf's Tweet: https://twitter.com/GhostProf/status/505922100046344192

Profile Essay Topics

Hi, All: I've posted instructions for the Google Drive assignment Due Monday night on the UPCOMING ASSIGNMENTS page. Email me or reply to this post with questions.

Quick suggestion: Think about something you or other people might fear or judge and aim for an essay topic that allows you or your readers to face their fears or ignorance! Those make brilliant essays. Or, look for something really alive with activity and interaction like a public, tourist spot such as a Zoo or State Park. Have fun with it!

Just a quick reminder to check out these links if you are looking for exciting places to profile on campus or near Anderson:

 http://www.cityofanderson.com/31/OUR-CITY

 http://www.anderson.edu/campus (Look on the left side of this page)



*Remember: No remembered events. Pick places with people and action.

The Rhetorical Situation [Reply before Friday, Win a Prize]

If you are unsure of whether you've got a good handle on "The Rhetorical Situation," try to apply it to the American  DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE.  http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/declaration.html

The first three people who reply to this post with a mostly accurate description of the Rhetorical Situation of the Declaration of Independence will win a really cool PRIZE. In your reply, just tell me a little about the context, the audience, the author, and the topic. And, finally, what perspective the text was trying to "modify" or declare.

Here is a link to the RHETORICAL SITUATION document I handed out today if you've misplaced yours or missed class:
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/18495648/RhetoricalSituation.docx

Welcome AU Writers!

Good Morning!

Welcome to Prof. Parks Anderson U. Rhetoric and Composition class blog! On this page, you will SOON find links to the course syllabus, homework assignments, and much more. Be sure to bookmark it and return to it daily for course updates.

As we begin this course together, let me share one thought about writing:

Writing is a skill. It can be learned.

Just like fishing, baking, skateboarding, playing the piano, or hitting a baseball, writing is something that is learned through practice and dedication. I do not buy into the myth that some people are just "born" great writers. While some people might have had certain educational advantages and opportunities that have helped them develop passion and skill for writing, we all have the ability to be good writers, especially when we see writing as a process and as a dialogue. (I'll say more on that topic later).

Throughout this semester, my hope is that you will join with me and your classmates in discovering your voice as a writer. Whether your future is in scientific research, ministry, the music business, broadcasting, flying jets, or teaching Shakespeare, writing effectively and persuasively could mean the difference between your dream career and a not-so-dreamy-career. (See image below)

While you will develop as a writer over your entire college career, this class is meant to get you started off on the right track.  I take this responsibility seriously, and I believe in all of you.

My sons, Amaziah and Ezra, also believe in you : )