First

WR 122

 

Activity 1: How I Feel about Writing

Reflect on the feelings you have about writing by answering the following questions:

1. When I receive a writing assignment, my initial reaction is . . .

2. Do you ever write for pleasure? When? Under what circumstances?

3. Which writing experiences are particularly pleasant for you? Which are unpleasant?

4. What tools do you need to gather when preparing for a lengthy writing assignment? Do you have special pencils or pens? A favorite chair? Do you prefer to use a computer?

5. Are you particularly good at finding ways to put off writing tasks? Do you do anything to prevent this?

6. When faced with a lengthy writing assignment, how do you decide what to write? How do you organize your thoughts?

7. When you take a test that involves writing, such as an essay test, how do you approach it? Do you outline your responses? Do you do anything to gather your ideas?

 

Activity 2: Where Does My Time Go?

1. On the typical weekday morning, what time do you wake up? When would you prefer to wake up if you had the choice?

2. On the typical weekday evening, when do you go to bed? Would you prefer to go to bed at some different time?

3. Would you characterize yourself as a "morning person," who accomplishes the most in the early morning, or do you see yourself more as a "night person," who is most comfortable doing work in the evenings? What implications does this have for your scheduling of classes and when you do the most work?

4. Do you generally get to classes early, late, or on time? Why? How does this pattern affect your experience and performance in class?

5. If a day suddenly contained more than 24 hours, how would it change your life? What would you do with the extra time? Do you think you would accomplish more?

6. Generally speaking, how would you characterize your time management skills? What would be the benefit to you personally if you could manage time more effectively?

Writing Assignments

Instructor’s editing symbols for writing mistakes                        Example

Sp = spelling

Frag = fragment (not a complete sentence)

VT = verb tense problem

WC = word choice

P = punctuation

MW = missing word or words

A = article needed or incorrect

NP = new paragraph (indent)

?= not understood

WF = word form

SV = subject-verb agreement

PL = should be plural

Sing = should be singular

( ) = no space required

X = word or letter unnecessary

== (double underline) needs to be a capital letter

/ = needs to be a lowercase letter

 

READING PROCESS

 

STEP ONE:   PREVIEW READ

Look at pictures

Read titles

Skim (read first sentences)

Make questions

 

STEP TWO: READ– DON’T STOP TO LOOK IN THE DICTIONARY

            Annotate on the second reading

 

STEP THREE: REVIEW

            Answer questions

             Discuss the reading

 

Next two weeks: 
HW: Due Thursday, March 31: Read "Students that Keep Teachers Inspired." You can google it.

(short quiz on it Thursday)
 

HW: Due Thursday: Read "Staying Sharp . . ." (on blogspot), print it, annotate it, and type a 1/2 - page summary of it.

HW: Due Thursday: Read pages 1-7 in textbook

Assigned: Essay 1

HW: Due April 7: pages 2-37 (quiz Tuesday)

HW: Due April 7: Go to http://www.ars.usda.gov/News/docs.htm?docid=15572. Print it, annotate it, and bring it to class. Also, type a 1/2-page summary of it.

HW: Due April 14: Essay 1