Autobiography homework schedule

Mon: The autobiography: the whole you
HW: 30 minute free write

Wed in-class: read a few selections from autobiographies. Peer review. Drafting.
HW: Work on 3-page autobiography. Due at the end of Friday's class.

Fri in-class: Meet in Founders. Autobiography DUE AT END OF CLASS.
HW: Work on Autobiography Step 2. Step 2 due at the end of Tuesday's class.

AND THREE BECOMES ONE!

Tue in-class: Work on Autobiography Step 2: Make those three pages ONE PAGE. DUE AT END OF CLASS.
HW: Work on Autobiography Step 3. FORTY six-word memoirs due at the end of Thursday's class. Favorite goes a the top of the page in bold.

AND THREE BECOMES SIX

Thu in-class: Meet in Founders computer lab. Work on autobiography Step 3. DUE AT END OF CLASS. A fond farewell as you head off into the sunset of senior spring. =-(

** a note if you read this far: no more weekly posts. We'll cruise into the final few classes without them. I know, you're sad.

What to evaluate

Why reinvent the wheel, when a Stanford prof already said it? All great stuff, but ignore the bottom part about the speech. Ok, read it if you like as it's quite interesting.

Here's our timeline for the evaluation essay:

Wednesday — computer lab — work on essay
Friday — computer lab — peer review with 2 people; work on essay
Tuesday — computer lab — peer review with 2 people; work on essay; due at end of class.

Happy Thanksgiving! No homework, but get ready for your autobiography!!

Week 13

What amazing sentence, phrase, moment pops out? Since you know the writer well — I hope — try to find something new. Wow us with your selection and tell us why you think your selection is wow inducing — good, bad or ugly.

How to Evaluate

Stephen King

The Muscle Car

Andre Agassi

Precious

NBA Video Games

What needs to happen when writing an evaluation:
1. Choose a subject
2. Assert an overall judgment
3. Gives reasons and support
4. Counter-argue
5. Establish credibility

Possible topics:
Movie, music, book, game, club, activity, political movement/statement, yourself, law, noteworthy person, artist, brand of clothing, type of car, an essay

Week 12

You have been writing your own essays for quite some time. What patterns have emerged in your own work? Do you love the semi-colon? Secretly or not-so-secretly over-use the simple sentence? Think about what stylistic devices you rely on most often, what traps you fall into, what tricks you'd still like to use. Go ahead, give yourself a little praise.

Week 11

You have been reading your writer/essay/column for quite some time. You should know the writer's tendencies and voice quite well. What patterns have emerged? Does your writer love the colon? Secretly or not-so-secretly over-use the simple sentence? Think about what stands out most, what pattern is present only to the seasoned professional reader like you. Share, comment, keep up the great work!