Weekly Post #9: Words!

Diction. Vocabulary. Word choice. Call it what you will, but the style and tone and voice of a writer are all created with the most basic unit of writing: words. Find something in the diction that stands out. Maybe it's a word combination, the use of simple words, a word bomb that makes you reach for the dictionary.

A sentence I just had to share. From the NYT and Mark Bittman. This is awesome!!

The food processor replaces the whisk; the pastry cutter; the standing mixer (for which there are still some uses, but only if you’re a dedicated baker); the mandoline (which, to me, remains a fine alternative to the food processor for small quantities); the mortar and pestle, which, no matter how lovely, quaint and authentic, is perhaps the most labor-intensive, primitive and damnable set of tools in the kitchen; and, perhaps most importantly, the grater.

Weekly Post #8: Getting involved

This week try to focus on how the writer involves the reader. Good narrative pieces (this is not to say all of your readings are narrative pieces) engage the reader on some level. How do your writers do it? Is it the topic? The language? Something about the style?

Day 19, 20, 21: Writing workshops

Day 18: Subject to Interpretation, Anchor Baby, Border on our Backs

Discussion --> Groups of 3

Essay 1: P&A 2, L4
Essay 2: M1, M&S 1&3
Essay 3: P&A 2, M&S 3

[small groups for 5 mins // large group for 5 mins] x 3

Writing
Next essay is an argumentative/persuasive essay taking on one of the many state-wide ballot initiatives. You will need to do research and include at least four outside sources (properly cited, MLA format).

Weekly Post #7: Sentence patterns

Find three sentences that you love or hate in the latest reading from your writer. Share the sentences in your comment and tell me why you love them/hate them.

***It's come to my attention that the comment section is being a pain in the rear. Just email
Me your post by the deadline and you're all good. Thanks. Mary

Day #17: Sixteen & Privacy

Writing
Proposition 62 vs Proposition 66: these are not compatible intitiatives, meaning both can get a YES vote, but the one with more YESes will go into effect.

62 --> repeal the death penalty; life without parole is max penalty
66 --> Changes death penalty procedures to speed up appeals, establishes time frame for case review, requires appointed attorneys to work on cases.

Discuss
Sixteen:

1. Homework questions
2. Spence tells readers that he is serving a life sentence, but he doesn't say what crime he committed. Does it matter? Why or why not?
3. What is the purpose of the personal story with which Spence opens his essay? How did it affect you?
4. How would you rate Spence's ethos (ethical appeal)? What strategies does he use to overcome readers' potential doubts about his objectivity?

Privacy

1. Homework questions
2. What does the author accomplish by opening with examples of the political good that has been done by the internet?
3. As a whole is this essay an example of appeal to emotion or reasoned argument or both? Give evidence.
4. What is a "panopticon"? Why does the metaphor trouble Turkle?