Advice

For this post, take the time to think about what advice you would give someone who is just starting this course. Write a well-developed paragraph or two (clear topic sentences, major supports, and minor details, transitions, you know what it means) using your experience in 101A to advise incoming students.

ENGL101A Resolutions Redux

The first assignment you wrote this semester was about academic resolutions -- New Year's resolutions so to speak. Reread your essay. Then reflect on what you wrote. How are you doing? Are you keeping your resolutions? Some? All? None? How's it going? If you are keeping them, how's that working for you? If you aren't, why aren't you? What are you going to continue doing for the rest of the semester? What are you going to change up? What will you do the rest of the semester to be successful at the end of the semester? Write at least one well-structured and developed paragraph. Remember to review the blogging guidelines on our MyMC course page.

What Do You Like About Writing? (101A)

Part I. As someone who has been teaching writing for many years, I'm accustomed to anguished groansevery time we start a new writing assignment. But isn't there something about the writing process to enjoy? Forget about the pressure of grades for a moment. And think about the process -- reading the assignment,
gathering ideas, planning, drafting, revising, receiving the essay back, revising again-- anything that you like about it?

Part II. If academic writing isn't your cup of tea, what type of writing do you like? Why do you like that kind of writing. And if it isn't academic essays, how is it different? There has to be something you like, right? Don't forget to follow the blogging guideline posted on our MyMC course page.

Halfway Done (ENGL002)

OK, here we are at the midpoint! So, how's it going? We've moved along pretty quickly -- working on Essay # 3 as I type and only have about a week or so til we have to focus on the portfolio. At the same time, we have two more essays to write! And a final in-class. Phew! So how is it going? What's working for you? What do you need to change up to make it to the end and pass this course? Take a moment to reflect on what's working for you and what isn't working. Most importantly, what do you need to do from here on in to pass this class on March 13th? Be specific. Think of this as if you are telling someone else what he/she needs to do to succeed and be in ENGL101A on March 16th. Please remember to review the blogging guidelines before you write.

Addiction?

On Friday, we heard from Eric Thomas about cell phones. We talked about cell phones too. And then Makenna challenged everyone to turn off their phones and leave them on the table at the front of the room. Bella suggested a blog post about cell phones as distractions.So here's the post. Why is it so hard to turn off your phone and ignore it? Why do we let cell phones have this power over us that we can't resist. Only 12 students were able to actually put their phones on the table (which means five people couldn't do it). What's up with the phones?

Deadlines! What are They Good For? (101A)

As you know, in this class a deadline missed is a missed opportunity. I do not accept late work. For many, those words are enough to make them drop the class. Are you someone who gleefully always (almost) meets deadlines? Or are you someone who can't meet a deadline to save your life? How do you do with deadlines? If you struggle with them, what are you going to do to make sure you don't miss them for this class? If you are a deadline meeting star, what do you do so that you don't miss them. Do you have advice for your colleagues fear deadlines?Tips for the deadline challenged? Write your thoughts about deadlines.

Being Real

We've spent a lot of time talking about being realistic, especially in terms of this class, being a student, and what it takes (time, attention to detail, following directions) to succeed as a student.

For your first post, write about what you are going to do to be "real"? You've made a schedule, have you been realistic? If not, what do you need to change? If you typically don't commit yourself to your studies, what are you going to-realistically-change? If you work a lot of hours or have other responsibilities that might interfere with your studies, what are you going to do? If you've registered for several classes along with this one (classes that might require research or essay writing), how are you "really" going to manage it all. Be real! What can you realistically accomplish this semester and what can you do to ensure success in this class and all your classes?