Things That Make Me Go Screaming Into the Dark!

Thank you, Robert McCloskey:

 

“I know that you believe you understand what you think I said, but I'm not sure you realize that what you heard is not what I meant.”

NOTICE

Final Exam Schedule and MORE!

Remember to check on the date and time of your final exam.
Go to:
Spring 2013 Final Exam Schedule

Read over the study guide to the Kite Runner that is on the blog. This will help direct your reading, make you aware of important topics or elements in the novel. Depending on how you learn, it could help to make notes, either in the text or notebook; I’m a very big fan of notes that help me remember.

First day of class next week: discussion of ideas/topics/questions covered in the study guide. I will also answer questions YOU may have about the book. As you read, make notes if you have questions. Do not expect to be “finished” with the book once you have turned the last page. The point of English 1102 and this final assignment, is to realize that often it is important to go back into the book, to dig information and details that you might have missed in the initial reading. This is another reason to take notes in the book as you read.

Second day of class next week: a QUICK Quiz over the book. This shouldn’t take more than 15-20 min. of our time. It will be objective and we will have time to discuss major ideas/topics in the novel, as we started doing on Monday/Tuesday.

Our last regular day of class will fall on either Monday, the 29^th, or Tuesday, the 30^th, the next week. If we have not discussed writing about literature, we will do so then.

REMEMBER: you can use one 4x6 index card on your final exam, which will be an essay over the novel.

Writing the Literary Essay over The Kite Runner

 How to prepare for the final essay in English 1101

Read the potential topics carefully. Make notes on those which could be paired together; for example, #1 and #6 are closely related so it makes sense to assume that only one of these could be a topic for the final essay.

Next, determine what the topic is asking you to write about and put the topic in your own words, which need not be complicated. For example, 1 & 6 could be asking:

What are the other influences on the life of Amir . . . OTHER THAN the rape of Hassan and the torment and guilt Amir feels afterward?

Before you begin your essay, you begin a list of possible influences and make notes of how each incident or person affected Amir. You might list any of the following:

Rahim Khan - Dad’s business partner- tells Amir that “there is a way to be good again.” This prompts Amir to return to Afghanistan . . . why? To try to restore the relationship between he and Hassan, but… Hassan is dead. Keep going with explanation . . . Sohrab   - - - R.H. is one of the people who encourage Amir when he is a child—esp. in regards to his writing . . .

Soyraya - in sharing her past “sins” Amir realizes that it is possible to accept oneself, to atone for past mistakes and to regain one’s self-esteem (for lack of a better word) 

Baba - is a primary influence on how Amir sees the world and how Amir’s values are formed – The greatest teaching  Baba presents to Amir is that  . . there is only one sin, which is theft; Baba’s actions leave their impression on Amir as well . . . the exodus from Afghanistan . . . Baba leaves a land where he is among the wealthy landowners; when they arrive in CA., USA, Baba . . .

Sohrab

Assef

His exodus from Afghanistan

The notes you make to answer the question might go on a 4 x 6 index card. You probably would not need a large number of notes, just names spelled out, reminders, etc. to help you on the day of the final.

ORGANIZATION OF ANY ESSAY TOPIC FOR THE FINAL:

1^st paragraph – you introduce the book & the author, give any necessary background to the topic you’ve chosen. EXAMPLE:

In Kahled Hosseini’’s novel, The Kite Runner,  Amir, the narrator and main character, is driven to become the man he is because of his cowardly response and guilt after he witnesses his best friend’s rape when they are children. However, Amir does not realize that many other influences have shaped his life. Among the many other influences are Rahim Khan, ___________________, __________________________, ____________________________ and __________________.

2^nd paragraph - Rahim Khan – details, examples, explanations

3^rd para. – Soyrara – details, examples, explanations

4^th par. – Baba- details, examples, explanations

NOTE: REMEMBER TO KEEP THE ORGANIZATION TIGHT—whatever the order you chose to follow in the first paragraph, follow in the development of the body

WRITE AS THOUGH THE AUDIENCE HAS NOT READ THE BOOK.  THIS IS AN ANALYSIS, NOT A BOOK REPORT.

6^th par. Conclusion  - perhaps it would be helpful or effective to describe or characterize the person that Amir becomes—NOT from HIS perspective in the book, but as an objective reader (OR even subjective reader)

THE KITE RUNNER: Study Guides; Questions; Notes; Visuals . . . and More! Just Add READING!!

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Reading Guide to The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini

Before reading, it would help to listen to the interview with the author at:

NPR interview with Khaled Hosseini – length is roughly 31 min. & there might be an extra credit question on the quiz from this interview

1. Topics in The Kite Runner – to HELP YOURSELF, write a clear statement about what the book says about this topic in the novel; no—I will not take it up, but it will greatly assist YOU as we discuss the book

 • Role of women
• Betrayal
• Brothers
• Guilt – hidden guilt vs. open guilt
• Redemption
• Exodus
• Fathers & sons – patriarchal society
• Class distinction

2. Style – comment on the author’s use of each of the following in the novel:

• Parallelism
• Character foils – look for characters in pairs OR characters who could be placed side by side for comparison/contrast
• Foreshadowing
• Flashback

3. Settings – both time and place and culture – consider five important cultural aspects of setting identified in the novel - e.g., Hazara vs. Pashtun

4. Identify at least 5 minor characters and their role in the novel

Movie Note:  There is a movie on The Kite Runner – I have no idea if it is a good translation of the book or not

A note on Cliff, Spark and the Monkey:

There is NO substitute for reading and studying a novel.  The concepts and connections that one makes, the knowledge one gains, the insight to humanity that is revealed cannot be summarized in the various “Study Aids” on the internet or book stores.  Yet that does not stop these cites from flourishing and providing what they claim is vital information. Listed below are three of these websites on The Kite Runner.  If you need a character list, to help remember who is who, pick one and use it. If you need to place the novel in context and understand the background and setting, pick one and use it. If you need something to do the thinking for you, forget it.  One of the greatest hazards of using a convenient Study Guide like “Spark ,” “Pink Monkey” or “Cliff,” is that by allowing the Study Guide to do the thinking, the student automatically assumes it is correct,  he  cheats himself out of evaluating the novel independently. Do you want something to tell you what to think? When used judiciously, thoughtfully, they can assist the student, but they cannot replace the critical thinking one does while reading and discussing the book.  

Visuals for The Kite Runner



Potential Topics for the final in-class essay over The Kite Runner:

1.  Amir, the narrator of  The Kite Runner,  claims that he became the adult he is when the reader first meets him on a winter day in 1975.  However, while that incident leaves a permanent scar on the psyche of Amir, there are other influences on his childhood and his development as a man of conscience. Identify three additional influences on Amir, other than Hassan, and through plentiful examples and explanation, show how Amir was forever marked by them.
 
2.      The theme of possible redemption echoes through the second half of The Kite Runner. We hear it in the promising words Rahim Khan offers to Amir: “There is a way to be good again.” We follow Amir’s tortured path as it leads to his atonement (or potential for atonement) in the novel’s final pages. In addition to Amir, other characters seek their own redemption as well. Discuss what each of the following characters have done for which they seek forgiveness and redemption, their efforts to attain their own atonement, and whether they achieve it: Baba, Sanaubar, and Rahim Khan.
 
3.      The story of Amir and Hassan could not exist without the class difference between Amir and Hassan.  Defend this argument by using specific plot points and historical facts to ground your argument.
 
4.      Explore the way in which courage is portrayed in the novel. What constitutes true bravery? What are the key moments when characters are brave and who is the bravest character, if any? Use specific examples from the text to support your argument.
 
5.      The novel begins “I became what I am today at the age of twelve.” To what is Amir referring? Is his assertion entirely true? What other factors have helped form his character? How would you describe Amir?
 
6.      Amir had never thought of Hassan as his friend, despite the evident bond between them, just as Baba did not think of Ali as his friend (page 22). What parallels can be drawn between Amir and Hassan’s relationship, and Baba and Ali’s? How would you describe the relationship between the two boys? What makes them so different in the way they behave with each other? What is it that makes Amir inflict small cruelties on Hassan? Had you already guessed at the true relationship between them? If so, at what point and why?

7.  The strong underlying force of this novel is the relationship between Amir and Hassan. Discuss their friendship. Why is Amir afraid to be Hassan’s true friend? Why does Amir constantly test Hassan’s loyalty? Why does he resent Hassan? After the kite fighting tournament, why does Amir no longer want to be Hassan’s friend?

Organize your essay along the following guidelines:
·         first paragraph adequately introduces the book, author and your topic &  has an explicit thesis statement (an obvious main idea). 
·         the body paragraphs support your main idea with many definite, specific details from the novel. 
·         the conclusion brings graceful or memorable closure to your essay; it DOES NOT simply STOP abruptly. 

REMINDER!

Research Essays are due at the end of the next class.

I will not accept a late research essay nor will I accept one that is
e-mailed.

Ignorance or unawareness of this paper is no excuse.  Come to class; check the blog; find out what's going on. The onus is on YOU.

I appreciate each and every student who has come to class faithfully and on time this semester; your attendance and promptness does NOT go without notice, even if you're quiet.

Samples of Citations from the Essays in the Text

NOTE: nothing is boldfaced in your paper; I have used boldface type here, only to distinguish one example from another or for explanation

Internal Citations from Scott Carney’s essay on organ donations, page 615, par. 11:

If putting information from an essay into your own words, you still MUST give the citation that indicates the author and page number:

Even when organs like kidneys are available, doctors have a limited window in which to transplant the donor kidney. After 72 hours, the donor kidney is no longer viable (Carney 615). 

If you use the author’s name in your writing, you need only provide the page number:

Even when organs like kidneys are available, doctors have a limited window in which to transplant the donor kidney. According to Scott Carney, a reputable journalist, “a kidney has a 72-hour window before it needs to be transplanted into a patient” (615). 

The key to remember is that ANY information from the book MUST be cited.

ANY time you use a direct quote from a reference, it is best to introduce it into the paper.

If you have a quote over 4 typed lines, set your quote off from the left hand margin by 2 indents all the way down. Continue to double space, and introduce the quote with a colon.

Even when organs like kidneys are available, doctors have a limited window in which to transplant the donor kidney. After 72 hours, the donor kidney is no longer viable (Carney 615).  Because there is such a limited window of availability for “fresh” organs, Charles Krauthammer believes that organs should be available for money:

               Jkljg’paiojas’d;ponklsjadlkjvuiojp’awkltnpiouasp lkjds'pofui=90-         quj3wtrkl;wn'puio lkjsofdg'pojrwt'pojjgv'pojgw'pojgpwjg'pojipl  (621).  

The SHORT (3 page) Research Paper

Topics are due TODAY
     no changing them
     select one side or the other; do NOT try to do both

The paper MUST be structured according to the guidelines in chapter 14
     Introduction
          --get the reader's attention
          --provide necessary background and state the two sides of the issue
          --make certain the thesis statement clearly makes a claim

Make sure the entire paper (especially the first page) is in MLA format

The body of the paper should provide evidence (OR provide information on the opposite side of the issue) from at LEAST 3 of the 4 essays from the textbook. You are NOT required to use any other outside references; if you choose to do so, use NO more than TWO.

The next to the last paragrapth should contain a brief explanation by you (and any reference material you may choose to include) of the other side of the issue AND your refutation.

Remember that the conclusion gracefully brings the paper to an end; remember that an argument is reasoned and logical and must use facts/examples/evidence that is factual, that is supported, that is representative and typical. An argument is NOT the same as persuasion.

There MUST be a Works Cited page, which includes, in alphabetical order, the references used in the paper. Remember that your friend is Easy Bib.

YOU MUST INCLUDE IN-TEXT OR INTERNAL CITATIONS IN THIS PAPER.
Students always want to know HOW MANY.  The real answer is "As many as is needed."  A definite number is impossible to indicate, but I would expect at least 2-3 citations from each references listed on the Works Cited page.

This is your reference essay; it will count 20% of your grade; you may turn your paper in at the end of class on Monday, but you cannot email it to me or turn it in late. For better or worse, it is better turned in ON TIME, at the end of class Monday.

The Next to the Last Essay!

Argumentation

The argumentative essay will be worth 20% of your grade!!!

Your final essay will be worth 20% of your grade!!!

Argumentation: chapter 14 --525-532;541-542

CHOOSE ONE of the following as your argumentative essay topic; use at least 3 of the 4 essays in the text to support your argument:

605: How Can We Address the Shortage of Organ Donors?

OR

630: Should Government Tax Sugary Drinks?

Essay should be at least 3 pages, in MLA format, WITH a Works Cited page AND internal citations

Keep in Mind How Much You Know:

You know how the first page of a paper in MLA format should look
You know what a Works Cited page is, what it's for, and where it goes
You know that an introduction should catch a reader's attention, provide background and state a thesis
You know that the body of the paper should provide reasonable, logical evidence that supports the thesis
You know that the evidence presented is stronger when you use concrete, specific details
You know that your paper must have a conclusion; it cannot simply stop
You know that the length requirement is just a number and nothing to be intimidated by
You know how to read essays critically, aware that it is necessary to think and evealuate the information presented--not take everything at "face value"

Peer Evaluation for C/C

READERS: This will count as a quiz grade. PLEASE GIVE FEEDBACK in left margin or on back for any "c" or "d" answers in numbers 3-5. Your comments or suggestions could be of great assistance.

1.       This paper sets up a comparison between:

_______________________________________    And    ______________________________________

2.       The title:

a.        Gives the reader some idea of what’s ahead in the paper

b.       Is clever and thought-provoking

c.        Both of the above

d.       Neither—OR is poorly conceived

3.       The first paragraph

a.        Introduces the broad area of the paper, becomes more narrow in focus and ends with a strong thesis statement which leads the reader into the body of the paper

b.       Attempts to introduce the topic, but does not provide clear information or enough background on the topic; the thesis is not as direct as it could be

c.        There is not enough development of the introduction to lead the reader into the body; there is a thesis statement, but very little else introduction, otherwise

d.       Even after reading the introduction, the reader is not sure that there is a clear purpose or comparison in this paper

4.       The body of the paper:

a.        Follows a tight organization, as it is established in the introduction, and provides many specific examples and abundant details, as necessary to support generalizations; there is a definite balance in the information provided on each subject

b.       The reader is able to easily follow the organization of the paper, which gives some examples and details to support generalizations; there is a balance in development in the paper—each subject is give approximately the same amount of development

c.        There is clear logic and organization in the paper and the reader is not confused; some examples are given, but more would be even more helpful to support the thesis, and the writer  should consider that the amount of information for one subject, should be balanced by roughly the same amount for the other subject

d.       Organization is skewed; the paper is difficult to follow; transitions are needed to achieve fluency and unity; there may be too much development of one subject, while not enough development of the other.

5.       The conclusion:

a.        Is thoughtful; the reader is aware that the writer has considered his/her topic and evaluated both for the comparison/contrast, and is now ending the paper with grace, leaving the reader satisfied for the time he given to read it

b.       Brings the paper to a graceful conclusion, with considered thought and an awareness of the reader

c.        Ends the paper adequately, thoughtfully, but perhaps could be improved

d.       Ends too abruptly or is too limited; gives the reader no real concept to think on

What this reader most enjoyed about this paper was:

___________________________________________________________________________________________

What this reader would like to see improvement in:

_______________________________________________________________________________________

On Sentence Variation

“This sentence has five words. Here are five more words. Five-word sentences are fine. But several together become monotonous. Listen to what is happening. The writing is getting boring. The sound of it drones. It’s like a stuck record. The ear demands some variety. Now listen. I vary the sentence length, and I create music. Music. The writing sings. It has a pleasant rhythm, a lilt, a harmony. I use short sentences. And I use sentences of medium length. And sometimes, when I am certain the reader is rested, I will engage him with a sentence of considerable length, a sentence that burns with energy and builds with all the impetus of a crescendo, the roll of the drums, the crash of the cymbals–sounds that say listen to this, it is important.” -Gary Provost

Good Examples from Student Papers

From Essay #2:

The key words often written on papers: give an example.
Too often students provide generalizations but not supporting detail or example.
Here is an excerpt from a paper in which a student supports his generalization with a detail.

Commercials should tell a story, like reading a book. They should hve an introduction, topic, body, and then an ending. If you start to get away from that, you don't have the viewer interested any more and they're probably ready to change the channel. The Super Bowl commercial with the man who buys a Dorito eating goat, then tries to get rid of the goat because it eats all of his Doritos is a good example of a commercial that tells a story.

From Classwork--writing a Comparison/Contrast Thesis Statement:

Most people today have hectic lives. With everyone being pressed for time, it can be difficult to sit down and watch the news. Therefore, most people pull up the news with their smart phones or tablets. Having online news websites, such as CNN and CBS, at such an easy access, are very convenient. But deciding which one to use can be a challenge. CNN is known for its appealing headlines and in-depth information. CBS is known for its concise, straight to the point, brief articles.

So . . . Comparison/Contrast

I was not able to post very well last week, so you could not respond; now, we can both get back to work.

Our focus was on the comparison/contrast paper and, by now, you should have your topic. Copy the following on your own paper on a Ms. Word document and complete. By the way, whatever you are comparing or contrasting, you will need to be able to list on a works cited page. We'll talk about what a works cited page is, why it's important, where it goes, and what it lists,  this week. For now, copy and complete:

The Comparison/Contrast Paper

Topic: ______________________________________

The basis for comparison--that is, the features that both subjects have in common: (2-3)

Despite the similarities, these two subjects are different in terms of:
(2-3)

THESIS STATEMENT: (REMEMBER: DO NOT USE SIMPLISTIC TERMS SUCH AS "alike" AND "different" or "similarities" OR "differences") - Refer to the examples in the book and on previous blog posts.

***For every contrast or difference noted, there should be an example that comes directly from your subject.***

Make sure your paper follows a very tight, well structured organization

Looking Forward to Class!!

It has been a good while since I've looked forward so much to coming back to class! I hope to remain well the remainder of the semester and leave no class "hanging" as happened the past two weeks. I hope, with all sincerity, none of you are plagued with the various "bugs" that are visiting for the season.  

C/C Structure

 This is given to help you, not meant to be a blueprint. You are free to come up with your own comparisons and contrasts for your topic

Compare and contrast 2 articles on the same topic.
First establish the basis for comparison--perhaps you will discuss headlines, length, and point of view
Next, consider differences between the two magazines or newspapers on the topic
Two articles on the same topic both have headlines, are written to a length determined by the paper/website/magazine, and represent a particular point of view:
Headlines                  Length             Point of View                   
--#1                            -- #1                 -- #1
--#2                            -- #2                 --#2

Compare and contrast children's books on the same topic--one from the past, and one in the present; first, establish basis for comparison, then differences
Both books contain graphics, information and present characters, which involves race/gender/nationality
Graphics                  Accuracy of Information               Race/Gender/Nationality
--#1                            -- #1                                             -- #1
--#2                            -- #2                                              --#2

Compare and contrast local and world news broadcasts. First, establish basis for comparison; next, consider their differences:
Both newscasts contain: news, features, weather
News                                                      Features                                      Weather
--local news/                                        --local                                      --local
immediate surroundings              
--world: national/world                       -- world                                    --world

************************************************************************



Comparison of two articles—websites, magazines, newspapers-- on the same topic

Basis of comparison--as seen above: --headlines--length--point of view

STRUCTURE of the C/C

1^st paragraph: gets readers’ attention; provide background necessary; and states the common features in both: headlines, length, point of view) and presents THESIS STATEMENT

Body of paper: contrast

Conclusion: conclusion

HOW to structure a comparison/contrast essay?

Headlines                                                       Article #1

--News Source #1                                          --headlines

--News Source #2                                          --length

                                                                       --point of view

Length

--News Source #1              OR               Article #2

--News Source #2                                         --headlines

                                                                      --length

Point of View                                                --point of view

--News Source #1

--News Source #2

TOPIC: Children’s Books: Past and Present on the Subject of   ??

Graphics                                                               Book #1

--Bk 1                                                                  --graphics

--Bk 2                                                                 --accuracy of information

 Accuracy of Information       OR                 --race/gender/nationality

--Bk1

--Bk2                                                                 Book #2

                                                                          --graphics

Race/Gender/Nationality                                     --accuracy of information

--Bk 1                                                                --race/gender/nationality

--Bk 2

AN EXAMPLE--by the way--NO! You may not compare USA Today and Huffington Post, online since they are my working examples. You may use ONE of them and compare it to another online news source, but do not compare those two.

THESIS STATEMENT: Do NOT state the obvious; do NOT write that between the two elements you have similarities and differences. 

DO NOT WRITE: Most of my information comes from USA Today and Huffington Post, both found online; however, there are many similarities and differences between news articles in USA Today and Huffington Post.

Better:  Most of my information comes from USA Today and the Huffington Post, both found online. While USA Today often has the eye-catching headlines, Huffington Post’s articles seem to provide more in-depth reporting. Both USA Today and Huffington Post seem to present news articles in a fair, intelligent, and unbiased manner.

First section of the body of the paper will focus on: – USA TODAY

Recent headlines in UT have read: 2 (at least) examples – explain what those headlines illustrate—that UT has bold, provocative headlines.

On next section – UT – the length of most USA T. articles is relatively short; for example, in a recent issue ________ received only a few brief paragraphs of coverage;

UT is geared to people who have limited time to explore national news events.

UT’s journalists are educated, and present the new in an unbiased manner—give an example--or TWO

Notes on C/C

FACT: Two elements that are compared and contrasted must FIRST have a

common basis for comparison

EXAMPLE: “Grant & Lee”

                Both were generals in the Civil War

                Both were shaped by their home place and upbringing

                Both looked forward to the end of the Civil War

If you choose the same  news article covered in two different magazines, newspapers or websites,

You will need to establish common ground (basis for comparison) between the two respective medias:

·         EXAMPLE: _________________________

                Both magazines do WHAT? (try to come up with at least 3 things in common, but that will not be identical)

·         If you choose to compare the local news broadcast to national news broadcast, first you must state what the broadcasts have in common, their common features—at least 3

·         If you choose to compare two children’s books on the same topic, what are the common elements of both?

Week 9 -

Welcome Back from Spring Break and to Daylight Savings Time.
(pause for collective moan)

Assignment for the 2nd day of class this week:

Read pages 371-379 - Comparison and Contrast Essay - we will discuss this in-depth on the second day of class this week; the next essay you write will be a comparison/contrast, and you will select from topics 1, 2 and 6 on page 432.

Read pages 393-396, "Grant and Lee: a Study in Contrasts" and be prepared to discuss the questions on Comprehension, Purpose and Audience, and Style and Structure on pages 396-397. You need NOT write the answers to these questions.

Also, consider the scuptures pictured in your book on pages 391 and 392, as well as the poem on 430-431.

Notes on Essay #2

Remember that this essay stands on its own merits, not as a substitute for the first essay.  Consequently, the grade for this essay may be higher or lower than the first essay. A paper must be truly exceptional or outstanding to receive an “A.” Even if all flaws in grammar and mechanics are corrected and the details developed, if the paper is simply very good, it will receive only a “B.” One that adequately provides a thesis and development, in correct standard English, but does not distinguish itself receives a “C.” Finally, a paper that lacks a thesis or complete development, strays from the topic, or is incoherent due to the number of flaws from grammatical or mechanical errors will receive a “D” or, in extreme cases, an “F.”

Examine your paper after it is returned; if you are confused about a comment on the paper or would like an explanation, please ask. I am happy to work with anyone willing to put in additional time and effort.

        Though only a letter grade is on the paper, please know it was evaluated according to the same grading scale as the first essay:

Thesis & Introduction = 20 pts.
MLA Format & Grammar/Mechanics = 30 pts.
Content/Development/Details = 25 pts.
Organization & Coherence = 25 pts.

By the way, the importance of  punctuation can be seen here:
http://blogs.reuters.com/india/2013/03/08/the-comma-that-let-a-malaysian-airline-sneak-in/

Semi-Colons

Use a semi-colon to separate items in a series, when each item contains within it a comma.  FOR EXAMPLE:

The Super Bowl has been held in a number of cities: Atlanta, Georgia; New Orleans, Lousiana; San Francisco, California; New York City, New York. 

TO AVOID A COMMA SPLICE, use a semi-colon to separate two sentences that have been joined. 

COMMA SPLICE:
Social networks provided hours of entertainment for many people,  it also provides an opportunity for predators to seek unsuspecting, innocent victims.

CORRECTION FOR COMMA SPLICE USING A SEMI-COLON:

Social networks provided hours of entertainment for many people;  it also provides an opportunity for predators to seek unsuspecting, innocent victims

Better REVISION:

 Social networks provided hours of entertainment for many people. Unfortuneately, social networks also provides an opportunity for predators to seek unsuspecting, innocent victims

REVISION, EDITING, PROOFREADING

An example of REVISION.

The original:

Food has always surrounded holidays. Since the Super Bowl has become known as the unofficial holiday it's only natural food consumption would be involved. This holiday is surrounded by food just like Thanksgiving; however, you would be more likely to eat pizza than turkey.

REVISION:

Food has always surrounded holidays and the Super Bowl. However, instead of turkey and dressing, a person would be more likely to eat pizza, hamburgers, and chicken wings.

The original:

Setting is the location of where a story is set. It is important because it gives information on a story.

REVISION:

The setting of the story refers to both the location where the action takes place and the approximate time period the action takes place; for example, in Ray Bradbury's story "All Summer in a Day," the setting is in a classroom on Venus, sometime in the distant future.

An example of VPR, vague pronoun reference:

Before the internet, it was very difficult to track down childhood friends, school mates, and others because you had to rely on word of mouth or networking with people to reconnect old relationships.

REVISION:

Before the internet, tracking down childhood friends, school mates, and others was difficult because a person had to rely on word of motuh or networking with people to reconnect old relationships.

Corrections

Be sure to use specific examples
 
Grammar, punctuation, usage -- all of these can affect coherence
EXAMPLES of abbreviations used in papers:

R-O = run-on sentence
CS = comma splice
TS  = tense shift
VPR = vague pronoun or vague pronoun reference
AGR = there is an agreement flaw
sp = spelling error

Composition abbreviations:
TR = transition is needed

Two terms to know:

• DICTION - refers to the words chosen--the key is to select the very best possible word for your sentence

Examples--for collegiate writing, you need to think more deeply, be more aware of words, and choose Better Words.  BW = better word
AVOID using the following:
a lot
great or nice
good
use words that are more formal, more academic
Don't confuse your words:
wonder / wander
then / than
death / deaf

• SYNTAX - the arrangement of words in a sentence or paragraph

Example of incorrect syntax:
"They did a commercial about a goat that is being sold by his owner who had an unusual craving for Doritos."

"They" ???  who are "they'?
Revised:

The advertising department for Doritos created
a commercial about a goat who had an unusual craving for Doritos  that was being sold by its owner.

Sentence that needs revision:
You think that when you get on Facebook that you're getting on just to check your notifications and you end up being on there for hours.

One way to revise: change 2nd person "YOU" to first person "I":

I think that when I get on Facebook that I'm getting on just to check my notifications, and I end up being on there for hours.

OR . . . change it to THIRD person: he/she/one/a person

A person may get on on Facebook, thinking he  will just check his notifications and end up being on there for hours.

Plagiarism 101

Taken from the English Dept. of Middle Georgia State College policy and your syllabus:

If you plagiarize an assignment, that grade will result in a zero. Plagiarism occurs when a writer uses the ideas, wording, organization, etc., of another writer without proper citation, whether intentional or unintentional. This includes having someone “help” you write the paper, buying the paper online, or lifting ideas, sentences, and/or paragraphs from another text. Keep an electronic copy of all assignments and be prepared to send it to me immediately if asked. Please go to the MSC Library site for further information on avoiding plagiarism. Failing this course is the common penalty for plagiarism.  

Note:

A plagiarism prevention service is used in the evaluation of written work submitted for this course. As directed by the instructor, students are expected to submit their assignments, or have their assignments submitted, through the service in order to meet the requirements for this course. The papers may be retained by the service for the sole purpose of checking for plagiarized content in future student submissions.

For additional information, see:

http://www.mga.edu/academic-resource-center/plagiarism/why.aspx

The information covered on this website will be covered on the next quiz, whether we have an opportunity to cover all aspects of it or not.

NOTE: I do not read essays with the intent of discovering plagiarism; however, when it becomes obvious that more than just an occasional uncited statistic has crept into the paper (perhaps several sentences or entire paragraphs), when the language (diction--the words--and syntax--how those words are arranged to form sentences) becomes more sophisticated and academic than the typical college freshman, then red flags go up and I begin to suspect plagiarism.

What plagiarism does:

• Throws doubt on the authenticity of all further work done in a class by the individual
• Brings greater scrutiny to an entire class of papers—if one person plagiarized, then surely many more did as well; these, too, must be rooted out, and that takes even more time in grading
• Insults & angers the instructor (whether teacher or professor), sometimes forcing him/her to change plans for the ENTIRE class.

Examples of plagiarism: 

" . . . students who used social media had an average GPA of 3.06 versus non-users who had an average GPA of 3.82"  TAKEN FROM AN ARTICLE FOUND online titled,  "Are social networking sites good for our society?

Used in the paper it became one of MANY, MANY statistics, all of which were plagiarized; the student's paper read:

Students who use social media had anaverage GPA of 3.06 while non-users had an average GPA of 3.82 and students who used social networking sites while studying scored 20% lower on tests. 

Almost the ENTIRE paper was like this.

English 1101 is meant for YOU to increase YOUR critical thinking and YOUR critical reading, so that YOU can better express YOUR ideas in a clear, complete, concise manner.  It matters what YOU THINK, what reasons YOU can give and explain on these papers, NOT what you can find on the internet, which could be easily found and read. THINKING and  WRITING are HARD. 

Plagiarism Example #2:

"The immediacy provided by social media is available to predators as well as friends. Kids especially are vulnerable to the practice of cyber-bullying in which the perpetrators, anonymously or even posing as people their victims trust, terrorize individuals in front of their peers. The devastation of these online attacks can leave deep mental scars . . . ." TAKEN FROM an article written by Brian Jung, found online.

Used in the student's paper, this became the entire fourth paragraph, with an additional opening and closing sentence, written by the student. At the end of the paper, the student attempted to list the reference (incorrectly), but made NO acknowledgement of the source in the text of the paper. Thus, the student plagiarized.

Understand and make NO mistake: whether it is intentional OR unintentional--IT DOES NOT MATTER.  IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY  to understand and avoid plagiarism.