Blog Links Posted and Some Notes

Hi All. If you scroll down on this page, you'll see that I've posted links to all your blogs. Please take the time to click on your own link, just to make sure everything is in working order. If there are any issues with the technology, just let me know.

I want to issue a quick notice that your 3 comments (due on weeks when posts are due-- see schedule) on your peers' Formal Blog Postings are due by Friday at 5:00 pm. Please see your "Blog Assignment" handout for length requirements and additional guidelines.

If you've taken the time to poke around our English 10803 class blog, you'll notice that I've been labeling the postings. I do this to help me (and you) keep track of what we said, where, and for what essay assignment. Here's a quick list of the labels and what they mean so that you can keep track as well:

• "Prompts" are questions/topics that you will be required to answer or discuss on your blog. Prompts are usually announced and discussed in class, but a more detailed version/any changes will appear here.
  
• "Posts" are my own responses to some of the prompts or topics. I won't post on every topic, but I'll participate in many of the discussions emerging on the blogs.
  
• "F.Y.I." will be anything interesting (course-related) that might interest you.
  
• "Essay __" will let you know which course unit the post belongs to.

I hope this helps. Happy blogging!

Rhetorical Response #1 Prompt

As we enter into the writing process for Essay 1, I'd like you to consider how Jeramey Kraatz's "The Biography of Blake Stone" models an effective personal narrative. Specifically, I'd like you to [1] explore how Kraatz relates to his audience by using candid, specific detail. Where do you see moments of excellent description? How do the candid details influence your reading experience. I'd also like you to [2] examine how Kraatz transforms an "ordinary" and "commonplace" experience into an extraordinary personal narrative. Looking at the language or structure, please give at least 1 moment when Kraatz makes a "normal" moment exciting or meaningful. Finally, please [3] consider the purpose of Kraatz's narrative. What message is he trying to send with his composition? What is his main point? How do you know?

As you begin this assignment, please make sure to review the "Blogging Rhetorically" handout; this handout specifies criteria for grading, length, and other assignment criteria. Remember, also, that you should comment on 3 of your peers' blogs after every Formal Blog posting. These comments (of at least 50 words each; see syllabus for details) should be completed by Friday at 5:00 PM.

Happy Blogging!

Welcome and First Assignment

Your first assignment for this class is to create your own blog using Blogger and to write your first post. Here are the instructions:

[1] Set up your blog: To do so, go to www.blogger.com and follow the on-screen directions for setting up a free blog. Please take some time to personalize your blog. This is a way for your classmates and me to get to know you, so feel free to include a photo, links to other sites you enjoy, etc. Please make sure that your name (first/preferred name and last initial) is clear on your blog. I know that some/many of you already have a blog where you write posts; however, for the purposes of this class, you will need a separate blog that is focused on reflecting on your work in this course. Feel free to provide links to your other blog(s) if you would like to share them with us and with your classmates. Keep in mind, though, that we will post your blog address on the course website, so your class members will have access to your blog. You can restrict general public access to your blog, however, under “Settings” by marking “no” for the question “Add your blog to our listings?”

[2] Write your first entry: Write a letter of introduction about yourself. Start with the basics—where you are from, what year you are at TCU, what major, etc. Then, please include a few more specific things about you and your participation in the course.

*First, help us to get you know you. What brought you to TCU? If you were made Chancellor of TCU, what are the first things you would change? What do you feel makes a good teacher? Good students? If you could have dinner with any three people (living or dead), who would they be? What are three things we should know about you? What are three things you'd like to know about us?

* Next, think about your interest in this course. Why did you choose to take this course? If your answer is simply that it’s required, then what would you like to get out of it?

* Now please consider your academic and personal experiences as they relate to this course. What types of writing do you primarily do (think beyond traditional school papers to other kinds of writing and technologies, like email, texting, etc.)? How do you feel about your writing? Why?

At the end of your letter to your blog audience, please write a final statement letting me know that you have read, understand, and agree to the terms of the course syllabus, which I see as a contract for our course. Remember that all of your blog entries should be in paragraph form.

[3] Follow up: Add a comment to this post that includes your name, section, and blog address (http://____.blogspot.com), so that I can add it to the list on our course page. Also let me know if you have any questions regarding the syllabus or anything discussed in our first meeting of the course.