GSW 1110 Blog-Fall 2009

You are expected to give an in-depth analysis of both essays. Have your audience and writing situation in mind when you create responses. Please cite the way you write your essays when you refer to examples or particular details from the essays.  

 1. Read “More Testing, More Learning” by Patrick O’Malley on pp. 330-333.  Explain how the organization, development,  and rhetorical stategies work.

2. Read “Win-Win Flexibility” by Karen Kornbluh on pp. 334-337 and the commentary on pp. 338-340. What strategies does the author use to make readers believe that the proposal works? Give 2-3 examples. Remember to cite when you use examples or words from the text.

Read both essays in SMG,  and write a 150/200-word response.  Also, respond to at least TWO posts.  You are supposed to finish this work by 8:00pm Thursday (10/15).

1.  What are the features of “speculating about causes essay”? Base your answers on the two essays you have read. Remember to cite when you quote texts.

2.  What are some of the strengths you find in “Fitness Culture: A Growing Trend in America” and “Why We Crave Horror Movies”?  What strategies are you going to use in your essay?

3.  Associate the contents/topics of both articles with your life experience.  Do you agree with the causes the authors analyze? What do you think are the hidden and important causes of the issues that the writers have ignored? Explain briefly.

Read “”Working at McDonald’s” on pp. 283-286 SMG, and answer the following prompts. This work is due by 9:00 pm 9/24.

1. After reading “Working at McDonald’s” write a short response (100-200 words) to the following prompt: What do you see as Etzioni’s strongest argument in the essay?  Did any of the points he makes surprise you? Why? Please cite when you use the author’s words.

2. Comment on the writing of the essay, giving  2-3  positive and 1-2 negative comments. Be specific. When you use words or examples from the text, make it clear from which paragraphs you get them.

3. Who are the possible audiences of the essay? What’s the purpose? How does the audicne and purpose affect the the style of the essay?

Please answer the following questions after reading the article on pp. 276-279, SMG. Please finish this work by 9:00 pm 9/22. Each student is supposed to read some and respond to two posts.

1. Relate this piece to your life experience. Have you competed for anything? Like a prize, an honor, or grades?  If so, how did you feel then, physically and psychologically? What are the consequences? What are the major differences between competition and collaboration?

2. Are you convinced by the author? Which part is your favorite? Why? List at least three strategies you would like to borrow from this essay, and briefly explain why.

2. Who are the intended audiences of the essay? How do you know?

Please read pp. 241-247 and 73-85 in AWR, and answer the following questions briefly. You are supposed to complete this work by 6:00pm 9/13. 

1. Suppose you are a member of an interest group. One assignment for you is to improve a part of an automobile.  When you work on it, suddenly you think of a message from an engineer, and you think you can use some of his ideas in your design. Should you give credit?  On which page, can you find evidence?

2. What’s the safest way to use other people’s words or ideas?

3. What’s the difference between “revising” and “editing”?

Give a 100/150-word answer to the following questions. You are also expected to read and respond to at least TWO students’ anwers.  When you respond to a student’s answer, please make the number of the answer clear. For example, you can first say “In response to Comment #3,” and then you leave your response. Finish the work by 6:00 pm Sunday so that you have some time to read all posts.

1. Read and re-read “The Perfect Crime?” by Alexander Cheung in SMG (196-199).  How is this essay similar to or different from the essays you wrote in high school? What are the two things (or more) you really like. Give examples or evidence from the text.

2. Read and annotate “No Child Left Behind: ‘Historic Initiative’ or ‘Just an Empty Promise’?” by Athena Alexander (211-216). You can use “The Perfect Crime?” as an example.  Who do you think are the audiences of the paper? What is the purpose? What’s the context?

3. Are both articles trying to argue for or against an idea? What are the common features of both essays?

This is the page where you post questions and answers based on the readings.