Improving our writing

What we did today – Students compared the essay they wrote for Classwork 15 to the essay rubric to see how to improve their essays. (Sections 87, 89 and 90 did not meet today since all classes scheduled for after 2:00 p.m. were canceled due to graduation.)

Bonus Credit

1. Students can earn a 1% bonus credit for attending Night in the Library on Wednesday, December 14. The first event in the series is a screening of Guillermo del Toro’s new film Pinocchio. (Click here to view the trailer.) The program will start at 5:30 pm on the first floor mezzanine inside the library and conclude at 8:00 pm. To receive credit, students:
   • Inform me in writing via email by Sunday, December 11, at 12:00 noon that they will be attending,
   • Must be on time,
   • Stay the entire time,
   • Not have their mobiles visible at any time during the event, and
   • Write a one-paragraph summary of the film.
2. Students were reminded that they can earn up to 5% extra credit by attending Writing Lab tutoring sessions (½% credit for each 30-minute session, with a maximum of 5%.). To schedule an appointment for tutoring, send the lab instructors an email requesting an appointment. (Their email addresses are in the syllabus in MyGUST.) It is suggested that you send a screenshot of your schedule to enable them to find a time that is convenient for you and for them. Also, you must let them know which section you are in.

What we will do on Tuesday, December 13 – All classes will meet in the Library’s computer lab to write an in-class essay, which is worth 20% of the course grade. (Those students who normally go to the Success Center for assessments will instead come to the Library’s computer lab with the rest of their classmates. They will be given additional time as part of reasonable accommodation for them.)

Classwork 15: Practice comparison essay

What we did today – Students wrote a practice comparison essay and submitted it to Turnitin for Classwork 15 (1 mark).

Bonus Credit

1. Students can earn 1% bonus credit for attending Night in the Library on Wednesday, December 14. The first event in the series is a screening of Guillermo del Toro’s new film Pinocchio. (Click here to view the trailer.) The program will start at 5:30 pm on the first floor mezzanine inside the library and will conclude at 8:00 pm. To receive credit, students:
   • Inform me in writing via email by Sunday, December 11, at 12:00 noon that they will be attending,
   • Must be on time,
   • Stay the entire time,
   • Not have their mobiles visible at any time during the event, and
   • Write a one-paragraph summary of the film.
2. Students were reminded that they can earn up to 5% extra credit by attending Writing Lab tutoring sessions (½% credit for each 30-minute session, with a maximum of 5%.). To schedule an appointment for tutoring, send the lab instructors an email requesting an appointment. (Their email addresses are in the syllabus in MyGUST.) It is suggested that you send a screenshot of your schedule to enable them to find a time that is convenient for you and for them. Also, you must let them know which section you are in.

What we will do on Sunday, December 11 – Sections 86, 87, and 88 will meet at their regular times. Students will review the rubric and compare it to their practice essay for Classwork 15 to see how they can improve their writing. However, Sections 89 and 90 will not meet due to the graduation ceremony.What we will do on Tuesday, December 13 – All classes will meet in the Library’s computer lab to write an in-class essay, which is worth 20% of the course grade. Those students who normally go to the Success Center for assessments will instead come to the Library’s computer lab with the rest of their classmates.

Classwork 14: Practice essay

What we did today – Students wrote a practice comparison essay about “It’s Class, Stupid” and submitted it to Turnitin for Classwork 14 (4 marks) before the end of class.

Writing Project Essay and In-Class Classification Essay

Your writing project essay and in-class classification essay have been marked. When you are in Turnitin, click on the rubric icon to see how they were marked. Also, be sure to read any comments I’ve made.

Bonus Credit

Students were reminded that they can earn up to 5% extra credit by attending Writing Lab tutoring sessions (½% credit for each 30-minute session, with a maximum of 5%.). To schedule an appointment for tutoring, send the lab instructors an email requesting an appointment. (Their email addresses are in the syllabus in MyGUST.) It is suggested that you send a screenshot of your schedule to enable them to find a time that is convenient for you and for them. Also, you must let them know which section you are in.

What we will do on Thursday, December 8 – Students will write a practice comparison essay (Classwork 15 for 1 mark).

Outline for practice essay

What we did today – Students discussed “It’s Class, Stupid” and wrote an outline for a comparison essay about it in their Google Docs file for Classwork 13 (1 mark).

Homework– If you have not sent me your Google Doc address, please send it to my GUST account. Be sure to let me know in which section you are registered.

Bonus Credit

Students were reminded that they can earn up to 5% extra credit by attending Writing Lab tutoring sessions (½% credit for each 30-minute session, with a maximum of 5%.). To schedule an appointment for tutoring, send the lab instructors an email requesting an appointment. (Their email addresses are in the syllabus in MyGUST.) It is suggested that you send a screenshot of your schedule to enable them to find a time that is convenient for you and for them. Also, you must let them know which section you are in.

What we will do on Tuesday, December 6 – Students will write a comparison essay about “It’s Class, Stupid” (Classwork 14 for 1 mark).

Volunteer opportunity

Why volunteer?

1. Make a difference
2. Increase physical fitness
3. Meet new people
4. Learn new skills
5. Be part of a team
6. Feel good

For more information, go to https://4theq8soul.wixsite.com/4theq8soul

Practice essay body paragraphs

What we did today – Students wrote the body paragraphs of their practice compare and contrast essay in their Google Docs file. They referred to the Model Comparison Essay Sentences pdf file for patterns for thesis sentences and topic sentences for their body paragraphs.

Homework

1. If you have not sent me your Google Doc address, please send it to my GUST account. Be sure to let me know in which section you are registered.
2. Read “It’s Class, Stupid” (pp. 497-498 [Chapter 39, Reading 5]) before Sunday, December 4. 

Bonus Credit

1. Students can earn bonus credit by creating teams of three members and taking part in GUST’s 1^st On-Campus Goosechase Scavenger Hunt on Dec 7 at 12:30.
2. Students were reminded that they can earn up to 5% extra credit by attending Writing Lab tutoring sessions (½% credit for each 30-minute session, with a maximum of 5%.). To schedule an appointment for tutoring, send the lab instructors an email requesting an appointment. (Their email addresses are in the syllabus in MyGUST.) It is suggested that you send a screenshot of your schedule to enable them to find a time that is convenient for you and for them. Also, you must let them know which section you are in.

What we will do on Sunday, December 4 – Students will discuss “It’s Class, Stupid” (pp. 497-498 [Chapter 39, Reading 5]) and write an outline for a contrast essay (Classwork 13 for 1 mark).

Comparison practice introduction

What we did today – It was announced that midterm warning letters had been submitted to the OCS for any students with a course grade of lower than 70 percent, as required by GUST. 

It was also announced that you can earn up to 5% extra credit by attending Writing Lab tutoring sessions (½% credit for each 30-minute session, with a maximum of 5%.). To schedule an appointment for tutoring, send the lab instructors an email requesting an appointment. (Their email addresses are in the syllabus in MyGUST.) It is suggested that you send a screenshot of your schedule to enable them to find a time that is convenient for you and for them. Also, you must let them know which section you are in.

The class began with a review of a model comparison and contrast introduction. Then, students chose one of two topics and, using the Model Comparison Essay Sentences pdf, wrote a practice introduction in their Google Docs file.

Homework

1. Starting today, November 29, we will be using Google Docs. I will need your Gmail address in order to share your Google Doc with you, so please send your Gmail address to my GUST account if you have not already done so. Be sure to let me know in which section you are registered.
2. Read “It’s Class, Stupid” (pp. 497-498 [Chapter 38, Reading 5]) before Sunday, December 4.

What we will do on Thursday, December 1 – Students will write the body paragraphs of their practice compare and contrast essay in their Google Docs file.

Timed, in-class classification essay

What we did today – Students wrote a timed, 500-word in-class essay worth 20% of the course grade.

Homework

1. Starting Tuesday, November 29, we will be using Google Docs. I will need your Gmail address in order to share your Google Doc with you, so please send your Gmail address to my GUST account. Be sure to let me know in which section you are registered.
2. Read pp. 114-126 (10.1-10.7) and pp. 177-217 (14.1-14.9) in Pearson before class on Tuesday, November 29.

What we will do on Tuesday, November 29 – Starting with the introduction, we will begin writing a practice compare and contrast essay.

Submission of Writing Project Essay

What we did today – Group C students were in the Writing Lab, while Groups A and B were in the classroom. All three groups downloaded either the Writing Project Essay Template – Parenting Styles or the Writing Project Essay Template – Higher Education Institutions. Then, they copied and pasted their essays into the appropriate template. They ensured that their essays followed the Writing Project guidelines. Finally, they submitted their file to Writing Project Essay in Turnitin (in MyGUST under the week of 20 November – 26 November).

Homework

1. Starting Tuesday, November 29, we will be using Google Docs. I will need your Gmail address in order to share your Google Doc with you, so please send your Gmail address to my GUST account. Be sure to let me know in which section you are registered.
2. Read pp. 114-126 (10.1-10.7) and pp. 177-217 (14.1-14.9) in Pearson before class on Tuesday, November 29.

What we will do on Sunday, November 27 – All students will meet in the Writing Lab to write a 500-word classification essay, which is worth 20% of the course grade. Students will choose from one of two topics. They will write an introduction, three body paragraphs, and a conclusion. The essay will be submitted no later than the end of class. No extra time will be given.

Revising and editing

What we did today – Group B students were in the Writing Lab, while Groups A and C were in the classroom. All three groups revised and edited their 500- to 600-word classification essay in OneNote in the Writing Project Essay folder. Students ensured that they had not plagiarized any work.

• Every assignment with a similarity index above 5% (excluding references and quoted material) will result in a score of zero (0).
• In case of cheating that is not detected by TURNITIN, if the instructor still suspects plagiarism, he or she may take the following steps in any order that is deemed appropriate. The instructor may ask the student to prove the authenticity of the work in any method that she or he deems suitable. If the student does not cooperate, declines to provide any proof, and delays the process of producing proof, the paper will automatically get a zero. The instructor may forward the essay to the Writing Coordinator, who will set up an ad hoc committee with a minimum of two other writing instructors. The committee members will scrutinize the essay in question along with all the other evidence submitted by the instructor showing the student’s level of English and will reach a conclusion in one or two days. The conclusion will be shared with the coordinator, instructor and student.

What we will do on Thursday, November 24 – Group C students will be in the Writing Lab, while Groups A and B will be in the classroom. Depending on their topic, students will download either the Writing Project Essay Template – Parenting Styles or the Writing Project Essay Template – Higher Education Institutions at the beginning of the class. Then, they will copy and paste their essays into the appropriate template. They will ensure that their essays follow these guidelines:

• Size 12 font Times New Roman OR Arial
• Double spaced
• The student’s name and section should be at the top left of the page
• Include a clear title in BOLD (centered)

Once they have copied and pasted their essay into the template, they will submit their file to Writing Project Essay in Turnitin (in MyGUST under the week of 20 November – 26 November). They must submit their file before the end of the class. The Writing Project Essay is worth 10% of the course grade.

What we will do on Sunday, November 27 – All students will meet in the Writing Lab to write a 500-word classification essay, which is worth 20% of the course grade. Students will choose from one of two topics. They will write an introduction, three body paragraphs, and a conclusion. The essay will be submitted no later than the end of class. No extra time will be given.