Saturday, November 14, 2009

Reminder of Participation/Attendance Policy

This topic was discussed in class on Friday, but a few students were absent.

Usually instructors at a university do not contact their students because of attendance (it is the student's responsibility, not the instructor's); however, I did remind the other students of the participation points earned for attendance in Friday's class session. The syllabus states that you cannot earn points if you do not come to class. On a day of an absence, you lose points for the in-class participation (in-class activities , discussion, journals). After three unexcused absences, there is a deduction of 5 points from the participation portion of your overall grade (200 points of the entire class). Each class period is worth 3 points and you cannot earn those if you have an excused or unexcused absence. While you do not accumulate excused absences to have points SUBTRACTED from your grade, you cannot earn the participation points. I assigned a major project this past class session on Friday. Please check Blackboard for the information.

Sincerely,
Ms. Coleman

Monday, November 9, 2009

Journal #9 - 11/9/09

For this journal assignment, I would like you all to find two famous quotes and post them on the blog (in English of course). These may help you or your peers if they are ever in need of an attention-getter for an essay.

This is due Friday at midnight. Remember, technology excuses are not allowed!

Requirements:
- You cannot choose/post a quote that has already been posted by another student.
- Please include the speakers' names with the quotes (please state if anonymous).
- Give a short explanation (1-2 sentences) of what each quote means.
- You should read other students' quotes. It could really be useful someday.

You may press "comment" below this blog post to post your quotes. Include both quotes and their explanations in the same post.

Remember, no class on Wednesday 11/11 to celebrate Veteran's Day.

Have a great week,
Ms. Coleman

Saturday, October 17, 2009

Assignment #3

I have pushed back the due date of Assignment #3's rough draft. Instead of being due on Wednesday, Oct. 21, I have changed the due date to Friday, Oct. 23. The rough draft's due date will stay the same (Wednesday, Oct. 28).

Have a good weekend!

Saturday, September 26, 2009

Topic for Journal #4

Compare/contrast an aspect (or aspects) of the culture of your home country and the culture of the U.S. Feel free to write about any topic listed below, but please avoid making stereotypes. Give examples to support your opinions.

First, you must create a diagram to compare/contrast between the two cultures using either a chart or the Venn diagram.

Then, please write a one page summary or critique of your findings from brainstorming the similarities and differences of the two cultures.

You may discuss one or more of the following subjects:

- sports/activities
- food
- weather/geography
- language
- politics/voting
- family

If you have other topics about the two different cultures you wish to discuss, please do so!

Have a nice weekend,
Ms. Coleman

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Journal #3

The topic for journal #3:

What is your favorite movie? It does not have to be an American film. Please briefly summarize the film, introduce the main characters, and explain why it is your favorite movie.

The usual journal requirements apply.

Sunday, September 20, 2009

Announcement for Week 9/21- 9/25

Well, I have finished grading the rough draft of Assignment #1, which was due this past Friday. If you have not turned it in, make sure you bring it to the next class session. This Monday will equal a 10 point reduction, Wednesday a 20 point reduction, and Friday a 30 point reduction.

Class has been canceled for Wednesday 9/23 to allow for our first week of conferencing! These are sessions where we will discuss your graded rough draft for Assignment #1. Please come to my office (Faner 4333) at the time for which you signed up. If you are late, it could throw off the rest of the conferences, so BE ON TIME. Thank you in advance. Also, if you cannot make it, let me know in advance that you need to reschedule. Otherwise, you cannot make up the points that are given for these conferences.

A new tentative schedule was handed out in class on Friday with some changes. Please check Blackboard or remind me to give you a copy of the handout.

Although there is no class on Wednesday, the Assignment #1 rough draft (for the students turning it in late) must be brought to my office by 2:00 PM, or it will become late and due by Friday's due date (in class at 2:00PM also). Remember, do NOT put late assignments in my mailbox!

There will be a journal assigned tomorrow to be turned in by Wednesday. These can be emailed to me before 2:00PM on Wednesday or brought to my office before 2:00PM.

This should be all for now! I had lots of announcements this week!

See you tomorrow,

Ms. Coleman

Sunday, September 13, 2009

Research Day

As you know, tomorrow (9/14) is "Research Day" for our class. We will not have our regular class session. However, I will be in my office (Faner 4333) from 12:00-3:00 PM; I will not come to our regular classroom during our class time (2:00-2:50). I will still be in my office. This time is reserved for you to research in preparation for Assignment #1 which is due Friday 9/18. My extended office hours are for you. Some people cannot make it to my regular office hours, so I've specifically canceled our class so you have an opportunity to speak with me. If you have any questions about your topic or Assignment #1, please stop by my office tomorrow. Good luck researching - come with any questions about Assignment #1 on Wednesday.

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

From class on Wednesday 9/9/09...

Please check Blackboard for the handouts I gave to the students who attended class on Wednesday. Also, as a reminder, your research topic or question needs to be emailed to me after 4:00PM today (9/9) and before midnight on Friday (9/11). After midnight on Friday, it will be an automatic 5 point reduction from the rough draft of Assignment #1. Do not email me before 4:00PM because I will automatically delete it!

In class, we discussed Assignment #1 - Research Proposal and Annotated Bibliography. I have the handout on Blackboard and I can give you the hardcopy in class Friday. The rough draft is due Friday 9/18. All of the information about an annotated bibliography can be found in your textbook (Writing from Sources) and the handout.

I hope to hear from you soon,
Ms. Coleman

Friday, September 4, 2009

Homework due Wednesday (9/9)

1.) Read WFS p. 347-353

2.) Do activity #3 on page 347 - you will turn this in WITH your journal #2.

3.) Journal #2 - Do activity #4 p. 347. Write one complete page summarizing your results from the interviews done in class Friday. Also, you should discuss which side you think is best and why. Make sure you have a title and explain to your readers what your topic was.

Hopefully you exchanged emails with your partner to share data collect from interviews so that you have at least four different sets of interviews.

Have a good weekend!

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Journals

Journals

During this course, you will be required to complete 10 journal exercises. For each journal assignment, you will be given a different topic (sometimes free writing in class). Journals are usually one complete page; however, you are welcome to write more if you wish.

Your journals done outside of class should be typed double spaced, 12-point font size, and “Times New Roman” font style. Journals are the only assignments I accept via email as long as it is sent to me, attached, before 2 PM on the day it is due. It will not be excused if you forget to attach it or there is a problem with your email. Remember, printer/computer problems are not excuses either. So, do not wait until the last minute!

Late journals will not be accepted. If you are tardy on the day it is due, your journal will not be accepted. If you know you are going to be late, then make sure you email it to me well in advance.

Journal #1 – Due at the beginning of class Wednesday, September 2.


Topic: Write about a time you had a bad experience with writing. What are some of your weaknesses in general with your writing? Where do you want to see improvement?

Saturday, August 29, 2009

Grammar Quiz

Make sure you join our class on Monday. There will be a small grammar quiz that is similar to the exercises in the grammar packet we studied on Friday and will finish on Monday. There is no make-up for the quiz as it is a part of your participation grade. I hope you are having a good weekend!

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Quick announcement for class on Wednesday!

Hey everyone,

I hope your classes are going well so far this semester. I have a quick announcement about tomorrow's class (Wednesday, 8/26). We are doing an in-class writing assignment that will take you the entire class period. Try to be on time (I will begin counting you tardy if you are late tomorrow). All you need to bring is a pencil; I will provide the rest.

See you tomorrow!
Ms. Coleman

Monday, August 24, 2009

Note-cards

In case you did not have enough time to finish the note-cards in class, here are the questions:

Please write your name on top of the note-card.

1. Now that I have told you the expectations of a good students, what are your expectations of a good teacher?

2. Tell me about the best teacher you've ever had. What made that person a good teacher?

3. Write one interesting fact about yourself.

If you already handed this in, you do NOT have to complete this assignment again.

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Welcome

Welcome to Linguistics 102-002

The main goal of this course is to help you become more at ease with and skilled in academic writing in English using secondary source research. Throughout this course, you will complete assignments which focus on writing from secondary sources and strategies to plan, draft, revise, and edit papers. This course prepares you for future classes, regardless of your major, because all aspects of the research process and academic writing are addressed.


Let us have a wonderful semester together as we work toward writing research papers!