Aside from Darcy's gentle prodding to update the blog, I did want to take a moment to just wish you and yours a very Happy Holiday.
We've just been through 3 months of Tuesdays and Thursdays without a break, so enjoy the next couple of Tuesdays and Thursdays in particular.
The rest of the course will fly by, but I hope that you get some time good quality time between then and now with loved ones.
Have a safe and Happy Holiday. See you January 5th.
CP
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Directions to the library
From the QEW: Take Lake St. South toward downtown. Stay in centre lane after crossing Carlton so that you can veer onto James St. at Welland. Turn left onto Church st. from James. Library will be on your right hand side--54 Church.
From the 406: Exit at Geneva. Turn right so that you will be headed North (toward the Fairview Mall). Turn left on Church St. Stay right where Church and King come together. Library will be on your left--54 Church.
Parking is free after 6pm.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Library Assignment (ISU Component)
As I announced in class last night, I have devised a way to expedite some of the research expectations for the ISU. This activity will be IN PLACE of the Presentation/Mocktail party.
I like to call it:
"Generating a Working Thesis Relevant to your ISU novel"
1) Decide upon a topic or issue that is relevant to your ISU novel. e.g "cloning" would be relevant to a study of Brave New World.
2) Locate and record bibliographic information for three general sources (such as Encyclopedias or general reference books) related to your topic.
3) Scan your three materials and develop a "working thesis." e.g. "In spite of the objections raised by people who are against cloning, new advances in clone technologies can enable benefits to human health, without violating ethical standards."
*Keep in mind that the business of developing a good thesis is all about making it neither too broad, nor too narrow. A good thesis should be debatable. The example given recognises that there are opposing viewpoints.
Questions?
I like to call it:
"Generating a Working Thesis Relevant to your ISU novel"
1) Decide upon a topic or issue that is relevant to your ISU novel. e.g "cloning" would be relevant to a study of Brave New World.
2) Locate and record bibliographic information for three general sources (such as Encyclopedias or general reference books) related to your topic.
3) Scan your three materials and develop a "working thesis." e.g. "In spite of the objections raised by people who are against cloning, new advances in clone technologies can enable benefits to human health, without violating ethical standards."
*Keep in mind that the business of developing a good thesis is all about making it neither too broad, nor too narrow. A good thesis should be debatable. The example given recognises that there are opposing viewpoints.
Questions?
Friday, November 20, 2009
My Poetry Assignment
Hi class, thanks for your input last night. I think that it made my presentation more interesting with everyones great comments.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
(ISU) Independent Study Unit
The CALENDAR is here.
There are two files you need to start step one of the ISU.
(1) ISU Overview
(2) Guided Reading Response
There are two files you need to start step one of the ISU.
(1) ISU Overview
(2) Guided Reading Response
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Stone Angel Essays
I just wanted to reiterate what I said in class. I am looking for everyone to bring a full draft of their Stone Angel essay for Tuesday. The reason that it is in your best interest to do so is that we will spend some time trying to make them better.
The way I figure it is that, hypothetically speaking, no matter what grade your first attempt at the essay is worth--55%, 75% or 95%, getting help from your peers and myself is bound to make it better. Some people won't avail themselves of this opportunity, but they never do quite as well as those who get it done early and redraft their papers.
I don't like to speak in terms of "rough copy" and "good copy." I discovered some time ago that some students (if asked to turn in a "rough copy") will actually take the copy of their essay that they wrote and then "rough it up." I prefer to think of the writing process as a never ending circle. Every time you get feedback on a draft of your paper, you casn write an improved draft. Therefore, every time you redraft your essay, it will be stronger. Some university papers I wrote I must have taken through 6 to 10 drafts.
The way I figure it is that, hypothetically speaking, no matter what grade your first attempt at the essay is worth--55%, 75% or 95%, getting help from your peers and myself is bound to make it better. Some people won't avail themselves of this opportunity, but they never do quite as well as those who get it done early and redraft their papers.
I don't like to speak in terms of "rough copy" and "good copy." I discovered some time ago that some students (if asked to turn in a "rough copy") will actually take the copy of their essay that they wrote and then "rough it up." I prefer to think of the writing process as a never ending circle. Every time you get feedback on a draft of your paper, you casn write an improved draft. Therefore, every time you redraft your essay, it will be stronger. Some university papers I wrote I must have taken through 6 to 10 drafts.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Finding The Right ISU Novel
It will work best if you give me some options. You might want to look for something that has been awarded a Governor General's Award, The Giller Prize, A Pulitzer Prize or a Mann-Booker prize. You can just google the different awards and find out who the winners have been since the contests began. Any of the winners would be a safe bet.
Even novels that were short-listed would work. The 2009 Giller was just awarded Tuesday. The finalists are also listed along with a description of the winning novel, The Bishop's Man.
If you select wisely, this will become your favourite course novel.
Even novels that were short-listed would work. The 2009 Giller was just awarded Tuesday. The finalists are also listed along with a description of the winning novel, The Bishop's Man.
If you select wisely, this will become your favourite course novel.
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