Autobiographical Brain-storming

Characteristics/Traits of your Identity

• Observant
• Friendly
• Athletic
• Funny
• Over-Thoughtful

Influential People

• Tupac Amaru Shakur 
• Davika Ruiz
• Kevin Garnett
• Issaac Smith
• LeVerne Ford

Important Events

• Graduating High School
• Six Inch Growth Spurt
• Becoming All-State 
• Osgood Shootout
• Prom
• College Athletic

Times of Change

• Issaac Passing Away 
• Pop Pop's Funeral
• Moving into Dorm
• Mom Being Unemployed
• College Orientation

Blog 3T

Breaking apart a thesis statement:

College students have a higher chance of trying drugs and drinking alcohol because they like party.

• Make more assertive: will have a ...
• high/higher is company: will try
• more assertive: they will try drugs and alcohol
• more assertive: experiemnt
• more specific: they are influenced by their peers

Autobiography

1. Writing about self self=author
2. Story telling/narration
3. Example story to support argument or thesis

vs.

Biography

1. Someone else is writing for you
2. Plot summary/Context

Read Information

1. Context: Important ideas
2. Summarize: Main Idea
3. Key Terms/Concepts

vs.

Reading for Critical Reading

1. Ask questions 
2. Comments
3. Analyze Meaning
4. Respond

Thesis Homework

A. Indicate whether the following sentences would be acceptable thesis statements. If not, state why.


1. My commute to SCSU adds one hour each way onto my daily school schedule. 
This sentence is not considered a thesis statement. It does not state an argument. It also does not have a position on how the students feels about commuting. 

2. Students who must commute a long way to school are at a disadvantage compared to those who live nearby. 
This is a good thesis statement because it states the writers position.

3. In this paper, I will discuss why living on campus is the best option for college students.
This can be considered a thesis statement but it's a bad one. A thesis statement should be an interesting way to introduce the topic you're discussing. This thesis statement is too straight to the point. It's more like an announcement.

4. Schools should do more to encourage students to live on campus.
This thesis statement has potential. The student needs to say what schools can do to encourage students to live on campus. Giving a specific reason will make it better.

5. Alcohol and drug use are major problems among college students. 
This is not a good thesis statement. The writer needs to specify why drug and alcohol use is a major problem among college students.

6. Colleges have a lot of rules regarding drug and alcohol use.  
This thesis had potential but needs to elaborate on what rules they want to discuss. Also you do not know the writers position on the rules regarding drug and alcohol use.

7. Resident halls must take steps to enforce the rules regarding alcohol use in order to ensure the safety of their residents. 
This is a good thesis statement. The writer states their position on they think resident halls should do about alcohol use. They also state why they need to enforce the rules.

8. The New York Times has shown that underage drinking directly relates to lowered GPAs for college students, and therefore colleges should not allow this type of behavior on their campuses. 
This a good thesis statement

9. My essay will prove how detrimental underage drinking is for college students. 
This is a bad thesis statement. You shouldn't say that you're going to prove something but to just try and convince your audience.

B. Now write two good thesis statements, one on the topic of commuting vs. living on campus, one on the topic of drugs or alcohol and college students.

1. Southern should show students that living on campus let's you have a better college experience. Living on campus allows you to take advantage of more opportunities.

2. Colleges are too strict on drug and alcohol rules. In college students are finding themselves and are going to experiment although they are aware of the consequences. 

Homework Activity 6 (pg 19)

Dear high school graduate,

You did it! You've ended one chapter of our life to begin another. You're college to be in college! It happened so quick. Now you have to prepare yourself for some real work and adjustments. Yes you might have had good grades and good habits in high school but they might need to be increased at this higher level of learning. Don't be afraid of the work embrace it. In the end you will become better at what you're struggling and at what you already do good in.

A lot of the things teachers tell you are suppose just to scare you. But the thing thats true is all the reading and writing. You are expected to be a decent reader and writer but you can always get stronger. Always always and always ask questions. No question is a dumb question. Also listen tot the questions your peers ask they might say something important.

New ideas and styles will be introduced to you throughout college. Your writing may change or stay the same just to get stronger. Always ask to write a draft of your paper or even have a friend review it. Peer editing is always a good way to see flaws in your paper. You'll learn know vocabulary such as rhetoric. You'll learn how to analyze what you read. Alls these thing will come together once you understand them. Don't be afraid to ask questions. Your professor is there to help not just teach.

Yes college sounds hard but with the work you put into it you'll get a lot out of it. In the end you will just become a stronger student and excel i everything you do.

Best Regards,

Faith Ford

Homework Activity 1 (pg 2)

Exploring Your Mind of Habits

1. What sparked you interest in the first place?

The spark that first interested me was thinking of myself as becoming a better writer. I am a social work major so I will have to write reports. When writing these reports I want to sound professional and well put together. Also I want to read more so I can expand my vocabulary and know how to use the word correctly. I know this course can help me fulfill these things. Also it is a requirement for my major and I need to get a decent grade in this class.

2. What questions did you initially have?

Are there blogs in this class?

How much do I have to write?

Will I become a better writer?

Will can transitions and thesis statement improve?

Will the work I put on this class pay off throughout my college career?

3. How did your questions evolve as you learned more?

My questions were out of nerves. Entering a new class is always an anxious event. Although since I knew my professor I knew I would have to work for a good grade. Being in class has showed me that she is actually going to break things down for us and answer our questions with no problem. So my questions are pretty much gone.

4. How did you go about finding the answers to your questions?

Finding out the answers to my questions was actually the easy part. Reading the syllabus answered a lot of my questions. Listening to others ask questions and asking questions myself. Just taking notes and asking peers about assignments helped out a lot.

5. How did the answers you found lead to further questioning or additional research?

The only additional research was setting up a meeting with my professor to get anything I missed because I did have questions about what to do nut everything was answered. All my questions were answered but there will be more throughout the semester.

Blog 2R

Although I missed an English class I am now caught up on most of the information that was given. The class I missed discussed essay format and how there is a difference between college and high school level writing. In middle school you learn a simple 5 paragraph essay structure. There are introduction, three body, and a conclusion paragraphs. College writing of course is the same structure just more detailed. You learn organize what goes into these paragraphs.

In the introduction you learn that you need to catch the reader's attention. You need hook, topic, and thesis statement. In the body paragraphs you need topic sentences and transition to make the essay flow. In the conclusion you need to restate your thesis and topics. There's so much more to a college level essay.

Thinking about my college level writing I know it needs a lot of work. The introduction is the hardest thing for me. I have never been good at writing thesis statements and that is something we talked about in class this Thursday. Thesis statements are like my kryptonite. This semester I plan on making them a strong point in my essay. So I plan to take advantage of the time we spend working on thesis statements.

Blog 2T

Purpose for Writing

• Persuasion, research, emotional literary writing
• To use it in the real world 
• To teach, communicate
• Entertain
• Provide information
• Job requirement 
• Take notes
• Description to extend an invitation

________________________________________________________________

Introduction

1. Engage reader "the hook"

2. Topic -> What's it about? Introduce/Explain/Describe

3. Context...Invite readers in!

4. Thesis Statement -> YOUR position, defending your topic (1-2 sentences)

Body Section

1. 2-6 paragraphs 

2. Support/evidence

3. Topic

   a) importance

   b) strength

   c) chronologically 

   d) point/counterpoint 

4. Topic sentence

   a) main idea

   b) transition

   c) places of evidence

   d) comment

   e) ending sentence->going back to connect overall thesis

Conclusion

1. 1-2 paragraphs

2. Wrapping up argument

3. Reinforce main idea to reader 

4. Leave reader with something to think about

Blog 1R

Going into English 112 I'm pretty nervous. Although I'm nervous about the writing I know I'm going to become a better writer. I am really looking forward to that. English has always been my go to subject. Essays are my comfort spot but I know I can write a lot better than I do currently. 

Some things that I want to improve as a writer are my vocabulary, writing style, and thesis statements. Those are three things I have always struggles with while writing. Also when Im reading I would like to be able to try and read between the lines. I was never one to pick apart something and look deep into it. I just read and comprehend never pick apart.

To better myself in reading and writing during the semester I can't be afraid to make mistakes. Although  I want to play it safe and stay in my comfort zone I own't be able to better my writing. I have to try and get better. Also throughout the semester I want to try and read more. Being an athlete I feel as though I never have time to read. I know if I read more I'll learn more. When ever I read I always learn new words and try to get a deeper meaning than what is actually written on the page.

I am looking forward to this class this semester. I just know I have to be ready and willing to put in the work.

Blog 1T

1. Connection between reading and writing

• Comprehend what you're reading
• Expands vocabulary
• Develops style 
• Grammar, punctuation, spelling, etc

2. Characteristics of strong effective interesting writing

• Knowing your target audience
• Vocabulary
• Fluency 
• Visualization, imagination

3. Why should college students practice writing and reading skills?

• Need to know how to read and write
• Career
• More knowledge

Academic Habits of Mind

1. Curiosity: The desire to ask proactive questions.

• Ask questions while you read and write (Audience & Purpose)

2. Rhetorical Sensitivity: The understanding of purposes motivating writers and reading... (pg 1)

• Understanding the writing situations
• Reason why writing/convention

3. Critical Analysis: Looking for some specific in your reading/ something beyond the surface

• Implicit= Implied 
• Reading beyond what the material is
• Structure... Why? Why writer? Who disagrees or agrees? What can I do with this?

4. Civility: Accept other ideas

• Respectful to ideas
• Multiple perspectives