9th - 12th Writing, October 17

Lesson:
These students show remarkable improvement in clarity and expression of thought. In fact, they are making evident progress in word choice and sentence variety each week.

We spent the largest part of this class period addressing various problem areas from the students' most recent essays. Most errors were fairly minor and infrequent; a few were more fundamental and serious.

Specifically, I asked students to:

~ organize arguments logically
Sensible organization not only makes writing easier, but it also makes a greater impact on the reader.
The most likely method of organization for this type of essay is order of importance, from least to greatest.
Another possible method might be cause to effect.

~ make subject and verb agree in number (singular/plural)
All students (plural) should bring their (plural) notebooks. (plural)
or Each student (singular) should bring a notebook. (singular)
NOT Everyone (singular) should bring their (plural) notebook.

~ make verbs agree in tense (past/present)
(NO 'time-travelling' allowed --- that technology has not been perfected yet.)

~ use parallel construction for items in series
Leadership requires courageous vision, determined responsibility, and persuasive communication.
NOT Leadership requires courageous vision, determined responsibility, and communicating well.
(NOTE: Students generally did quite well at this in the ways we discussed last time, so I was able to teach some fuller applications and refinements.)

~ qualify statements; avoid absolute statements
Unless we may be absolutely certain that our claim is completely true and accurate in every single instance, at all times and in all places without exception, we ought to avoid absolute terms such as always, never, every, all, each, etc.

Instead, use qualifying words and expressions, such as almost always, virtually never, nearly every, usually, seldom, most, many, some, etc.

When we make unsubstantiated absolute statements, we tend to provoke resistance and lose the trust of our readers. However, when we speak accurately by qualifying our statements, we generally find our ideas receive a more responsive hearing.

Assignment:
Each student will write another compare or contrast essay in five-paragraph block form.

This assignment will be due October 31. Class will not meet next week.

With the extra week available, students may, at their option, rewrite their lowest-scoring paper for a higher grade.