Here’s the handout for incorporating quotes!

Read and annotate the following two sample student essays:

Eloquent Silences: Inaction as Invitation in Eula Biss’s “No-Man’s-Land”

and

https://refractmag.com/2016/04/04/the-objectification-of-women/ (this is a different one than what I mentioned in class, but I feel it is a better model)

It’s also a good idea to spend some time looking back over Zadie Smith’s “Speaking in Tongues” and Brent Edwards’ “Evidence” to decide which one you would like to write about for Essay 1. We will discuss techniques for writing Essay 1 on Wednesday, and your draft will be due on 2/15. I will give full instructions for the draft on Wednesday.

Hi all,

As promised, below are some of the syllabus questions and answers that seem relevant to the entire class. In addition, I wanted to remind you all of two things:

• As per the syllabus, 2 latenesses count as 1 absence. You must be in class ON TIME, meaning at 9:55, not 10:05, and certainly not 10:25.
• Don’t forget to annotate your readings and bring copies to class. It’s also a good idea to have access to your homework responses, as we will regularly refer to them in class on the day they are due

Best,

Kristen

On Absences

Will excused absences such as emergencies count as 1 of the 2 absences that we are limited to before the grade depreciates? 

Generally yes, they will be counted toward your 2 allowed absences. I will, however, take into consideration the circumstances of the absence and adjust as necessary.

I understand from the syllabus that we can notify you before class if we have to miss class, but what’s not exactly clear is that if this absence would count as an excused absence. So if  we were to inform you of our absence with a good reason beforehand, would that absence still count towards the two absences rule?

The two absences that are allowed are, in essence, “excused” absences. You can be absent for any reason up to two times and they will count as “excused.” Absences beyond the initial two excused absences will have an effect your grade. [Note that there can be exceptions to this: if it’s a true emergency (read: family death, extended illness, etc) that requires 2 or more absences, or if the absences are for religious observance. Talk to me if you’re concerned!]

Late work/extensions due to illness

Is there an extension for a certain assignment when someone is sick on the day the assignment is due?

Typically I will grant an extension on an as-needed basis for illness, provided that the illness is documented with a doctor’s note.

Office Hours

I saw on the syllabus that you have office hours by appointment and my question was just to know what are the possible hours do you think you will be available to talk?

I’ll typically be available after class if you need to talk about assignments, drafts, any questions/concerns about class, etc. It’s best if you give me a heads up via email if you’d like to meet, so I can arrange to be available. If you have another class immediately following mine, I will also be available before class on occasion.

Submit your response as a comment to this post.

Filip alerted me that there was an error on the syllabus that I gave you all today—the grade breakdown didn’t add up to 100%. I have uploaded a corrected version of the syllabus here on the blog. Here is the correct info about the grade breakdown:

Due Thursday, 2/1, by the start of class.

Compare and contrast the lecture version of “Speaking in Tongues,” which Smith delivered in front of an audience at the main branch of the New York Public Library, and the written version, which was published first in the New York Review of Books and later in Smith’s collection of essays. How did the experience of listening to the lecture differ from the experience of reading the text? What stood out as differences and similarities? Why do you think Smith made the changes that she did while adapting the lecture into an essay?

Length: 250-400 words

Submit as a comment in response to this post.

Hello and welcome to Writing II! On this course blog, you will find our syllabus, course calendar, links to readings, and descriptions of assignments. This is where you will also complete homework exercises, by completing reading responses and responding to other prompts.

Looking forward to this semester with you.

Best,

Professor Kristen Martin