Professor: Matthew Silverman
Office: Russell Hall Room 215
Office Hours: MTWTH 830-930, T 1-2, TH 11-2 & 330-430
Email: msilverman@gordonstate.edu
Phone: 678-359-5069 (office)
478-832-0056 (cell, prefer texts)
Remind101: Text 81010, class code @mes1101
*Tentative
schedule and subject to change*
Text
Rosa, Alfred, and Paul Eschholz. Models for Writers: Short Essays for Composition.
13th
Ed. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2015.
Grading Policy:
Quizzes (in-class) & Homework 25%
Midterm 15%
Essay (3 plus AtoZ) 50%
Final 10%
Student Success Center (SSC)
The Gordon State College Success Center is committed to helping students achieve
academic and personal success. Our mission is to support students at any level
and of any ability in their course work and in the development of personal
skills that will help them achieve their academic and life goals.
SSC Tutoring Hours:
Monday – Thursday 8-5
Friday 8 - 3
LIBRARY HOURS:
Mon-Thu 7:45 am--10pm; Fri 7:45 am--5 pm; Sun 2--10 pm
Harry’s House (Food Pantry)
If you know a student in need of food and other needs, please have them check
out Harry’s House located in the SSC Room 212. Their mission is to distribute
food and toiletries to students to alleviate stress associated with short term
food shortages. For more information and an application:
https://www.gordonstate.edu/student-life/health-recreation/counseling/harrys-house/index.html
Harry’s House Hours
Tuesday & Wednesday
8:30-9:30AM & 3:30-4:30PM
Counseling & Accessibility Services
If you know a student in need of this, please have them contact these services.
It does not go on a transcript and it is completely private. It is located in
the SSC Room 212. Their phone number is 678-359-5585. After hour
emergencies is 678-359-5111.
Counseling Hours
Monday – Friday 8-5
Day 1 DO NOW: practice 3 questions, thinking about
why we write, brief review of online syllabus,
5 paragraph essay structure, 6
prewriting techniques (pg
9-32)
Hmwk: come up with one quiz question based on the syllabus policies (and you
should know the answer) for an in-class quiz next class based on the
instructor's website
Day 2 DO NOW: review first with homework then take
quiz #1 on instructor's website, review
paragraph 1 (narrative) topic choices
due next Wed., difference between
'A' parag and 'B' parag, look at 10 Important Steps to Writing (right side of
main website page')
Hmwk: If need online book click
here (not sure all the essays & stories are in it!) Student essay on a turning point in their life called “On the Sideline”
(pg 55-59) and answer these questions: 1) Who was she mad at on Monday and why?
2) What age did the author begin track? 3) What did she like about the sport? 4)
What time did she get up in the morning to train? 5) Why did she lose interest?
6) What metaphor does she use to compare her changed relationship from coach dad
to what? 7) What dream did her family laugh at? 8) Have you ever had a goal or
dream that someone close to you laughed at? Describe it and what happened
between you and this person. If this never happened to you, it must have had
happened to a friend!
Day 3 DO NOW: 3 truths, 1 lie, MEAL Plan & Paragraph organization review, review narrative paragraph vs descriptive
Hmwk:
Paragraph 1 (typed,
double spaced to my email or at beginning of next class)
Day 4 DO NOW: revis parag activity, Paragraph #1 due (to D2L, if it does not work then send directly to my email before the beginning of class), Good Paragraph Writing, Descriptive Language in Action, Where to go if you need grammar help?, look at "On the Sideline" Introduction and how organized
Hmwk: If need online book click
here (not sure all the essays & stories are in it!) Read “Momma, Dentist, and Me” (pg 293-300) and answer these questions: 1)
What is one fact about the author? 2) Why did she think she was being punished?
3) Where did she grow up? 4) Find an example of a metaphor or simile and explain
what it means in that context. 5) Why was it humiliating for the girl to hear
Momma use her first name? 6) Why did people owe the Momma favors? 7) Compare the
two versions of how Momma dealt with the unkind dentist. 8) Which version of the
two stories do you prefer and why? 9) Has there ever been a time when either you
or a friend faced a moment when someone was prejudice. Describe the moment and
what happened?
Day 5 NO CLASS
Day 6 Do Now:
Fragment Review, transition
list and
transition exercise and
Sentence Variation List 2 things you need for the A to Z assignment, read EXAMPLE 1 of AtoZ,
Hmwk: Read “My Rosetta” (pg 171-174 in text or pg 417 if click
here) and answer these questions: 1) How old is
the main character? 2) What is the setting? 3) Describe the nun in 2 sentences
or less. 4) Compare Shankar’s music to Rodriguez’s? 5) Explain the concluding
sentence. 6) What adult outside of your family influenced you and how?
Day 7 Do Now: sentence variation review, sentence variation review 3 min (visual powerpoint), read EXAMPLE 2 of AtoZ,
Hmwk: Begin A to Z (you will need transition
list and
Sentence Variation List).
Look at the
rubric.
???TBA??? The cut off for optional feedback from me toward your rough draft is: 600pm in
my email box! I PREFER
MS WORD OR WORD PERFECT NOT MS WORKS OR NOTEPAD!
Day 8 DO
NOW: subway station,
, 4 types of description: Adding
Spices to Mix,
read EXAMPLE 3 of AtoZ , What
Do You Think A Thesis Is, , if time: Orwell’s “Shooting
an Elephant”(find
examples of description)
Hmwk: A to Z Small Essay
due by beginning of class OR as an email attachment in Ms Word or WordPerfect.
(You will need transition
list and
Sentence Variation List).
Look at the
rubric.
AVOID YOU & YOUR, GOT, SORT OF, KIND OF, TYPE OF, SEEMS LIKE – USE
TRANSITIONS & AT LEAST 6 TYPES OF SENTENCE STRUCTURES! Include
the 4 types of description, sentence variation, transitions, strong and clear
topic sentences, and a creative title!
Day 9 Small Essay 1 A to Z Paragraph(s) due by beginning of class
Do Now: “The Colonel” by Forche using PowerPoint activity (read aloud & predict plot- write opinion sent. about the poem that answers why you feel that way— think good t.s.), then can watch visual presentation of poem, then: How to Use Microsoft Word (18 min)
Hmwk: What is narrative writing? (pg 340-343 or pg 372 in online version if
click
here)
Day 10 Do Now: Concrete Truck commercial
(1 min), Specific vs General Review, Narrative Checklist,
6 traits of narrative writing (6 min)
Hmwk: Gretel Ehlrich’s “A
Match to the Heart”
with the 8 questions at the end of the story
Day 11
Do Now: run on, , review Ehlrich homework, go over thesis (page 71-73)
and Narrative Thesis
PowerPoint and topic prewrite or
Thesis Dos and Don'ts,
3 min
visual about narrative writing with song,
if time Ninja Thesis video
Hmwk: read pages 71-73 and then
Thesis Dos and Donts
(4 pages including sample essay)
Day 12 Do Now Who’s on First?, Jimmy Fallon Who on First sequel,
review from Thesis Dos and Donts, Narrative essay (definition, outline, tips - watch from 2:15 to 8 min), what are 3 parts of an introduction? what goes in conclusion? How do we organize the body paragraphs? (remember MEAL)
Hmwk: read about an unexpected discovery in “Lucy and her Friends” (pg75-78)
and answer: 1) What is the thesis of the essay? 2) What is the setting of each
example? 3) How did she get her nickname? 4) What did Daugherty find at a
different location (the 5 objects were found under the soil)? 5)
What was the unique circumstances for the Ice Man? 6) Imagine you are
somewhere and accidentally discover something. Where are you and why are you
there? What do you find? What do you do with your discovery? Use the 4 types of
description (adding spices to the mix)to describe it.
Day 13
Do Now: Dont Tell Show,
Dear John
punctuation,, Review Homework, go over student sample essays (group activity:
look at printed out essays), begin Steps Required for Writing
a Narrative
Hmwk: optional homework, good idea to do if have trouble organizing or writing:
Steps
Required for Writing Narrative (Outline)
Day 14 Quiz: your presence,
**this is ROUGH DRAFT DAY - in class**
Computer Lab Day:
Day 15 S-V agreement
(silly review video, 5 min),
Narrative Essay due
(send to turnitin.com), narrative review with the
impact of food on a family in “Against Meat” (pg 106-111) or a life-changing
moment in “Story of an Hour” (349-353)
Hmwk: none
Day 16
DO NOW: MATH QUIZ,
In Class Activity: 5 Question Activity on
Descriptive
paragraph examples
(Friendly Clown, Blond Guitar, The magic metal Tube, Inside District #7, Killing
an Elephant, Last Rung on a Ladder)
In Book go over the chapter on the Description Essay (361-363)
Hmwk: If not done so then look over
E2
topics
& E2 Rubric & then read “Last Rung on the Ladder” by Stephen King (sorry no killer clowns!)
and answer: 1) Where did the characters grow up? 2) Describe Kitty. 3) What does
his occupation tells us about his characterization? 4) Name at least 3
adjectives to describe the barn? 5) Explain the game. 6) Define rote. 7) What
went wrong during the game? 8) Why did Kitty go to the insurance building? 9)
While this is a descriptive essay about a thing (the game), what else would you
like to know more about? (no right or wrong answer!) 10) If you had to pick a
thing to write a descriptive essay about, what item/animal/game would you write
about and why?
Day 17
Do Now: end of PowerPoint, review homework
Hmwk: if not done yet then review over
E2
topics
& E2 Rubric & then read “Unforgettable Miss Bessie” (369-374 or pg 410 in online
version click
here) and come up with your own 5
questions & answers or read “My Lost Mother’s Last Receipt” (pg 376-379)
and come up with your own 5 questions & answers – the questions should be 2
easy, 1 medium, and 2 hard questions (we will read some of these out loud next
class!)
Day 18 Do Now: Class Quiz
(1) Look at description of object: (What details do you notice?)
Trisha stirred the large stock pot of stew, watching as flashes of bright orange carrot and stark white potato danced around, occasionally peeking through the thick brown liquid as it bubbled and steamed. The stew had a strong, spicy scent, and when she ventured a taste, Trisha was immediately struck by a slap of red cayenne pepper and a bold tanginess that reminded her of the sauce served at her favorite steakhouse. The stew was hot on her tongue, and even the small amount she had taken was enough to warm her throat as it slid down. As she leaned forward, the steam made her face equally warm, and the soft sound of roiling bubbles tickled her ears. It wouldn't be long now until the dish was ready, and the thought made her stomach give a small grumble of anticipation.
(2) Complete questions together in class while reading essay
about a place & notice types of description:
click
here & read “The Corner Store” (pg 364-368 or pg 405 in online version
by clicking
here) and answer: 1)
Name one of the tangible smells. 2) Why
does the author feel the store is enchanting? 3) Come up with an example from
the essay for each type of description (see adding spices to the mix) 4) What
did he end up getting? 5) How does Mr Sessions say goodbye? 6) Was the
conclusion effective? Why or why not? 7) Think of a place you know well enough
to describe in details like a picture that is not a house. What place is this
and why did you choose it?
Questions (for essays below):
Day 19 DO NOW:
sensory activity,
watch
editing video
(Understanding why careful editing and revising are important) and think about
CUPS & ARMS, hooks/beginnings (p 136-142),
go over essay 3 topics
(illustration) due after Thanksgiving - dont get confused with current
description essay due at beginning of November!, review homework, review for midterm test (in library, next class)
Hmwk: none
Day 20
* meet in library Room 226
for TEST (presented by librarians!)
Hmwk: Read on the influence of vocabulary on where you live in the essay “Power of
Conformity” (pg 334-339) and answer: 1) Where do people say soda vs pop? 2) What
does the baby monkey theory prove? 3) Can you think of vocabulary that is used
differently in one place vs another? 4) Answer question 6 on page 337. 5) Answer
question 7 on page 337. 6) Answer the thinking critically on page 337.
Day 21 Do Now: Plagiarism activity, review homework - this is a sample illustration essay, illustration rubric, review introductions, parts to an introduction (UGA info) & MEAL, give out Certificate & Reward
Hmwk: work on essay 2 (Description)
Day 22 Optional In Class Writing Day (good for Q&A, good for rough drafts, good for individual aid)
Hmwk: work on essay 2 (description) - hey maybe do something different and go to the SSC for help???
Day 23
illustration Ch 13 (321-324),
review How to write a
thesis for beginners (Superman video, 4 min),
Illustration
PowerPoint,
Hwmk: work on essay 2 (description)
Day 24 Essay 2 due (submit to Turnitin.com), Mistersato411 Hook Video (8min), in class DO NOW: Hooks = Read the different Types of Introductions and answer questions—if you need to take more of a look at what an effective hook is, click on Effective Hooks, review MEAL (7 min)
Hwmk: none
Day 25 Crashcourse:
Facts about Facts (13
min), (E3
choices),
Sites to Avoid
& How to tell
which sites are good
sources,
Hmwk: Remember
if you had completed "Hunting your own Dinner" or "Power of Conformity" you can
turn that in instead!Read about moments that change us in the essay “Becoming a Writer” (pg
325-329) and answer 1) When did he first think about becoming a writer? 2)
Describe Mr. Fleagle. 3) Why was Macbeth funny to the kids? 4) What did
he write about that happened on New Street? 5) Why was Mr Fleagle one of the
finest teachers in the school? 6) What moment did humor make a bad situation
more tolerable for you or for friend? Explain what happened.
Day 26
Citing Paraphrases (2 min video), rubric, review BOTH homework ("Becoming a Writer" - pg 325 and "Power of Conformity" - click here), review MEAL (7 min), look at sample illustration essay 2, go over either "The Blue Marble" or "Hunting your own Dinner"
Be Aware of New Rule: If you are allergic to indenting paragraphs, I do not want to catch it so I will NOT read OR grade essays without paragraph indents & topic sentences.
Be Aware of New Rule #2: If you are a rebel without a cause and insist on using YOU, I have to make sure I don't get caught by The Man so I will NOT read or grade essays with YOU. This is easily curable by using the search feature (Control + F) BEFORE turning it in.
Be Aware of New Rule #3: If you have some sort of addiction that prevents you from submitting your essay to the correct place and in the correct spot, I don't want to risk becoming a junkie and I will NOT read or grade your work. There are Youtube Videos and Videos on Banner and students and the SSC and instructors who can all help you overcome this problem. For example, Policy #5 on the website walks you step-by-step in how to do this.
Hmwk: OPTIONAL - pick a topic & complete prewriting and/or introduction
Day 27
finish going over the 4 published illustration essays, topic picking day, prewrite/brainstorm, articles for topic (use cyberbullying or puppymills to discuss and then look up together)
Hmwk: 5 articles on your topic in MLA works cited format and include 2-3 sentences per article on why you think this article will help support your topic - some folks don't do this assignment & it only makes Essay #3 harder!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! MUST BE TURNED IN TO MY EMAIL IN WORD DOC OR GOOGLE DOCS OR SOMETHING I CAN EDIT
Day 28 IN CLASS TEST on movie & story
5 Articles DUE to my email
Watch the Alfred Hitchcock “Lamb to the Slaughter” and discuss what it is illustrating.
DOUBLE Quiz/Do Now based on movie
Hmwk:
work on essay 3
Day 29 Essay 3 due
Final Topic Choice 1:
“Shame” by Dick Gregory (pg 145-150
or click
here
and go to page 288)
Hmwk: none
Day 30 Final Topic Choice 2: "Story of an Hour" by Kate Chopin
Can bring paper and pen/pencil only to exam (see schedule below)
No internet or cell phones or book or print outs
FINAL SCHEDULE: