Topics...

Tonight we went over our final topics, hopefully students will email me their essays, so I may edit and give some advice.  

I handed out three topics, and they were to practice on all three, then when the day of the final comes, two of those three topics are going to be on the final exam.  They must choose one of the two to write about.  I do not know which two are going to be there, but the students must choose only one to write about.  
Hopefully they have practiced on all three topics, and the one they are more comfortable with is the one that is going to be on the exam that day.  GOOD LUCK!

Images taken from: http://www.publicspeakingtip.org/public-speaking/public_speaking_topics.php, http://www.computersciencetutorials.com/tutorials/2012/08/20/topics/

Practice Essay...

Tonight we had our practice essay.  I asked the students to choose one of the following topics: 


1.  Do you agree or disagree with the following statement: People are never satisfied with what they have; they always want something more or something different.  Use specific reasons to support your answer. 
2.  Many people believe television violence has a negative effect on society because it promotes violence.  Do you agree or disagree?  Use specific reasons and examples to support your response. 
3.  It is sometimes said that lending money to a friend can harm or damage the friendship.  Do you agree?  Why or why not?  Use specific reasons and examples to explain your answer. 

Briefly plan your essay then write a complete draft using facts, details, personal observation, and/or examples as appropriate to support your ideas.  When you have finished, proofread and edit your work. 

Images taken from: http://activemultimedia.co.uk/, http://www.possibilityu.com/college-application-essay-advice-choosing-topic

Personality Trait...

Focused Free-Writing: 

If you had to name the one personality trait that you have tried the hardest to change in yourself, what would you say?  Explain.  

Many times, people have chose the non-aggressive attitude towards their education,  they would want to be more aggressive when it comes to pursuing their education.  Call it laziness, they do not have the stamina, but students genuinely care about their learning.  I honestly think that students whom are hardworking deserve to be rewarded.


Tonight I went over the scoring of an essay.  The P 3 2 1, which students need to score, the P=Pass.  The Pass paper shows that the writer is confident with his/her writing skill.  The essay has one clear, well-focused topic; the main ideas are well supported by vivid and accurate details.  The essay has an inviting and appropriate introduction, followed by relevant information presented in a logical order.  Furthermore, the essay closes with a strong and convincing conclusion.  The author's purpose of writing is very clear and there is strong evidence of attention to audience.  The author uses sophisticated vocabulary and phrases; sentences are well constructed and vary in structure and length with minimal grammatical and mechanical errors. 

I constantly reminded my students how their writing needs to be perfect, when they choose their topic to write about.  I also reminded them that throughout the whole semester we went over how to be a better writer, and they should take into mind how they are to tackle this final essay.

Hopefully, it works, and I will see the improvement in their writing.  We'll see...










Image taken from: http://alleydog.com/topics/personality.php#.UW_Sv9eVrzx

Smart...

Focused Free-Writing: 

If you had to name the smartest person you have ever met, who would it be?  Explain.  

 I believe all students are smart, at this level, they are smart enough to get themselves to school, in class.  So I should give them that much credit.  It is very hard in today's society to go to school, with so many distractions, it is easy for one to do other things than to seek higher education. 







Today Paper # 4 is due.  I would need all the drafts from the groups.  Now it is time to prepare for finals.  



Image taken from: http://dozerstrength.com/train-smart-not-hard/ 

First Impressions...

Focused Free-writing: 

If you had to name the person who turned out to be furthest from your first impression of them, who would it be?  Explain.  

Interesting...they say first impressions are lasting impressions.  I know that the quiet people, when I first meet them, and their attitude, or mannerisms do not jive when they start being loud and obnoxious, that is the ones I would pick.   They didn't strike me as the type to be the way they were. 








Today is the last day the students have to work in their writing groups.  Then next week, Tuesday their paper is due.  They need to turn in everything, the drafts they worked on.

Image taken from: http://www.minotcru.com/?p=677

Be Nice...

Focused Free-writing: 

If in retrospect, you could have been nicer to one person, who would you pick?  Explain.  

I find this topic to be interesting, many times people/students will choose someone they've wronged.  I wonder if it has something to do with guilt or even regret.  The word retrospect means too look back.  So I guess, a response with having guilt of something or someone wronged would come into play at this point.  Can't wait to read what my students have to say about this topic.






Today, my student continued to work in their writing groups.  I hope they get half way done with at least two of their group members. 

Images taken from: http://www.shawnkinley.com/2010/09/02/be-nice/

Gullible...

Focused Free-writing: 

If you had to name the most gullible person you know who is it?  Explain.  
 






Tonight we went over the Proofreader's Challenge.  The hand out I gave last class was what we went over, and we correct most of the errors that were throughout the essay.  Afterwards, the students began working in their group, with their essays. 






Image taken from: http://arcticcompass.blogspot.com/2011/05/gullible-mind-explained-by-mike-adams.html