Preview Friday's Assignments

We won't always spend class time previewing assignments. I will expect you to read ahead in the syllabus. You are welcome to post comments right on the course syllabus. I'd prefer that you post general questions right on the appropriate entry on the course syllabus, since it's usually the case that you're not the only one who would benefit from the answer to that question.

Ex 1-1: Diagnostic Essay

In a draft of about 2-3 pages (about 500-750 words), convey your relationship to literature and the English language.

• Do not exceed the maximum length.
  
• Upload your draft to the proper slot on turnitin.com.
  

As is the case with most exercises, you will also be asked to complete a peer-review assignment for homework, and submit a thoughtful response to the feedback you received. (More details about that will follow.)

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Schackner, ''Freedom of speech redefined by blogs''

A newspaper article about SHU's weblog community.

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/05359/627794.stm

Lemire, I'm an English Major: Now What? (Intro & Ch 1)

You are welcome to read ahead to the chapters that apply specifically to your particular are of interest.

Peer Review Ex 1-1

All the assignments marked "exercise" typically come in three parts - a main submission (worth 20pts), a peer review (worth 10 points; begins only after the main submission deadline passes) and a response (worth 10pts; respond to the feedback you received from me and from your peers). I won't always spend class time reminding you about these extra components.

How Should I Submit Papers?

Except for homework that you write in class or post online, you should assume that every homework assignment should follow MLA style for papers.

General: MLA Style

• All exercises and papers should have a title block that includes a meaningful title (that is, "Ex 2-2: Madness and Manhood in Shakespeare's Macbeth" rather than "Macbeth paper" or "Exercise 2-2"). (Informal assignments that you write in class or post on your blog are exceptions. I don't require any special format for those.)
  
• The text should be double-spaced 12-point Times New Roman, with 1-inch margins all around.
  
• Your last name and the page number should be in the upper right corner. (See this quick introduction to MLA style.)

Exercises
Exercises should be submitted in the appropriate slot on turnitin.com. (If there is no slot visible, please send me an e-mail and I will see what the problem is.)

Revisions
Any assignment that involves a revision should be printed out, stapled, and submitted in a folder along with all previous drafts. (If the first draft was submitted electronically, please print out my annotations and attach them to your new draft.) More details about multi-part assignments will come when I preview the assignments.

Introduction to Weblogs

In Admin 309 (computer classroom).

All students will receive their own personal online journals (weblogs) at blogs.setonhill.edu.

In class: Post a quotation from the assigned readings, and briefly state what you would talk about if called on to lead a brief class discussion about your quotation. (That's your "agenda item" -- see the course FAQ page.)

Experienced bloggers, please help classmates if necessary... this is just practice today.

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