| Week 1 |
introduction and finding a topic |
| Tu – 8/29 |
Review syllabus. Discuss the nature of an
essay.
In-class writing.
For Thurs read: Hughes (125) "How to Be a Bad Writer"
 Hughes
#19 (122)
Guide
Ch. 1-3 and 6
Study
the personal essay diagram |
| Th – 8/31 |
Review the Guide and general course
materials.
What do you make of Hughes’ 10 easy rules?
What is an essay?
For Tues read: Guide Sample 101 essays (158-166)
 Murray
Ch. 1: Write to Rewrite
Kincaid
#21 (130) |
| Week 2 |
focus/conflict |
| Tu – 9/5 |
Discuss Reflection in sample essays:
Kincaid, Hughes
Begin in-class work on generating a topic (Listing)
Talk about the difference between Topic and Focus
For Thurs read: Guide Ch. 4
Murray
Ch. 4: Rewrite to Focus
Anne
Lamott, "Shitty First Drafts" |
| Th – 9/7 |
Discuss Focus and Conflict.
Continue listing/brainstorming. Introduce looping
For Tues read: Baker #11 (62)
Murray
Ch. 2: Rewrite to Collect
Mark
up Ackerman essay in Guide (100-3) |
| Week 3 |
scene/description |
| Tu – 9/12 |
Using Ackerman essay, discuss critiquing
others' writing
Discuss Description/Detail: Baker
More in-class work generating description and detail
Bring essay work to class.
For Thurs read: Cofer #13 (76) |
| Th – 9/14 |
Discuss Scene/Summary: Cofer
In-class work with scene:
Reading aloud from selections (to be provided)
In-class writing to construct scene (bring essay work)
Bring copies of Draft 1.1 to exchange
For Tues read: Sharing & Responding Ch. 1-3 |
| Week 4 |
voice & character |
| Tu – 9/19 |
Rough draft (1.1) due to instructor
(3-5 pages)
Rough draft workshop #1–bring copies to class.
For Thurs read: Murray Ch. 3: Rewrite with Voice
Tan
#36 (271) |
| Th – 9/21 |
Discuss Voice and Character: Tan
For Tues read: Murray Ch. 7: Rewrite to Develop
Orlean#67
(488)
Mamet
#25 (173) |
| Week 5 |
style |
| Tu – 9/26 |
Discuss Style/Rhythm/Syntax (and, Tone):
Mamet, Orlean
In-class work: bring your essay work
Bring copies of draft 1.2 to exchange
For Thurs read: Sharing & Responding Ch. 4 & 5 |
| Th – 9/28 |
Rough draft workshop 1.2 (7 pgs)
For Tues read: Murray 5&6: Rewriting for Form/Order
Staples
#35 (265)–read both versions |
| Week 6 |
form |
| Tu – 10/3 |
Discuss how versions of Staples’
essay change meaning
Discuss Form/Structure/Coherence
For Thurs read: Sharing & Responding Ch. 6 & 7 |
| Th – 10/5 |
Pull elements together
Bring copies of draft 1.3 to exchange
For Tues read: Sharing & Responding Ch. 8 & 9
Murray
Ch. 8: Rewrite to Edit |
| Week 7 |
draft work |
| Tu – 10/10 |
Rough draft (1.3) due to instructor
(10-12 pgs)
Rough draft workshop #3–bring responses to class
For Thurs read: Cooper #14 (85) |
| Th – 10/12 |
Workshop cont’d.
Discuss Cooper
Bring copies of draft 1.4 for Tuesday
For Tues read: Sharing & Responding Ch. 10 & 11 |
| Week 8 |
midterms |
| Tu – 10/17 |
Rough draft workshop #4–bring
responses to class
Hand out written midterms |
| Th – 10/19 |
Cont. workshop #4
Begin discovery writing for essay #2
October 20: last day to withdraw with a ‘W.’ |
| Week 9 |
topic discovery work for essay #2 |
| Tu – 10/24 |
Essay #1 due to instructor
Drafting in-class
Bring your Guide
For Thurs read: Murray Ch. 9: Reading your Reader
Anzaldúa
#42 (311)
refresh:
Tan #36 (271) |
| Th – 10/26 |
Discuss audience/reader expectations:
Murray
Discuss language inclusion/exclusion: Anzaldúa |
| Week 10 |
research and rough draft 2.1 |
| Tu – 10/31 |
Library or Computer Lab day
Bring copies of second discovery (2.1) to exchange |
| Th – 11/2 |
Discovery draft (2.1) due to instructor
(5-7 pgs)
Rough draft workshop
For Tues read: Mairs #23 (147)
Guide
Ch. 5 (121-139) |
| Week 11 |
authority and connections / sources |
| Tu – 11/7 |
Discuss the use of other voices
(sources): Mairs
Bring Guide to class for consultation (documentation)
Bring copies of second draft (2.2) to exchange
For Thurs: Walker #82 (588) |
| Th – 11/9 |
Rough draft workshop 2.2 (10 pages)
For Tues read: Dillard #93 (655) |
| Week 12 |
pulling things together |
| Tu – 11/14 |
Discuss Dillard, Walker: writing lessons
In-class writing (Why do we write?)
In-class work with draft 2
Bring copies of third draft (2.3) to exchange |
| Th – 11/16 |
Rough draft 2.3 (10-12 pages) due to
instructor
Rough draft workshop 2.3
For Tues read: Kingston #61 (440) |
| Week 13 |
developing essay #2 |
| Tu – 11/21 |
Discuss Kingston
During break read: Murray Ch.10:Rewrite at Work
Murray
Ch.11:The Craft of Letting Go
Ruiz
#32 (242) |
| Th – 11/23 |
Thanksgiving–no class |
| Week 14 |
revision week |
| Tu – 11/28 |
Discuss Ruiz |
| Th – 11/30 |
Continue with Ruiz
For Tues read: Selzer #73 (533)
refresh:
Cofer #13 (76) |
| Week 15 |
final revisions |
| Tu – 12/5 |
Discuss using frames in an essay: Selzer,
Cofer
In-class touch-ups |
| Th – 12/7 |
Portfolios due |
