Assignments (13)—Letter Rewrite

Click here for the introduction to the Round and Square series "Assignments"

A year ago on Round and Square (21 November 2012)–xxx

Two years ago on Round and Square (21 November 2011)–xxx

[a] Fire Write RF

This special Tuesday-before-Thanksgiving assignment has a number of functions. It is meant to highlight the imoprtance of writing drafts and rewriting as part of the ongoing writing process. It is also a realistic approach to the confusion of Tuesday of Thanksgiving week. Take a look at the assignment and follow the instructions precisely. Please note that this assignment replaces class. It does not involve extra work (you get to choose when you do it, as long as it it before Wednesday at noon).

 All Classes

Letter Rewriting Assignment

[1] Make sure you have the following materials (they were handed out in class on Thursday).

          *An envelope with the Beloit College history department address.

          *A blue index card.

          *A paper clip.

          *A copy of John McPhee's New Yorker essay, "Draft No 4."

***If you were not in class on Thursday, you will find all of the materials outside my door.***

[2] In place of a class meeting on Tuesday 11/26, do the following things.

          *Read John McPhee's essay (about forty-five minutes).

          *Think about it; really reflect upon it.

          *Rewrite the letter you wrote for the first assignment of this course.

          *Reread it carefully one more time (on-screen or as a print-out).

          *Print the letter.

[3] Take your unstapled, printed letter and position it so that the envelop becomes a kind of "cover." In other words, do not fold the letter into the envelope.

[4] Take the blue card and write out the full address of your reader. Then put your name on the blue card, too.

[5] Put the blue card on top of your letter, and in the "binder" created by the unsealed envelope.

[6] Take the paper clip and bind them all together.

[7] Bring the unit to the MI administrative assistant (pass my office door, go to the top of the steps, take a LEFT, and walk all of the way to the end of the hallway--the office will be on your right). If you have problems, ask anyone in the building. If no one is in the office, gently slip it under the door.

Due No Later Than Noon on Wednesday 11/27