All Courses: Tuesday, September 26 Assignment

[a] Your paper (letter), the way you're supposed to start it. RF

This Tuesday, we will turn things a little bit on their heads. There are both practical and pedagogical reasons for doing so...so pay attention here. You see, I really want to make you understand that writing (remember that this is a "W" class) requires a formidable amount of reflection and pre-writing. So that's what you're going to do on Tuesday, September 26 instead of going to class that day.

[b] Sketches, jottings, outlines. Just think about it. RF

First, you will do the quiz, which you will receive from me as a .pdf file no later than Sunday evening (9/24). You may turn in the hard copy (you will need to print it and then write on it) by 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 26. Please put it in the folder on my office door (MI 206) as a hard copy (along with the materials mentioned below).


Second, you will prepare a one-page outline of your letter. We will discuss this outline in class on Thursday 9/21, and you will come to see that outlines have many forms. No matter what, though, you will turn in your outline. The only score you will receive is either:
                                 Check plus
                                 Check 
or                              Check minus
unless you don't turn it in, in which case you will receive a
                                  Zero.

[c] Pretty problematic, huh (gendered, "objectivist" scientific inquiry)? But, still, there's writin' goin' on.

 RF

Third, you will turn in a paper copy of the "lead" (we'll discuss this concept later in the term) of your letter assignment. In a nutshell, that means that you will turn in the first 1,000 words (about three pages) of your letter. You will also receive "check grades" (see above) unless you don't turn it in at all (Zero).

All of this is due by 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 26. My office is MI 206. Don't be late.

What this means is that those of you who are well ahead of the game (so to speak) will have a relatively relaxing Tuesday, having finished all (or most) of the work before the week starts. You might then allow yourselves to sleep in (or do other things) during class time. Those of you who are procrastinating will just have to get started on your work...five days before it is due. And you know what (as we say back home)? That will make you much better writers, and just like people who get paid for their writing...rather than people who are forced to write "assignments." 

Welcome to the wonders (with deadlines, alas) of the real world of writing. If you do this just right, you might make it to the (NYRB) Show.

[d] Sketch outlining and random jotting (highly recommended) RF

It is a Brave New World of possibility that just might change your entire life (unless you are among the eight percent of my students who write naturally and always produce drafts a week ahead of time). You have important work to do. So do it, and then go have a nice lunch.

[e] Now go have lunch (and write the rest of your letter before the weekend). RF