Round and Square

This special Tuesday-before-Thanksgiving assignment has a number of functions. It is meant to highlight the importance 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 in by Wednesday afternoon).

All Classes

Letter Rewriting Assignment

All Beloit College "W" classes have a rewriting component. In this class, we will be using an entire class session to rethink the letter assignment from the fifth week in the term and get it ready to send to your reader. Please read the following instructions carefully.

[1] Make sure you have the following materials. They will be handed out in class on Tuesday, November 19 (about a week before the assignment is due). If you do not have these but wish to send your letter, just send me an email message, and I will get them to you.

*An index card.

* A paperclip (seriously)

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

(these are attached with the paperclip, which you should not lose)

*Your copy of "Writing, History, and Culture" (my writing guide, which you have)

If you weren't in class, there are extra packets outside my door in Godfrey 106.

[3] When you have time for rewriting, do the following things.

*Read the writing guide that you already own, pages 36-51, on the complete

process of writing a truly exceptional paper (as you read, just imagine doing it).

This should take about thirty minutes.

*Read John McPhee's essay (about thirty minutes).

*Think about it; really reflect upon it.

*Mark up your previous letter draft—really mark it up.

*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.

[4] Take your unstapled, printed letter and make sure that the pages are in order.

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

[6] Put the index card on top of your letter, and attach them with the paperclip.

[7] Bring the paper-clipped materials to Hannah Flores, the MI administrative liason (in MI 219). Once you are in the main area at the top of the stairs (facing the wall, with the copy machine behind you), turn left, and walk all of the way down the hall (past the kitchen and the tables), and keep walking all of the way to the very 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 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 27

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

Monday, January 15, 2024

Rewriting Assignment (Optional) 2024a

All Classes

Letter Rewriting Assignment

[1] Make sure you have the following materials. They will be handed out in class on Tuesday, November 19 (a week before the assignment is due). If you do not have these but wish to send your letter, just send me an email message, and I will get them to you.

*An index card.

* A paperclip (seriously)

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

(these are attached with the paperclip, which you should not lose)

*Your copy of "Writing, History, and Culture" (my writing guide, which you have)

[3] When you have time for rewriting, do the following things.

*Read the writing guide that you already own, pages 32-45, on the complete

process of writing a truly exceptional paper (as you read, just imagine doing it).

This should take about thirty minutes.

*Read John McPhee's essay (about thirty minutes).

*Think about it; really reflect upon it.

*Mark up your previous letter draft—really mark it up.

*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.

[4] Take your unstapled, printed letter and make sure that the pages are in order.

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

[6] Put the index card on top of your letter, and attach them with the paperclip.

[7] Bring the paper-clipped materials to the MI administrative assistant (in MI 219). From our classroom, walk all of the way down the hall, past the copy machine and the kitchen, and keep walking all of the way to the very 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 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 27

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

Friday, January 13, 2023

Rewriting Assignment (All Classes) 2023a

This special Tuesday-before-Thanksgiving (or week of Spring Day) assignment has a number of functions. It is meant to highlight the importance 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 in by Wednesday afternoon).

All Classes

Letter Rewriting Assignment

[1] Make sure you have the following materials. They will be handed out in class on Wednesday, April 19.

If you were not in class on Wednesday, April 19, you may pick up the items outside of my office door (MI 206).

*An index card.

* A paperclip (seriously)

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

(these are attached with the paperclip, which you should not lose)

*Your copy of "Writing, History, and Culture" (my writing guide, which you have)

[3] In place of a class meeting on Monday, April 24, do the following things.

*Read the blue writing guide that you already own, pages 31-44, on the complete

process of writing a truly exceptional paper (as you read, just imagine doing it).

This should take about thirty minutes.

*Read John McPhee's essay (about thirty minutes).

*Think about it; really reflect upon it.

*Mark up your previous letter draft—really mark it up.

*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.

[4] Take your unstapled, printed letter and make sure that the pages are in order.

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

[6] Put the index card on top of your letter, and attach them with the paperclip.

[7] Bring the paper-clipped materials to the MI administrative assistant, Becky Moffet (MI 219). From our classroom, walk all of the way down the hall, past the copy machine and the kitchen, and keep walking all of the way to the very 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 the End of Regularly Scheduled

Class Time on Monday, April 24

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

Tuesday, October 25, 2022

Rewriting Assignment (All Classes) 2026b

All Classes

Letter Rewriting Assignment

[1] Make sure you have the following materials. They will be handed out in class on Thursday, November 19.

If you were not in class on Thursday, 11/19, you may pick up the items outside of my office door (Godfrey 106).

*An index card.

* A paperclip (seriously)

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

(these are attached with the paperclip, which you should not lose)

*Your copy of "Writing, History, and Culture" (my writing guide, which you have)

[3] In place of a class meeting on Tuesday, November 24, do the following things.

*Read the blue writing guide that you already own, pages 31-44, on the complete

process of writing a truly exceptional paper (as you read, just imagine doing it).

This should take about thirty minutes.

*Read John McPhee's essay (about thirty minutes).

*Think about it; really reflect upon it.

*Mark up your previous letter draft—really mark it up.

*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.

[4] Take your unstapled, printed letter and make sure that the pages are in order.

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

[6] Put the index card on top of your letter, and attach them with the paperclip.

[7] Bring the paper-clipped materials to the MI administrative assistant in MI 219. From the top of either set of stairs on the second floor of MI, turn left and keep walking all of the way to the very 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 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 24

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

Monday, January 17, 2022

Rewriting Assignment, Spring 2022

All Classes

Letter Rewriting Assignment

[1] Make sure you have the following materials. They will be handed out in class on Monday, April 25. If you do not have these materials, please pick them up from the MI administrative assistant, Becky Moffet, in MI 219.

If you were not in class on Monday, April 25, you may pick up the items outside of my office door (MI 206).

*An index card.

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

* A paper clip to hold it all together (you will need this at the end).

[2] In place of a clan meeting on Friday, April 22

*Read John McPhee's essay (about thirty minutes).

*Think about it; really reflect upon it.
*Mark up your previous letter draft—really mark it up.

*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 make sure that the pages are in order.

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

[5] Put the index card on top of your letter, and then secure it all with the paper clip that I gave you in the original packet.

[6] Take the paper clip and bind the letter and index card together.

[7] Bring the paper-clipped materials to the MI administrative assistant, Becky Moffet (from Richardson (MI 219), go upstairs to the second floor of MI, 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 5:00 p.m. on Friday, April 22

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

Thursday, September 2, 2021

Rewriting Assignment (All Classes), Autumn 2021

All Classes

Letter Rewriting Assignment

[1] Make sure you have the following materials. They will be handed out in class on Thursday, 11/18. If you do not have these materials, please pick them up from the MI administrative assistant, Becky Moffet, in MI 219.

If you were not in class on Thursday, 11/18, you may pick up the items outside of my office door (MI 206).

*An index card.

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

[2] Do the assigned reading(s) for Tuesday's session (this is very important). Then do the quiz (this will be sent to you as a .pdf file).

[3] In place of a class meeting on Tuesday 11/23 (for HIST 310, for Monday 11/22), do the following things.

*Read John McPhee's essay (about thirty minutes).

*Think about it; really reflect upon it.
*Mark up your previous letter draft—really mark it up.

*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.

[4] Take your unstapled, printed letter and make sure that the pages are in order.

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

[6] Put the index card on top of your letter, and try to find a paper clip to attach it. If you do not have a paper clip (sorry that I forgot to hand them out, they will be outside my door by Sunday night, 11/21).

[7] Take the paper clip and bind the letter and index card together.

[8] Bring the paper-clipped materials to the MI administrative assistant, Becky Moffet (from Richardson (MI 219), go upstairs to the second floor of MI, 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 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 24.

Saturday, November 17, 2018

Rewriting Assignment (All Classes; Autumn 2018)

Click here for the introduction to the Round and Square series "Assignments"
On this day in Round and Square History
17 November 2014—China's Lunar Calendar: 2014 11-17
17 November 2013—China's Lunar Calendar: 2013 11-17
17 November 2012—Structure, History, and Culture: Electoral College Politics (k)
17 November 2011—Lectures: Scholarship

All Classes

Letter Rewriting Assignment

[1] Make sure you have the following materials. They will be handed out in class on Thursday, 11/15. If you do not have these materials, please pick them up from the MI administrative assistant, Becky Moffet, in MI 219.

*An envelope with the Beloit College history department return address.

*A blue index card.

*A paper clip.

[3] In place of a class meeting on Wednesday 11/20, do the following things.

*Read John McPhee's essay (about thirty minutes).

*Think about it; really reflect upon it.
*Mark up your previous draft—really mark it up.

*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.

[4] 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.

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

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

[8] Put your quiz at the back of all of those materials.

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

[10] Bring the paper-clipped materials to the MI administrative assistant, Becky Moffet (from Richardson (MI 219), go upstairs to the second floor of MI, 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 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 21.