Writing: Theory and Teaching

Wednesday, Feb 8, 2012

In-Class Writing Assignment

Notebook Entry: What Can You Learn from Essay 1 Grade and Comments?

(O'Donnell, ETSU, First-year composition course materials)

1. Review the comments and grid on essay 1, which I returned to you at the beginning of class today. Also, compare my grid with the grid you filled out in your notebook on Wednesday, Feb 1. Make sure you understand all the comments. If you have questions about comments, please ask me about them, in class here today.

2. Write a short essay in your notebook about what you're learning from that first essay. Consider the questions below. However, PLEASE write COMPLETE paragraphs and sentences, NOT just a list of numbered items in response to the questions--OK? You want a free-standing entry, that speaks for itself, something you will be able to read and understand, 2 months from now.

a. Does the grade surprise you? Is the grade fair?

b. How does my grid compare with your grid? Be specific: What are the points of agreement and disagreement?

c. What specific writing skills did you develop, in writing this essay? What skills do you need to focus on the most?

d. What are your top three grammatical errors?

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Writing: Theory and Teaching

Wednesday, Feb 22, 2012

In-Class Writing Assignment

Notebook Entry: What Can You Learn from Essay 2 Grade and Comments?

1. Review the comments and grid on essay 2, which I returned to you at the beginning of class today. Also, compare my grid with the grid you filled out in your notebook on Wednesday, Feb 15. Make sure you understand all the comments. If you have questions about comments, please ask me about them, in class here today.

2. Also, review the entry you wrote in your notebook on February 8, regarding essay 1 grade and comments.

3. Write a short essay in your notebook about what you're learning from that first essay. Consider the questions below. However, PLEASE write COMPLETE paragraphs and sentences, NOT just a list of numbered items in response to the questions--OK? You want a free-standing entry, that speaks for itself, something you will be able to read and understand, 2 months from now.

a. Does the grade surprise you? Is the grade fair?

b. How does my grid compare with your grid? Be specific: What are the points of agreement and disagreement?

c. How do the comments on essay 2 compare to the comments on essay 1?

d. What specific writing skills did you develop, in writing this essay? What skills do you need to focus on the most?

e. What are your top three grammatical errors?

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Writing: Theory and Teaching

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

In-Class Writing Assignment

Memo to Me: How's Your Writing Progressing?

1. Review the comments and grid on essay 3, which I returned to you at the beginning of class today. Also, compare my grid with the grid you filled out in your notebook on Wednesday, March 14. Make sure you understand all the comments. If you have questions about comments, please ask me about them, in class here today.

2. Review your notebook entries from February 8 and February 22. (On both of those days, you received grades on comments on essays, and wrote notebook entries about what you learned.)

3. Write a short memo to me, telling me what, if anything, you think you're learning about your writing, through this process. Consider the questions below. However, please write complete paragraphs and sentences.

a. How have my grids been comparing with yours? Are there any patterns of agreement and disagreement?

b. How do the comments on essay 3 compare to the comments on essays 1 and 2? What trends are you seeing?

c. What specific writing skills have you been developing?

d. What are your top three grammatical errors?

e. Have your grades surprised you?