English 164
Fall, 2001

DayDateClass AssignmentHomework
Thursday August 23 Introduction Interview with classmate; Interest Inventory
Tuesday August 28 Peer groups meet to determine individual assignments for grammar and mechanics presentation. Turn in interviews and Interest Inventories (pp. 13-15) Review relevant sections in the back part of your text that your will be discussing in your peer group. Prepare suggestions on approaches as described at the bottom of the handout.
Thursday August 30 Academic Enrichment Center (meet in foyer) Continue preparing for peer discussion
Tuesday September 4 Peer groups meet - grammar and mechanics
Thursday September 6 Peer groups present in class their strategies on grammar and mechanics Ch. 1 (11-43) ; Ch. 5 (170-179): In Ch 1, pay close attention to ways of exploring topics: brainstorming, freewriting, clustering, and visualizing. Try each one out, choosing a focus of your choice: "My last year in high school"; "my first days at Sam Houston"; etc. Each group will focus on a different personal essay in Chapter 5: (1) "Dark Hollow"; (2) "Purple Mountains Majesty"; (3) "At the Mac" (4) "The Dance." Look closely at the topics given on pages 175-176 and practice some brainstorming on all three topics to determine the topic for your personal essay. Keep these thoughts in your Writer's Log.
Tuesday September 11 Discussion of Chapters 1 and 5 Prepare a rough draft and make copies of your personal essay for peer review
Thursday September 13 Peer review of groups' essays; take notes on peers' suggestions Work on revision of personal essay taking suggestions of peers
Tuesday September 18 Peer review of revision of personal essay Prepare final draft of personal essay
Thursday September 20 Personal essay due (Grade #1) Ch. 2 (45-72) Be ready to discuss this chapter at the next class meeting. Pay close attention to the discussions on focus statements; topic outlines, blocking, mapping, and drawing; the elements of an essay: thesis statements, introductions, paragraphs, transitions, and conclusions. Record in your Writer's Log your reactions to these important components of writing a well-organized paper.
Tuesday September 25 Discussion of Ch. 2 During this week, make an appointment with your academic advisor to discuss your progress at Sam Houston and to informally talk with him/her about the functions of an advisor. Takes notes for inclusion in your Writer's Log
Thursday September 27 Conferences - During conferences you will have your essays returned and your Writer's Log will be examined. Ch. 6 (221-234) "Informative Essays" - Groups will focus on specific essay from those in the chapter.  Consider possible topics for your Informative Essay by listing, freewriting, and any other technique you have found to decide on the best topic for your writing. Consult your Interest Inventory if necessary.
Tuesday October 2 Peer groups' discussions of various essays (Be prepared to talk about the essay's content briefly, but most importantly, determine the characteristics of this type of essay and the essential which compose an Informative Essay. Show how these components are incorporated in your group's essay assignment Prepare a rough draft and make four copies of your Informative essay for peer review
Thursday October 4 Peer review of revision of Informative essay Prepare final draft of Informative essay
Tuesday October 9 Informative essay due (Grade #2) Chapter 3. Revising is arguably the most important process in writing after the ideas have been put in a logical sequence. This chapter will "fine tune" the process.
Thursday October 11 Discussion of revising and chapter 3. Chapter 7 (pp. 304-321). Read stories handed out for class discussion next Thursday.
Tuesday October 16 Conferences. Continue with previous reading assignment
Thursday October 18 Discussion of stories, focusing on character Analyze character traits of the protagonists in each story.
Tuesday October 23 Group discussion of character Write rough draft of essay about literature
Thursday October 25 Peer review of essays on literature Write final draft of essay about literature
Tuesday October 30 Essay about literature due (Grade #3) Review pages on "Writing From Literature" beginning on page 320.
Thursday November 1 Discussion of theme and ideas from stories handed out earlier Review stories handed out earlier and focus on theme and ideas
Tuesday November 6 Conferences Read stories handed out for next meeting.
Thursday November 8 Peer discussion groups on themes and ideas from literature. Write a brief paragraph about the theme of each story with examples
Tuesday November 13 Discussion of stories, focusing on theme Write rough draft of paper about literature
Thursday November 15 Peer review of papers Write final draft
Tuesday November 20 Essay from literature due (Grade #4) Read Ch. 16 --"Essay Examinations"
Thursday November 22 Thanksgiving Holiday  
Tuesday November 27 Discussion of essay examinations 
Thursday November 29 Conferences  
 
Tuesday December 4 Review  
Thursday December 6 Last class of semester!  
Friday December 7 Final exam (11:00 am - 1:00 pm)