Sunday, October 27, 2013

Lessons, Week of 28 October - 1 November 2013


English 1301
Week of 28 October – 1 November 2013

Excellent work on the semester exam by almost everyone.  Congratulations!

This week is dedicated to research writing, so bring all your impedimenta, including your Orwellian telescreen.

We will read lots of old research papers (with the permission of the writers) of varying quality.  These are examples for you to consider, and some of the examples are not good. 

You, as an individual, must make a final decision on your topic this week, and have your instructor sign off on it.

You, as an individual, must write your thesis statement and have your instructor sign off on it.

You will have some time in class this week to research and write, either working from your personal Orwellian telescreen or in the library.  Staring at your MyFaceSpaceBookMeMeMe or email for repeated ego validation does not constitute work.  Next week we will enjoy a literary selection for its own delight and its relevance to your lives, and as the basis for an expository essay, so make use of your individual-choice class time now.

Everyone currently enrolled has a passing average; however, the research paper will be, for some, the cause of final failure due to repeated topic changes, lack of individual initiative, plagiarism, or shoddy workmanship.  Passivity is your enemy, and is defeated only by your own initiative every day.

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