Course survey

Every year, it is so helpful to get honest feedback about this course. As a result, I make changes and tweaks to next year's curriculum. If you would take a few minutes to complete this survey, I would appreciate it. At the end, it does require you to write something into the questions, so please do so.
Thank you!
Survey link:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/37T8VBC

The End is in Sight. Can you believe it? Final exam information.

You completed your biography, so you should feel GREAT about that accomplishment. Now, with a few weeks to go, there is one last assignment: your final exam, also known as The Last Word.

Here is the assignment, with the rubric:The Last Word assignment and rubric

Guidelines for the Last Word, option A:

• One original poem which reflects precise language and focuses on something/someone you feel strongly
• One creative piece revised from a free write during the course of the year or a new piece written this semester.
• One piece from first semester that you feel reflects your authentic voice. You may revise this piece so it meets the necessary standards.
• In these pieces, think concretely and specific. Avoid the cliché with details that are unique to write about a universal experience.
• I don't care about fancy scrapbooking, although I know you might. Know that presentation is not part of your grade, but feel free to channel your inner Martha Stewart if you would like.

Guidelines for the Last Word, option B:

• One original poem which reflects precise language and focuses on something/someone you feel strongly
• Instead of additional creative pieces, memorize this poem and “slam” it either on Thursday, May 30 or Friday, May 31^st.

For both options, please complete this 1-2 page letter, which addresses the following questions:

How would you define your “real” writing voice? What characteristics does it have? In what ways has that voice developed this year?

How do these pieces reflect this voice?

How have you changed as a writer this year?

How do you see this voice working into your academic writing next year?

What do you hope to remember about writing as you move forward?

Written poem and letter will be due on Tuesday, May 28^th no matter what option you choose.

  If you are on internship, you’ll have to place in Google Drive or drop off at some point during the day or in the office up until 3:30. Let me know if you foresee an issue.

Revision work for week of May 6th

Congratulations! You have finished a draft. Now, I'd like you to revise your work a little each night to make sure you turn in the best paper you can. Here are my suggested focus areas for each day:

Monday: Introduction: To exceed the standard in this area, your introduction needs to "engage reader and clearly set up focus of narrative." Here are some questions to ask yourself:  
Did you use specific details and/or anecdotes to illustrate the trait you most want to convey about this person?
Is each paragraph focused on one trait? (In other words, did you avoid the "kitchen sink" paragraph?)
Is there specific language or evidence which reflects your voice and the spirit of your subject?
Tuesday: Organization and Evidence: To exceed these standards, you need to:

•  focus each paragraph with a clear first sentence, use transitional devices. (See a sheet for examples of transitional devices here: http://writing2.richmond.edu/writing/wweb/trans2.html ) and have a logical sequence of events

• weave the BEST evidence into your story with sophisticated fluency 

To do this, ask yourself these questions:
Does each paragraph have a clear purpose to the narrative?  Do you make a paragraph break for each new idea?
Do the sections of your paper make logical sense? Do they build upon each other in a satisfying way?
Did you use transitional devices to make the transitions between anecdotes or points?
Does your evidence represent your point in the most compelling way?
Does your evidence weave into your narrative? Did you avoid large block quotes in most instances?  
Block day: MLA and Narrative Technique day! 
You should have proper MLA format. This includes a header, a first page header, proper parenthetical citations and quotation format and a proper Works Cited page. See OWL resources on biography page or the sample paper at top of blog.
Narrative technique: To exceed this standard, you should utilize description, reflection and pacing. Also, you should use compelling diction, avoiding generic words that are either bland or cliche. In other words, use the VOICE you have been developing all year. 
Friday: Standard English Conventions: To exceed this standard, you need to have minimal errors in grammar usage. This is the stage where you should ensure you have complete sentences (and no run-ons), a variety of sentence structures, no errors with commas, semi-colons, colons, apostrophes, homonyms etc.

FINAL DRAFT OF BIOGRAPHY DUE MONDAY, MAY 13. 
 

Biography Boot Camp!

Welcome to Biography boot camp! For the next two weeks, your job will be to write a rough then revised biography which incorporates multiple sources and paints a complex picture of the subject you have chosen.  Within this timeframe, I would like you make a plan that allows you to finish a complete rough draft by deadline.
Deadlines and Requirements:
Rough draft due Monday, May 6th
Final draft due Monday, May 13th
Word count requirement: 4,000-5,000 words
Sources: Total of five sources are needed. Minimum of three people, including primary subject. At least two secondary sources are recommended.
Appendices: For final draft, an appendix of your transcriptions are required. You may also submit a second appendix for photos or documents not within the paper.
Here is the rubric: Biography rubric
In addition, your appendix will be worth 75 points.

Here are the steps I would suggest for drafting in the next two weeks:
1. Come up with an inquiry or focus question for your paper. This will have to be included in your final paper.
2. Revise your outline to ensure you have an introduction, sub-sections which adhere to your question or focus and some concluding thoughts about the subject.
3. Review your transcripts and find DIRECT quotes, both from your subject and secondary interviews and begin to organize those quotes according to subject/subhead.
4. Review your secondary sources and take notes on information that will enhance each section.
5. Draft your works cited page. This will make your drafting process smoother.
5. Begin drafting. I would suggest beginning with the section that feels most important to your focus. For the drafting, I don't think it is necessary to go in order. You may find that one section becomes two or one section gets cut because it is not that important to your focus.
6. As you draft, weave in the evidence you have selected. I would suggest citing your sources as you go. Ideally, each section should contain direct evidence from primary and secondary sources. (And each paragraph should contain at least one direct quote.)
7. If you find you do not have enough material, return to interviews (or schedule a quick follow-up) and secondary sources.

Please look at exemplars at blog link here:
http://herlihy12aclasses2.blogspot.com/search/label/research%20project
Or check out the exemplar in the workspace on First Class.

Editing and Revision help:
If you would like me to look at part of your draft, you will need to make an appointment with me. If you would like me to look at a section of your draft for written feedback, you will need to have that completed by Thursday, May 2nd. I am willing to look at up to four pages. I am happy to consult with you in person the week of May 6th, but I won't be able to provide written feedback to you.

Homework for week of 4/8

Monday: Complete rough draft by Tuesday, including evidence. I know this is a quick turnaround, but it is good practice for college!
Here is the assignment and rubric again:
Final Assessment for The Kite Runner
Revision and peer editing work guidelines
Tuesday: Revise The Kite Runner essay for block day.
Over vacation: Looking at your information so far, think about a guiding question for your subject's life that will begin your writing. Also, organize a structural outline of your biography. Ideally, this would include the sections of your paper and a focused idea for each sub-head. Be prepared to go into Biography Boot Camp when we return!
Mrs. Guimond's survey

Homework for week of 4/1

This is the last week of the quarter, so make sure you are up to date on assignments and you pass journals in on time. Also, make sure you are editing your journals. Points will be taken off for errors in conventions, including capitalization, spelling, and run-on sentences.
Also, note there will be a long reading assignment over next weekend (about 60 pages). Please manage your time well this week, reading ahead if necessary.

Monday: Read chapters19-20 (and annotate). Journals due tomorrow, 4/2!
Here are the guiding questions from last week through tomorrow: Guiding questions for chapters 11-22
Here are the rest of the guiding questions: Guiding Questions chapters 23-25
Tuesday: Read chapters 21-22 (and annotate)
For class: Read this article in The New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/01/world/asia/afghan-debts-painful-payment-a-daughter-6.html?_r=0
Block day: Read chapter 23 (and annotate)
Friday: Finish The Kite Runner for Monday (and annotate).
Final Assessment for The Kite Runner

Homework for week of 3/25

Monday: Read chapters 11-12 and annotate with guiding questions in mind. Due Tuesday.
Guiding questions for chapters 11-22

2. Find two reliable secondary sources for your biography project. See rubric for guidelines:
Website reliability rubric
 In addition, have a draft of these sources in your works cited page for block day. You may use noodle tools: http://www.noodletools.com/login.php. You'll have to scroll down to find the free application: Noodle Tools express.

Tuesday: Read chapters 13-14 for block day.
Block day: Read 15-18 for Monday, April 1. Use these questions for the weekend's work: Guiding questions for chapters 13-18