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.