Thoughts for next semester OR: what I’ve learned so far. . .

These are mostly notes to help me plan for next semester, so this post will probably be incomprehensible to other people.

ENG 1113:

• Assignment sequencing: personal essay, op-ed text, rhetorical analysis, in-class exam, revision.
• the rhetorical analysis assignment has been quite difficult for students this semester.
• rhetorical analysis is a good bridge assignment to 1213, so explain it as such.
• start with parts of a sentence/sentence fragments.
• change personal essay assignment a bit: offer them a mix of prompts to respond to a la class essay exam and constraints from original assignment.
• shorten rhetorical analysis assignment to 3-5 pages: either analyze a speech or website OR compare and contrast two ads, which will allow me to discuss compare/contrast with students.
• op-ed text: give fewer prompt options (say 3-4) and try to focus on genre more.

ENG 1213

• assignment sequencing seems to work well so far
• for place ethnography, add in a requirement for students to interview at least one person, so we can start to work on integrating quotations and MLA citation EARLY ON.
• Make sure to schedule library sessions closer together and about 2 days into sequence II.
• Find more examples of annotated bib and prospectuses.
• Explain that this prospectus is a combination prospectus and position paper.
• Work on focusing student topics earlier in sequence II.
• Divide library sessions as follows: 3 days in sequence II and 1 one day in sequence III (argument).

For both classes:

• work in more grammar exercises earlier.
• don’t be afraid to do some grammar exercises with students to make sure they understand.
• collect journals earlier and more often throughout the semester OR change it to informal responses and collect them every class period (or maybe once a week). . .
• require students to turn in either a notebook or a folder of journal entries, though they can type the entries if they’d like. no emailing journal responses.
• have students take notes in journals for group work more often.
• ask students to bring in example texts at various points in the semester?
• don’t be afraid to discuss content other than writing (i.e. political issues, etc.)
• start class with a question of the day writing.
• toughen up attendance policy: lower overall grade by 1/2 a letter grade after certain number of absences.

That’s all I’ve got so far. . .