Greetings. Below is a copy of the take home exam on The Unwanted, for your reference.
Also, a few more last minute items and reminders...
1. Take home final on The Unwanted due Wednesday in class.
2. For Wednesday, please bring ALL your graded work that I asked you to hold on to during the course of the semester, along with your grade worksheet.
3. Friday is our last day of the course. This is the day you will be giving a brief description of what you "chose" to represent the significance of home for YOU. Re-visit the original prompt posted on this blog if you are unsure of the details and requirements of this assignment. Ask questions SOON if you have any...:)
4. Out of class essays were returned today...that is, if you chose to drop by the classroom and pick it up. If you have NOT revised any of your out of class essays yet, and choose to revise this one, it is due to me no later than Monday of next week, December 13th. I cannot consider your revision UNLESS the original graded one is attached.
5. Since I will not be on campus on the 13th, nor we will be meeting during finals week, if you choose to submit a revision, please do the following...
* email me and let me know that you have placed a revision in my dept. mailbox.
* my dept mailbox is located in Calaveras, in the English Dept, Room 103. Ask a secretary if you cannot locate the mailboxes.
Name___________________________________________English 1A, Section_____
THE UNWANTED 100 points possible
IT IS NOT REQUIRED THAT THIS EXAM BE TYPED.
Please SKIP every other line. Thanks!
1. On separate sheets of lined paper, please respond in essay format to the following prompts:
SELECT A ‘CHARACTER’ FROM THE MEMOIR, THE UNWANTED. IN YOUR OPINION, WHAT CHARACTERISTICS ACCURATELY DESCRIBE THIS PERSON? FOR EVERY ASSERTION YOU MAKE ABOUT THIS PERSON, YOU MUST SUPPORT IT WITH AT LEAST THREE VERY SPECIFIC SUPPORTS FROM THE BOOK. THIS RESPONSE WILL BE EVALUATED ON YOUR ABILITY TO MAKE AN ASSERTION AND SUPPORT IT LOGICALLY AND ARTICULATELY. (50 POINTS)
2. WHICH SCENE IN THE BOOK AFFECTED YOU MOST DEEPLY? EXPLAIN HOW IT AFFECTED YOU AND WHY. (20 POINTS
3. THIS MEMOIR REFLECTS A WEALTH OF VARIOUS THEMES/TOPICS, INCLUDING OUR SEMESTER-LONG THEME OF HOME. SELECT ONE THEME THAT THE MEMOIR SUGGESTS AND OFFER EXAMPLES FROM THE BOOK TO SUPPORT YOUR ASSERTION. (3O POINTS)
EXTRA CREDIT (OPTIONAL)
1. Kien Nguyen suggests several books to readers for further reading; one of these books is by Wallace Stegner. What is the title of this book? (2 points)
2. Nguyen wrote a novel based on his grandfather’s life. What is the name of this novel? (1 point)
Monday, December 6, 2010
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Saturday, December 4th
I hope your weekend is going well!
Here is an update for Monday.
There will be no formal class held.
I will be in the classroom during the regular class time, though, so you can come by and pick up your essay 3 and Quiz 5.
On Wednesday, please come to class with your grade worksheets filled out.
Friday is our last class day and also the day we will be featuring oral presentations.
Here is an update for Monday.
There will be no formal class held.
I will be in the classroom during the regular class time, though, so you can come by and pick up your essay 3 and Quiz 5.
On Wednesday, please come to class with your grade worksheets filled out.
Friday is our last class day and also the day we will be featuring oral presentations.
Friday, December 3, 2010
Friday, December 3rd
Hello everyone,
Just a quick reminder...
I have read through your Quiz 5 submissions and I really enjoyed hearing what many of you felt about reading The Unwanted. However, there were numerous unacceptable errors that I spotted. I did not deduct points; however, remember that the paper you write that accompanies your oral presentation next week will not be returned to you. You will earn the 100 points when you conduct your presentation and submit your essay, UNLESS there is an unacceptable error found in the paper. If so, you will receive no credit at all for the oral presentation.
Soooooo....
edit and proofread very carefully.
:-)
Just a quick reminder...
I have read through your Quiz 5 submissions and I really enjoyed hearing what many of you felt about reading The Unwanted. However, there were numerous unacceptable errors that I spotted. I did not deduct points; however, remember that the paper you write that accompanies your oral presentation next week will not be returned to you. You will earn the 100 points when you conduct your presentation and submit your essay, UNLESS there is an unacceptable error found in the paper. If so, you will receive no credit at all for the oral presentation.
Soooooo....
edit and proofread very carefully.
:-)
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Tuesday, November 30th
Greetings...
Below you will find quiz 5, our last quiz of the semester. Please complete it out of class, typed. It is due on Friday, Dec. 3rd.
Quiz 5 (50 points)
In a brief but well supported and concise response, address the following question:
WOULD YOU RECOMMEND THE MEMOIR, THE UNWANTED, TO A FRIEND OR FAMILY MEMBER? WHY OR WHY NOT? YOUR RESPONSE, OBVIOUSLY, WILL DEPEND ON WHETHER YOU FOUND THE BOOK OF ANY VALUE TO READ.
Below you will find quiz 5, our last quiz of the semester. Please complete it out of class, typed. It is due on Friday, Dec. 3rd.
Quiz 5 (50 points)
In a brief but well supported and concise response, address the following question:
WOULD YOU RECOMMEND THE MEMOIR, THE UNWANTED, TO A FRIEND OR FAMILY MEMBER? WHY OR WHY NOT? YOUR RESPONSE, OBVIOUSLY, WILL DEPEND ON WHETHER YOU FOUND THE BOOK OF ANY VALUE TO READ.
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Wednesday, November 17
Greetings.
As you know, there will be our second in class essay happening on Friday.
Remember to bring a blue book and any notes you wish.
You will have the full 50 minutes to complete the essay.
Review your notes on how to write an in class essay that we discussed before our Daughter from Danang in class essay.
You will have three prompts to select from--and you will write on ONE.
The prompts will focus on these three things:
1. how would you complete the sentence...The film, Frozen River, is less about_______________and more about___________.
Explain thoroughly and specifically why you would fill in the blanks in that way.
2. is the film, Frozen River, a genuine, authentic film? Do Lila and Ray, the main characters, strike you as real and believable? Why or why not? Explain specifically.
3. write about a few of the symbols that appear in the film and seem to represent some of the possible themes in the film. One example might be the frozen St. Lawrence River. Another might be Lila's eye glasses. And...?
Also, if you wish to submit a rough draft for essay 3, I will accept them via email until 9 pm tomorrow evening.
As you know, there will be our second in class essay happening on Friday.
Remember to bring a blue book and any notes you wish.
You will have the full 50 minutes to complete the essay.
Review your notes on how to write an in class essay that we discussed before our Daughter from Danang in class essay.
You will have three prompts to select from--and you will write on ONE.
The prompts will focus on these three things:
1. how would you complete the sentence...The film, Frozen River, is less about_______________and more about___________.
Explain thoroughly and specifically why you would fill in the blanks in that way.
2. is the film, Frozen River, a genuine, authentic film? Do Lila and Ray, the main characters, strike you as real and believable? Why or why not? Explain specifically.
3. write about a few of the symbols that appear in the film and seem to represent some of the possible themes in the film. One example might be the frozen St. Lawrence River. Another might be Lila's eye glasses. And...?
Also, if you wish to submit a rough draft for essay 3, I will accept them via email until 9 pm tomorrow evening.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Wednesday, November 10
Greetings!
Below is a copy of the out of class essay 3 assignment you received in class today.
English 1A, Fall 2010
C. Fraga, Instructor
Course Theme: The Significance of Home
Out of Class Essay Assignment #3
Assigned: Wednesday November 10
Rough Draft due (optional) no later than Wednesday, Nov. 17
{please note: if you choose to submit a rough draft, it is due by next Wednesday. That allows you one week only. This is due to the Thanksgiving week holiday)
Due: Wednesday, Dec. 1
TOPIC: What are the ‘ingredients’ for a successful marriage?
A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person. (Mignon Mclaughlin)
Marriage is not just spiritual communion, it is also remembering to take out the trash. (Joyce Brothers)
To keep your marriage brimming, With love in the loving cup, Whenever you're wrong admit it; Whenever you're right shut up. (Ogden Nash)
Assignment: Even with the current high divorce rate in the United States, couples continue to choose marriage as a way of life. Most couples marry with the intention and confidence that their marriage will be successful and will last forever.
Write an essay in which you explore the ingredients (or elements) required for a marriage to be successful and long lasting. Focus on a minimum of four ingredients/elements.
Conduct research and talk/interview those who you feel might have some helpful, interesting and relevant opinions and experience with this topic.
The most important thing to remember about this essay is that you will need to be very SPECIFIC. Avoid rambling and using mostly vague terms. Your essay will benefit from specific examples from professionals as well as interviewees.
Suggestions for people to interview: your parents; your grandparents; relatives; siblings; teachers; neighbors; marriage counselors, etc.
Information/opinions about what constitutes a successful marriage is quite simple to locate. I spent only 20 minutes doing a cursory search on the Internet and found many intriguing articles.
Your Game Plan:
1. Research and read read read as much as you can about the topic.
2. Interview at least three people about this topic.
3. From your research, reading and interviews select the four elements YOU feel are the MOST ideal and necessary ingredients for a successful, lasting marriage.
4. Write your thesis statement—an assertion based on your findings.
5. Plan the organization of your essay.
6. Write your essay.
7. Proofread and edit very carefully and thoroughly.
Reminders:
• Follow MLA format.
• Double space entire essay.
• Must have in text citations and a Works Cited page.
• Use 12 pt., Times New Roman
• Use at LEAST three outside resources and at LEAST information from three interviews. In other words, these six minimum resources will be found on your Works Cited page as well as cited within your essay.
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Wednesday, November 3--2nd posting for today
Hello,
Here is the assignment for Reading Packet #5, due to be completed on Friday.
Remember, there is a Q and C due for this assignment.
The following is a short short story titled "The Wig."
THE WIG
By Brady Udall
(First Prize: Story’s Short Short Competition)
My eight-year-old son found a wig in the garbage Dumpster this morning. I walked into the kitchen, highly irritated that I couldn’t make a respectable knot in my green paisley tie, and there he was at the table, eating cereal and reading the funnies, the wig pulled tightly over his head like a football helmet. The wig was a dirty bush of curly blond hair, the kind you might see on a prostitute or someone who is trying to imitate Marilyn Monroe.
I asked where he got the wig and he told me, his mouth full of cereal. When I advised him that we don’t wear things we find in the garbage, he simply continued eating and reading as if he didn’t hear me.
I wanted him to take that wig off but I couldn’t ask him to do it. I forgot all about my tie and going to work. I looked out the window where mist fell slowly on the street. I paced into the living room and back, trying not to look at my son. He ignored me. I could hear him munching cereal and rustling paper.
There was a picture, or a memory, real or imagined, that I couldn’t get out of my mind: Last fall, before the accident, my wife was sitting in the chair where now my son always sits. She was reading the paper to see how the Blackhawks did the night before, and her sleep-mussed hair was only slightly longer and darker than the hair of my son’s wig.
I wondered if my son had a similar picture in his head, or if he had a picture at all. I watched him and he finally looked up at me but his face was blank. He went back to his reading. I walked around the table, picked him up, and held him against my chest. I pressed my nose into that wig and it smelled not like the clean shampoo scent I might have been hoping for, but like old lettuce. I suppose it didn’t matter at that point. My son put his smooth arms around my neck and for maybe a few seconds we were together again, the three of us.
Here is the assignment for Reading Packet #5, due to be completed on Friday.
Remember, there is a Q and C due for this assignment.
The following is a short short story titled "The Wig."
THE WIG
By Brady Udall
(First Prize: Story’s Short Short Competition)
My eight-year-old son found a wig in the garbage Dumpster this morning. I walked into the kitchen, highly irritated that I couldn’t make a respectable knot in my green paisley tie, and there he was at the table, eating cereal and reading the funnies, the wig pulled tightly over his head like a football helmet. The wig was a dirty bush of curly blond hair, the kind you might see on a prostitute or someone who is trying to imitate Marilyn Monroe.
I asked where he got the wig and he told me, his mouth full of cereal. When I advised him that we don’t wear things we find in the garbage, he simply continued eating and reading as if he didn’t hear me.
I wanted him to take that wig off but I couldn’t ask him to do it. I forgot all about my tie and going to work. I looked out the window where mist fell slowly on the street. I paced into the living room and back, trying not to look at my son. He ignored me. I could hear him munching cereal and rustling paper.
There was a picture, or a memory, real or imagined, that I couldn’t get out of my mind: Last fall, before the accident, my wife was sitting in the chair where now my son always sits. She was reading the paper to see how the Blackhawks did the night before, and her sleep-mussed hair was only slightly longer and darker than the hair of my son’s wig.
I wondered if my son had a similar picture in his head, or if he had a picture at all. I watched him and he finally looked up at me but his face was blank. He went back to his reading. I walked around the table, picked him up, and held him against my chest. I pressed my nose into that wig and it smelled not like the clean shampoo scent I might have been hoping for, but like old lettuce. I suppose it didn’t matter at that point. My son put his smooth arms around my neck and for maybe a few seconds we were together again, the three of us.
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