Welcome!
EWRT1A
Composition and Reading
Agenda
• Extra Credit Available
• Begin Rough Draft
• Homework
Extra Credit
• You can receive 20 points extra credit
for attending the May 1st march in San
Jose.
• To receive credit you should check in
with me during the march (we should
stay together) and you should write one
page describing your experience.
Rough Drafts
• Exchange Rough Drafts. You should have at least two
paragraphs written by now.
Rough Drafts
• Ideas and Development
– The draft should be tightly focused on the story of a specific experience.
– There should be sufficient background narration early in the draft to situate
the reader with respect to the story. Background includes description of the
setting, characters, and situation. Background might also include repeated
actions (in contrast to particular actions).
– In the first or second paragraph the story should begin. The story should
consist primarily of a sequence of particular actions happening at a single
time and place. You might also need to provide more background, but the
background should be tied to particular actions.
• Organization
– Paragraphs should be organized in terms of time. When there is a break in
time there should also be a paragraph break.
• Language Use
– For grammar and mechanics you should only indicate errors if they prevent
you from understanding what your partner is trying to say. You should ask
your partner what he or she means to say. If your partner cannot
understand a sentence make a note so that you can revise the sentence.
EWRT 1A Rubric
• The rubric is available from the course website:
– www.deanza.edu/faculty/mendozasherwin
• Ideas and Development
• Clear and worthwhile overall point
– At this point “clear” is the key word. The essay should be
focused on a story that includes enough detail to make it
very vivid.
• Evidence, in a personal narrative, is closely related to detail.
– Detail makes your narrative convincing. The more generic
your narrative, the less convincing it will be. Detail makes
your narrative unique. Detail is also necessary for making
your narrative engaging.
• The way I have framed this assignment, development is built in.
– Solving a problem or correcting an error implies
development.
EWRT 1A Rubric
• Organization
– Limit the scope of each paragraph. In a personal narrative, paragraph
breaks should follows shifts in time, setting, and character.
– Transitions should make the relationships between each paragraph clear.
Transitions should follow the movement of the story.
EWRT 1A Rubric
• Language Use
– Precise, expressive use of language is crucially important in a personal
narrative. Try to use words that are a perfect fit for what you want to say.
Pay attention to each verb, noun, adjective, and adverb.
Homework
• Finish writing your story over the weekend. A typed
rough draft that is three to five pages long (double
spaced) is due on Monday.
• On Monday we will discuss introductions and thesis
statements. We will also make any necessary
arrangements for the extra credit.