Mr. Wayne Berninger
English Department, Brooklyn Campus, Long Island University
English 14 Section 1 English Composition
Spring 2008: MW 10:00 am – 12:50 pm
Humanities Building, Room 215
Assignment Schedule
Unit One: Reading And Writing
Date
W 1/23
Class
Homework
o Introductions to the course
and to each other.
o Diagnostic Essay.
HW for M 1/28
o Read “Close Reading” by Prose and
“Rhetoric” by Newall (both in course
packet).
o Read “Free-Writing” (in Key Words).
o Notebook assignment: How are the
ideas in these articles different from
and/or the same as ways of thinking
that you are already familiar with?
Can you identify two or three specific
sentences or passages in each piece
that you think are particularly
striking/interesting/surprising? What
do you like about those moments?
Be as specific as possible in all your
answers. Don’t rush through this.
M 1/28
o Discuss reading that you did
for homework.
o In-class notebook assignment
(free-writing).
o Lessons B2 (“Parts of
Sentences”) and B4
(“Sentence Types”) in A
Writer’s Reference.
HW for W 1/30
o Read “What is Literacy?” by Gee (in
course packet).
o Read “Revision” & “Editing” (in Key
Words).
o Read “Transaction” & “Simplicity”
(both in Zinsser).
o Notebook assignment: What is the
definition of “literacy” that Gee
ultimately comes up with? Is it
different from or similar to the
definition you had in your head
before you read his essay? Explain.
What do you think of his definition?
Would you call yourself literate,
using Gee’s definition(s)? Quote
from Gee’s essay as you explain why
or why not.
W 1/30
o Discuss reading that you did
for homework.
o Introduce assignment for
Formal Essay #1.
o Lesson G5 (“Sentence
fragments”) in A Writer’s
Reference.
HW for M 2/4
o Read “Shitty First Drafts” by Lamott
and “Zami: A New Spelling of My
Name” by Lorde (both in course
packet).
o Read “Grammar” (in Key Words).
o Read “Clutter” and “Style” (both in
Zinsser).
o Notebook assignment: Does
Lamott’s essay make you feel better
or worse about the prospect of writing
the first draft of your first formal
essay? Explain your answer, using
specific quotes from her essay.
M 2/4
o Discuss the readings that you
did for homework.
o Lesson G6 (“Run-on
Sentences”) in A Writer’s
Reference.
HW for W 2/6
o Read “The Audience/Words/Usage”
(in Zinsser).
o Read “I Just Wanna Be Average” by
Rose (in course packet).
o Notebook assignment: What would
you say is the overall point of Rose’s
chapter? Do you agree or disagree?
What in your own experience
(including other reading you may
have done on the subject) causes you
to agree or disagree? What do you
notice about the way Rose mixes
stories about his personal life with
other sections that are more
analytical? Does it help him make
his case or not? Why?
o Begin working seriously on your
drafts of Formal Essay #1.
W 2/6
o Work independently and
with classmates’ drafts.
o Lesson P1-a (“The Comma:
Independent clauses with
coordinating conjunction”) in
A Writer’s Reference.
HW for M 2/11
o Read Chapter VII from The Narrative
of the Life of Frederick Douglass by
Douglass and “Black Fire” by Peery
(both in course packet).
o Notebook assignment: In this chapter
from Douglass’s autobiography, he
talks about how he learned to read
and write. Can you think of ways
that it might be possible to quote
from his writing in your own essay?
How might that help you make
whatever points you are trying to
make? Which quotes might you use?
How would you explain what they
mean, and how would you transition
from your own writing into those
quotes? Might you also be able to
incorporate ideas from our other
readings (Prose, Newall, Gee,
Lamott, Lorde, Rose)?
o Complete the first draft of Formal
Essay #1.
M 2/11
o Workshop drafts of Formal
Essay #1 in small groups.
o Lesson P3 (“The
Semicolon”) in A Writer’s
Reference.
HW for W 2/13
o Based on the feedback you received
in class on M 2/11, revise your draft
of Formal Essay #1.
o Notebook assignment: What changes
did you make to your draft in
response to small group workshop
feedback? Be as specific as possible.
Don’t just talk about grammar
corrections but also changes you
made to the structure of your essay, to
the content, to the way you worded
things, etc. Why do you think these
changes make the draft better?
W 2/13
o Workshop selected drafts of
Formal Essay #1 as a whole
class. I will need volunteers!
o In-class Notebook
assignment.
o Lesson P6-a (“Direct
Quotations”) in A Writer’s
Reference.
HW for T 2/19 (no class on M 2/18
Presidents’ Day, so Tuesday follows Monday
schedule)
o Notebook assignment: Reflect on all
the discussions that have taken place
so far about drafts, both in small
groups and whole-class workshops.
Think about the changes you have
already made to your draft as a result
of that discussion and in response to
the feedback you have received. What
improvements do you think you still
need to make to your draft in order to
make it ready for the instructor to
read? Are there any places in the
paper that still aren’t “working” in
your opinion? What would you need
to change/add/delete/rearrange in
order to get the effects you are
looking for and to get the reactions
you want from your readers?
o With that in mind, revise your draft of
Formal Essay #1, again. This new
revision is the one you are going to
turn in for feedback from the
instructor.
T 2/19
(there
was no
class on
M 2/18
President
s’ Day, so
Tuesday
follows
Monday
schedule)
o First practice in-class essay.
o Due: First complete draft of
Formal Essay #1.
HW for W 2/20
o Read “Nobody Means More to Me
Than You: The Future Life of Willie
Jordan” by June Jordan (in course
packet).
o Notebook Entry on Jordan:
From now on, for each reading
assignment, do the following: Write
a minimum of one page in response
to each reading, which may include a
brief summary, quotations, your
interpretation or understanding of the
text, and your thoughts about it
directly and in relation to your own
observations and experience. You
could also try to connect the ideas in
the reading to other readings you
have done and/or to papers you are
working on. Also, don’t forget to use
your notebook entries to practice the
grammar issues we have discussed.
UNIT 2: The Power of Language
Date
Class
Homework
W 2/20
o Discuss the reading that you
did for homework.
o Introduce assignment for
Formal Essay #2.
o Lesson G1a-b (“SubjectVerb Agreement”) in A
Writer’s Reference.
HW for M 2/25
o Read “The Politics of Teaching
Literate Discourse” by Lisa Delpit (in
course packet.
o Notebook Entry on Delpit
M 2/25
o Discuss the reading that you
did for homework.
o I will return Formal Essay #1
with my comments.
o Editing workshop.
o Lesson G1c-f (“Subject-Verb
Agreement”) in A Writer’s
Reference.
HW for W 2/27
o Read “Dave’s Neckliss” and “The
Goophered Grapevine” by Chesnutt
(both in course packet).
o Notebook Entry on Chesnutt.
o Work on the Final Draft of Formal
Essay 1 (Due M 3/3).
W 2/27
o Discuss the reading that you
did for homework.
o Lesson G1g-k (“SubjectVerb Agreement”) in A
Writer’s Reference.
HW for M 3/3
o Read “Puerto Ricans” and
“Concernment” by Hughes (both in
course packet).
o Read “Julius and Jesse in 003” by
Gilyard (in course packet).
o Notebook Entries on Hughes and
Gilyard.
o Finish the Final Draft of Formal
Essay 1 (Due M 3/3).
M 3/3
o Discuss the reading that you
did for homework.
o Lesson G2a-b (“Other
Problems with Verbs”) in A
Writer’s Reference.
o Due: Final Draft of Formal
Essay 1
HW for W 3/5
o Read “The Language of Oppression”
by Bosmajian (in course packet).
o Notebook Entry on Bosmajian.
W 3/5
o Discuss the reading that you
did for homework.
o Lesson G2c-d (“Other
Problems with Verbs”) in A
Writer’s Reference.
HW for M 3/10
o Read “From Outside In” by Mellix
(in course packet).
o Read “Of Girls and Chicks” by Frank
& Anshen (in course packet).
o Notebook Entries on Mellix and
Frank & Anshen.
o Start thinking about the first draft of
Formal Essay #2.
M 3/10
o Discuss the reading that you
did for homework.
o Lesson G2f (“Other
Problems with Verbs”) in A
Writer’s Reference.
HW for W 3/12
o Read NYC Resolutions on “N,” “B,”
and “H” words (handout).
o Notebook Entry on NYC Resolutions.
o Complete the first draft of Formal
Essay #2.
W 3/12
o Workshop drafts of Formal
Essay #2 in small groups.
o Select volunteers for next
workshop.
o Lesson G2f continued
(“Other Problems with
Verbs”) in A Writer’s
Reference.
HW for over Spring Break
o Based on the feedback you received
in class on W 3/12, revise your draft
of Formal Essay #2.
o Notebook assignment: What changes
did you make to your draft in
response to small group workshop
feedback? Be as specific as possible.
Don’t just talk about grammar
corrections but also changes you
made to the structure of your essay, to
the content, to the way you worded
things, etc. Why do you think these
changes make the draft better?
o Volunteers: Remember to meet me
early to make copies of your drafts.
M 3/17
SPRING BREAK: no class
W 3/19
SPRING BREAK: no class
M 3/24
o Volunteers: Meet me early
to make copies of your
drafts.
o Workshop selected drafts of
Formal Essay #2 as a whole
class. I will need volunteers!
o Lesson G2g (“Other
Problems with Verbs”) in A
Writer’s Reference.
HW for W 3/26
o Notebook assignment: Reflect on all
the discussions that have taken place
so far about drafts, both in small
groups and whole-class workshops.
Think about the changes you have
already made to your draft as a result
of that discussion and in response to
the feedback you have received. What
improvements do you think you still
need to make to your draft in order to
make it ready for the instructor to
read? Are there any places in the
paper that still aren’t “working” in
your opinion? What would you need
to change/add/delete/rearrange in
order to get the effects you are
looking for and to get the reactions
you want from your readers?
o With that in mind, revise your draft of
Formal Essay #1, again. This new
revision is the one you are going to
turn in for feedback from the
instructor.
W 3/26
o Second practice in-class
essay.
o Due: First complete draft of
Formal Essay #2.
HW for M 3/31
o First assignment(s) of Unit Three: To
be announced as we approach the end
of March. For now stay focused on
Formal Essay #3.
o (If you really want a head start, you
could start reading the book The
Colossus of New York by Colson
Whitehead.)
Unit 3: Reading and Writing Places
W 3/26
o Second practice in-class
essay.
o Due: First complete draft of
Formal Essay #2 (I will
return it with my comments
on M 3/31).
HW for M 3/31
o Read “Defining Place” by Tim
Cresswell (in course packet)
o Read pages 1-3 5 in The Colossus of
New York by Colson Whitehead.
o Notebook entry on Cresswell.
o Notebook entry on Whitehead.
Remember, for each reading assignment,
do the following: Write a minimum of
one page in response to each reading,
which may include a brief summary,
quotations, your interpretation or
understanding of the text, and your
thoughts about it directly and in relation
to your own observations and experience.
You could also try to connect the ideas in
the reading to other readings you have
done and/or to papers you are working
on. Also, don’t forget to use your
notebook entries to practice the grammar
issues we have discussed.
M 3/31
Discuss reading you did for
homework.
I will return your draft of Formal
Essay #2, with my comments. Final
draft will be due M 4/7.
I will introduce the assignment for
Formal Essay #3.
Lesson G3a.
HW for W 4/2
Read pages 35-47 in The Colossus of New
York by Colson Whitehead.
Read “The Power of Perambulation” by John
Monczunski (in course packet).
Notebook entry on Whitehead.
Notebook entry on Monczunksi.
W 4/2
Discuss the reading you did for
homework.
Lesson G3b.
HW for M 4/7
Read “On the Aesthetics of Urban Walking
& Writing” by Phillip Lopate (handout).
Read pages 47-71 in The Colossus of New
York by Colson Whitehead.
Notebook entry on Lopate.
Notebook entry on Whitehead.
M 4/7
Discuss the reading you did for
homework.
Lesson G3c.
DUE: Final draft of Formal Essay
#2. I will return with grade on M
4/14.
HW for W 4/9
Read pages 71-97 in The Colossus of New
York by Colson Whitehead.
Read “On Being White, Female, and Born in
Bensonhurst” by Marianna De Marco
Torgovnick (in course packet).
Notebook entry on Whitehead.
Notebook entroy on Torgovnick.
W 4/9
Discuss the reading you did for
homework.
Lesson G3d.
HW for M 4/14
Read pages 97-123 in The Colossus of New
York by Colson Whitehead.
Notebook entry on Whitehead.
M 4/14
Discuss the reading you did for
homework.
I will return Final Draft of Formal
Essay #2, with a grade.
Discuss Final Portfolio.
Lesson W2.
HW for W 4/16
Finish The Colossus of New York
Notebook entry on Whitehead.
Get started on revision(s) for your Final
Portfolio.
W 4/16
Final Discussion of Whitehead.
Lesson W3.
HW for M 4/21
First draft of Formal Essay #3.
Keep working on revision(s) for your Final
Portfolio.
M 4/21
Workshop drafts of Formal Essay
#3.
Lesson W4.
Schedule Individual Conferences
with me to discuss Formal Essay #3.
There will be times available on
Tuesday 4/22 during my office
hours, on Wednesday 4/23 (instead
of class), and on Wednesday 4/24
during my office hours.
HW for W 4/23
Based on the feedback you got from
classmates in class on M 4/21 and/or
feedback you got from me in our individual
conference, work on the revision of Formal
Essay #3.
If you choose not to include Formal Essay #3
in the Final Portfolio, you still must submit it
for a grade (include the first draft) on W
4/30.
Keep working on revision(s) for your Final
Portfolio.
W 4/23
Individual conferences in lieu of
class meeting.
NOTE: Failure to keep your
individual appointment WILL count
as an absence!
HW for M 4/28
Work on revision of Formal Essay #3.
If you choose not to include Formal Essay #3
in the Final Portfolio, you still must submit it
for a grade (include the first draft) on W
4/30.
Keep working on revision(s) for your Final
Portfolio.
M 4/28
First part of 2-stage essay. This will
probably be about Whitehead.
HW for W 4/30
Finish the final draft of Formal Essay #3,
which you must turn in on M 4/30 if you are
NOT including it in your Final Portfolio.
Keep working on revision(s) for your Final
Portfolio.
W 4/30
Second part of 2-stage essay.
DUE: Final draft of Essay #3—if
you are NOT including it in your
Final Portfolio.
HW for M 5/5
Finish putting together your Final Portfolio.
Prepare for Impromptu, in-class essay (there
will be a handout to read ahead of time—I
will give it to you in class on W 4/30).
M 5/5
Impromptu, in-class essay.
Final Portfolios due.
After you turn in your Final Portfolio, please
DO NOT come around or email me asking
for your grade. Such distractions will only
slow down my grading process, making
EVERYBODY have to wait longer to get
their grades. Thanks. I assure you I will get
the grades in as fast as possible, and then you
should be able to get your grades online.
Have a great summer!