Expository Writing for 10/30

1) Don't forget that Paper #3, about Juno and The Miracle of Morgan's Creek, is due this week!

2) If you haven't yet spoken for or against a film you've seen outside of class, be prepared to do that this week.

3) Be sure you've read pages 203-235 and pages 236-259 in your text.

4) Be prepared to discuss whether you like or dislike The Miracle of Morgan's Creek.

Writing for the Future: Reminders for 10/28

Don't forget that Paper 5 is due on 10/28. (That's the paper where you write about yourself.)

Bring along any additional ideas for the holes in our syllabus.

If you haven't yet shared the exercise in which you wrote about a classmate, please bring it along with you (again).

If you haven't yet checked out your classmates' blog posts for the group projects, please do so. (The links are still elsewhere on this blog.)

Writing for the Future: Blog Posts

Take a look at your classmates' blogs. We'll talk about them in class.  Here are the links:

http://willwriteforsugar.blogspot.com/2013/10/will-write-for-sugar.html

http://oppocean.blogspot.com/

http://stealthatstyleorlando.blogspot.com/

Expository Writing: Talking Points & Reminder for 10/23

Talking Points for Juno:

1) Do you like this movie? Why or why not?
2) Any theories about why it was so popular?
3) What do you like or dislike about each of the main characters?
4) What is this movie saying about teen pregnancy?
5) Why does Juno smoke a pipe?

Reminder: Read pages 236-259.

Writing for the Future: 10/21

This coming Monday, your group projects are due. You will need to:

1) Hand in the "hard copy" portion of the assignment.
2) Give a five-minute (or so) presentation.
3) Tell the class how to access the blog portion of the project.
4)Tell the class the name you have (finally) decided on for your team.

If you missed class on Wednesday, email me at jboyar@rollins.edu and I'll send you the prompt for the group project.

If you haven't shared the exercise for which you wrote about a classmate, bring it in with you.

Writing for the Future: 10/14 & 10/16

Reminder: There won't be a class on Monday, 10/14, due to the Fall Break.

On Wednesday, 10/16, come to class ready to work on your group project with your partner or partners. Depending on how you divided up your work, that probably means that you will have done some research by the time you arrive in class. Don't be afraid to think outside the box. And don't let your team down!
You'll be sharing your projects with the entire class on Monday, 10/21.

Expository Writing for 10/16

Juno is the movie we're watching this week.

Talking Points:
1) What movie comedies can you think of that include a social or political message?
2) Do "comedy" and "a message" fit well together in a movie?
3) What is your favorite type of movie comedy?


Reminders:
1) If you haven't given your presentation (in which you argue in favor of or against a movie), please be prepared to do so.
2) Be sure to read pages 203-235 in your text.

Writing for the Future

In case you missed it, here's how we look on the blog of our guest speaker, Mark Baratelli.

Expository Writing: Reminders for 10/9

1) Your paper on Young Frankenstein and Frankenstein is due. Don't forget to somehow indicate your thesis statement.
2) Come to class prepared to discuss these films and consider this question: In Young Frankenstein, do you see any themes or jokes that keep coming up?
3) Be sure you've read pages 116-149 in your text.
4) If you haven't done this yet, be prepared to defend or condemn a movie that you've seen outside of class.

Writing for the Future

Some of you may remember that Ashley offered to share with us some tips for the sort of apology that PR people often suggest to their clients as part of "damage control." So here they are. (Ashley, thanks for sharing!)

Elements of the perfect apology… (from lecture of Stacey A. Passalacqua for Intro. to Comm. Studies class, Summer 2013 term and the book, Communicating about Health, 3^rd edition, by Athena DuPre)

• Description of the error (What happened? Explain. Don’t beat around the bush.)
• Acknowledgement of the offense (It shouldn’t have happened but it did. Admit it.)
• Acceptance of responsibility (Engage. Don’t blame anyone else.)
• Willingness to own the mistake (You’re an adult. Own up to your mistakes.)
• Explanation (What were you thinking? Why did you do it? Be honest.)
• Regret (Express that you wish you hadn’t done it.)
• Humility (You are an imperfect human. Humble yourself.)
• Remorse (You’re sorry.)
• Request to be forgiven (Ask for forgiveness.)
• Credible effort to prevent the error from happening again (Explain what you’ll do to make sure it doesn’t happen again.)
• Some form of compensation (What are you going to do to try to make it right?)

The following is a sample apology, using Michael Vick’s dog-fighting scandal, written to give an idea of how the above elements might be used. This sample apology was written by me and is connected in no way to Michael Vick or any persons representing Michael Vick.

I participated in hosting dog fighting. It shouldn’t have happened. I admit that and take full responsibility for my actions. I am not proud of my transgression. During the time when I hosted dog fights I didn’t realize how inhumane it was. I saw it as a hobby and a way to entertain company. I regret taking part in it. I also regret that dogs were hurt because of it. I am human. I made a mistake. I am deeply sorry. Please find it in your hearts to accept my sincere apology. I have learned from my mistake and will do the following to ensure that it doesn’t happen again: I will not associate myself with those who partake in dog-fighting. I will avoid harboring pets in my home and will not visit places where dog-fighting is allowed. Overall, I will be mindful of my actions concerning dogs. In light of my error in judgment I am starting a foundation to prevent dog-fighting and prevent other types of animal cruelty. I am also going to pay for the expenses related to saving and rehabilitating the dogs involved in my error. Lastly, I will be offering a low cost, limited edition jersey to fans. Thank you.