Writing as an Arts Critic for 12/10/15

It's our last class meeting: Thursday, 12/10/15, at 4 pm.

Your Final Papers are due at class time.

Also, you'll need to give a five-minute report on your Final Paper, saying what your three works are, what your theme is, why you chose those works and that theme, and a random fact (large or small) that you learned while writing or researching your paper.

If you want your Final Paper returned, you'll need to bring a self-addressed, stamped envelope.

Expository Writing for 12/7/15

Final Class of the Semester on 12/7/15

1) Your Final Paper is due at class time.
2) Be prepared to discuss your Final Paper for five minutes by telling the class the films you've selected, the theme you've chosen, why you picked those films and that theme, and some fact (large or small) you learned in writing or researching your Final Paper.

Writing as an Arts Critic for 12/3/15

This week is our penultimate class.
Among other things, we'll be going over some tips for writing your final papers. So please bring in any questions you may have about them.
Also, we'll be workshopping some papers. If you haven't returned Paper 5 and/or 6 to me, please bring it (or them) with you and we'll take a look.
Also: Martin, I haven't received a Final Paper proposal from you yet. Time is running out...
Finally, we'll have a sort of free-flowing discussion about reviewing the arts -- and writing about them in other ways. This could interesting. Let the back of your mind work on that before Thursday.

Expository Writing for 11/30/15

This week, your fourth short paper -- about The Graduate, Lost in Translation and alienation -- is due at class time.

We will also discuss Lost in Translation. Some Talking Points:
1) What are some signs of alienation in the film?
2) What are the similarities between this film and The Graduate?
3) Do you like the characters in this film. Why or why not?

Expository Writing for 11/23/15

Scarlett Johansson & Bill Murray in Lost in Translation

This week, a lot of the class time will be taken up with watching Lost in Translation. Keep in mind that because of the length of the film, we will not have time for our usual break.

See you then!

Expository Writing for 11/16/15

This week, we'll meet as a class only from 5 pm to 5:45 pm. We will spend most of that time discussing The Graduate.
We will also have Final Paper Conferences during regular class time in my office, 210 Orlando Hall. Please arrive 10 minutes early, if possible. Here's the schedule:
4 pm Howard, 4:10 April, 4:20 Tarkel, 4:30 John, 4:40 Charles, 4:50 Michael, 5:50 Thais, 6 pm Rachel, 6:10 Britton.

Writing as an Arts Critic for 11/19/15

This week, we'll meet as a class only from 5 pm to 5:50. There will also be some Final Paper Conferences in my office, 210 Orlando Hall. Please try to arrive 10 minutes early for the conferences, if possible. Here's the conference schedule:
4 pm LuLu, 4:10 Gil, 4:20 Matthew, 4:30 Darlene, 4:40 Sarah, 5:50 Nick, 6 pm James.

Expository Writing for 11/9/15

Dustin Hoffman (Benjamin) and Anne Bancroft (Mrs. Robinson) in The Graduate

Most of our class time this week will be devoted to watching The Graduate. We will have a break, but it will be AFTER the film. If you think you'll need a break earlier than that, you should consider taking it before class.

I have only one early Final Paper Conference scheduled for 11/9/15. If you think you might want to move your conference up a week, these times are open on 11/9/15: 3:25, 3:35, 3:45, 6:50, 7:00.

If you want one of those times, please email me which one and I'll reply to let you know if it's still open.

Writing as an Arts Critic for 11/12/15

Some of you left class last night before I could give you the prompt for our sixth short paper (which is due 11/12/15). Here it is:

PROMPT: SHORT PAPER 6

For this paper, choose a CD album that you have strong feelings about, positive or negative. Write a review of that album emphasizing one or two songs but still reviewing the album as a whole.

Be sure to provide plenty of details. Really describe the music and say what you think of it. If you include background or historical information, be sure to cite your sources. Also, remember that this is a review, not a research paper.

Paper 6 is due on 11/12/15. On that day, you will also need to bring the CD to class and play one of the songs you have focused on in your paper. Then you will need to either read your review to the class or, working from notes, talk about the basic points of the review.

Your paper should be two pages, double-spaced. Your grade will reflect your ability to respond fully to the prompt, express your ideas clearly, follow rules of grammar and spelling, follow the “tip sheet” guidelines for writing papers, and demonstrate an understanding of the music you have selected.

Writing as an Arts Critic for 11/5/15

Steve Brady and Anne Hering in Bakersfield Mist

1) I think most of you will agree that there's a lot to think about and write about in Bakersfield Mist. If you choose to write that paper, it's due at our next meeting, 11/5.
2) Those of us who were able to get together after the show on Friday evening had a great, wide-ranging discussion. We talked about the play, among other things, and we'll continue that discussion in class on 11/5. Yes, there's still a lot more to say.
3) As some of you know, Anne Hering, who played Maude in Bakersfield Mist, will be coming to our class to answer your questions about her work and theater in general. She can not make it on 11/5, but she will be with us the following week, on 11/12.
4) Speaking of 11/12, that will also be the day that you will be sharing your music selections with the rest of the class. (On the schedule, it says "Show 3," but you are the show!) If you choose to write that paper, it's due that day, too.
5) Even if you choose not to write the paper on music, you can still bring a music selection to class on 11/12 and share it with the rest of us. In fact, if you like, you can bring your music selection to our next class, on 11/5, and share it then. (Again, the paper on music isn't due until 11/12.)
6) Finally, as some of you know, the artist who recently spoke to our class, Casandra Hill, will be showing her work from 5-7 pm on Nov. 12. Unfortunately, that's mostly during our class. However, you can catch the last half hour if you go to it right after our class. It's in the Cornell Fine Arts Building.

Expository Writing for 11/2/15

I hope you've started thinking about your Final Paper. You can sign up for your Final Paper Conferences in class this week.

Also, this week, I'll be asking each of you for an anonymous comment or question about our class. So please try to think of one.

What does "alienation" really mean? We'll talk about that, too.

See you then!

Expository Writing for 10/26/15

Talking Points for Juno:

1) Are this movie's issues appropriate subjects for comedy?
2) Does this 2007 film strike you as modern or old-fashioned?
3) What is Juno's attitude toward the baby she is carrying?
4) What do you think of the use of music in this movie? The animated sequences?
5) Why does Juno have a pipe?

Writing as an Arts Critic for 10/30/15

Orlando Shakespeare Theater

This week, remember, we will NOT be meeting on Thursday. Instead, we'll meet on Friday (10/30/15) at the Orlando Shakespeare Theater in Loch Haven Park. Please be there between 7 pm and 7:15 pm. The earlier you are there, the better your choice of seats. Look for me in the lobby.

You should be able to park near the Orlando Shakespeare Theater. (If the lot is full for some reason, you can park across the way near the Orlando Repertory Theater.)

I'm still trying to figure out where to meet after the play for a little talk. If you have a suggestion of some place nearby, bring it with you.

Writing As an Arts Critic for 10/22/15

Jackson Pollock

1) OK, first things first. If you haven't paid for your theater ticket, please bring $15 with you this week. That would be Martin, Sarah, Gil, James, Lou-Lou, Nick, Nico and Matthew.

2) Nico, you should also figure out when you'd like to go to see Bakersfield Mist. Here's the website of the Orlando Shakespeare Theater. Pick out a show where there are still tickets left.
  https://orlandoshakes.secure.force.com/ticket

3) Matthew, I haven't heard from you, man! If you read this, please email me at jboyar@rollins.edu. I have tried to contact you at your Rollins email address, but I haven't heard back.

4) In class this week, we'll be discussing the special issues involved in writing about art. Bring your comments and questions about that.

5) The painting shown here is by the American artist Jackson Pollock. Our play, Bakersfield Mist, revolves around one of his paintings.

Expository Writing for 10/19/15

Ellen Page in Juno

1) This week, we'll spend some time workshopping your papers on Frankenstein & Young Frankenstein. There will be time for questions and comments on these short papers and on writing issues generally. What's on your mind about these things?

2) We will also watch Juno, in preparation for your next writing project. Be prepared to take notes while you watch the film. Remember that the key to these papers is specific evidence from the films.

3) Also: Really good discussion about Young Frankenstein last week. Lots of fresh insights.

Writing As an Arts Critic: Prompt for 10/15/15

PROMPT 4: Visual Arts

Paper 4 is due on 10/22/15. It should be two pages, double-spaced. Your grade will reflect your ability to respond fully to the prompt, express your ideas clearly, follow rules of grammar and spelling, follow the “tip sheet” guidelines for writing papers, and demonstrate an understanding of the art on display.

At the Cornell Museum there are several shows currently on view including: Fashionable Portraits in Europe, Jess T. Dugan: Every Breath We Drew, Enduring Documents, Religion Redefined, Gesture and Pose, A Sense of Place, and History and Myth.

Choose one show and review it. Review the show as a whole, but also focus in on one or two works in that show that strike you as particularly interesting.

Be sure to provide plenty of details. Really describe the works and say what you think of them. If you include background or historical information, be sure to cite your sources. Also, remember that this is a review, not a research paper.

Writing As an Arts Critic for 10/15/15

Cornell Museum at Rollins College

1) Don't forget that our class on 10/15/15 will meet at the usual time (4 pm) at the Cornell Museum on campus. We'll spend about an hour there, including a tour of the place. Then, at about 5:15 pm, we'll all meet again in our usual classroom for the rest of the class. All of this is required.

2) On Friday, Oct. 30, we will be attending a play. Tickets cost $15, which is a major reduction of the usual price. You are required to see the play, but arrangements can be made for you to see it at another time, if you really can not make it on Oct. 30. Still, I very much hope we can all see the play together.

3) In any case, you will need to give me $15 in cash so I can buy the tickets. You should do this as soon as possible. If possible, please bring the money to class on 10/15.

4) This play will be the last event you will need to pay for in this class.

Expository Writing for 10/12/15

Talking Points for Frankenstein & Young Frankenstein:
  1) Which movie do you prefer? Why?
  2) What are some of the running (or repeated) gags in Young Frankenstein?
  3) What does Young Frankenstein "borrow" from Frankenstein?
  4) What do hands signify in Young Frankenstein?
  5) What do you think of the acting in Young Frankenstein?


 

Writing As an Arts Critic for 10/8/15

If the review of The Intern is one of the four short papers you're choosing to write, it is due at class time on 10/8.

In any case, you need to see the movie by then. We will be discussing it in class.

For those who didn't make the screening last Thursday, we had a really great discussion of the film afterward. I'm hoping we can bring the insights and intensity of that discussion to our class on 10/8.

If you write about this film, remember all the correct spellings of names that you'll probably need are on imdb.com. Be sure to check your spelling.

Finally, we will also workshop your papers on The Third Man. So if you have your paper on that film, please remember to bring it in with you.

Expository Writing for 10/5/15

Gene Wilder in Young Frankenstein

This week, we will watch Young Frankenstein. We will also discuss Frankenstein.

Talking Points for Frankenstein:
1) What is intentionally funny in the film?
2) What is unintentionally funny?
3) Is it significant that this film is based on a story by a woman?
4) Are hands important in this film? If so, how?

Writing As an Arts Critic for 10/1/15

Robert De Niro and Anne Hathaway in The Intern

The current plan for our class on Thursday, 10/1/15, is to meet inside the auditorium for The Intern at Regal's Winter Park Village.

You should be there by 4 pm at the latest, a bit earlier if possible. [The film is now listed as starting at 4 pm, so please allow enough time. Of course, there will be about 15 minutes of previews before the film itself actually begins.]

We will all try to sit together.

After the film, for those who can make it, we'll have a short, impromptu discussion of the film. If you have to leave right after the film, that's OK.

Your review of the film will be due the following Thursday (10/8/15).

But here's something else to consider: Your new class schedule lists 6 short papers. However, your syllabus says you only have to write 4 short papers (and a final paper). So what's going on? The deal is that you only have to write 4 short papers, and you get to choose which 4 you write. If you write more than 4 short papers, I'll only count your 4 best grades for them. You still have to see all the movies, plays, etc. that I assign. But you only have to write about 4 of them.

[If you can't make it to the film with the class, be sure to see the film at some other time before our next class. And if it's one of the 4 you choose, write your review by 10/8/15.]

Expository Writing for 9/28/15

1) Great discussion of Some Like It Hot! We really made a lot of progress.

2) This week we'll be workshopping your papers on that film. Be prepared to listen, ask questions and make comments.

3) We'll also see the original Frankenstein movie from 1931. It's not a comedy, but you may find parts of it funny.

Writing As an Arts Critic for 9/24/15

1) Please remember to bring in your Fargo papers again, whether or not you've re-written them. I want us to workshop them.

2) We'll be discussing The Third Man. Here are some Talking Points to consider:
  a) What do you make of the zither music?
  b) How is information conveyed visually in this movie?
  c) What, basically, is the film about?
  d) What do you make of the ending?

3) Don't forget that your review of The Third Man is due at class time this week.

Expository Writing for 9/21/15

1) The final line was somehow left off the syllabus schedule.  It should read:

    12/7. Final paper due. General discussion. Goodbyes.

2) Remember that your paper on Some Like It Hot is due by class time.

3) Talking points for Some Like It Hot:

  Did you like it? What did you like? Dislike?

  Final line of dialogue: What does it mean?

  Why is this film in black and white?

  Why did Marilyn Monroe become such an icon?

Expository Writing for 9/14/15

Tony Curtis (l) and Jack Lemmon in Some Like It Hot

Marilyn Monroe in Some Like It Hot

Hope everyone had a nice Labor Day. Now don't forget to come back to class!

We'll be watching Some Like It Hot this week. If you do miss class, remember that the film is on reserve in the library.

Be sure to have read pages 1-16 in your text before class.

Writing As an Arts Critic for 9/17/15

The Third Man

Great discussion of Fargo last time. Original thinking. Subtle insights. Awesome!

It turns out, BTW, that the last line of the syllabus was unintentionally left off. We will meet on Dec. 10. Here's what it said: 12/10. Final paper due. General discussion. Goodbyes.

In a week or two, I'll have a revised syllabus for you.

Don't forget to read Chapter 6 in your text for 9/17.

We'll be watching The Third Man on 9/17.

Writing As an Arts Critic for 9/10/15

1. Remember, we are NOT following the schedule on the syllabus. Please follow what I tell you here and in class instead.

2. Bring in your review of Fargo. It is due this week. Also be prepared to discuss it. (If you missed class last week, don't worry about the review right now. We will work something out. But if you can arrange to see Fargo before this week's class, please do. It's on reserve in the library.)

3. Remember to bring to class a review you've found somewhere of something. Be prepared to say what you like or do not like about that review.

4. Remember to read pages 1-8 and Chapter 1 in your text before class.

5. Talking Points for Fargo:
 a. Do you like it? Why? Why not?

 b. What's the deal on Paul Bunyan in the film?

 c. Does the restaurant scene with Marge Gunderson and her old friend Mike            Yanagita belong in this film?

 d. How do you feel about Norm Gunderson (Marge's husband)?

Writing As an Arts Critic for 9/3/15

1) Don't forget to find, or at least order, our text.

2) Remember to bring in a review of something, and be prepared to say why you like or don't like that review.

3) We will talk about your mini-reviews of the sequence from High Noon.

4) Keep an eye on the weather reports. The weather could affect our class meeting.

Expository Writing for 8/31/15

1) Great first class last week! This week, bring any questions you may have about the syllabus, tip sheet or whatever.

2) This week, we'll be watching part of The Bellboy, a comedy starring Jerry Lewis.

3) Keep an eye on weather reports. The weather could affect our class meeting.

Writing for the Future: For 4/28

Reminders:
1) Your Final Paper is due by class time.
2) Be prepared to discuss your Final Paper for 5 minutes by stating its topic, explaining why you chose that topic, and giving a summary of what the paper says.
3) If you want your Final Paper returned with comments, be sure to bring a self-addressed, stamped envelope with you.
4) This will be our last class of the semester. (Sob!)

Writing for the Future: For 4/21

Reminder: Paper 6 is due by class time this week. It's your last short paper.

I'm expecting another speaker this week. Try especially hard to be on time.

Come with any questions you may have about this course, your grades, etc. Keep in mind that next week (4/28) is our final class.

In case you missed it, Fox Day has come and gone. Because it didn't fall on a Tuesday, it din't affect us after all.

Writing for the Future: For 4/14

Reminders for this week:

Bring in an article from a newspaper, magazine or website (printed out), and be prepared to explain why you do or do not like it.

Be sure to read pages 157-163 and 207-216 in your text, If you're one of the people who agreed to summarize one of these sections, please be prepared to do that.

We're hoping to have a guest this week who has worked in the fields of public relations and journalism. Please come prepared to ask questions.

Writing for the Future: For 4/7

This will be the week of your Final Paper conferences. Class will begin at the normal time (4 pm) but will only last one hour. After that, I'll meet with each of you individually in my office (Orlando Hall 210). Please try to arrive 10 minutes early. Also, don't forget to bring your proposal with you.

Here are the conference times: Filipa (5 pm), Tiffany (5:10), Emma (5:20), Gian (5:30), Marjorie (5:40), Sal (5:50), Shelby (6 pm), Ashley (6:10), Aaron (6:20).

Please remember that Paper 5 is due this week, by class time.

Writing for the Future: For 3/31

Today, you'll be sharing your group projects. You'll have a few minutes to organize your presentations, but then you're on!

Remember: Your group project has three parts:

1) A two-page paper.
2) A five-minute oral report.
3) Three (or more) blog items with illustrations.

Writing for the Future: For 3/24

Contact info for previous speakers:
1) Randy Noles, publisher and editor  of Winter Park Magazine: randyn@floridahomemedia.com
2) Jennifer DeWitt, marketing & communications for Rollins College: jdewitt@rollins.edu

Update on Paper 5:
Paper 5 will be assigned on 3/31 and will be due on 4/7.

This week, we will have another speaker from the world of marketing and communications. Please come prepared with questions, the more specific the better.

Also, come prepared to work on your group projects. Remember, they will be due the following week, 3/31.

Writing for the Future: Fox Day

Just to clear things up, the official Rollins policy for Writing for the Future is that if Fox Day happens to be on a Tuesday this semester, all of my students (including both Holt and day school students) should come to class at the regular time, 4 pm.  I’ll let you out at 6 pm, a half-hour early.

Writing for the Future: For 3/17

Group Project

This week, we'll be both catching up on some things and looking ahead to others.

We'll be catching up on Paper 4. Some of you may have made changes on it. In any case, please remember to bring it in this week.

We'll also try to catch up on that in-class interviewing exercise. Please bring the notes you took for that.

As for looking ahead, we'll be forming small groups to begin work on your group project. Please give this some thought before class. What sort of topic or topics would you like your group project to cover?

Writing for the Future: For 3/10

In your text, on page 48, there's a good example of an interview article for a company newsletter. You can follow this example for Paper 4, but you don't have to do so. In fact, a less formal, more personal sort of interview article might be more interesting. In any case, please do not write this assignment in the style of the Q&A article on page 51.

Also, don't wait until the last minute to do this assignment. As I mentioned in class, this assignment involves another person (a stranger or a near-stranger), and you can never know how reliable that person is. Give yourself time to recover if something goes wrong.

Writing for the Future: For 2/24

I hope you found last week's speaker interesting. I did. I'll be interested to know what you got out of her talk.

This week we'll starting to work on the fine art of interviewing. Please remember to read pages 47-62 in your text.

We will also be workshopping your papers about the Cornell Museum. I'm looking forward to reading those.

Since we are about halfway through the semester, I'd like to get some feedback about this class: things we should emphasize, things you need to go over again, etc. Be prepared with questions and comments. (We'll keep those anonymous.)

Writing for the Future: For 2/17

1) Our guest this week will be Jennifer DeWitt, an expert in using social media for work-related projects. Be prepared to ask any questions you may have on this or a related topic. She's also interested in hearing your comments.

2) Your third paper -- the one about the Cornell Museum -- is due by class time on 2/17. We'll have time to do a little workshopping of these papers.

3) In the coming weeks we'll be working to improve your skills as interviewers. The next time you see an interview on television, try to figure out why you like it or do not like it.

Writing for the Future: For 2/10

Reminder for 2/10/15:

We will all meet at 4 p.m. at the Cornell Museum on campus. At that time, you will receive your assignment for Paper 3. We'll spend 45 minutes to an hour at the museum. After that, we'll begin the more formal part of the class in our usual classroom at 5 p.m.

Bring a pencil with you to take notes. The museum may not allow the use of pens. Please allow yourself plenty of time to park your car and get to the museum by 4 p.m.

Here is a link to a map of the campus, which you can copy and paste into your browser:

http://www.myatlascms.com/map/index.php?id=65#!ct/3744,824,865,866,852,864,868,5148,5141,3745,4399,7309,4400,4396

Writing for the Future: For 2/3

Reminders for 2/3:

1) Your paper about writing a press release is due by class time on 2/3. So is the article that it is based on.

2) Be sure to put the Honor Code (or AHC) on your paper and to sign it.

3)  Read pages 69-79 in your text if you haven't already.

4) You might want to look ahead at pages 177-194.

5) In case you missed it in class, here's the final line of your syllabus:

 4/28. Final papers due. Share individual final papers. Goodbyes.

Writing for the Future: For 1/27

I hope you got a lot out of Randy Noles' talk last week. With so much focus about writing for the Internet these days, his contrarian approach may have shaken some of your assumptions. As we listen to other speakers, you'll be able to weigh what he had to say against their more mainstream views.

Meanwhile, I just want to remind everyone that this class is organized mostly as a workshop. If you're not speaking up much, you're not really experiencing this class. Please try to warm up to that idea.