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.