Monday, 9/17 - Homecoming Week (Day 1)

• P&P

• Welcome to Homecoming Weak (I know it's "week," but the festivities make for some not-as-strong-as-usual class time). Two things:
1. I forgot to post J3 on Focus, so I cannot grade it as homework today. Consider it due tomorrow. 
2. We will be in Beowulf today, since I neglected my homework posting duty.    

Here are some helpful definitions from Purdue OWL, an online writing resource, that should aid you as you consider how to best answer particular prompts:

1. Narrative - "think of it as telling a story. These essays are often anecdotal, experiential, and personal—allowing the student to express herself in a creative and, quite often, moving way." This genre comes in handy to answer prompts asking you to describe a moving experience or where you've come from: your country, your town, your family, your work, your hobbies. It also works well when asked to describe a person who has greatly influenced you.

2. Descriptive - "asks the student to describe an object, person, place, experience, emotion, situation, etc." This genre also comes in handy to answer prompts like those mentioned above.

3. Expository - "requires the student to investigate an idea, evaluate evidence, expound on the idea, and set forth an argument concerning that idea in a clear and concise manner." This genre works well when asked to comment on a piece of music, a historical figure, or a book that has deeply influenced you.

4. Argument - "requires the student to investigate a topic, collect, generate, and evaluate evidence, and establish a position on the topic in a concise manner." This genre will be used least, unless asked to take a stand on a particular issue. 

It is important to realize that you may draw upon elements of several of these essay genres as you respond to particular prompts. You will note that genres 1 and 2 tend to be more immediately creative, yet creative prompts (University of Chicago, anyone?) can ask you to engage in genres 3 or 4, asking you to creatively defend a silly thesis. A talented student will blend genres, sometimes beginning with a 1 or 2, only to strengthen it with the argumentative edge of a 3 or 4. For what it's worth . . .  

• Now . . . back to Beowulf