Here is a word document to supplement the PowerPoint on Writing Effective Papers--This one will help you craft a strong thesis for your SECOND paper, which asks you to analyze 2 literary texts together.

Please read this carefully and review it as you craft your final papers, due on Wednesday August 17th.

Here is the assignment sheet for your first paper, due Wednesday August 3rd. We will discuss it during our second in-person class meeting, but please read it very carefully yourself and refer to it as you plan, write, and revise your paper. 

NOTE: the syllabus originally had this paper due on Wednesday August 3rd, but it is now due on Thursday August 4rth. 

Review this PowerPoint carefully before your first Forum post and Reply, but refer to it all semester long to be sure you get maximum credit for the Forum portion of our class, which is approximately 50% of your grade. There are 4 parts to it:

1) Introduction, and Overview of the goals of Forum Posts

2) A look at how Posts should be organized, and what they should contain

3) Some "Dos and Don'ts"

4) Sample Posts and Replies, Weak ones and Strong ones, with notes about what makes them so good or bad. 

             --Please note: this is a large file, and may take some time to download.

See the first Video Lecture on Ceremony for details on how to use this. 

This one goes from the Star-Page almost, but not quite, to the end (I stopped 20 or 30 pages before the end because I know some people might dislike accidentally glimpsing "spoilers").

Here you will find some inspiration: a few pieces of excellent writing taken from the first Forum (including parts of Posts and a couple of full Posts)--with some notes from me about what is successful. Use this as a complement to the PowerPoint, and look for ways to emulate these examples!

Check out these samples of wonderful work from your colleagues, plus a few notes from me, for inspiration!