Having some serious issues...

...with disqus so this is a new thread I'm opening for you to post responses to the last prompt (timed writes). Even if you've emailed, responses will have to be posted on the blog to get credit.

Best,

-RMH

Thought I forgot, didn't you...

...well, BA-HUMBUG! hahaha

So this is where you're going to post the strengths and weaknesses of the sample essays I handed out to you in class. Identify what catapulted the '9' and what sunk the '3' (2?). How do your essays measure up? What did reading these essays bring to mind about your own writing?

These will be in preparation for your timed writing for Heart of Darkness upon your return.

Happy Holidays!

-RMH

Prompt for Blog Post due 12/16

Here are the questions from today's class:

After making some less than condemnatory remarks about Kurtz, Marlow is pegged as a "fellow traveler" of Kurtz. How does Marlow react when he finally closes in upon and then encounters Kurtz?


What does Kurtz say in his final illness? What, if anything, does Marlow learn from Kurtz? How does he interpret Kurtz's phrase "the horror, the horror"?


Kurtz finally passes away, and, at the text's conclusion, Marlow decides to visit Kurtz's "Intended," or fiancée. Why does Marlow lie to her about Kurtz's last words? Does his lie reflect any insight he has gained from his trip up the Congo and to "the Heart of Darkness"? Explain.

Identify the group you were in, write some of what you wrote, building on prior comments and through this we will illuminate the other groups. If you have something you would like to add to a comment from a different group, feel free!

Re-Read Part III before class on Tue.

We'll be doing some substantial digging during class on Tue and it will greatly improve your understanding of the more complicated themes and motifs if you're re-read.

Hope you had a great weekend,

RMH

No Blog Post for Wednesday

Freeing up some time for you to focus on essay revisions. Re-read Part II, though, so we are extra prepared for discussion tomorrow.

Best,

RMH

Writing Notes

Conventions: Stuff we covered already that I didn't kill you on, but I will next time: Contractions and past tense. You have to get these right. Some proofreading was poor - this is inexcusable and pretty much over forever in terms of your academic career. If you're not having multiple other people read your essays, you simply are not going to get this right (sentence fluency is also connected to this).

Presentation: Again, a no-brainer. There are many students in the C-B range that would have been in the B-A range had their conventions and presentation been on point. 12pt. font, Times New Roman, 1-1.25" margins all-around. Added for next time: last name/page # headers for pages 2 through X. Also, in-text citations will have to be perfect for our next formal essay.

Lastly, 4-6 means AT LEAST 4.

Add your concerns/thoughts in here if you'd like either me or your peers to chime in.