Rehearsal + final questions about portfolios

It sounds like you all have a good hand on what you will be reading for Wednesday's performance. I am looking forward to seeing you all there. We have the Cougar's Den reseved from 6-8 - but if you have an extra piece to read that you'd like an audience for - bring it along, and maybe we will be able to either stay a little longer than we've reserved - or move venues.

Final comments on portfolio.

1. When you post your final essay - include a brief introductory paragraph about whether you got what you wanted out of it - and who you envision as its audience (who might like to read it). If you plan to send it out - list the places where you might send it.

2. Your portfolios are due no later than Monday night at 7:15. However - if you are finished early - I would appreciate it if you would send me an email so I can get a head start on grading.

See you at the reading!

Schedule for reading

In class tonight, we talked through plans for the last couple of classes, and you workshopped your reflective essays. I repeatedly directed you to the assignment sheet in response to your questions about the essay - so see what you can do in terms of constructing the expectations for this assignment from the written directions.

The plan for how much credit will be accorded which aspects of your work was posted on the syllabus as follows.

Grades

1. Writing projects & portfolio

Drafts + revisions Project 1 150 points

Drafts + revisions Project 2 150 points

Drafts + revisions for reflective essay 100 points

Portfolio (includes finished writing for two essays + reflective essay) 200 points

Total points 600 points

2. Blog 200 points

3. Participation, blog comments, writing journal, presentations 200 points

Total points for course 1000 points

Points for the portfolio are based on overall quality of work; evidence of thoughtful, on-going exploration of and experimentation with features of creative nonfiction from draft to draft and from project to project; completeness, and organization.

In class on Monday we will make sure everyone is set to turn in the completed portfolio no later than Monday by the end of class. I do not expect to hold class on Monday, December 20, but if individual students make appointments to finish up work, I will arrange to be present.

Reading at the Cougar's Den

Class for Wednesday, December 15, will be held in the Cougar's Den in the seating in the room to the right of the cash register. It is a big room so there will be plenty of space for our class and any guests you might choose to invite. The reading is from 6:00 to 8:00, and the schedule is as follows.

6:00 Hamilton
6:10 Marilyn
6:20 Fran
6:30 Casey
6:40 Elizabeth
6:50 Yasmin
7:00 Marjorie
7:10 Nashira
7:20 Erin
7:30 Chelsea|
7:40 Ashley
7:50 Josh
8:00 Michael

No blog assignment. Keep working on whatever writing you need to work on to finish work for the course.

For class Monday, we will tie up loose ends with respect to questions about outstanding work, due dates, grades, and anything else relevant to your writing you would like to discuss. You will then rehearse for the reading in groups. The purpose of the rehearsal (as for the NDW rehearsal) is to get a feel for how long 10 minutes is, talk through your introductory material, and get some preliminary response.

Have a good weekend and see you on Monday.

Workshop Groups

These somewhat random groups were set up with the intent to put you in conversation with individuals you haven't yet worked with.

Josh

Elizabeth

Marilyn

Erin

Casey
Marjorie

Fran

Yasmin

Chelsea

Ashley

Michael

Nashira

Robyn

Eric

Hamilton

For Wednesday: finishing up the reflective essay + Workshop

In class tonight you finished up your presentations - and took a minute to make sure you knew how to post your work on the portfolio.

Questions included:

- Should I post the version with comments? (NO)

- Can I set my portfolio so that no one can see my work? (YES => go to more actions; share this site, and select private.)

For Wednesday:

no blog

Come to class prepared to workshop your reflective essay (bring your computer or a print copy) + the essay of your choice.

Class will be a writing workshop.

Presentations

Tonight you gave your presentations on publication venues - good job! Good information.

On Monday, the six of you who didn't get a chance to present will talk about your venues. W e will also check portfolios - just to make sure you are OK with the software & do some workshopping for any essay you want to work on. We will also finalize plans for the reading on December 15.

Blog: Post Revised Essay 3/4