Appalachian Geek

Hello Students:

This piece was just sent to me and I thought it might be a worthwhile read for those of you who may wonder why I am pushing you to understand these writing tools and their applications before we put pen to page. (Other than my experience, which I understand is oftentimes more of a deterrent for students than a help.)

Here is the piece, written for the Village Voice. (This is not safe for work. This is not polite. This is a pretty good representation of life in the big leagues.)

Here’s the take-away, if you would kindly substitute magazine writing for screenwriting.

They think that screenwriting doesn’t actually require the ability to write, just the ability to come up with a cool story that would make a cool movie. Screenwriting is widely regarded as the easiest way to break into the movie business, because it doesn’t require any kind of training, skill or equipment. Everybody can write, right?

Hello Students:

Just a reminder that your quiz is due by 5 pm on Monday. There is substantial work to be finished still. (Those who are doing the quiz on their own, I expect an email or hard copy by 5 pm on Monday).

Please see my notes on the Wiki: The editing document is not completed (you need to create a check-list for your peer editing; what is the list that and what is the information that you will be checking as you peer edit? And what order should it be in for editing purposes?) and the quiz should not be a simple re-hash of the book.

There are several passages that seem to be lifted directly (or predominantly) from the book. This is, of course, plagiarism and will result in the class receiving a zero. We are not stenographers. You need to use your own words. Learning requires you to read, process and explain in your own words what this means. (Plus, let’s be honest: you get nothing out of simply re-writing the text + my lecture notes.)

You can edit over each other’s work.If you just rely upon one person to write these answers (and it appears that you have), the quiz will not get completed. Don’t simply regurgitate. That’s not the point of this exercise. Get into your words and explain what you think these mean. (There are several good examples of that in the quiz as well).

Also, please make sure each of you has added your individual work where it specifies for you to do that.

Hello Students:

The third quiz will be a comprehensive one, which will take some time to complete I suspect. However, there is a wrinkle. (We will discuss this in class tomorrow, mind you.)

For those who are participating in the DATABASE Wiki, you will take the collective quiz together. It is up on the Wiki now (although you have a WEEK to complete it so please don’t feel the need to start it now). You will all receive the same grade, which means you will have some good reason to work together.

For those who are more comfortable in the traditional environment (e.g. those who haven’t participated in the online learning environment), you will work on the comprehensive quiz on your own. I will have copies of the quiz for you tomorrow. You will receive an individual grade.

Grade-wise, you can choose — if you want — to eliminate your lowest grade (not counting a zero for not attending or not taking a quiz) and double the comprehensive grade.

Hello Students:

I have added a description of the Small Group Work we will begin on Tuesday. This is where we begin to apply to concepts we have discussed in class. You will be expected to apply these properly; however, you’ll see you have several weeks to work on these Story Ideas (and many chances for revision and constructive feedback from me, the group and the class).

You can find this information here on the Wiki. I am also including a link to the Wiki in the BSU Lecture Notes section.