LAST WEEK everyone finished an in-class, timed essay on The Round House. We discussed argumentative structure, how using the T-Q-S (topic, question, significance) can help students write more in-depth papers on a given topic. Rather than writing about a topic (which smacks of book-reporting) or even in response to a question (which at least does require the writer to take a stance), writers should address the larger "So what?" of their topic, approach the essay with complexity, and in so doing appeal more strongly to their audience.

Monday

I will begin handing back essays today--five per day. Every student will get specific feedback related to their claim (debatable thesis statement) and usage (vague language or wordiness). Once you have received your essay back, students are to revise their essay. In-class lecture on that revision.
HW: Revisions are due one week after you receive your essay back. Students who get them back today must turn in their revision, with the blue-book, to me in 330 next Monday, as class will not because of late start. Tonight, gather together your notes on each literary article we've read so far. You need those for your revision.

Tuesday

How did Americans' perception of Native American Indians come to be? We will look at European explorers' perspective of Indians. We will also look at samples from five student essays, as we did yesterday.
HW: Tomorrow we will write argumentative body paragraphs based upon the Zinn. Tonight, finish reading the chapter by Zinn.

Wednesday

Using the Zinn chapter to write argumentative paragraphs in class, posted on our blog. HW: Read selections from "The Starving Time" and a young Pilgrim's diary.

Thursday

Lecture on the Puritan ethic and the City on the Hill as a quintessential American metaphor. Creating the New Trier Reader, based upon the historical Puritan readers. Looking at five more essays. 5 more essays.
HW: Tonight we will start looking at the pendulum swinging away from Puritan's theology, reading "The Minister's Black Veil" by Hawthorne.

Friday

We will read another story by Hawthorne today, "Young Goodman Brown. " What is Hawthorne's criticism of the Puritans. The last student essays.
HW: Reading the essay "On Christian Charity." No class on Monday because of the late start. Remember to turn in your revision, with notes and blue book, one week from when you received your first draft back.