September 19: Answering a question with a paragraph

This is our 4th out of 15 sessions. Yeah!

Today's class will follow the customary pattern of weeks 3-14.
We're going to draft a single paragraph, revise it on the computer, print it out, and most importantly enjoy it and critique it. 

1) Each student will generate at least five questions that could conceivably be answered in a single paragraph. These questions can have to with anything under the sun: art (of course), but also politics, fashion, music, food, UFOs, skateboards, television, video games, parents, science, global warming, religion, clutter, Brad Pitt, iPhones, fingernail clippings, napkins, Philadelphia, FYE, post-it notes.

2) Each question will be written on a separate post-it note and affixed randomly to the wall. 

3) Each student will choose two favorite questions, the ones that the student thinks would make for an interesting and fun paragraph to write and also to read and share. You cannot choose one of your own questions (sorry), and you cannot choose a question that someone else has already chosen

4) At this stage only ten questions will be left on the wall. Each student will rank their favorite three. The one with the highest score will be the question we answer in a single paragraph.

5) Guidelines: Your paragraph must be between six and eight sentences. Before you print it, re-read it and make the little changes that you discover in the process. Try the technique I call "reverse reading." 

Writing Process Animation

Maybe some of you have seen this video, but more likely it's new to you. The author, Jon, breaks down the writing process in painstaking detail. I think he's from Canada b/c of his pronunciation. 

After we watch the video and have a brief discussion about it, each of you will write a single paragraph that establishes what you find to be the most important information. You'll have about 15-20 minutes to write this paragraph. Your paragraph needs to have between five and seven sentences (not more, not less). 

Draft your paragraph in your new notebook and start each new sentence on a new line. Feel free to cross things out. After you finish your draft, take it to a computer and print out a single copy (single-spaced is preferred).

When we critique your paragraph in class, you will note the things that would improve your paragraph on your copy. Please note: We are not talking solely about correctness and grammar; we are also talking about the logic and flow of your ideas.