Breakthrough Writer

All the Stories Are Available Online Except for "Sonny's Blues"

Dear Summer 2011 1C students,

I found ALL the stories online except for "Sonny's Blues." Do you want to replace "Sonny's Blues" with "The Bet" by Chekhov? The link for "The Bet" is below.

The Death of Ivan Ilyich

A Good Man Is Hard to Find

Good Country People

The Lottery

The Swimmer

Babylon Revisted

Story Criticism for Babylon Revisisted

The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas

The Bet by Chekhov

The Death of Ivan Ilych Lessons on One Post

Lesson One

Lesson Two

Lesson Three

Lesson Four

 

1C Summer 2011 Quiz #2: The Death of Ivan Ilych

In 500 words, explain how The Death of Ivan Ilych gives us a deeper understanding of Viktor Frankl's Man's Search for Meaning.

Summer 1A Quiz #2 for Cooked

In 500 words, explain why Jeff Henderson's life after prison was more difficult than when he was in prison.

Student Selling Writer's Resource Book for $20.

Would u please be kind enough to give ur 1A class a little announcement which is: $20.00 for the Writer's Resource book they can contact me at (310)508-3295 Mitzy... Thanks a lot

A Good Fall Lessons for Summer 2011, June 22

 

Lesson for "Choice"

Lesson for "House Behind a Weeping Cherry" and "A Good Fall"

Summer 2011 1C Link for Man's Search for Meaning, Lectures #1-4

Here is Man's Search for Meaning Lecture #1.

 Here is Man's Search for Meaning Lecture #2.

Here is Man's Search for Meaning Lecture #3.

Here is Man's Search for Meaning Lecture #4. 

Summer 2011 English 1A Quiz for Ha Jin's A Good Fall

In 500 words, contrast courage and cowardice as these character traits influence the growth, and retardation, of love in at least 2 short stories from Ha Jin's book A Good Fall.

Summer 2011 English 1C Quiz: We Should be Worthy of Our Suffering

In 500 words, explain what Frankl means when he says we should be "worthy of our suffering." Use personal observations and experiences to explain your points.

Fall 2011 English 1C Syllabus for Jeff McMahon

 

Email: jmcmahon@elcamino.edu

Office: PE4; extension 5673

Website: Breakthrough Writer: Easiest way to find blog is to go to Google and type “breakthrough writer.” My blog will be your first hit.

http://herculodge.typepad.com/breakthrough_writer/ 

Assigned Texts and Essay Assignments for English C:

 

 

The Night in Question by Tobias Wolff:

 

Write a 6-page research paper in which you develop a thesis about the mental disease narcissism by writing an extended definition of the term. Use no fewer than 3 stories from the book.

 

The Geography of Bliss by Erice Weiner:

 

In a 6-page research paper, critique the idea of happiness, its mythologies and fallacies, in the context of the book. Use personal examples to illustrate your points.

 

Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl:

 

Option One

In a 6-page essay, argue whether or not we can overcome the "existential vacuum" by finding meaning as prescribed by Frankl or if "meaning" is merely an illusion that "keeps us going."Include no fewer than 4 research sources for your Works Cited page.

 

Option Two

In a 6-page essay, contrast psychotherapy and logotherapy. Include no fewer than 4 research sources for your Works Cited page.

 

The Death of Ivan Ilyich by Leo Tolstoy

 

In a 6-page research paper, analyze the life of Ivan Ilych in the context of Man’s Search for Meaning.

 

 

Research and Grammar Book: A Writer’s Resource El Camino College Handbook 3rd Edition

 

Grading

 

4 Research Papers: 6 pages with correct MLA format Works Cited page: 225 each for 900 points

4 Take-Home Quizzes (posted on blog a few days before due date) 25 points for 100 points.

Grant Total: 1,000 points. 900 is A. 800 is B. 700 is C. 600 is D.

 

You Can’t Revise Essays or Quizzes for Higher Grade

 

In the past, revisions have been the equivalent of me correcting student papers, essentially playing the role of proofreader so that I’m giving higher grades for my corrections. I have concluded that such a process is a complete farce so instead of revisions you can give me the first 2 or 3 pages of your essay anytime before it’s due, including on the day you turn in the quiz and I will identify patterns of grammar errors and content problems so that I can hopefully get you on the right track.

 

Late Essays Are Deducted a Full Letter Grade

 

Because getting into the lax habit of finding excuses for turning in late work is anathema to succeeding in the real world, late essays are discouraged by deducted full letter grade. If essay is more than a week late, you cannot get any points and mathematically you will fail the class so most likely you will be dropped.

Plagiarism, the act of trying to deceive your instructor by turning in work that is NOT your own writing, will result in zero points and will seriously endanger your possibility of passing the course. 

Pressure to Get an A and Things That Disqualify a Student from Receiving an A Grade

I know a lot of students are under excruciating pressure to get A grades in their classes. I appreciate that and because I do, I need to explain two things that disqualify a student from getting an A grade:

One: Turning in a late essay more than a week after its due date. These late essays get ZERO points and will mathematically eliminate the chances of an A grade.

Two. Cheating, plagiarising, trying to deceive me by turning in work that you didn't write.

 

Writing and Reading Schedule

 

August 30 Introduction

September 1 The Night in Question: “The Chain”

September 6 The Night in Question: “The Other Miller”

September 8 The Night in Question: “Life of the Body”

September 13: The Night in Question: “Mortals” and “Bullet in the Brain”

September 15: Quiz 1 is due in my office PE4

September 20 Essay 1 is due for first half of students (A-L) in my office PE4

September 22 Essay 2 is due for second half of students (M-Z) in my office PE4

September 27 Geography of Bliss 1-50

September 29 Geography of Bliss 51-100

October 4 Geography of Bliss 101-150

October 6 Geography of Bliss 151-200

October 11 Geography of Bliss 200-end

October 13 Quiz 2 due in my office PE4

October 18 Essay 2 due in my office for second half of students (M-Z)

October 20 Essay 2 due in my office for first half of students (A-L)

October 25 Man’s Search for Meaning 1-40

October 27 Man’s Search for Meaning 41-80

November 1 Man’s Search for Meaning 81-120

November 3 Man’s Search for Meaning 121-end

November 8 Man’s Search for Meaning

November 10 Quiz 3 due in my office PE4

November 15 First half of students (A-L) turn in Essay 3 to my office PE4

November 17 Second half of students (M-Z) turn in Essay 3 to my office PE4

November 22 The Death of Ivan Ilyich: Read first third

November 24 Holiday

November 29 The Death of Ivan Ilyich: Read second third

December 1 The Death of Ivan Ilyich: Read to the end

December 6 Quiz 4 due in my office PE4

December 8 Consultation in my office PE4

December 13 Second half of students (M-Z) turn in Essay 4 to my office PE4

December 15 First half of students (A-L) turn in Essay 4 to my office PE4