Breakthrough Writer: Reading List and Grading Template for English 1A Fall 2014

The purpose of a writing class is to develop a meaningful thesis, direct or implied, that will generate a compelling essay. Most importantly, a meaningful thesis will have a strong emotional connection between you and the material. In fact, if you don’t have a “fire in your belly” to write the paper, your essay will be nothing more than a limp document, a perfunctory exercise in futility. A successful thesis will also be intellectually challenging and afford a complexity worthy of college-level writing. Thirdly, the successful thesis will be demonstrable, which means it can be supported by examples and illustrations in a recognizable organizational design. Other Website: http://herculodge.typepad.com/

Cooked by Jeff Henderson. Essay will be 180 points.

Our Story Begins by Tobias Wolff. Essay will be 180 points.

A Good Fall by Ha Jin. Essay will be 180 points.

Autobiography of Malcolm X will be 300 points.

Have students read Autobiography of Malcolm X in advance, like a chapter a week starting when Tobias Wolff unit checks in.

Four Reading Exams at 40 a piece equals 160.

Grand Total: 1,000

You might change the essay points to have a reading quiz for Cooked and Malcolm X.