This I Believe Project

Our first assignment of the semester is going to be a personal essay entitled, This I Believe. This will be an extremely short essay (between 350 and 500 words), but it will help us to get to know each other and to explore the concept of voice and tone in our writing.  Below is a description of the project as found on This I Believe's website.

"This I Believe is an international project engaging people in writing and sharing essays describing the core values that guide their daily lives. More than 90,000 of these essays, written by people from all walks of life, are archived here on our website, heard on public radio, chronicled through our books, and featured in weekly podcasts. The project is based on the popular 1950s radio series of the same name hosted by Edward R. Murrow" (http://thisibelieve.org/).

This assignment is a great way to find your voice as a writer. Please visit the link above and listen to at least two essays (by one male and one female) before class on September 3, 2010. Please let me know which essays, authors, and your thoughts about what you read/ heard in the comments section below.

Mrs. McNeely

Start of Term Notices

Hello, students and parents! 

       The start of the semester for Advanced Composition is rapidly approaching, and I want to keep you informed from the beginning about my hopes for each of you.  My supreme hope for the students at this point is that everyone arrive to class prepared for edification. The following information will be helpful in achieving this goal.

• Arrive on time.  (This generally means before class is to officially begin...one second past 10:30 is late.)

• Bring the following:
•      pen or pencil (or both if you would like to be an over-achiever)
•      Prentice Hall Grammar and Writing Textbook 
•      a three-ring binder with sections for:
• note-taking (this section ought to include notebook paper)
• hand-outs
• course syllabus/ calendar
• journals
• personal/ professional research

•  a writing sample (preferably an essay written during your time served in basic composition)

       I am looking forward to getting to know each of you throughout the course of the year.  Please contact me at mmcneely04@gmail.com if you have any questions or comments. 

Thanks!

Mrs. McNeely