Cañada College
English 836 (Clay)
Fall 2007
Paper: The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven
Due Wednesday, December 5
Your paper should be 750-1000 words.

Write an essay on the following topic. Your essay should have a clear introduction that explains what you are going to write about, and a separate concluding paragraph that sums up what you think about the story. Be sure that each body paragraph of your essay discusses one idea, and has a clear topic sentence (one sentence that gives the main idea of this paragraph.).

Choose one of the Sherman Alixie stories that you have recently read. What do you think are the most important themes of the story? That is, what are the issues that the story makes us think about? The story may focus on the problems of life on the reservation, the issues of Indian tradition versus contemporary mainstream culture, the need for role models among young Indians, the frustrations of women on the reservation... There are many ideas to consider in Alexie’s stories. Quote passages from the story that are important to your analysis. Please look at Chapters 12, 13, and 14 of your Writing First text for ideas for good essay form. You may want to use one quote for each of your body paragraphs, and quotes can be very effective as part of introductions and conclusions also.

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*If your previous essay grades have been less than A’s, you must meet with a tutor at least once as you draft this essay. Please note the tutor’s name, and when your tutoring session took place; -- include this information in the heading of your paper. (Be sure to enter this time as Hours By Arragement work also.)
Sample thesis sentence:
There are three basic themes in Alexie’s story, __________: the difficulties that young Native Americans face as they try to assimilate into the mainstream white culture, the need for tradition in the Indian culture, and the unfortunate use of alcohol as an escape.

Cañada College
English 836 (Clay, Fall 2007)
Writing assignment #1: Argument ParagraphParagraph due Friday, September 7
Your paragraph should be an "argument" paragraph as discussed chapter 11 of Writing First. Choose one of the topic sentences on page 114 of Writing First. Use that sentence as the basis for your paragraph. Your paragraph should present a complete argument for the point of view presented in the topic sentence. Create an outline of your paragraph in which you list your main points, and the evidence for each point. Also include a major argument against your position, and why that argument is not valid or relevant. The items in your outline should be complete sentences (you may use these same sentences in your finished paragraph.) Draft your paragraph and finish with a strong conclusion.

Use one topic sentence from the text. (page 114)
Hand in your outline with your finished paragraph.
Edit and proofread carefully.
Type and double space please.
Your paragraph should be about 150-200 words.

Dc 8/31/07

Cañada College
English 836 (Clay, Fall 2004)
Bowling?Assignment #7: Bowling for Columbine
Due at the course final, December 15
In Bowling For Columbine Michael Moore various styles throughout the film. Some parts of the film are dramatic, humorous, shocking, or satirical. There is always a message, but he presents his messages in many different ways. Describe 3 or 4 of these basic styles, and discuss whether they are effective or not. Try to explain why the film works the way that it does.
Be sure to use concrete details from the movie as you write, and don't hesitate to quote from the movie. You may want to look at some of the study materials on the Bowling For Columbine web page.
If your last assignment grade was C or less, you must meet with a tutor to work on your first draft. The time you spend with the tutor will be part of your hours by arrangement requirement.
Your final essay should be about 500 - 700 words.

Cañada College
English 836 Freshman Success, Fall 2004
Clay
Assignment #7: Personal Statement Student____________
Preliminary list of sentences due Monday, November 15.
First draft of your personal statement is due Wednesday, November 17
Your Final draft, with revisions and proofreading, is due Monday, November 22
This assignment is based on the class handout:
“Tips for Writing an Effective Personal Statement.”
The goal is for you to have a good complete personal statement that you can use in applying for Cañada scholarships.
1. Read the handouts thoroughly, but give particular attention to the prompt for the personal statement.
2. Do some brainstorming, and make a list of things that you will include in your personal statement.
3. Put your list into complete sentences. Hand this in on Monday, November 15. Please be sure that you and I look at your list before you start your first draft.
4. Prepare the first draft of your personal statement and hand it in on Wednesday, the 17th. Please include your list of sentences with the draft.
5. Proofread and revise your personal statement. Hand this in on the 22nd. Please hand in your preliminary list and your first draft along with your finished statement.
We will discuss all of this in class; please ask any questions you have!
Evaluation: 60 points
1. Your list of ideas (15 points): Is it in complete sentences?
Does it cover most of the items mentioned in the application?
2. First draft (15 points): does it have good organization? Introduction?_____ Good body paragraphs? ______ Conclusion? _____
Is it original and personal? _______
3. Final draft (30 points): Is it completely proofread?
Is it persuasive with good strong vocabulary and clear goals?

Please hand in this sheet with your finished package.

Cañada College
English 836 (Clay, Fall 2004)
"Fries With That?"

Assignment #3: Compare and Contrast essay
Rough draft due; Monday, October 4
Final draft due: Friday, October 8

Your assignment (should you choose to accept it) is to write an essay comparing and contrasting two fast food restaurants. You may want to talk about the food, the service, the atmosphere, the parking, the people, or anything else that is a part of the buying and eating experience. Interviews with people who work at the restaurants would be an asset to your essay. Your essay should be in the standard 5 paragraph form. (Please see chapter 12 of Writing First.)
You will be evaluated on originality, how entertaining your essay is, and how well you use the 5 paragraph form. Hand in your rough draft with your final draft.
If your last assignment grade was C or less, you must meet with a tutor to work on your first draft. The time you spend with the tutor will be part of your hours by arrangement requirement.
Your final essay should be about 500 - 700 words.

dc 9/27/04

Posted: September 1, 2004

Cañada College
English 836
Clay Fall 2004

Under the Feet of Jesus Study Questions for chapter one:
due Monday, September 6
1. Summary of chapter one: Write one paragraph in which you describe what happens in chapter one. Be as complete as you can in one page or so.

2. Why does Estrella fight with Maxine? What does Maxine do that pushes Estrella to violence?

3. What are the most important conflicts presented in this chapter? For example, what are the pressures on Estrella and her family? How are the family’s values challenged? What are some of the personal conflicts that the characters face? (One good paragraph should do for this question.)

Type your answers, and be ready to share your thoughts with the class.
You will be evaluated on mechanics and style as well as what you say.

__________________________________________________

Spring 2004 assignments:
Essay #3: Under the Feet of Jesus Film Script
Due May 5, 2004
Under the Feet of Jesus is an episodic story. It is written in small sections -- each section tells a part of the story, but is a separate scene. Your assignment is to choose one section and re-write it as a film script. You will need to
1. Describe the setting with enough detail so that some one could recreate it.
2. Write the dialog (you will want to use the dialog from the text.)
3. Describe the attitude, tone of voice, and actions of each character.
4. Say exactly what the camera should do. For example, you may want the camera to do a pan, a close-up, a wide to narrow telescope... Be sure to say what the camera “sees”.
Many of these directions can be explained with one or two words. That’s fine -- just be sure that your directions are clear!
Be sure to write a complete heading for you script which gives us the page numbers of the text that you are re-writing, the characters’ names, and the approximate duration of the scene.

You will be evaluated on your close reading and interpretation of the scene, whether you are thorough in your directions, your proofreading, and your imagination.
We will discuss this in class, and be sure that you proofread.

show your rough draft to your tutor
consult with me during office hours

Under the Feet of Jesus Study Questions for chapter one:
due Friday, April 2.
1. Summary of chapter one: Write one paragraph in which you describe what happens in chapter one. Be as complete as you can in one page or so.
2. Why does Estrella fight with Maxine? What does Maxine do that pushes Estrella to violence?
3. What are the most important conflicts presented in this chapter? For example, what are the pressures on Estrella and her family? How are the family’s values challenged? What are some of the personal conflicts that the characters face? (One good paragraph should do for this question.)
Type your answers, and be ready to share your thoughts with the class.
You will be evaluated on mechanics and style as well as what you say.

Cañada College
English 836 & English 100
Instructor: Clay
March 2004Research and Discussion topics for Bowling For Columbine group presentations.
Choose one of these topics for your group presentation. Do some research and prepare a ten to fifteen minute presentation on your topic. Each member of your group should do some research and participate in the presentation. Bring in visual aids if you wish. Be sure to fill out your Group Presentation Worksheet and hand it in at the time of your class presentation. List your research sources in a bibliography and hand that in also (one bibliography for your whole group.) Your goal is to present new information to the class, and to stimulate thinking and discussion. You will be evaluated on your research and how well you frame questions for us to think about. (You may count your meeting time toward the hours by arrangement requirement for the class.)
1. Moore uses various editing styles throughout the film (dramatic, humorous, shocking, satirical, etc.) to convey his messages. Describe and explain as many of them as you can. What point is the filmmaker trying to make? How/why are these effective or not in your view?
2. What about the National Rifle Association? What does it advocate? How powerful is it? Has it changed during its history?
3. What is the Ku Klux Klan? Why was it created? How many deaths was the klan responsible for? Is it still active?
4. Was Marilyn Manson responsible for Columbine? What is his music like? Does he advocate or glorify violence in his music?
5. What is the Brady Bill? Why and when was it made into law?
6. What is the militia movement? Do the militia members in the film present an accurate picture of themselves?
7. What kind of gun control exists in other countries? How is gun control different in different states and cities of the United States?
8. Bowling For Columbine makes a connection between the United States’ international support of violence and violence within our country. The following topics are from the film. You can find more details about some of them in the “library” section of the Bowling For Columbine web page. Discuss 3 or 4 of these pieces of United States history and think about what this history says about how the United States uses violence in international relations. Do you think that our behavior in other countries has an effect on violence in the United States?
1. 1953: U.S. overthrows Prime Minister Mossadegh of Iran. U.S. installs the Shah as dictator.
2. 1954: U.S. overthrows democratically elected President Arbenez of Guatemala. 20,000 civilians are killed.
3. 1963: U.S. backs assassination of South Vietnamese President Diem.
4. 1963-1975: U.S. military kills 4 million people in Southeast Asia.
5. September 11, 1973: U.S. stages a military coup in Chile. Democratically elected president Salvador Allende is assassinated. Dictator Gen. Augusto Pinochet is installed. 5,000 Chileans are murdered.
6. 1977: U.S. backs military rulers of El Salvador. 7,000 Salvadorans and four American nuns are killed.
7. 1980s: U.S. trains Osama bin Laden and fellow Muslim terrorists to kill Soviets. CIA gives them $3 billion.
8. 1981: Reagan administration trains and funds "Contras" to fight government. 30,000 Nicaraguans die.
9.1982: U.S. provides billions in aid to Saddam Hussein for weapons to kill Iranians.
10. 1983: The White House secretly gives Iran weapons to kill Iraqis.
11. 1989: CIA agent Manuel Noriega (also serving as president of Panama) disobeys orders from Washington. U.S. invades Panama and removes Noriega.
12. 1990: Iraq invades Kuwait with weapons from U.S.
13. 1991: U.S. enters Iraq. Bush reinstates dictator of Kuwait.
14. 1998: U.S. bombs "weapons factory" in Sudan. The factory turns out to be making aspirin.
15. 1991-making of the film: U.S. planes bomb Iraq on a weekly basis. The United Nations estimates that 500,000 Iraqi children die from bombing and sanctions.
16. 2000-2001: U.S. gives Taliban-ruled Afghanistan $245 million in "aid."

Cañada College
English 836 Clay
Essay #2: The News: Is it Good For You?
Due March 9, 2004
Discuss the content of one local TV news broadcast. Watch a local news program - not a network show - and make a list of all the items that the program covers. (It will help if you can record the program.) How many of the news items are about accidents or violence? Do you think that the program attempts to get attention by sensationalizing bloody or scary situations? How many of the news items deal seriously with political or social issues? What are your conclusions about this one program? Put your ideas together in a well organized essay, and distill your conclusions into a persuasive thesis.
Introduce your essay carefully. Be sure to say exactly which broadcast you watched - or recorded - what time it was on, what channel, and the name of the program. Be as specific as possible about what you saw. Present your conclusion in a thesis sentence in your first paragraph.500-750 words
proofread!
show your rough draft to your tutor
consult with me during office hoursCañada College
English 836
Clay Spring 2004

Essay #1: A Current Issue
Due Feb. 11 (500-750 words)

For this essay choose a newspaper or magazine article that describes a controversial current issue, an issue which is important for political or social reasons. Write an essay which discusses the issue - its pro and cons - and takes a position on it. You may want to refer to the newspaper article or quote from it.

Your essay should have a clear thesis statement, carefully organized supporting paragraphs, and a good conclusion. Chapters 12, 13, and 14 in your text, Writing First, will help you put this essay together.

You will be evaluated on
1. Your choice of topic and organization,
2. Your thesis statement and topic sentences,
3. How well you have supported your position,
4. Your editing and proofreading.

Hand in your outline and rough draft with your final draft. Please type your paper, and follow MLA style.
dc 2/4/04