Everything they ever needed to learn about writing...
As an end-of-semester ritual to help bring closure to my English 60 class, I always ask students to compile a list of "top 10 things I learned about writing, research, journalism or myself from this class." Here are some of the responses from this semester's class:
How to "get to the point" in my writing.
To narrow a topic which is broad such as NATO.
If a word ends in a letter than sounds like "s" and the word after it begins with "s" (like "for goodness' sake"), the possessive of the first word is "s'."
Pay attention to world events (at least for a time).
How to learn from constructive criticism.
Fold papers vertically.
To write about what I enjoy or know.
Interviews are a pain.
Newspaper writing usually uses inverted pyramid style.
Pear edit. (Blogger's note: I think the student means "peer edit.")
Editors can be harsh.
You can write a paper like an upside-down pyramid.
Reading examples of similar papers helps.
I learned how to ask the right questions for interviews.
How to report objectively on public events.
I enjoyed having only papers due, no tests.
Always come prepared to class with dry-erase markers.
The importance of the opening paragraph as an attention getter.
Kept me on my toes with current event quizzes.
MLA is the most commonly accepted form of citation.
I am not good at conducting phone interviews.
Learned to use Bedford Researcher.
I am good at conducting e-mail interviews.
The news media requires "bad" news.
I learned that newspapers cut stuff from the bottom, so less important stuff's @ the end.
I learned when to use "its" and "it's."
I leanred that talking about basketball with your professor isn't such a weird thing after all.
How to write an annotated bibliography.
Learned how to fold vertical papers to turn in.
I learned that putting something off until the last minute doesn't work.
Because of the quizzes, I started reading the newspaper daily.
Bibliographies are impossible to get correct.
How to write objectively.
How to fold papers of 12 pages vertically.
The difference in style between magazine and newspaper writing.
I learned that I probably would not make a very good technical writer.
I leanred how some newspaper articles use the vignette style of writing.
I can write a long paper that is a good piece.
Not all my research should be used. That was a big problem for me in the past. I have now reached a point in my writing where I give enough research to support my paper, but not so much that I overwhelm the reader.
I learned that the most effective sentence is 7 words long. (Blogger's note: actually, we talked about having an average sentence length of 17 words, but to vary sentence length throughout a paper.)
I would rather not lead a research group.
I have improved my writing skills.
Pay attention to current events.
I actually improved my writing a little.
How to use the campus's library article database.
Learned to more effectively interview someone.
I learned that when I don't procrastinate and work ahead I do better on papers.
Inverted pyramid style was designed for telegraphs that might get cut off.
Interviews are sometimes hard to get.
About NOT using passive sentences.
MLA format has little or no point.
I learned a lot about Pulitzer Prize winners from our book.
Why the Wall Street Journal uses a bunch of thin columns.
Editors are not your enemies, they're your friends.
I learned I use way too many commas.
How to write in the inverted pyramid style.
Learned methods of brainstorming.
English classes don't have to have terrible paper topics.
How to write in the vignette style.
How to sift and choose research sources.
I learned that folding papers to turn in gives you paper cuts.
How to write a review.
How to document sources.
I learned that I enjoy writing more than what I originally thought.
I learned how to fold vertically.
Don't procrastinate.
I must be better at English than I thought cause I have an 'A.'
9:00 a.m. is a fairly good time to have class provided one didn't stay up until 2:00 the previous night.
That I am not a terrible writer.
The grammar review was helpful.
How to write a magazine feature.
I leanred that completing this class wasn't going to be as difficult as I thought it would.
Objective = no opinion.
Improved grammatical skills in writing.
I have a "good grasp of the English language."
Where to put apostrophes on possessives.
Pay attention to details.
Sitting hear the windows is the warmest spot on cold mornings.
English doesn't have to be about boring books no one ever reads anyway.
How to fold vertically.
Writing research papers are much easier to write if they are done as newspaper or magazine articles.
I am definitely a more versatile writer than I was.
English doesn't have to suck!
Fold vertically.
If you haven't figured it out by now, the number one thing students learned from this class was how to fold their papers vertically. I hope that counts on my teaching evaluation.
:: Andrew 11:20 + ::
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:: Thursday, May 08, 2003 ::
Class dismissed!
Apologies to Mr. Wright for stealing his tagline and using it as this entry's header.
Finished my final class of the semester 30 minutes ago. Woohoo! It's been a long semester. It's fun teaching English, but sometimes the day job gets in the way.
The students had an interesting mix of final research projects for me: a game review website, a magazine article about the impact of comedy and comedians during national crises, a magazine about famous dead athletes, a radio program debate about file-swapping, a website to help incoming students to this university, a PowerPoint presentation on the past, present and future of solar-powered vehicles, and a "Smart-beans.com" website containing biographies of famous smart people. The final presentations are always the most interesting, but trying to cram them all into one 50-minute session can be trying.
Anyway, it's over. Now comes the final grading.
:: Andrew 10:47 + ::
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More tornado sirens likely tonight
Sigh. This is getting old. At least it's every other night (since Sunday), instead of nightly. The tornado warning sirens have blared more over the past few days than they have ever during my 18 years of life in this community.
:: Andrew 09:14 + ::
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:: Wednesday, May 07, 2003 ::
12 Steps for the Recovering Pharisee (Like Me)
It's the name of a book by John Fischer, whose website describes him as "an artist, thinker, communicator driven to create and personally deliver a message of deeper understanding of God, confirming those seeking a faith that intersects the real world." Can one "personally deliver" a message through a book? Hmmm.
Anyway, about the book. It's centered on the familiar 12-step recovery mantra. And as with all 12-step programs, Nos. 1 through 3 form the foundation.
1. We admit that our single most unmitigated pleasure is to judge other people.
2. Have come to believe that our means of obtaining greatness is to make everyone lower than ourselves in our own mind.
3. Realize that we detest mercy being given to those who, unlike us, haven't worked for it and don't deserve it.
By way of Randy McRoberts.
:: Andrew 08:53 + ::
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(Son of) Man and Superman
That special "American icons" issue of Rolling Stone (see the recent post on Airplane reading), converging with an intermittent Bible study series on "Christianity and pop culture" that I'm leading with our church youth group, has sparked my thinking about the "Jesus" icons we have in our culture. The Rolling Stone issue talks about "the dead rock star" icon, and the author of that piece, none other than Marilyn Manson, compares the dead rock star archetype to Jesus -- a hero frozen in time, at his/her zenith, incomparable. Another piece, Kevin Smith's story about superheroes, got me thinking about the "Jesus as superhero" icon. In our culture steeped with images of superheroes, how can we not compare Jesus to Spider Man, Batman or, of course, Superman? This, I know, is not an original thought. But then my thinking along this line was further stirred when my copy of Mars Hill Review arrived in the mail.
Among the many excellent essays in this current issue of Mars Hill Review is "God in a Cape: Superman as Modern Mythic Savior," by Gary D. Robinson, a Church of Christ minister in Pennsylvania. It's obvious from reading his essay that Robinson has thoroughly investigated the Son of Man-Superman connection from all angles. He even mentions a connection between Jesus' tomb and the telephone booth: Did Jesus lay aside his grave clothes? Jeepers, Mr. Kent, you lay aside your business suit and glasses too!
My favorite part of the essay is near the end, and summarizes my thoughts about the metanarrative of Christianity:
The suggestion that Superman might be Christ got up in spandex and a cape is anathema to some believers. ... Yet some have suggested that there is really only one Story -- the story of redemption -- of which every other story, from Cinderella to The Phantom Menace, is a shadowy replica. If this is true, then the Man of Steel is not to be regarded as a mere gaudy relic of misspent youth nor a figure of blasphemy. Rather, Superman is an archetype. He takes his place among the storybook redeemers like Robin Hood, Tarzan, and the wolf-killing hunter from Little Red Riding Hood.
What do you think? Is there truly only one story, the story of redemption?
:: Andrew 14:17 + ::
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:: Tuesday, May 06, 2003 ::
Matrix Essays
A new entry on Blogger's Blogs of Note. It's great. Almost as great as Philosophy and the Matrix, from the official movie site.
Something else cool about the Matrix Essays site: the blogspot ad at the top of the site links visitors to Morpheus Sunglasses. Talk about target marketing on the web. Google and Blogger are figuring out how to advertise to various weblog niches.
:: Andrew 10:51 + ::
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:: Monday, May 05, 2003 ::
This blog in poetry form
I think the iambic pentameter might be a bit off, but oh well.
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Thanks to Rob's Amazing Poem Generator.
:: Andrew 10:28 + ::
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Evolution as Tradition -- the continuity of change
Great post from Douglas Rushkoff on religion's "rebirth" from generation to generation, and how it might affect religious tradition.
Rushkoff is talking about Judaism, but we in Christianity could benefit from his take on things, especially as we grapple with the whole "emerging" business occurring in our faith. The concern many Jews have about "emerging Judaism," according to Rushkoff, is this: "[I]f we keep our relationship to religion so alive that it seems to be reborn for every generation, then what happens to continuity? Or they're afraid that if Judaism becomes primarily concerned with social justice, it will lose its particular roots, and get lost in ethics."
Many in the church today are afraid of what's emerging, what's "out there." They're afraid of losing their moorings and becoming adrift, or of becoming disconnected with Christianity as they (we) know it. It's a scary time, an exciting time. Jordon Cooper posted recently about this transition, thinking from the perspective of those in ministry who are worried about rocking the boat. Cooper writes: "One of the arguments I keep hearing from those who know that their church and pastoral ministry is at odds with what they say Jesus is calling me to is that they say, their church will fire them and they have obligations to their families. I think back to Christ's call to leave our families behind which is really saying that we need to trust God to provide for us. I think the issue is that we trust the church or denomination to take care of us instead of Jesus. I guess I wonder if we feel that we are so unemployable that we have to stay in the church even if it is at odds with what we believe? Maybe the issue is what George Barna says, the church has no really leaders." (Complete post here).
:: Andrew 09:31 + ::
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:: Sunday, May 04, 2003 ::
Fuhgeddabout Reloaded and Revolutions. I want to see the trailer for this one
Bush to Play 'Neo' in Fourth Matrix Movie. Link via Rudy Carrasco.
:: Andrew 09:20 + ::
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Ron and Josh's big adventure
Received an email Friday from Ron Luce, head of Teen Mania Ministries, telling me all about a new partnership between him and Uber Youth Minister Josh McDowell. Ron began the note by thanking me for my wise counsel regarding "the proposed partnership between us (Teen Mania and Josh McDowell Ministry)." (It's odd, but I don't recall being asked for my advice about this proposed partnership. But apparently I was, and apparently I responded, so, "You're welcome, Ron. Any time.")
The letter continued:We want you to know that we have made our decision based on the admonition of Paul the apostle, “…whatever you do, you must do all for the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31).
Sometimes the church is best served when Christians minister in harmony, yet work separately. At other times, joining forces where common goals are clear is the best way to bring honor to God.
Keeping all that in mind, we believe it is time to join forces together, not just between our two ministries, but also within the whole Body of Christ. We believe we need to unite to launch nothing short of a spiritual revolution among our young people. Our two organizations are coming together in order to lock arms with you to see an army of young people raised up to be passionate followers of Christ.
Ron and Josh
So. You say you want a revolution, youth pastor? Well, Ron and Josh have got one for you. Here's more from Ron and Josh. They've even given this revolution a clever title: a CrossCultural Revolution. Read on:
A cultural mindset has infiltrated our homes and churches and is stealing our kids away from us and robbing them of the true faith. It is time for a revolution -- "a fundamental change in the way of thinking," "a complete turnaround from the culture." It is time we create a culture of the cross by leading our kids to experience:
A Transformed Life
A life that has had the sinful record nailed to Christ's cross and has been made alive in him. "…those who become Christians become new persons. They are not the same anymore, for the old life is gone. A new life has begun" (2 Corinthians 5:17).
A Crucified Life
A life whose sinful nature has been nailed to the cross and has become a living sacrifice before God. "I have been crucified with Christ. I myself no longer live, but Christ lives in me" (Galatians 2:19-20).
A Separated Life
A life that is living cross-grain to the culture, not conforming to its practices but empowered by the Holy Spirit to live a life that is pleasing to God. "Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person…" (Romans 12:2).
A Mission in Life
A life committed to sharing the Gospel across all cultures. "Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations…" (Matthew 28:19).
It is time for a CrossCulture Revolution. That is what a Josh McDowell and Teen Mania partnership is all about – to help you develop a culture of the cross on the local level.
Jeez. This sounds so much like more of the same. I remember Josh McDowell touring with the Newsboys a few years back on a "Counter the Culture" tour. Teen Mania's "Acquire the Fire" weekend youth events are all about "revolutions." I've taken my share of youth groups to ATF meetings. Oh, yes, they got fired up for a week or two, hyped up from the emotionalism of the event. Even I got a bit fired up. But the fire didn't burn for long.
Why do we need yet another "revolution" in youth ministry? Besides, I've had enough with the battle metaphors in Christianity. Why are we passing this mindset along to the next generations? Why must everything be a revolution, a counterstrike against the prevailing culture? Why must Christians engage in any so-called "culture wars" at all? Why must we adopt the battlefield mindset instead of the missionary mindset? Aren't we called to live as strangers and sojourners in this world, rather than as conquerors?
Sheesh. I must be missing something. Someone, please, tell me what I'm missing that Ron and Josh have got all figured out.
:: Andrew 15:05 + ::
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Simon Dawes, 
