Instructor:Prof. Jean Trounstine Office:City, 5th floor, 30 (teal blue)
Office Hrs:W/F 1:15-2:15 &T/Th 12-1pm Phone:(978) 656-3121
Email: jean@trounstine.com
A writer who does not speak out of full experience
uses torpid words, wooden or lifeless words, such words as "humanitary," which have a paralysis in their tails.Henry David Thoreau, Journals, 1852
The best writing, both prose and poetry, as Shakespeare pre-eminently shows makes use, with condensation and
selection, of playful, impassioned, imaginative talk.Sidney Cox, Indirections, 1962
Let go of everything when you write, and try beginning
with simple words to express what you have inside. It won’t begin smoothly. Allow yourself to be awkward. You are stripping yourself. You are exposing your life, not how your ego would like to see you represented, but how you are as a human being. And it is because of this that I think writing is religious. It splits you open and softens your heart towards the homely world.Natalie Goldberg
, Writing Down the Bones, 1986
Ken Macrorie in a book called Telling Writing says that 90% of most Americans feel they can’t write. He also says they are wrong and from my experience, I concur. Writing is about gaining the confidence to find and express your own voice, the skills to put that voice into words which speak to others, and the patience to practice. As an Honors student, you have honed your skills and are now ready to sail into academic writing, with the benefit of a smaller class, more opportunity for revision and the benefit of other students who aim for high quality in their writing.
In this course you will have the opportunity to learn:
Texts and
The Scribner Handbook for Writers 3rd ed. Hoy & DiyanniRecommended: a good thesaurus & The Elements of Style by Strunk and White
Requirements:
Journal: A place to keep your class assignments and a place
Essays: 4 major essays. First, a 3-5 pp. exploratory essay, using
personal experience; second, a 3-5 pp.essay based on analysis and borrowing ideas from readings; a 2-3 pp.editorial using persuasive techniques and a strong point of view; and a 8-12 pp. research essay with documentation of sources. All will involve revising, editing and conferencing in small groups in class, and in appointments with me. Papers must be typed and are always due at the beginning of class on day assigned. Grades lowered for each day late. Papers not accepted by e-mail except in cases of emergency.Readings: Assigned readings from text or handouts due each week.
Students have the responsibility to participate in class discussion, clarify readings and understand writing tasks. Readings are due on day listed on syllabus.Writers’Group: After we get rolling, you will bring essay work to
a writing group and get feedback from others which will help you develop ideas and expand your essays. You are expected to be a productive and active member of this group, to give supportive,helpful feedback on others’ work and to learn to hear suggestions on your own writing. Exchange e-mails with fellow classmates.Research: Researching a topic of your choice, developing a
thesis and finding your own way through the process which will require utilizing controversial sources, rethinking your research, inquiry, class involvement, using Internet and library resources, and MLA format. Approx. 8-12 pp. Plagarism=0.Conferences: Will be held during the semester to discuss essay
Attendance: Please, no cell phones or beepers on in class. Since this is a working/writing class and unless
there are extenuating circumstances, you will be asked to drop the course if you miss more than 3 classes before the first ten weeks. 3 lates=1 absence.Evaluation: Essays 45%; Research 20%; Journal 20%,
Classwork/Attendance 15%