English 100 - Section 8 (Spring 1995) MWF 1:45 - 2:50 p.m. Leslie D. Harris 18 Seibert Susquehanna University
Within the English Composition field, instructors are becoming more and more aware of the social nature of writing: that writers contribute their voice to an ongoing discourse (and discussion), rather than working in isolation. As a writer, you become part of a community of writers, exchanging your views with others. To help you develop a sense of being part of such a community of writers and to create an environment in which you explore your own ideas, we will be participating with our paired class in an "On-Line Journal." The journal works on the principle that writing is best learned as a collaborative activity, one in which you participate frequently. Your peers will serve as an audience on whom you can test and develop your ideas as your writing takes shape.
Each student from both classes will receive all messages sent to the journal. As discussion topics arise, you will be responsible for participating by adding your written responses and questions to the on-going discussion.
As a first entry to the on-line journal, each student will post a personal introduction. Let your peers know the most important information about yourself. For example, you can tell us where you were born, what your major is, why you're attending college, how many siblings you have, what you think of your parents--any information that you think is important to understanding who you are as a person.
Each student will be responsible for posting one journal entry that introduces topics for discussion. You will sign up for the week to post that assigned entry, which will generally consist of an observation followed by a question posed to the collective group. What in your reading (or other assigned work) for the course have you found interesting or thought-provoking, that you want to discuss further? What comments have others made that started you thinking, that you want everyone to discuss in more detail? The purpose of this assigned entry is to introduce a thread of discussion, to which your peers will respond.
As the entries are posted, you can respond to the current discussion or begin related discussions. Each entry you contribute should add to the classes' overall conversation.
Minimum Requirement = 1 entry per week
For personal correspondence, please send e-mail directly to that individual.