First Writing Assignment, Continued

Thanks to Caitie and Phillip for their well argued papers. I think they stimulated a lively discussion.

For Monday I would like those of you who have not posted yet get your papers up. As was suggested in class, I think it would actually work better if people just put their papers up as a comment on this link. That way they will all be in one place and we will be able to navigate the website much more easily.

Writing is very difficult. Even when you know what you want to say it almost never comes out that way on paper the first time around. Of course, you are always able to go back and explain what you meant, but the goal is to be able to express yourself so that the reader can tell what you meant the first time. The skill writing clearly, so that your meaning is not open to question and the reader’s train of thought is not interrupted by awkward phrases is quite rare, that is why it is so valuable. And that is why we will continue to give it so much attention.

For Monday I would like to discuss the memos by Carrie Boone, Nell Knox and Matthew Black. Make sure you have those papers with in class Monday. Read them and see if you agree with my comments on their writing. Ask yourself if you have fallen into any of the same traps or wish to emulate any of thier virtues.

By the way, you feel free to comment on my writing as well.

for tomorrow

We have 8 different postings up as of 6:50. Why don't we try to discuss those in class tomorrow? Please read the essays that are posted below this message. If you post yours later than this message that is ok too but we will probably not get a chance to discuss your essay in class.

Michael Reinhard

Good morning 2006!

Well, a new year begins and we are all in for a great time!

Your first assignment is:

1) send me an email

2) reply to the email inviting you to join the website

3) write a short 1 to 2 page memo describing what you think is the greatest failure of the American political system. What is the thing we are doing the worst job at. It can be something about the political process, some policy question, an agency in the government or a habit of thought with the American people. It can be a long term challenge or something from history. Your memo should have a minimum of two paragraphs, one describing the problem and one describing what you think is the cause. If you think that a particular politician is an idiot or a bad guy that is fine, but The memos are due by 5:00 PM tomorrow in the box outside my office and should be posted on the website by 6:00 PM tomorrow (Thursday).