Good news, everyone! You can take all those pots and pans clogging your kitchen right down to the dump, because in our modern society, you no longer need to learn to cook. I know, I know - how could I even suggest such a thing? Cooking is practically as old as humanity itself. If you … Continue reading I Am Not Afraid of the Chatbot
Tag: getting students writing
What Does it Mean to “Know Your Audience”?
At least a few times per semester at my Esteemed Place of Employment, I will have a conversation with a student in the Writing Lab that goes about like this: “Who’s the audience for this paper?” I ask. “Mr. Johnson,” replies the student, if the student replies.* “Okay. What does it mean to write something … Continue reading What Does it Mean to “Know Your Audience”?
Writing Exercise: The Company Mission Statement
First of all, readers, I get it: it’s been a long time. Some of those reasons (pandemic teaching) you can probably guess, others perhaps not, but my point is that I am fully aware that every time I write a post, I promise that I’m going to update more regularly, and every time, I don’t. … Continue reading Writing Exercise: The Company Mission Statement
Quarantine is a Great Time to Write
You, like the rest of us, are stuck inside, due to what the park near my house refers to, in deliciously euphemistic terms, as “current circumstances.” We are fortunate(?) to live inside an abyss, wide without measure and deep without bottom, of ways to amuse ourselves. Aldous Huxley would be so proud of himself. But … Continue reading Quarantine is a Great Time to Write
Writing Exercise: Tonal Mix ‘n Match
Hello, loyal (or occasional, or brand-new) readers! You’re all craving some good news, right? We may be smack in the middle of the times that try men’s souls, but there is a silver lining to it all, which is that I’ll be updating the blog more often now that I’m stuck at home! There, you … Continue reading Writing Exercise: Tonal Mix ‘n Match
Paper Prompt: Connecting
My lit students across my three seminars began their spring semesters with two of my favorite books to teach: Euripides’ The Bacchae, perhaps not the best of the Greek tragedies but without a doubt the most bonkers of them; and Dostoevsky’s psychological doorstopper Crime and Punishment, wherein we learn how exhausting it is to spend … Continue reading Paper Prompt: Connecting
Teaching the Strong Thesis Statement, Part Three
Well, we took another break, because we went on our winter vacation, and then we chaperoned a four-day school trip. Such is teacher life. Back to work we get! When last we left our heroes, we were discussing strategies for teaching students to write thesis statements that won’t cause you to beat your head against the … Continue reading Teaching the Strong Thesis Statement, Part Three
Teaching the Strong Thesis Statement, Part Two
After the usual end-of-semester descent into grading hell, we are back with the promised Part Two of our series on thesis statements! One of my projects with my students this month has been to get them to write shorter introductions, so in the spirit of that exercise, let’s get to the point: 2. Ask questions … Continue reading Teaching the Strong Thesis Statement, Part Two
Teaching the Strong Thesis Statement, Part One
This week, I asked my Facebook readers to suggest a topic for the blog and several people, especially my teacher pals, hit me with a lot of simmering angst about thesis statements and how students can’t write them. There are dozens of online guides about how to write a good thesis statement, so I’m going … Continue reading Teaching the Strong Thesis Statement, Part One
Writing By Hand Is Good For You
I can take notes faster with my laptop, they tell me. I can write down everything you say. I can transfer it onto a Quizlet. I can spellcheck. Taking notes by hand is slow! Yep. I know. You’re one hundred percent correct about all of those things. And they add up to exactly why I … Continue reading Writing By Hand Is Good For You
Dr. Albert Teaches Writing 