My favorite class this semester was English.  I thought I'd share some of my favorite papers and assignments with all my friends who are sick enough to get enjoyment out of reading my writing.  ;)  I may gradually add some writings from high school, too.  So anyway, enjoy!

Journal Entries:

Object of Importance ~~ Place an object of importance in front of you (i.e. your instrument, a shoe, a special book or CD).  First, write down a series (10-15) of concrete details describing this object.  Second, from this list, create a cohesive paragraph or two with a clear thesis which defines why this object is important to you and what characteristics of the object first attracted you.

Hidden Space ~~ Choose a hidden space in your living environment -- under the bed, inside a closet, behind your desk, and describe thoroughly what you see there.  Discuss briefly how you reacted to this assignment -- and to the material within the hidden space.  Grade: A

Personal Symbol ~~ Create a symbol which defines who you are.  consider the symbol web site for assistance -- perhaps a translation of your name??  Briefly define why this symbol and how it defines you.  Grade: A

Toys/Gender ~~ Discuss, briefly, how toys contributed to your early gender training/development.  Which toys were important to you?  Why?  Who gave you these particular toys?  What games/activities did you engage in with these toys?

Fonts/Gender ~~ Using the different fonts on a word processor, consider which are feminine and which are masculine.  Provide examples of several of each and discuss why they represent whichever gender you feel they do.  Grade: A-

Nicknames ~~ Briefly discuss any nicknames you have "enjoyed" currently or in the past.  Where did these names come from?  How did you feel about them?  Who gave you these names?  Grade: A

CDs ~~ Locate several CDs and analyze the uses of female and male images on them.  Try to find CDs marketing differing types of music.  Why are human images used?  How do they reflect the music? the audience?  (Be sure to include a brief description of the CDs' covers.)  Grade: A+

Gitlin's Essay ~~ Respond to the main thesis in Gitlin's essay -- do you accept his belief in a strong liberal arts curriculum?  Why or why not?  Grade: A+

Birkerts' Essay ~~ Briefly respond to Birkerts' essay.  Is his assessment of the printed word (i.e. books) accurate?  Do you believe his main thesis?  Why?  Why not?  Grade: A+

Papers:

Icon/Symbol Essay  Grade: A-

Film Analysis Essay  Grade: A-

Chicago Review Essay  Grade: A-

Proposal Essay  Grade: B- (forgot the introduction--doh!)

All pages created by Karleen Weitzel.  Last updated 5/28/01.