Inquiry-based Writing

What we've been doing the past month or so is definitely something new to most young college students. Writing with a question in mind while in first-person narrative is strange, particularly because students are used to thesis-driven writing (i.e., the closed-form essay).

However, I would submit that asking interrogative questions or, in other words, inquiring about what lies beneath the surface is something that each of us does--to some degree--on a regular basis.

My expectation is that each student learns quite a bit during the discovery essay process. So I want each student to respond to the following prompt: what have you learned during your discovery essay process (e.g., something about yourself, something new from a source, something about the writing process, etc.)? What obstacles were present as you went about researching and writing? Is inquiry-based writing important, irrelevant, or just plain weird (please explain)?

Your individual responses are due by Monday, March 8th. Please sign your blog response at the end (if your user profile does not already include your name), and if anyone has a problem posting her/his response, email it to me before Monday, and I will cut and paste it for you.

Discovery Question #1

By now, you should have given some consideration to the various local communities around you, and from this brainstorming, you should have something you want to learn or something you want to discover about a particular community.

We'd all like to know what you want to ask first and why this question or topic interests you. Therefore, please explain what you hope to learn, what community you are exploring, what issue(s) you hope to resolve or understand better, etc.

Your reponse here may even serve as your initial introduction to your own discovery essay. There are, by the way, two excellent essays to follow on pgs. 485-501 of the Allyn and Bacon textbook.

Your individual responses are due by Sunday, Feb. 14th.

(Do sign your name at the end of your post.)

--Lisenbee

Orwell's "Politics"

This is the first of a number of prompts you're required to respond to this semester. Remember to write freely and never fail to offer your opinion. Also, it may be helpful to look at prior responses.

For this week's blog, I'd like you to comment on the strengths and/or weaknesses of Orwell's essay "Politics and the English Language." Perhaps these questions may help "kickstart" your response: does this essay provide practical help to you as a college-level writer? Does it change your thinking at all? Does it conflict with things you've learned in previous writing classes? How might Orwell improve his essay? Does he start from a flawed premise?

(Responses are due by Jan. 20th at midnight. And place your name either at the beginning of your post or at the end.)

Offensive Speech and Political Correctness

Below is an article written in response to a recent event in the sports world: Bob Griese, a seemingly squeaky-clean sports announcer, said something that could be taken as offensive. Truly, Griese is a highly-esteemed indivdual with no marks on his public record.

Nevertheless, he was suspended from work because of a certain remark he made about a Latin athlete.

Was this suspension fair, unfair, understandable, reprehensible, etc.? What do you think about both his suspension and the words that he chose?

Taco hell: A bad week for former Miami Dolphin Bob Griese - Miami Dolphins - MiamiHerald.com

Fall 2009 Discovery Topics

Here is your chance to post your discovery topic and get some feedback as a result. First, why does this topic interest you? Does your topic concern the nation as a whole, or is it more of a local issue? Briefly explain why you're exploring this issue or what you hope to gain an understanding of. Lastly, what might be your first discovery or research question?

Please write informally (i.e., in first-person) and know that this response may even be used as your initial paragraph for the discovery essay. (I'm actually encouraging this.)

A Contrary Perspective

Recently a colleague of mine told me that he is boycotting the Whole Foods Market chain because of the following editorial, which was written by John Mackey, the founder and CEO of Whole Foods: John Mackey: The Whole Foods Alternative to ObamaCare - WSJ.com

I found my colleague's reaction interesting, especially after I read or "perused" Mackey's article published in the Wall Street Journal.

I understand that my colleague has freewill, and he can certainly frequent any store or establishment he chooses. I am not arguing here that boycotting Whole Foods is wrong. (Personally, I find Whole Foods' prices to be too high.)

Nonetheless, do you think my colleague's reaction to the above article is fair? What are your thoughts on Mackey's editorial?

John Mackey later responded to the public outcry against his ideas on healthcare reform. Here is his blog response: The CEO’s Blog » Blog Archive » Health Care Reform – Full Article

Has your position on John Mackey's healthcare proposal changed any after reading his blog response?

Orwell's "Politics and the English Language"

Here is your chance to rant or rave (or express indifference) over what you've just analyzed. Is Orwell's essay effective/persuasive? What points will you focus on in your Textual Analysis essay to support your conclusion?