In Class Essay Tomorrow

Here's the deal--

1) You will take the in-class essay either today or tomorrow.  Your choice.  Please see the conditions (#3 and #4 below) should you decide to write it on Thursday.

2) On the day you are NOT taking the in-class essay, you will read chapters 11&12 and complete a project.  You may finish reading chapter 12 as homework on Thursay night.  If you have read the entire book already, please BRING A BOOK to class.

3) If you choose to take the in-class essay on Thursday, I expect to see SUBSTANTIAL work done on your thesis/outline tonight and every day/night from now until Thursday. This is your only homework.

I expect that you will set up an appointment to see me if you indicated on your survey that it would be helpful to do so.  I will not be happy nor will I be as able to help if you come to me a second time with nothing written down already.  You must schedule these meetings on YOUR TIME.  Do not expect to meet with me during class tomorrow.

4) If you choose to take the in-class essay on Thursday, you must make arrangements to make up the 20 minutes you will lose because you have elected to write it during a short block.  This can be any block on Thursday (including x Block), lunch, or after school on Thursday.

If you have none of these times available, I may let you take 20 minutes out of class on Friday.  But, be forewarned, we will be moving on in class Friday and you will miss important material if you are still finishing your essay.  My advice is to make up 20 minutes wherever it is possible in your schedule on Thursday.  Email me or speak to me in person to make arrangements.

5) I understand that these arrangements may not suit everyone.  Frankly, I would prefer that we all complete the essay on the same day.  However, I understand the pressure and work load that many of your are under, and I am trying to be flexible in accomodating the many different needs in our class right now.  It is important that you take advantage of this opportunity and do your very best work.

Hang in there.  This is our last piece of formal analytical writing.  It gives you a chance to navigate your own way around an essay, in much the same way you did your junior paper and in the way you will have to do next year and beyond.  You can all do it.

Take some deep breaths. Then come in ready to focus tomorrow.