Week 16 Agenda [Tentative]

Friday, December 13th

• FINAL PORTFOLIO REVISIONS DUE BY MIDNIGHT

Week 15 Agenda [Tentative]

Tuesday, December 3rd

• Workshop #7 & Potluck
• Homework
• Return to Google Drive and revise your poetry
• REVISED poetry due with your Final Portfolio
• Continue revisions for Final Portfolio

Thursday, December 5th

• UTRGV STUDY DAY [NO CLASS]
• Homework
• ENGL 4351 TEN-MINUTE PLAY FESTIVAL [ELABS 107, 7-10PM]

Week 14 Agenda [Tentative]

Tuesday, November 26th

• REVISION/WRITING DAY [NO CLASS]
• Homework
• Continue revisions for Final Portfolio

Thursday, November 28th

• THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY [NO CLASS]
• Homework
• Continue revisions for Final Portfolio

RR#19: Poems by Alexie, Dee Cervantes, Equi, Harjo, Nurske, Shihab Nye, Parédez, Soto, Vando, & Villanueva

Post your reading response to readings below. 

Here are the guidelines:

1. Reading responses must be AT LEAST 200 words.
2. Include your full name at the end of your comments. Unnamed comments will be deleted.
3. From the "Comment As" drop-down menu, choose Anonymous, then click "Publish."
4. Reading responses are due by midnight on the night PRIOR to our discussion of the required reading.

Week 13 Agenda [Tentative]

Tuesday, November 19th

• Discuss Final Portfolio, Publishing, CW Certificate, & Breakfast Potluck on 12/3
• Dr. Moreira's Intro to Poetry
• Discussion Leader/s: Oscar Jacome Serrano & Aisha Teegarden
• Starkey, pgs. 14-54
• Homework
• Pick two (2) prompts from the following website and compose two (2) FREE VERSE poems: http://www.writersdigest.com/editor-blogs/poetic-asides/poetry-prompts
• your two poems should fit on one page
• each poem should include its own original title
• print/bring two (2) copies of your poems to class on Thursday
• Read poems by Alexie, Dee Cervantes, Equi, Harjo, Nurske, Shihab Nye, Parédez, Soto, Vando, & Villanueva (71-95)
• post RR#19 on our course blog by midnight on Wednesday

Thursday, November 21st

• Class Activity: Share Free Verse Poetry
• Discussion Leader/s: Jonathan Morin
• Poems by Alexie, Dee Cervantes, Equi, Harjo, Nurske, Shihab Nye, Parédez, Soto, Vando, & Villanueva
• Homework
• Compose Writing Assignment #4 in your Google Drive shared folder:
• Inside your Google Drive shared folder, create/name a new file like this: Poetry-YourFullName
• Compose a series of POEMS (Free Verse or Form) 
• No less/more than 2-4 pages total
• Your poetry should:
• be single-spaced
• include a title for each poem
• illustrate an understanding of ALL of the elements of poetry detailed on pgs. 19-20 AND "Mystery & Discovery," the 7th element we discussed in class
• print/bring three (3) copies of your poetry to class on Tuesday, 12/3 for Workshop #7

RR#18: Starkey, pgs. 14-54

Post your reading response to readings below. 

Here are the guidelines:

1. Reading responses must be AT LEAST 200 words.
2. Include your full name at the end of your comments. Unnamed comments will be deleted.
3. From the "Comment As" drop-down menu, choose Anonymous, then click "Publish."
4. Reading responses are due by midnight on the night PRIOR to our discussion of the required reading.

Week 12 Agenda [Tentative]

Tuesday, November 12th

• CLASS CANCELLED
• Homework
• continue working on your dialogue
• print/bring three (3) copies of your dialogue to class on Thursday for Workshop #6

Thursday, November 14th

• Workshop #6: Dramatic Dialogue
• Homework
• Return to Google Drive and revise your story draft
• REVISED dialogue due for instructor feedback by 10pm on Saturday, 11/16
• Print/read/bring the following to class on Tuesday:
• Starkey, pgs. 14-54
• Post RR#18 on our course blog by midnight on Monday

RR#17: 'Proxima b'

Post your reading response to readings below. 

Here are the guidelines:

1. Reading responses must be AT LEAST 200 words.
2. Include your full name at the end of your comments. Unnamed comments will be deleted.
3. From the "Comment As" drop-down menu, choose Anonymous, then click "Publish."
4. Reading responses are due by midnight on the night PRIOR to our discussion of the required reading.

Week 11 Agenda [Tentative]

Tuesday, November 5th

• Share Writing Assignment
• Discussion Leader/s: Christopher Hinkle
• Bone China
• Homework
• Rewrite your dialogue. Your new draft should:
• explore at least one (1) THEME of your choice
• not exceed 4 pages.
• print/bring two (2) copies of your rewrite to class on Thursday for in-class activity
• read Proxima b (under READINGS)
• post RR#17 on our course blog by midnight on Wednesday

Thursday, November 7th

• Share Writing Assignment
• Discussion Leader/s: Susana Lupercio
• Proxima b
• Homework
• Compose Writing Assignment #3 in your Google Drive shared folder:
• In your Google Drive folder, create & name a new file like this: Drama-YourFullName
• using the STAGE PLAY SCRIPT FORMAT, compose a dramatic dialogue between two characters. Your scene should include:
• an ORIGINAL TITLE
• a clear CONFLICT between your two characters
• a believable SETTING
• at least one OBJECT and/or SOUND that impacts your characters directly
• the exploration of at least one THEME (280-84)
• Your dialogue should not exceed 4 pages.
• print/bring three (3) copies of your dialogue to class on Tuesday for Workshop #5

RR#16: 'Bone China'

Post your reading response to readings below. 

Here are the guidelines:

1. Reading responses must be AT LEAST 200 words.
2. Include your full name at the end of your comments. Unnamed comments will be deleted.
3. From the "Comment As" drop-down menu, choose Anonymous, then click "Publish."
4. Reading responses are due by midnight on the night PRIOR to our discussion of the required reading.

RR#15: 'Love on the B-Line'

Post your reading response to readings below. 

Here are the guidelines:

1. Reading responses must be AT LEAST 200 words.
2. Include your full name at the end of your comments. Unnamed comments will be deleted.
3. From the "Comment As" drop-down menu, choose Anonymous, then click "Publish."
4. Reading responses are due by midnight on the night PRIOR to our discussion of the required reading.

Week 10 Agenda [Tentative]

Tuesday, October 29th

• Share Writing Assignment
• Discussion Leader/s: Clarissa Partida
• Trash Anthem
• Now We're Really Getting Somewhere
• Homework
• Rewrite your dialogue. Your new draft should:
• include one (1) OBJECT or SOUND that impacts your two characters directly
• not exceed 4 pages.
• print/bring two (2) copies of your rewrite to class on Thursday for in-class activity
• read Love on the B-Line (316-322)
• post RR#15 on our course blog by midnight on Wednesday

Thursday, October 31st

• Share Writing Assignment
• Discussion Leader/s: Krista Olivarez
• Love on the B-Line
• Homework
• Rewrite your dialogue. Your new draft should:
• include the SETTING complication that you received in class
• not exceed 4 pages.
• print/bring two (2) copies of your rewrite to class on Tuesday for in-class activity
• read Bone China (322-328)
• post RR#16 on our course blog by midnight on Monday

RR#14: 'Now We’re Really Getting Somewhere'

Post your reading response to readings below. 

Here are the guidelines:

1. Reading responses must be AT LEAST 200 words.
2. Include your full name at the end of your comments. Unnamed comments will be deleted.
3. From the "Comment As" drop-down menu, choose Anonymous, then click "Publish."
4. Reading responses are due by midnight on the night PRIOR to our discussion of the required reading.

RR#13: 'Trash Anthem'

Post your reading response to readings below. 

Here are the guidelines:

1. Reading responses must be AT LEAST 200 words.
2. Include your full name at the end of your comments. Unnamed comments will be deleted.
3. From the "Comment As" drop-down menu, choose Anonymous, then click "Publish."
4. Reading responses are due by midnight on the night PRIOR to our discussion of the required reading.

Week 9 Agenda [Tentative]

Tuesday, October 22nd

• Discussion Leader/s: Luis Garza & Alyssa Rangel
• Starkey, pgs. 233-284
• Homework
• using the STAGE PLAY SCRIPT FORMAT, compose a 3-page DIALOGUE where two characters desire something from each other
• print/bring two (2) copies of your dialogue to class on Thursday for class activity
• Print/read/bring the following to class on Thursday
•  Trash Anthem (305-309)
• post RR#13 on our course blog by midnight on Wednesday

Thursday, October 24th

• CLASS CANCELLED
• Homework
• continue drafting your 3-page Dialogue assignments (details above); don't forget to print/bring two (2) copies to class on Tuesday
• Print/read/bring the following to class on Tuesday
•  Now We’re Really Getting Somewhere (310-316)
• post RR#14 on our course blog by midnight on Monday

RR#12: Starkey, pgs. 233-284

Post your reading response to readings below. 

Here are the guidelines:

1. Reading responses must be AT LEAST 200 words.
2. Include your full name at the end of your comments. Unnamed comments will be deleted.
3. From the "Comment As" drop-down menu, choose Anonymous, then click "Publish."
4. Reading responses are due by midnight on the night PRIOR to our discussion of the required reading.

Week 8 Agenda [Tentative]

Tuesday, October 15th

• Workshop #3: Short Short Fiction
• Homework
• return to Google Drive and revise your story draft
• print/bring three (3) copies of your REVISED story draft to class on Thursday for Workshop #4

Thursday, October 17th

• Workshop #4: Short Short Fiction
• Homework
• Return to Google Drive and revise your story draft
• REVISED story due for instructor feedback by 10pm on Saturday, 10/19
• Print/read/bring the following to class on Tuesday:
• Starkey, pgs. 233-284
• Post RR#12 on our course blog by midnight on Monday

RR#11: 'Kittens' & 'The Impression'

Post your reading response to readings below. 

Here are the guidelines:

1. Reading responses must be AT LEAST 200 words.
2. Include your full name at the end of your comments. Unnamed comments will be deleted.
3. From the "Comment As" drop-down menu, choose Anonymous, then click "Publish."
4. Reading responses are due by midnight on the night PRIOR to our discussion of the required reading.

Week 7 Agenda [Tentative]

Tuesday, October 8th

• Share Writing Assignment
• Discussion Leader/s: Zealen Garcia
• “Wolf’s Head Lake” and “Recuerdo” (164-169)
• Homework
• read “Kittens" and "The Impression" (available IN CLASS only)
• post Reading Response #11 on our course blog by midnight on Wednesday
• compose at least one (1) question for our guest author

Thursday, October 10th

• Guest Author: Michael McCormick
• Homework
• Compose Writing Assignment #2 in your Google Drive shared folder:
• In your Google Drive shared folder, create/name a new file like this: Fiction-YourFullName
• compose a short-short story that involves the character/s you created during Week 5
• provide a TITLE for your short story
• Be sure to format your paper correctly by following MLA guidelines; click HERE for a sample paper
• use all previous readings and class notes as reference
• Your short story should be between 300-500 words, or no more than 3 double-spaced pages total 
• print/bring three (3) copies of your short story draft to class on Tuesday for Workshop #3

RR#10: 'Wolf’s Head Lake' & 'Recuerdo'

Post your reading response to readings below. 

Here are the guidelines:

1. Reading responses must be AT LEAST 200 words.
2. Include your full name at the end of your comments. Unnamed comments will be deleted.
3. From the "Comment As" drop-down menu, choose Anonymous, then click "Publish."
4. Reading responses are due by midnight on the night PRIOR to our discussion of the required reading.

RR#9: 'Doves,' 'Symphony,' & 'Girl'

Post your reading response to readings below. 

Here are the guidelines:

1. Reading responses must be AT LEAST 200 words.
2. Include your full name at the end of your comments. Unnamed comments will be deleted.
3. From the "Comment As" drop-down menu, choose Anonymous, then click "Publish."
4. Reading responses are due by midnight on the night PRIOR to our discussion of the required reading.

Week 6 Agenda [Tentative]

Tuesday, October 1st

• CLASS CANCELLED
• Homework
• re-write your fictional story. Your new draft should:
• not exceed 300 words
• include a new SETTING complication (check your email)
• print/bring two (2) copies of your rewrite to class on Thursday
• read “Doves,” “Symphony,” and “Girl” (158-164)
• post Reading Response #9 on our course blog by midnight on Wednesday

Thursday, October 3rd

• Share Writing Assignment
• Discussion Leader/s: 
• Alicia Forina
• “A Kind of Flying,” “Popular Mechanics,” and “Reunion” (152-158)
• Joshua Garcia
• “Doves,” “Symphony,” and “Girl” (158-164)
• Homework
• re-write your fictional story. Your new draft should:
• not exceed 400 words
• include the new PLOT complication received in class
• print/bring two (2) copies of your rewrite to class on Tuesday
• read “Wolf’s Head Lake” and “Recuerdo” (164-169)
• post Reading Response #10 on our course blog by midnight on Monday

RR#8: 'A Kind of Flying,' 'Popular Mechanics,' & 'Reunion'

Post your reading response to readings below. 

Here are the guidelines:

1. Reading responses must be AT LEAST 200 words.
2. Include your full name at the end of your comments. Unnamed comments will be deleted.
3. From the "Comment As" drop-down menu, choose Anonymous, then click "Publish."
4. Reading responses are due by midnight on the night PRIOR to our discussion of the required reading.

RR#7: 'An Angel'; 'Loser'; & 'The Hit Man'

Post your reading response to readings below. 

Here are the guidelines:

1. Reading responses must be AT LEAST 200 words.
2. Include your full name at the end of your comments. Unnamed comments will be deleted.
3. From the "Comment As" drop-down menu, choose Anonymous, then click "Publish."
4. Reading responses are due by midnight on the night PRIOR to our discussion of the required reading.

Week 5 Agenda [Tentative]

Tuesday, September 24th

• Discussion Leaders: Alec de la Garza & Gilbert Sanchez
• Starkey, pgs. 98-141
• Writing Activity
• Homework
• using the CHARACTER SHEET, continue creating your character
• compose a 100-word fictional story that: 1) includes the character you created and 2) the complication received in class
• print/bring two (2) copies of your narrative to class on Thursday
• read “An Angel,” “Loser,” and “The Hit Man” (145-152)
• post Reading Response #7 on our course blog by midnight on Wednesday

Thursday, September 26th

• Share Writing Assignment
• Discussion Leader: Grisel Estevez
• “An Angel,” “Loser,” and “The Hit Man”
• Homework
• re-write your fictional story. Your new draft should:
• not exceed 200 words
• include the new complication received in class
• include an additional character; use the CHARACTER SHEET, if desired
• print/bring two (2) copies of your rewrite to class on Tuesday
• read “A Kind of Flying,” “Popular Mechanics,” and “Reunion” (152-158)
• post Reading Response #8 on our course blog by midnight on Monday

RR#6: Starkey, pgs. 98-141

Post your reading response to readings below. 

Here are the guidelines:

1. Reading responses must be AT LEAST 200 words.
2. Include your full name at the end of your comments. Unnamed comments will be deleted.
3. From the "Comment As" drop-down menu, choose Anonymous, then click "Publish."
4. Reading responses are due by midnight on the night PRIOR to our discussion of the required reading.

Week 4 Agenda [Tentative]

Tuesday, September 17th

• Workshop #1: Short Creative Nonfiction
• Homework
• return to Google Drive and revise your essay draft
• print/bring three (3) copies of your REVISED essay draft to class on Thursday for Workshop #2

Thursday, September 19th

• Workshop #2: Short Creative Nonfiction
• Homework
• Return to Google Drive and revise your essay draft
• REVISED essay due for instructor feedback by 10pm on Saturday, 9/21
• Print/read/bring the following to class on Tuesday:
• Starkey, pgs. 98-141
• Post RR#6 on our course blog by midnight on Monday

RR#5: 'The Witching Hour'; 'Late July, 4:40 a.m.'; and 'Dreads'

Post your reading response to readings below. 

Here are the guidelines:

1. Reading responses must be AT LEAST 200 words.
2. Include your full name at the end of your comments. Unnamed comments will be deleted.
3. From the "Comment As" drop-down menu, choose Anonymous, then click "Publish."
4. Reading responses are due by midnight on the night PRIOR to our discussion of the required reading.

Week 3 Agenda [Tentative]

Tuesday, September 10th

• CLASS CANCELLED
• Homework
• Print/read/bring the following to class on Thursday:
• “The Witching Hour,” “Late July, 4:40 a.m.,” and “Dreads” (227-232)
• Post RR#5 on our course blog by midnight on Wednesday

Thursday, September 12th

• Share Writing Activity
• Bethanee Campos & Mayra Zarazua: “In Bed,” “In the Dark,” and “El Toro Rojo”
• Cecilia Cantu & Victoria Rodriguez: “The Witching Hour,” “Late July, 4:40 a.m.,” and “Dreads”
• Homework
• Compose Writing Assignment #1 in your Google Drive shared folder:
• Write an essay that examines one significant travel experience from your past.
• In your GD shared folder, create/name a file like this: Nonfiction-YourFullName
• Provide a TITLE for your essay
• Be sure to format your paper correctly by following MLA guidelines; click HERE for a sample paper
• Use all previous readings and class notes as reference
• Your essay should be 600-800 words or no more than 3 double-spaced pages total 
• Print/bring three (3) copies of your essay to class on Tuesday for Workshop #1

RR#4: “In Bed,” “In the Dark,” and “El Toro Rojo”

Post your reading response to readings below. 

Here are the guidelines:

1. Reading responses must be AT LEAST 200 words.
2. Include your full name at the end of your comments. Unnamed comments will be deleted.
3. From the "Comment As" drop-down menu, choose Anonymous, then click "Publish."
4. Reading responses are due by midnight on the night PRIOR to our discussion of the required reading.

RR#3: “The Mute Sense,” “My Papa’s Waltz,” and “Westbury Court”

Post your reading response to readings below. 

Here are the guidelines:

1. Reading responses must be AT LEAST 200 words.
2. Include your full name at the end of your comments. Unnamed comments will be deleted.
3. From the "Comment As" drop-down menu, choose Anonymous, then click "Publish."
4. Reading responses are due by midnight on the night PRIOR to our discussion of the required reading.

Week 2 Agenda [Tentative]

Tuesday, September 3rd

• Dr. Moreira: Starkey, 170-209
• Homework
• Finish writing assignment; bring photo & assignment to class on Thursday for class activity
• Print/read/bring the following to class on Thursday:
• “The Mute Sense,” “My Papa’s Waltz,” and “Westbury Court” (214-220)
• Post RR#3 on our course blog by midnight on Wednesday
• For Thursday, bring photograph that include you and one (1) family member

Thursday, September 5th

• Share Writing Assignments
• Dr. Moreira: “The Mute Sense,” “My Papa’s Waltz,” and “Westbury Court” (214-220)
• Homework
• Finish writing assignment; bring photo & assignment to class on Tuesday for class activity
• Print/read/bring the following to class on Tuesday:
• “In Bed,” “In the Dark,” and “El Toro Rojo” (220-226)
• Post RR#4 on our course blog by midnight on Monday, 9/9
• For Tuesday, bring photograph that includes you and most of your family

RR#2: Starkey, pgs. 170-209

Post your reading response to readings below. 

Here are the guidelines:

1. Reading responses must be AT LEAST 200 words.
2. Include your full name at the end of your comments. Unnamed comments will be deleted.
3. From the "Comment As" drop-down menu, choose Anonymous, then click "Publish."
4. Reading responses are due by midnight on the night PRIOR to our discussion of the required reading.