Writing 2 Class Notes -- Week 14 (April 29)

 Greetings!

We had a wonderful day in class.  We started the class period with a Quick Write, and today's prompt was connected with the fact that it is National Poem in Your Pocket Day.  I gave the students a sheet of paper with an extra large pocket outline. They were to write a poem within the lines of that pocket.  They could write originals or copy one from our poetry book.  (Note:  We also watched one of my favorite spoken word artists, Harry Baker, for some inspiration.)

This week was our penultimate class for the year -- the one before the last one!  We had fun during class, which can be a very good thing, especially since, according to research, "humor activates the brain's dopamine reward system, stimulating goal-oriented motivation and long-term memory, which means that humor can improve retention in students of all ages.? (Edutopia, 2015)

The Essay Re-Write was due this week, and their final writing assignment, a Reflection Paper, is due next week.   For this paper, they are to write about what they learned this year, what they learned about themselves this year, and what did and didn't work well this year.  At the bottom of this email is a link to an article about the value of reflection as a part of learning.

Last week, students took home, completed, and then corrected their Mastering the Comma Review.  This week, they have the Spring Grammar Test test to take home, complete, and then correct.  They should use different colored pens/pencils for correcting their work and be sure to make their marks clearly.  I will figure the final scores for their tests.  The test and the answer key are posted on Google Classroom.  If for some reason they are not able to access Google Classroom, they should still take the test and bring it to class.  I will then correct it.

And, finally, it was time in class for the Poetry Jam, 2022!  The class was divided into 4 teams and took turns coming up to the front to recite their chosen poems.  We had an exceptional panel of judges:  Levi M, Gabi F, Maria B, Halle H, and Mike M, all alums of Writing 2.  I loved listening to all of their poems (and heard a number of my favorites.) 

Here are the final places for Teams and Individuals

Team Scores	Round 1
1st Place	Anonymous Notes
2nd Place	Rhythmic Rhinos
3rd Place	Bull Frogs
4th Place	Things

Individual Scores	Round 1
1st Place	Michelle
2nd Place	Rachael
3rd Place	Michael
4th Place	Annelise
5th Place	Nina

     

On Thursday I sent an email telling the students that all of the scores were pretty close.  I also included a survey to find out what their thoughts were about Round 2 of the Poetry Jam.  Most people said it didn't matter what we did.  I would really love to have everyone read again, so unless someone is super opposed to reciting, ALL FOUR TEAMS will be in Round 2.    EVERYONE  should each bring another poem to recite.  The individual finalists (Michelle, Rachael, Michael, Annelise, and Nina) will present separately, and their scores will be added to the team scores   We'll finish our year with a "Party," and I'll set up a table in the hallway with some snacks.  (Students can bring some if they'd like.)

Next week is the final week, and I've told students that I will accept homework until Saturday, May 7 at 7:00 AM.  My experience is that once the CHAT classes are done, students really lose momentum for completing late homework.  My plan is to get final grades out within the week.  

Assignments for Next Week:

-- Any old homework

-- Essay Re-Write

-- Spring Grammar Test

-- The Reflection Paper

-- Bring a poem -- EVERYONE!

Links for this Week:

Writing 2 Class Notes -- Week 14 (April 29)

The Value of Reflection Papers

Harry Baker:  99 Problems but Maths Ain't One & Dinosaur Love

See you next week!

Mrs. Prichard

Comma Placement "The Flash"

NAME:  _________________

In the paragraphs below, insert the necessary commas

How the Flash Came To Be

            Barry Allen also known as the Flash had a very rough life but his powers changed his life forever. Living with his adoptive father and sister he began his career in forensics at his local police station. When Allen was young his mother had died and his father was wrongly accused of killing her. For many of his young years Allen's life was depressing but he soon grew out of his depression and worked at a police station with his adoptive father Joe West. Before too long Barry Allen's life changed for the better.

            Barry Allen's early life was very tough and depressing.  Because his mother had been murdered by his father his father went to jail.  With his mom was gone he changed homes.  His new family's name was the Wests; his adoptive father's name was Joe and his sister's name was Iris. Allen lived with them until he moved out. He often felt very sad and angry at his life because he wanted his family back but that never happened. Allen's life had ups and downs but his early life was especially depressing.

Names. Repetitions, Quotations & Phrases

Names

Use a comma to set off inverted names in bibliographies, in indexes, in directories, or in other reference lists.  Use a comma to separate a name from a title or a degree that it follows.  Use a comma to separate a name from a title or degree that follows it.  A comma may or may not be used before and after Jr. and Sr. following a name.  Omit periods and commas before and after II, III, etc., with names.

Examples:

·         Jones, Roger V.                 Smith, Oscar                Prichard, James M.

·         Arthur McNally, dean of Harvard Law School

·         Nils Andersson, Ph.D

·         John Lyons, Jr. presided.  OR  John Lyons Jr. presided.

·         Henry Lord III conducted the meeting.

Do not use a comma to separate compound personal pronouns from the words they emphasize.  Omit the comma when an appositive has become part of the proper name.

Examples:

·         Bruce himself sent the telegram

·         The members themselves will make up the deficit.

·         Eric the Red came from Norway.

·         William the Conqueror is one of my ancestors.

For similar or identical words

Use a comma to separate similar of identical words standing next to each other, even when the sense or continuity does not seem to require it.

Examples:

·         What is right, is right.

·         Whenever you go, go quickly.

In direct quotations

Use a comma to set off direct quotations.  Not that no comma is needed in an indirect quotation.

Examples:

·         “Whenever I am needed,” declared the missionary, “I get there as quickly as possible.”

·         The doctor remarked, “I haven’t seen a case like this in years.

·         “Let’s do this together,” I urged.

·         The director told us that rudeness would not be tolerated.

Short Phrases

A comma should follow yes, no, why, well when one of these words is used at the beginning of a sentence.  Use a comma to set off light exclamations.

Examples:

·         Why, we expected him to win the election.

·         Well, the decision has been made, and we have to live with it.

·         No, you may not have an extension on your homework assignment.

Comma Usage at a Glance

Punctuation, one is taught, has a point: to keep up law and order. Punctuation marks are the road signs placed along the highway of our communication -- to control speeds, provide directions and prevent head-on collisions.

1.1 – Compound Sentences

Two or more sentences held together with coordinating conjunctions (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) form a compound sentence.  A comma must be used before the conjunction.

1.2 – Complex Sentences

Complex sentences contain on complete sentence and at least one fragment of a sentence.  Do not separate these parts with a comma.

1.3 – Compound/Complex Sentences

A compound/complex sentence contains two or more complete thoughts joined with coordinating conjunctions along with at least one sentence fragment.  Compound sentences require commas before the conjunctions.

1.4 – Introductory Elements

Some sentences begin with phrases.  Separate these phrases from the main part of the sentence with a comma.

1.4a – Using Transitional words

            1.4b – Dependent Adverbial Phrases

1.5 – Restrictive Clauses

Some phrases or clauses limit the meaning of the words they are referring to.  Because they are necessary to the meaning of the sentence, they should not be set off with commas.  

When you use who, which, whom, when, or where, decide whether the sentence would be unclear if you omitted it.  If omitting the phrase makes the sentence unclear or changes the meaning, then that part is necessary to the sentence, and you should not use commas.

1.6 – Appositives

An appositive renames the noun or pronoun it follows.  If omitting the appositive would change the meaning of the sentence, then do not set it apart with commas.  If the “renaming” does not change the meaning, then use commas.

1.7 – Parenthetical Comments

Parenthetical comments are those which can be left out but are included to add color or personality to the sentence.

1.8 – Items in a Series

Use a comma to separate words and phrases in a series.  Present usage advocates the use of the comma before and connecting the last two words of a series; some writers, however, prefer to omit the comma before and.  This comma is called the “series comma” or the “Oxford comma.”  When etc. ends a series, it should be preceded and followed by a comma.  Use commas to separate pairs of words in a series.  Use a comma between adjectives preceding a noun when they are coordinate qualifying words.

1.9 – Names

Use a comma to set off inverted names in bibliographies, in indexes, in directories, or in other reference lists.  Use a comma to separate a name from a title or a degree that it follows.  Use a comma to separate a name from a title or degree that follows it.

Do not use a comma to separate compound personal pronouns from the words they emphasize.  Omit the comma when an appositive has become part of the proper name.

1.10 – For similar or identical words

Use a comma to separate similar of identical words standing next to each other, even when the sense or continuity does not seem to require it.

1.11 – In direct quotations

Use a comma to set off direct quotations.  Not that no comma is needed in an indirect quotation.

1.12 – Short Phrases

A comma should follow yes, no, why, well when one of these words is used at the beginning of a sentence.  Use a comma to set off light exclamations.

1.13 – In Addresses

Use a comma to set off a phrase denoting residence or positions but not before ZIP codes.  Omit the comma before the ZIP code number in an address on an envelope; place the number two spaces after the two-letter state abbreviation.

1.14 – In Dates

Use a comma in dates.  A comma may be used to separate the month from the year when the date is omitted; in some current usage, the comma between the month and year is omitted.

1.15 – In Digits

Use a comma to set off figures in groups of more than four digits.

Use a comma to separate two figures or words indicating figures in order to make their meaning clear.