Konrad A. Czynski, Ph.D.

Philosophy Department

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January 2014 - Guidelines for the Writing Endeavors of HUM 320:

I - First of all, PLEASE READ attentively on pages 7-8 of our Syllabus regarding your Writing Endeavors.

II - The "Grading Rubric" and the "Policy on Mechanical Errors" are intended to be my words of encouragement for you to write your best, not absolutely to be followed literally for you-the-writer and me-the reader. So, as a New Yorker might say, "Don't nervous!" But do your very best to compose your thoughts with High Standards as to logical organization, correct spelling, etc. Be your own self-scrutinizing editor-proofreader. Be PROUD of what you hand-in to me to read! Make me smile - make my day!

III - INFORMAL Objective-Subjective writing to initiate class-discussion: You present the topic objectively first, then express your personal response.

-- TWO ICQs: 1-page In-Class hand-written Essay-Questions:

1) WED 1/29: Describe/Highlight Conway's personal reaction to the stranded group's mountainous situation after the plane-crash.
2) WED 3/26: Describe/Highlight John Hersey's narrative style/technique in HIROSHIMA as he evokes the lives of the 6 survivors through his biographical-factual manner of presentation.

-- TWO TEQs: 1-page typed Essay-Questions to be brought to class for discussion:

1) MON 1/27: Focusing on the EPILOGUE: The Storyteller in LB's book: WHY is Marco Polo considered by Laurence Bergreen - and by YOU - to be a SIGNIFICANT historical figure?
2) MON 3/24: Focusing on Ch. 11 in LB's book - "The City of Heaven": WHAT impresses Marco Polo - and YOU - about the Chinese city called Hangzhou today and Quinsay by Marco?

IV - FORMAL #1: 5-6 page typed READER-VIEWER-Response Essay - due on dates specified in the MISCELLANEOUS handout beginning in WEEK XI on Wed. 3/26 - about your choice of one film with East-meets-West aspects related to our novel LH or our Marco Polo book. Be objective = present what you see and learn about Asia and the West. Be subjective = explain how you responded - emotionally and intellectually - to the film as a cinematic narrative with real persons (the Marco-documentary or Michael Wood's docu-film) or true-to-life characters (in Hollywood's LH).

V - FORMAL #2: 2-page typed READER's Reflection-Response Essay - due 1 week after your in-class Oral Presentation - based upon assigned-pages on given MONDAY-dates from LB's book on Marco Polo. See page 7 of our Syllabus on "Oral Presentations." Like composing your book&movie Essay, be both objective and subjective: present WHAT grabbed your attention, and then explain WHY your interest was captured = that is, WHAT spoke to you in a meaningful/interesting way? And WHY?

9 MONDAYS @ 3 students - Schedule of SOPs (Students' Oral Presentations):
WEEK IV - M 2/3 - Courtney, Nicole, Monica
WEEK V - M 2/10 - Rebecca, Brandy, Thomas
WEEK VI - M 2/17 - Hannah, Sandra, Melissa
WEEK VII - M 2/24 - Monkh, Craig, Taylor
WEEK VIII - M 3/3 - Soko, Brianna, Nikholai
WEEK XI - M 3/24 - Seth, Bailey, Sarah
WEEK XII - M 3/31 - Joanna, Kain, Janelle
WEEK XIII - M 4/7 - Nancy, Jacob, Colin
WEEK XIV - M 4/14 - Chai, Anu, Prabal

VI - FORMAL #3: TWO 2-page, take-home, typed Essay-Questions: 1 for the Midterm Exam and 1 for the Final Exam. The typed Midterm-Essay will be considered a "draft" for me to scrutinize, BUT I do ask you to compose it in a thoughtful way, being attentive to grammar, spelling, logic, etc. It is due on WED 3/12, day of our in-class Midterm, and I will return it to you on the Monday after Spring Break = M 3/24.