In Level 3, students write ten different models of essays often taught in freshman college English classes. One of the ten models is the Process essay, in which the writer describes a process in stages and steps. Like all essays, this one has a thesis, an opinion that the essay explains. Tyleigh Spiller, one of … Continue reading Student Writing: “A Wonder of Times Past”
Featured Story Chart: “Christmas Day in the Morning” with Complete Text
In 1985 as I was reading the December “Reader’s Digest,” I came across Pearl S. Buck’s lovely story, “Christmas Day in the Morning.” I read it and cried. It perfectly expressed the love my own father has for me, and it was a masterful illustration of 1 John 4:19, “We love because he first loved … Continue reading Featured Story Chart: “Christmas Day in the Morning” with Complete Text
Creating an MLA Works Cited Page with Citefast!
One of the more unpleasant parts of my job is teaching MLA citation of sources, a crucial part of writing any research-based paper. The rules are abundant and detailed. It is important for students to have a basic understanding of the rules, but it is also helpful for them to have a tool to make … Continue reading Creating an MLA Works Cited Page with Citefast!
Featured Writing Student: Michael Bowen
As a writing teacher, one of my greatest rewards is seeing students using their hard-won skills in real life. One student who has recently done this is Michael Bowen. He graduated from my Level 3 class in 2019 and went straight to joint enrollment, completing his English requirement the next year. He graduated from high … Continue reading Featured Writing Student: Michael Bowen
Not a “Wishy-Washy English Teacher”
Quite apart from the fact that improper manuscript form greatly complicates the already onerous task of handling, marking, and sorting several hundred papers, and recording grades for them every semester, there is also the fact that one of the most important things a student should take from his education is a sense that he must … Continue reading Not a “Wishy-Washy English Teacher”
Why Do You Write the Date So Funny?
If you have noticed the dates on my articles, you might wonder why I write them that way. For instance, the date on this post is 15 October 2021, not October 15, 2021 as is usually written in the U.S. Actually, the date format I use is the one required by MLA, the Modern Language … Continue reading Why Do You Write the Date So Funny?
PREP-1 Is Off to a Great Start!
I'm really enjoying the PREP-1 class! The purpose of PREP-1 is to build the foundation of language in preparation for future writing. I am passionate about the value of language, and the most enjoyable way to access high quality language is through great literature and poetry. I think this will prove to be one of … Continue reading PREP-1 Is Off to a Great Start!
Free Download: Key Word Outlining Paragraphs about the U.S. Constitution!
Washington as Statesman at the Constitutional Convention, by Junius Brutus Stearn, 1856 Wednesday, September 17th, is the 234th birthday of the United States Constitution! Did you know that the U.S. Constitution is the oldest written constitution in continuous use? It's true! Writing about a subject is the BEST way to really learn about it! In … Continue reading Free Download: Key Word Outlining Paragraphs about the U.S. Constitution!
Writing Parents’ Information Meetings This Week!
Last night I held my local Writing Parents' Meeting for parents of local registered students! The Online Writing Parents' Meeting is this Thursday evening on Zoom. The meetings always fire up my enthusiasm for the start of classes the following week! Many of my writing families are long-term friends, because I have the pleasure of … Continue reading Writing Parents’ Information Meetings This Week!
Not Good at Writing Stories? Try It the IEW Way
One of the fun parts of teaching writing is reading my students' papers. In Level 1, we write stories in a very specific format, known as the "3-Paragraph Story." This assignment is designed to practice the elements of literature, so that when we begin literary analysis, the students can recognize the literary elements of the … Continue reading Not Good at Writing Stories? Try It the IEW Way