practice exit exam, knapp discussion for extra credit, and Wed. 12/9

You need be aware of some procedures for the Practice Exit Exam this upcoming Monday to ensure you can make the most of the allotted 75 min. time period.

Upon arriving in class Monday immediately approach my desk to receive the second essay and some lined paper on which you will compose the exam.

You will have the entire class period to read, outline your paper, and write it. I would suggest, in the interest of time, that you only compare and/or contrast one or two main points (items) between authors. This can be accomplished in the 75 min. window; should you endeavor to write a "full" essay you may find yourself without time to finish.

The Practice Exam is not graded. However, I will look over each exam and provide any necessary comments and/or criticisms as I see fit, returning these on Wednesday 12/9.

While on the topic... next Wed. 12/9 I will not be able to attend the entire class period and will have to leave approx. at 2:50p to, lo and behold, take an exam of my own! Yikes! The end of the semester gets us all, no? Still, you must attend class for it will be devoted to three important things:

1. Collection Revisions #4 and #5
2. Returning of Practice Exams
3. Peer Group Discussions of Exit Exam Article #1 (Schlosser, "Why McDonald's Fries Taste So Good")
   

When we must depart from the classroom, you are welcome to stay for the remainder of the class period to continue discussing Schlosser's article. Remember you are all allowed to talk about this essay with each other to increase comprehension, gather possible points of comparison and contrast, and finally to share notes and annotations with each other. I am not, under any circumstances, allowed to discuss the essay with you.

So, use this opportunity next Wednesday wisely. You are in a university setting now which means that the responsibilities (and perks) of true adulthood are upon you. Our class, and further your Learning Community, is a viable resource of peers who have a great amount of academic insight to impart. Learn from each other. Work towards the common goal of passing this Exit Exam by preparing.

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Given that we only discussed the Knapp article for half an hour today in class, I wanted to offer a space for you all to continue the discussion in preparation for the Practice Exit Exam this upcoming Monday.

As an incentive... for every post/reply you make to this thread I will discount one day's absence. You must provide at least one "new" citation in your comment to gain credit. By "new" I mean that you must offer a different quotation and/or a different explanation/reading/interpretation to gain credit. Remember, if you're replying specifically to one author include "Re:NAME" in your comment.

Topics for suggested discussion:
-- anxiety and its connection, according the Knapp, to anorexia
-- cultural stereotypes and the feminine ideal
-- prevalent rhetorical devices used in Knapp's essay
-- agreement/disagreement with Knapp's views, claims, generalization, etc.
-- any personal reactions or responses to this piece
-- any connection of this piece to other themes discussed thus far in the course

final revisions and Practice Exit Exam Reading #1

Please note these final changes to the schedule. I wish to give you a full week to revise Essay #4, and will be handing back the first draft this Wed 12/2. Therefore, your revisions of Essay #4 & 5 will be due on the last day of class, 12/9.


Seg 6 – Final Exam Preparation
W12/2: essay 5 seg 5; read Knapp essay for Practice Exit Exam
M12/7: Practice Exit Exam
W12/9: revision 4 essay 4; revision 5 essay 5; student Exit Exam First Essay discussions
M12/14: (no class – reading day)


I am providing the First Practice Exam Reading as an electronic copy. Therefore, you must print this article on your own and read it before class on Wednesday, 12/2. Follow this link to gain access to the pdf file. Email me if you are having trouble accessing the document and I'll email it to you via attachment.