Assignment Description

Using your field notes, you will write a full observation of CCNY class in essay format, 500-750 words (2-3 pages). You’ll want to help the reader see and understand the class environment, the larger environment of the college it is situated in, what happens during the class period — what are the students learning, how does the instructor act, how do the students respond — and your own relationship. Interweave your recordings and responses. Be sure to use your in-class writing assignments to help you “thicken your draft” — the pre-writing done in class was for a reason.

Some tips to consider when writing:

Spend time on the following responses: (pg 86 in your book explains these categories:

• What surprised me?
• What intrigued me?
• What disturbed me?

Reread the essays we read in class from our book to influence your writing.

Consider: What’s going on here? What’s the culture? What’s the story? Can you break the essay up into sections with headings?

Write your own background into the text.

Remember to be descriptive and bring the instructor and students to life on the page, as well as the environment of City College.

Outline your paper before writing:

— First you need to come up with what we will call the “rhetorical purpose” of your essay—the general idea, thought, feeling, or mood you wish to convey to your readers through the details you provide.

— Next, you will describe how you will begin your essay—with a detail, a general statement, or something else that will get your readers’ attention, make them want to read more, and will somehow prepare them for what follows.

— You will then make a list of the details gathered from your interview note taking that will, by the quality of the details and the order in which you arrange them, convey the purpose of your essay.

— Finally, you will describe how you will end your essay—with a detail, a general statement, or something else that will give your readers a satisfying feeling that the essay has been brought to a conclusion, that you have achieved your purpose, whether that purpose is to convey an idea, thought, feeling, or mood.

Format

Between 500-750 words (2-3 pages).
Double spaced. 12 pt font, 1 inch margins.

Some questions to ask yourself before submitting your essay:

Does my essay have page numbers on the upper right corner?

Does my essay meet the format guidelines?

Do I have an attention-grabbing title?

Grading Rubric

• Essay has an intriguing hook that pulls us in and compels us to read. (10%)
• We understand who the writer is — your background is offered to help us understand your perspective. (20%)
• Essay describes the environment using at least two of the following four senses (sight, smell, sound, touch) — we want to see the walk to City College, the campus and the classroom. (20%)
• Essay paints a compelling visual picture of the instructor and the individuals in the class. (20%)
• Article is self-reflective and includes personal responses to the work they are observing — surprises, intrigues and disturbances interwoven throughout. (20%)
• Submitting an additional 250-500 words in the form of a reflection that addresses each of the required questions (10%)