Be a Pundit–or Just Play One for a Couple of Weeks

The Washington Post is holding op-ed tryouts: enter by Oct. 21, and try on the role of talking head (outside of class).

Stories Make the Case

In a study that pitted “pure logic” in a legal brief against logic embellished with context and details, law professor Kenneth Chestik found that the well-reasoned story won over judges, lawyers, law professors, and just about every other reader (except law clerks, who split down the middle). Should we be teaching storytelling alongside argumentation?

APA Rubric

As I compile a list of links to writing rubrics, I found this guide from Framingham State College concentrating on APA style (6th edition).  Looks useful.

Bibliophiles March on Washington

The National Book Festival encamps on the Mall this Saturday, 10 am – 5:30 pm, with authors ranging from historian Douglas Brinkley to Wimpy Kid sensation Jeff Kinney.  It’s a great deal–free!

Feel like Surfing?

Yeah, it’s Friday so I’m thinking about the beach. Not really. But it is a good time to surf around on the web and call it work. One great place to land? ProfHacker, featuring “Tips and Tutorials for Higher Ed” I’ll post the link in our links section, but here it is now if you’re [...]

And You Thought Your Writing Ritual Was Odd…

This one of the eclectic daily doses of nonfiction from delancyplace.com. “Dame Edith Sitwell used to lie in an open coffin for a while before she began her day’s writing. When I mentioned this macabre bit of gossip to a poet friend, he said acidly, ‘If only someone had thought to shut it.’ … “Sitwell’s [...]

Writing Opportunity for Full-Time Upperclassmen

Please tell your  juniors and seniors about the Elie Wiesel Prize in Ethics Essay Contest, which has a deadline of January 8, 2010.  It comes with honor and glory and a $5K first prize–and seems a particular good fit for MU. Even better, can you help students identify some writing they have done for class [...]

Writers Next Door September 21-26

Fairfax becomes a literary hotspot next week with the Fall for the Book festival, which runs September 21-26 .  Besides poets, memoirists, and novelists (including E.L. Doctorow),  the schedule features linguists, economists, historians, and policy analysts.  Also on exhibit are photos by Eudora Welty.

Considering a WI Course? Brainstorm Here

Want to talk about a potential WI course?  I’m holding drop-in hours over the next couple of weeks in Rowley 222, and I’ll have on hand some sample assignments–and more–from other institutions. Thursday, September 17:    2-3:45 pm Wednesday, September 23:    9-11am Wednesday, September 30:    11-12:30pm I’m also happy to come to department meetings, meet you [...]

The role of chocolate in time management

Make a list of important things to do today. At the top of your list, put ‘eat chocolate.’ Now, you’ll get at least one thing done today.