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I bet all of you have heard the phrase “unfinished business.” The phrase refers to tensions within ourselves and others, tensions caused by a sense of incompletion, by guilt over leaving something unsaid, undone, or even unaccomplished. Think of the many relationships you have with friends, teachers, employers, parents, siblings; think of any goals you have set for yourself that you have yet to accomplish. Discuss some “unfinished business” that is creating tension right now in your life. The tension need not be intense: it could be a vague feeling of unease, a wish to clear up a misunderstanding, a hope that a relationship can be strengthened through the infusion of time and interest.Write a solid paragraph about one instance of “unfinished business” in your life.  Give steps you might take to finish the business and reduce or eliminate the tension felt.

Do you identify yourself as a risk-taker?  For example, are you the kind of person who would go bungee jumping?  Or have a python as a pet?  Explain how comfortable you are with taking physical risks, and identify how this characteristic may be considered both a strength and a weakness.  Use specific examples.  Be sure to include an example where the risk was worth it and one where the risk was not worth it.  Then write a great concluding sentence.

We will soon begin researching and writing a term paper on a famous person. In this blog, I want you to choose one or two people you might be interested in selecting as the subject of your term paper and explain in detail why the person interests you and why the person deserves being researched and written about. State what you already know about this person. I also want your blog to include at least three questions about your person that you don’t know the answers to but will seek answers to in your research.

You will revise this paragraph and submit a typed version for a grade on Friday, October 19th. The final version needs to demonstrate good sentence variety and contain no spelling, capitalization, punctuation, or grammar errors. 

Finish this sentence to begin this blog:

Mr. Hamling, in my next life, I plan to return to earth as…

Write at least 10 sentences describing these “future plans.” I want you to practice sentence patterns 0, 0.5, 1, 1A, 1B, 1C, 2, 3, 4, 4A, 4B, 4C, 5, and 6. Obey the conventional standards for spelling, capitalization, punctuation, and grammar.

You must submit a final draft (typed) of this paragraph at the start of class on Friday, October 12. I will grade the paragraph as part of your sentence combining test on the 12th. You must use at least 10 different sentence patterns.

Finish this sentence to begin this blog:

Mr. Hamling, you would never guess this about me, but I…

Complete your thoughts by writing at least 10 independent clauses describing something about you that I might be surprised to learn. I deliberately wrote independent clauses because I want you to practice sentence patterns 0, 0.5, 1, 1A, 1B, 1C, 2, and 3. Obey the conventional standards for spelling, capitalization, punctuation, and grammar.

You must submit a final draft (typed) of this paragraph at the end of class on Monday, September 17. I will grade the paragraph as part of your sentence combining quiz on Tuesday, September 18. The more sentence patterns that you use correctly in this paragraph, the higher your quiz grade will be.

Finish this sentence to begin this blog:

“In ten years, you will find me….”

Complete your thoughts by writing at least 10 sentences outlining your future plans. Obey the conventional standards for spelling, capitalization, punctuation, and grammar.

Finish this sentence to begin this blog:

“If I could be anywhere other than class right now, I would be….”

Then write a minimum of 10 sentences explaining your choice. Obey the conventional standards for spelling, capitalization, punctuation, and grammar.

During our first and second semester, Writers Workshop A students will respond to a series of prompts and post homework assignments using this blog site.  Keep these RULES OF THE ROAD IN MIND before you hit FINISHED on any response.

-Use only your first name and last initial when identifying yourself as you post.  This is a public blog site.

–When posting comments, please stick to the topic. Off-topic (e.g. “I love WA!”) and “no-context” (e.g. “Me, too!”) posts will be deleted.

–When commenting on others’ comments, please refer to them by name and provide detail (e.g. “I agree with Sarah that we have a hard time understanding the segregated world her mother experienced . . . .”).

–Think before you post. Abuse of the blog will result in a lowered grade and/or disciplinary action. Proofread before you post. Honors students know much about syntax, paragraphing, pronoun reference. Your posts should be drafts but yet reflect thought and intelligence.

Read the RULES OF THE ROAD.  Then comment in answer to this first blog topic.

My goal is to help you become a better writer this year. Tell me what your writing strengths and weaknesses are. What frustrates you about writing? Do you learn better by some methods than others? If so, tell me the ways that you learn best from your teachers.

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