DR C's Academic Online Cruise: Week Five—Common Mechanics and Grammatical Challenges

To read the initial post about DR C's Academic Online Cruise, go HERE.


DR C—CAPTAIN'S LOG
ADVANCED ENGLISH COMPOSITION 102
ONBOARD AND ONLINE—WEEK FIVE: FEBRUARY 10 TO FEBRUARY 16

ONBOARD—WEEK FIVE
Day One

This was another unusually stormy day at sea. The cruise line put out a message to all of its ship’s captains and crews that it would be best not to have any class sessions today. I made sure no one missed the e-mail contacts. 

WEEK FIVE
Day Two

Whew! The waters had calmed down significantly. So, my trainees were ready for the regular 1-1/2 session. 

The first thing I did was present a sign-up sheet for one-on-one conferences that would take place next week. Since everyone has other responsibilities besides just attending training sessions, my trainees signed up for the times on the sheet that fit their personal schedules. 

Some conference times were available during session times. This was to accommodate those who only would have time to meet with me during session time. I encouraged those who knew they were limited in times they could meet with me not to sit back and let those accommodating times be taken. I told them to let their fellow trainees know if they were not able to sign up before others had begun.

After that task was completed, I continued with the session encouraging any questions regarding what was expected during these conferences. Yes, I had covered this in the past. However, I have learned that it never will hurt to provide time for questions. Yes, there were some. 

Then, I focused, again, on common mechanics and grammatical challenges. I asked for them to share some of their errors. Then, I wrote the sentences containing such errors. I would provide information as to why it was an error and how one could avoid making it. This, also, was a catalyst for questions and discussion.

Oh, some wanted to know if, indeed, there would be class sessions during the week of conferences. I answered in the affirmative. There would be in-class work to be done. 

OK, that was all for my budding scholar/trainees for this week.

Captain's Log—Out! 😌

ONLINE
WEEK FIVE 

There are several readings they need to complete for this week:

Bare Essentials

A. Chapter 5 of Bare Essentials—this chapter covers all forms of punctuation; 

B. Chapter 10 of Bare Essentials—this chapter covers the 8th edition of the MLA and 6th edition of the APA; as I have shared earlier, I only expect them to read and be prepared to use the proper format for in-text citations and works cited entries of the MLA;

C. Chapter 8 of Bare Essentials—this chapter provides a thorough discussion of how the argumentation assignment should be developed; also, in this chapter is a discussion regarding eleven (11) major forms of fallacies:

1. Ad Hominem;
2. Appeal to Emotion;
3. Bandwagon;
4. Begging the Question;
5. Either/Or;
6. False Dichotomy;
7. Flattery;
8. Guilt by Association:
9. Name Calling;
10. Post Hoc Doubtful Cause; and
11. Red Herring.

D.  Chapter 3 of  Bare Essentials—this chapter provides a thorough discussion regarding verb usage, especially, the different forms of verbs and the help-verbs that precede which main verbs. For some, this is a major challenge. It is very common for me to read in their papers, for example: “I have came” or “I seen it” or “I done did that job.” Chapter 3 explains why these verbs should be used differently if one is trying to be able to code switch to Standard English dialect.

With verbs, especially, I have a problem with folks or online services just giving the answer but not explaining WHY. In other words, I believe that a captain should not give the fish to his/her crew. Instead, s/he should give the crew the tools to fish for himself/herself. And so, the information in these chapters helps me do just that. My trainees cannot become competent and confident future captains if not given the tools and explanations so that they can “fish” for themselves. 

Finally, during this week, I provided a post that would reiterate what has been taught regarding the upcoming midterm argumentation assignment. It will be next week, Week 6, that this assignment will be due.

I am eager to see if I have taught many how to fish.😌

Captain's Log—Out! 😌

What do you think about DR C's Academic Online Cruise Ship? Tell us your thoughts in the comment box below this post.