Journal+Three

Meagan Blanchette Zenion February 17th 2012 The discoveries of a writing intern: Cliché Catastrophe With senior year coming to a close, each vacation that approaches is one less day until graduation. The past two classes prior to February vacation were interesting. At this point in WRT. 104, we are knee deep into one of the most complicated papers. The paper is the analysis paper. The basis of this paper is for the students to read a lengthy article and evaluate the text for appeals and fallacies. This project is done in groups of two, three, or four. The members of the group need to work together to assign tasks for the article to eventually knit together a paper that makes sense. The students chose an article. The students, Ms. Zenion, and myself read aloud an excerpt from each article. The first time we met, we read aloud the article //Phoebe Prince// and //Falling Man//. While the articles were being read the students attempted to identify Aristotle’s three appeals: logos, ethos, and pathos. After all of the fun came to an end, there was still time remaining at the end of class. I have learned that does not fly with Ms. Zenion, there is no downtime until the bell. With twenty-five minutes left of class, the students received their next instruction. Ms. Zenion said to break into groups and make a T-chart. The student enthusiasm was almost too much to handle. The reading and early morning class may have been too much fun. This was the cherry on the cake.
 * Summary || Appeals (Logos, Ethos, Pathos) ||
 * This is where the broad statements belong. Along with a quick over view of the article. || Logos: Logic/ Statistics ||
 * ^  || Ethos: Credibility ||
 * ^  || Pathos: Emotions ||

This activity carried into our next class. I was very helpful with this assignment. I was asked to write reminders on the board of the concepts of logos, ethos, and pathos. It was a fun time. My interner’s strongest point is organization. I was happy when I was approached by a student who had been absent the class prior. She asked me about last class’s worksheets and articles. I knew exactly where they were, because her filing system is incredibly neat. I retrieved the papers for the absent student. Then I sat down and conferenced with the her. I think it is incredibly weird to sit through the Wrt. 104 all over again. I am just at a new angle of the room. I feel like I am in the Twilight Zone. The only thing that differs is the students’ reactions. This semester some are more interesting and thought out. Last semester, the reactions of the class were more fearless and assertive. I am finally starting to see how the students quickly affect the dynamic of the class.