Over the course of the semester, you must submit four essays.  (See Calendar for due dates.)  You'll find a description of each essay assignment when you click ``Paper #1, #2, #3, and #4" above.  In these descriptions, I've tried to point you to readings that will serve as models for the kind of writing you must do, and I've tried to provide you with some prompts for getting started.  Go from the description of the assignment to the prewriting exercises for some exploratory writing.  After exploring possible topics,  experimenting with organization, and thinking about the meaning or purpose for telling the story you've chosen to tell,  try another prewriting exercise with the topic you've chosen to pursue.  Once you've got a good chunk of writing, there, move on to the drafting exercises to help you develop the draft. 

When you have a draft that you feel comfortable with, post it to your folder (see calendar for due dates) and wait for responses from me and your peer editors.  At this point you need to reread the draft, read the responses you've received and move to research and  revision exercises.  What more needs to be said?  Where can you find information to support and extend your ideas?  How does it need to be expanded, reorganized, re-visioned in order to make it as effective an essay as it can possibly be? 

Rework the draft and then submit it to your folder again.  See due dates for revisions on Calendar.  Again, you'll receive comments back on the draft from me and from your peer editors.  At this point, you should do final revisions and consult the editing exercise.  Polish your drafts up for ``publication" and send me your final copies.  We should probably also post the drafts one last time to our folders so that everyone can see the results of your hard work and thinking.