MbShea@PWP@English@UMCP

Hello.  

I learned so much from all of you, both your content work and also ways of seeing students respond to prompts.  THANK YOU.

Details:

I will be available on MWF, per our usual schedule by digital link

9-9-50

11-11-50

until the end of finals.

I will answer questions today.  My primary request of you is to get into your ER Reviewing TASK.  You are either on the Atlanta Train or the Boulder Train.

To those who did not show up regularly to ER work, please plan to meet with me to chat about your last chance at labor grades.  You know who you are, said gently but truthfully.

Now to the two presentations of the day: one last visual communication idea about the importance of strong transitions. The second one is fun knowledge (11 slides)  about Amanita mushrooms and the flying Santa Claus stories.

 (two metaphors, chaining back to ABT work)

Now, on to more work thinking about transitions between paragraphs and even document sections. We have two metaphors for this.  First up?  muffin tin.

In the muffin tin metaphor, we chunk information into the tins, which is natural and good. We divide complex information to conquer the complexity.  Doing this heaving cognitive lifting is necessary for analysis and even uses of the information.  However, muffin tin "scoops" of information are largely the type of information that is joined by the conjunctive and. We have yet to introduction the powerful (also wakes up reader cognition) conjunctives of but (however) and or (contrast or choices or options). We have yet to introduce the power of therefore, where we create meaning and actions based on meaning.  Recall ABT work by Randy Olson and Trey Parker of South Park.

Theory pause: One of Aristotle's canons for writing is ARRANGEMENT.  The order and "chunking" of information matters very much for reader cognition and receptivity to what you write.

Now, the (Lego) train metaphor, where the cars are different, helping us think about and, but, or, and toward the end (caboose) of therefore.

For your possible enjoyment, I will post holiday images on MWF in this space, ALL UNDER THIS WEEK I leave week 15 up, thusly, so you can refer to this helpful information as you walk (stressed but confident) through the fire of finals.  On the other side is some rest. Remember, the frog force is with you.