5-5:10pm: How are you? Tell us about/narrate your day…
5:10-5:25pm: Review of last class… What we’re doing this semester.
5:25-5:35pm: Questions about the syllabus.
5:35-5:45pm: Freewritng. Not just how you begin an essay, or a reaction, or anything. Yes, you should always edit and organize your composition later, but there should always be a sense of FREEDOM, and a freeing feel to your writing. Writing is often taught from the riles of and calls for more structure, rather than expression. Even a critical essay, or “analytical” one, should be expressive. Expression should ALWAYS be free on the page. Thoughts? What has your experience been?
5:45-6pm: What’s an essay supposed to do, anyway?
6-6:15pm: When you hear “Composition”, what is the first thing you think?
6:15-6:35pm: Composition is a piece of writing, a submission that is composed, together, self-supported. A stand-alone piece, if you will. It should also be noted, that composition entails several parts, and a consistency of Art, expression, uniqueness and music..
Post your own definition of “Composition”, below
6:35-6:40pm: What is your style of Composition? Does it involve any Humor? Search for Happiness? Or, a strengthening of existing Happiness?
6:40-7pm: Close…. What’s on tonight’s page? What are you going to write in your journal?
Assignment: Write in your journal, OBSESSIVELY. And, more importantly, FREELY.
And….. please buy David Sedars’ book if you haven’t already.
#professormikey 
This is something that I hold more than crucially and core to my core…… Complaining is NOT composition. Make it your own, whatever it is. Make it work. Grievances put your production and creativity in a grave. You decide. Seriously, as I get older, I just want to tell every student everywhere to just write your own story… make it YOURS. You don’t even have to make it yours… IT ALREADY IS.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I emailed you professor mike! im pretty sure I wont have any questions about the syllabus and if I do ill let you know!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Cool… will respond either tonight or tomorrow morning.
LikeLiked by 1 person
i don’t currently have any questions about the semester
LikeLiked by 1 person
Let me know if that changes! Always here to help.
LikeLike
How will we know what our grade is in the class I couldn’t find that?
LikeLiked by 3 people
Im wondering the same thing actually
LikeLiked by 1 person
Talk. To. Me. …….. ASK. ME. ……. CONVERSATION.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You ask me. A conversation. Easy.
LikeLike
do you know how we can find where are grade is for this class?
LikeLiked by 1 person
You ask me…
LikeLike
Perfect, thank you! Just wasn’t sure if I missed it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Is their a minimum or maximum to our journal writings?
LikeLiked by 2 people
No. And no. Just have it be passionate, and FREE… insightful and REAL.
LikeLiked by 2 people
are journal writings mandatory?
LikeLiked by 1 person
No. But I highly suggest them.
LikeLiked by 1 person
oh okay, roger that.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Just need some clarification, are journals something that we are doing for our self or is this something that we are going to have to turn in to you?
LikeLiked by 3 people
this is a good question. I was trying to put this in words but you hit it spot on
LikeLiked by 1 person
They are for you, and to share if you want. Keeping a journal helps you trap ideas. I HIGHLY suggest you have one. You want to be a better/stronger reader and writer then it’s pretty obvious you need to be writing about what you read.
LikeLike
I was wondering about this too
LikeLiked by 1 person
See my response.
LikeLike
BOTH.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That was actually my second question as well.
LikeLiked by 1 person
i dont really understand what were supposed to do with the free writing.
LikeLiked by 2 people
You will…
LikeLike
now i am more confused, do i write about literally anything? like how i current want to be a superhero or? is the free writing supposed to be in the journals?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Write freely in the journal, on something for you, or in response to one of the readings or one of the class meetings, an idea expressed. The journal is for you. If you are confused, call me..
LikeLike
do we write in them everyday, or will you be telling us when to do entries?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Whatever you think is best. The journal is for you, and for some added credit if you like.
LikeLike
I was wondering if the journal can be a sketchbook/journal or is it words only.
LikeLike
Is the idea to write for enjoyment and then we’ll also write stuff to turn into you? I wish we could send gifs in this that’d be super cute.
LikeLiked by 2 people
LOL
LikeLiked by 1 person
The journal is for everything pertaining to this class, and for you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Now i get it .
LikeLike
LMAO
LikeLiked by 1 person
Can I get the syllabus re-mailed to me please? Does it tell us what book we are starting first.
pqsully2@gmail.com
LikeLiked by 1 person
we are starting that one book about diabetes and owls
LikeLiked by 1 person
Email me, and I will email it to you. My email is mmadigan@santarosa.edu.
LikeLike
OK thank you, I believe I already did email you. Thats lucky because I have already read David Sedaris book before.
LikeLiked by 1 person
wasn’t the topic today suppost to be the importance of humor ? I was actually pretty interested in talking about that but i’m not sure if that’s what we are doing now?
LikeLiked by 2 people
Then let’s talk about it!!
LikeLike
It’s funny because every time I think about writing freely I never know how to start or what I should write. Until one day I decided to write everything that was coming to my mind and it was pretty interesting. Even though freedom is something (in all the ways) that everybody seeks, it also brings insecurity. Just my point of view
LikeLiked by 3 people
That is so well put. Too much freedom can also cause trouble
LikeLiked by 2 people
When one thinks about writing, it is more of a block to the writing than an nurturer to it.
LikeLiked by 2 people
write when you first wake up seems to help my brain work. write about your dreams maybe, I usually forget most of mine.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yes!!
LikeLike
@Adrianv7272 thanks for the tip. I always remember my dreams. I will start doing it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ive never thought about writing right as I wake up but that is actually a really good idea. I couldn’t tell you the last time i woke up and remembered my dream from the night before but writing right when I wake up could definitely change that
LikeLiked by 2 people
Try it!
LikeLike
cool idea I have interesting dreams!! do you guys think dreams mean anything???
LikeLiked by 1 person
You can make them mean something… especially when you write them down.
LikeLiked by 1 person
hmm alright that’s a sick idea!! I always look up what some of my dreams mean and its crazy true.
LikeLiked by 2 people
You can do that as well!! I’ve done that, and the symbolism in dreams is RAD!!
LikeLike
Great point of view, I totally agree with you, I also would like to add however that I believe everyone is not ready for freedom and it is not something that suits everyone well. Though I think some seek freedom and don’t produce insecurity from it.
LikeLiked by 2 people
@Victor there are a lot of theories and beliefs about what our dreams mean. It really depends on what you believe. According to science your when you sleep you select the memories that you want to keep and the short and long memories ”storage”. So basically all your dreams are relate to what you have lived/seem even thought you don’t really remember those memories.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I feel that my experience with free writing hasn’t been so free. To be honest I don’t even remember the last time I have sat down and let the writing takes its course. Hopefully writing in my journal changes that.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You can change that with this class!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I feel like writing is so hard because of how many distractions there are in the real world. I can imagine my thoughts, but then I struggle to get the ideas on paper. It’s also hard to sit myself down and concentrate on writing my mind gets loopy.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Use those distractions somehow. It can be done.
LikeLike
Freewriting is hard for me at times because I get stuck and don’t know what to write about. I enjoy having a prompt to lead my train of thought. Although, I do like the freedom of freewriting because it can lead anywhere.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Do we have a topic to freewrite about tonight? Or are we just going for whatever we want?
LikeLiked by 2 people
I think that question answers itself. FREEwriting.
LikeLike
I believe you should be able to write whatever you want on paper so long as it doesn’t violate the amendments and or wrongful defamation. I believe you should be able to say what you want however you must bring evidence to the table if you’re to speak about someone. Slander is not okay in my book and is a cheap and low blow for anyone. Generally though you should be able to express yourself however you want. From my personal experience ive always tried to support what ive said with evidence so that my arguments and papers have plenty of support.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Freewriting can go both ways for me, I love the idea of getting to write what I want. But at the same time I almost get overwhelmed because there’s so many ideas rushing through my head.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Agreed, Jake! That’s exactly how I feel!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Same thing happens to me when I am free writing. The writing morphs topics the longer I go.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Same here i have so many ideas in my head!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Write them all!!! Let none die!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Guys, you’re free writing right now! Commenting and responding! Don’t over think it!
LikeLiked by 3 people
Well put, Nina!! Your sister know what’s up…. 🙂
LikeLike
lol
LikeLiked by 1 person
The journal is for YOU. That’s where you should be the most FREE. Understand? Thoughts?
LikeLike
I feel like everything is fair game for writing as long as you aren’t a jerk about it. Free speech and free writing are great, but thou must remember the golden rule that says very clearly: jerks don’t get nowhere in life because they’re jerks. Amen.
LikeLiked by 2 people
EVERYTHING is a topic. Something worth of manuscript and readership….
LikeLiked by 1 person
Writing freely is something I used to do in my AVID high school class. They would make us quietly write about anything we wanted as long as it was coherent and we wrote for the whole lenght of time. (2-3 min). It’s a good thing to do especially after long days, it’s a way to unwind and unload your mind of everything that happened that day.
LikeLiked by 3 people
where will we bill writing this page on is it still somewhere on professor mikey, or are we writing on an alternate program and importing it to this website?
LikeLiked by 1 person
You submit assignments to me via email, and meet for class here. Simple.
LikeLike
I don’t think I have ever truly sat down and just let my mind wander on the page. I do think I should be doing that now because at the least it will help me remember things LOL.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Yes. Write and be free, and HAPPY.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I enjoy free writing a lot. I have always struggled to reign in my writing. I’d always write way too much if there was not a max word limit on essays. However, I don’t wanna bore people so recently I’ve been working on being more concise while still conveying my ideas and thoughts
LikeLiked by 1 person
There is mastery in being concise, and there is laziness in being long-winded…
LikeLike
I’ve never thought about it that way! I’ll definitely keep it in mind 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Freewriting in my experience is something I have fun with being that there are no rules or formulas you have to follow. I usually free write as a way to focus my energy and sometimes vent out my frustrations. Looking back on some it makes me remember how I felt when I was writing it. Any English teacher I’ve had so far has always acknowledged freewriting as a exercise once in a while but never really pushed it as something to do in your spare time. Honestly wish I would have started doing it sooner.
LikeLiked by 2 people
YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
LikeLike
I’m in the same boat. I’m excited that this class is gonna be an opportunity to start
LikeLiked by 1 person
BOOOM!!!! Love the attitude.
LikeLike
An essay is supposed to support your thesis with examples/reasoning.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yep!!
LikeLike
Oh cute question real quick: Where can we see our grade as we progress in the course? Or can I pick my own grade? hehe
LikeLiked by 3 people
Yeah, hilarious. You ask me for your grade. I am the most accessible instructor at SRJC, period. You can call, text, email, whatever you wish!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You don’t pick your own grade, you MAKE it
LikeLiked by 2 people
I think he was just joking lol
LikeLiked by 1 person
Get it NINAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!
LikeLike
few reasons for an essay… to explain what you get from a subject or to see how you think or perceive stuff.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The only free writing i have been doing is texting that is if that counts . Honestly i don’t have time to keep a journal. (well i guess with this class i have to find time, lol )
LikeLiked by 2 people
You always have time.
LikeLike
When I have the opportunity to FREEWRITE I tend to write about my day or something that I enjoy. I am not the best writer and I don’t write too often, but when I do I feel refreshed. Freewriting is when I can shut everything else down around me and just reflect on myself because let me tell you my life is an open book.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Nice and same here. Whenever I free write I’m in my own world. Every time I freewrite Iike to switch around on different topics from my day to stuff like a biography.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love to free write I never have done it on my own but I have done it classes for short amounts of time(>5 mins). Though I love to be able to flow my ideas the way I want to and have the context and narrative be new each write. I love the flexibility of it you feel amazing being able to write all your own ideas on a page.
LikeLiked by 1 person
An essay is a paper that supports a certain point of view and is generally backed by evidence to help the argument of the person writing the paper. Famous examples of literature that can be argued as Essays include the Declaration of Independence and The 95 Theses written by Martin Luther in the 16th century. Both were statements written by people arguing a certain point of view. For the Declaration of Independence its the view that the united states must separate from the crown to become its own country. The 95 theses was a book published to criticize the roman catholic church for the blatant corruption in the 16th century.
LikeLiked by 2 people
You know your stuff!
LikeLiked by 1 person
The purpose of an essay can be for almost any reason but the most common reason people write essays is to present an argument or point of view and back it up with evidence to prove yourself correct.
LikeLiked by 2 people
An essay to me is written architecture….
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve never thought of it that way, but that is exactly what it is. And without a good foundation the whole thing will fall. I really like the way you put it
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you!!!!!!
LikeLike
An essay gives people something to read and an opportunity to persuade or engage someone in the writing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes!!!
LikeLike
Supported, sightly, organized, pre-meditated and DRAWN.
LikeLike
I believe an essay in a format for composing thoughts. It’s a concise way to get whatever your point is, across to the reader. There is a loose (or sometimes) rigid format that helps everything to flow well and acts as a guide for both the writer and the reader.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Essays can do a lot of things. Depends on what the essay is trying to achieve. Like it can explain a certain topic or tell a story.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Anything else?
LikeLike
For the most part, An essay main purpose is to explain a point or prove a point. To show evidence. Maybe even change someone perspective or answer on that specific topic
LikeLiked by 1 person
I tend to free write in my journal and in letters to my boyfriend in military bootcamp right now. I tell him everything going on in my head and what happened throughout the day / week etc. I feel very relaxed while doing this because even though I can’t talk to him, i’m expressing the thoughts in my head.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I have never done my own journal but im excited!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Essays are used to either inform the audience about something, convince the audience of something, or to entertain the audience while still informing them.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This question makes me think of Family Feud… Composition Notebook!
LikeLiked by 2 people
haha i love it
LikeLike
Same ahaha
LikeLiked by 1 person
I feel like the main purpose for an essay would be to persuade someone or try to prove a point. Also, another point for an essay would be to express adoration something and inform the reader.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Clearly and coherently convey your conviction…. don’t seek to change someone’s mind.
LikeLike
That spoke to me
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLike
Essays have negative connotations for me because they feel tedious oftentimes with subjects that lack relevance (in my experience.)
LikeLiked by 2 people
Your experience I’m guessing from the way essay writing was introduced to you, and the way it was “taught”.
LikeLike
I agree because we rarely get to write essays on topics we are interested in.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You will here. Enjoy!!
LikeLike
Right!!! If there is a topic I have to write about that I find an interest in I always put my best effort in it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh… and overthinking the journal, and freewriting, iseasy to do. It’s even easier to STOP.
LikeLike
an essay shows point of view, a new or different perspective
LikeLiked by 3 people
i totally agree!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
yuppp!
LikeLiked by 1 person
well said!
LikeLiked by 1 person
When I freewrite I lose myself in the text. I get immersed in the paper and sometimes it doesn’t have a clear end. I combine ideas and from those ideas new ones emerge. I hope to reign in the chaos better.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Reign, maybe… but REALIZE, yes!!
LikeLike
I feel that. Sometimes freewriting is harder to stop than to start…at least for me. Once I get in a groove I can’t stop😂
LikeLike