The essay, "Sport in Society: An Inspiration or an Opiate?" contains paragraphs stuctured in an effective manner, one that you would do well to emulate. Each paragraph contains the following elements:

1. A Topic Statement: this sentence makes clear the point of the paragraph, what the paragraph is about.
2. A brief explanation as to why the topic matters
3. Examples to illustrate the topic.
4. Explanation as to how the examples illustrate the importance of the topic.

Each element should be at least once sentence; however, when it comes to examples and explanations, more than one is often needed.

For Monday, bring a rough draft of your assignment 1.2 paragraph. Use the above format, labeling each of the sections. We'll spend some time looking at them and going over other writing focused concerns.

Here's what we'll be doing in class Thursday:

• Be sure to have read "Sport in Society: an Inspiration or an Opiate?" Find three ideas in the reading that you find of importance, interest, or what have you. Write down those ideas. Also write briefly about why those ideas matter, or don't. Provide some examples to illustrate why each does or does not matter. Bring this to class, written out. If you do not have this, you will be asked to leave and counted absent.
• Bring your "time management" paragraph to class. It's due. We'll be reading them before turning them in.
• We'll be moving on to something new.

Here's what we'll be doing in class Wednesday:

• We'll start the day by listening to Frank DeFord's weekly radio commentary then doing a freewrite session based on what he has to say.
• Be sure to have read "Sport as Secular Sacrament." Find three ideas in the reading that you find of importance, interest, or what have you. Write down those ideas. Also write briefly about why those ideas matter, or don't. Provide some examples to illustrate why each does or does not matter. Bring this to class, written out. If you do not have this, you will be asked to leave and counted absent.
• Bring your "time management" paragraph to class, having made whatever changes you found worthwhile based on what took place in class Monday and or Tuesday.
• Bring your books, particularly Sport in Contemporary Society so you can keep up with your reading while you are waiting to workshop with one of your instructors or peers over the "time management" paragraph.
• There will be some writing time the second half of the class in the computer lab. Come ready to work.

Here's what we'll be doing in class Tuesday:

• Book club groups will be assigned. Bring your top three choices. Read about them here if need be. Also, you can check amazon.com for reviews.
• Be sure to have read "American Sport at Century's End." Find three ideas in the reading that you find of importance, interest, or what have you. Write down those ideas. Also write briefly about why those ideas matter, or don't. Provide some examples to illustrate why each does or does not matter. Bring this to class, written out. If you do not have this, you will be asked to leave and counted absent.
• Bring your "time management" paragraph to class, having made whatever changes you found worthwhile based on what took place in class Monday.
• Bring your books, particularly Sport in Contemporary Society so you can keep up with your reading while you are waiting to workshop with one of your instructors over the "time management" paragraph.

Here is the time management assignment that was given today. If you were not here, lost it, or whatever, here you go.....

I'll also attach the article we read earlier in the week and the writing assignment that goes with it....just in case.....

Bring a typed copy of the time management draft to class and be sure to buy your book because you are about to have your first reading assignment.

The class textbook is now in the bookstore! Please buy yourself a copy right away as we'll start reading and discussing the material next week.

As of this writing, 21 students have created an account. I was hoping for something closer to 40, but I'm sure we'll get that in the next day or so. Once you have posted your introduction of the student you interviewed. If you missed the first day of class, you'll want to write up an introduction of yourself, using the other introductions as a model. I think you'll see there's a trend in the sorts of things students include. After you have submitted the introduction you've written, find your introduction and if there is anything you want to add, or wish to clarify or correct, please do so.

Welcome to the Ethics in Sport class for fall of 2008. We'll be working to prepare each of you for the next level of English so you can be a successful student. This class will focus on the skills and strategies many find essential to being a successful student along with focusing on the writing skills you will need to be successful in all of your college classes. We look forward to working with you and we hope you look forward to learning what we have to teach.

Here's the last bit of information I'll be sharing with you. I just finished submitting my grades and you all should have a good idea where you stand. No grades will be lower than I shared with you in my last responses, and those who submitted all drafts and summaries and met expectations for responses, revised as required, and so on, received anywhere from 0.0 to 0.4 added to your final grade. Please don't email me to find out how many of those points you earned. I'll drop everyone a note about final grades and participation grades (as in you submitted drafts x, y and z and responded to yada yada yada, but didn't do blah, blah, blah) but I've already forgotten the particulars of each person's participation points, so please don't ask. As with grading in general, I looked to give you the most points possible.

A number of students enrolled in the class and did no work at all, or disappeared after doing a little work. If they did not drop the class, students of that sort end up receiving, earning perhaps, a 0.0. This brings down the overall grade average and median, as you might imagine. The average for final revisions for the argumentative essay rose from 1.90 to 3.04, which is pretty darn good, from just below a C to a B. The median rose from 1.7 to 3.3, a C- to a B+. I prefer that the final numbers be a bit closer, but the discrepancy between a 3.04 and a 3.3 isn't huge and of little concern. Final numbers for the class including those students who received a 0.0 is 2.05 average and a 2.6 median. Statistically, this is a bit wonky, but pulling those numbers out yield this: 2.78 average (B-) and 2.93 median (B). These numbers would indicate grade inflation to some (but I doubt most of you would agree with that) or they are an indication that you all did a good bit of work and took my advice as you revised. I prefer the latter take on things. Congratulations and best of luck to you all in the days ahead!

To the best of my knowledge, I've read, responded to and returned all work. If you are missing something, let me know. I'll be away from the computer for a few hours. when I return, I plan on plugging in the participation points and submitting grades. Final grades, which you should have a good idea of based on the last returned essay, will be made available by the college shortly. I'll revise this note upon my return with a few more comments, but have an appointment to keep. Enjoy what's left of your summers!