Property of Writing Lab. 2011—2012 1 Writers in Progress is a publication of The Writing Center Northern Essex Community College Haverhill, Massachusetts © Copyright 201 All rights revert to the authors upon publication. Editors: Joseph Dery, Janice Grant Menes, Kirsten Kortz, Jennifer Levesque Publication/Layout/Design: Jennifer Levesque, Janice Grant Menes, Joseph Dery, Kirsten Kortz Cover designed by Joseph Dery Special thanks to: Basic Writing student contributors; Basic Writing faculty; Margaret Pothier, Acting Writing Center Coordinator; Joanna Fortna, Basic Writing Curriculum Coordinator; Bill Heineman, Dean, Foundational Studies and Liberal Arts and Sciences; Janice Rogers, Assistant Dean, Academic Preparation. * Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2017 with funding from Boston Public Library https://archive.org/details/writersinprogres2011unse Table of Contents Describing a Meaningful Object: “The Compass” by Nancy Helfrich 1 “Upgrade” by Tasha Moncrief 4 Describing a Person Who Has Influenced You: “Sista Luv” by Michelle Johnson 7 “Boss, Friend, Mentor” by Greg Davenport 11 “Uncle Inspiration” by Stephen Gillespie 16 Writing a Narrative Essay, Using Dialogue: “Judgment Day” by Colby Hurd 20 “To Be orNot To Be” by Sharon Pelczar 26 Analyzing the Role ofMedia in Daily Life: “Does Anyone Remember the Radio?” by Maureen Santo 32 “Info at a Blink ofan Eye” by Kimberly Rosado 36 Defending an Opinion: “Why the Red Sox Will Win” by Jesse Conley 40 “Do Well; Do Not Smell” by Feyza Kanberk 44 “Zero Tolerance” by Brenda Wood 48 Reflecting on Writing: “Reflections ofMe” by Daisy Ayala 51 ii Introduction by Janice Grant Menes As you begin Basic Writing, please know that you are not alone. Your teachers, tutors, and classmates are all partners to help you improve your writing. Many ofthe students who came to Basic Writing before you also began this class with doubts and even fear. When they started, they complained that they didn’t like to write, didn’t know how, or confided that they weren’t “good” at writing. Those are some ofthe reasons why students take Basic Writing. You are in the right place to learn how to write better. By the end ofthe semester, after completing Basic Writing, most students can’t believe how much better they feel about their writing. Some students even admit that now they like to write because ofthis class. Using this book, Writers in Progress (WIP), will help you by providing examples ofthe completed Basic Writing assignments. All ofthe essays in this book were written by last year’s students who revised their essays and submitted them to be chosen for this book. At the beginning ofthe semester they came in like you with very little confidence; they worked hard writing, rewriting, and editing until their assignments were their best work. Look to these essays for guidance about format and structure, and for assurance that you are heading in the right direction. Use this book as a resource. Read the essays more than once, refer to them as you are writing, and double check them ifyou are in doubt about how to organize your essay. This book is going to be important to you. Don’t overlook it! Remember that the writers in this book started offwhere you are and you can do it too. Show up to class, listen carefully, follow directions, do your best work, and maybe you’ll have your essays in here next year! iii 1 Nancy Helfrich Basic Writing Object Essay January 31, 201 The Compass Everyone knows that a compass is used to show direction whether it be relative location or an absolute location. Hikers use them when they hike in the woods so that they do not get lost. Boaters, pilots, runners and cyclists, just to name a few, use a compass to get to the destination that they have mapped out. This compass was used by my father in an amphicar that travels on both land and water. My father loved this car and worked long hours restoring it to pristine condition. Each time my father drove out ofthe driveway in the amphicar his grin was from ear to ear, knowing his destination was to his seaplane on the lake and a plane ride to follow. I often see that memory ofmy father smiling and driving offin the car he was so proud of. My compass has a special appearance. The color is black and white with shiny glossy paint. It is approximately 4" by 4", and weighs about 10 ounces. It is made of glass and steel. When you hold the compass in your hand its texture is very smooth. It has a rounded halfcircle top that is glass which enables you to see the markings. The bottom and sides are painted black. There are two screws holding a handle that moves up and down. There are two holes in the bottom ofthe handle to screw the compass into place. The markings on the compass are bright white which makes it easy to read. Large cardinal directions are printed along with short white lines that make it possible to read the degrees. The larger white lines are equivalent to ten 1