8 Oct. -- choose three essays (one from "Modern Essays Heard on NPR," one from "Essays from the 1950s," and one from "Search Essay Database"), write down title and author, and comment on each essay. What is the writer's core belief? What do you like or dislike? Which part of the essay is most poignant?

10 Oct. -- from the list on "What Do You Think?" choose one axiom with which you agree and one with which you disagree. Write about how you came to agree or disagree. (to be discussed in class)

12 Oct., 5pm -- Sign in to your Google Docs account and create a document called “Introductions and Reaction to TIB Essays.” Introduce yourself to the other group members. Please tell as much as you would like to disclose but don't feel compelled to write anything you don't want to share. It might be a good idea to write about what your expectations, hopes, and worries are about this project, particularly regarding your online collaboration with students at the Wesleyan Honors Academy. After you introduce yourself, list the three essays you have already commented on and add your comments. Save your document and share it with the other members of your group in Alabama and Nebraska AND with me.

15 Oct., by class -- Choose two more essays from the “Modern Essays Heard on NPR,” read them, write down essay title and author on your Google Doc (you can add to "Introductions and Reaction to TIB Essays" or create another document), and respond to the following questions: What is the author’s message? What passage did you find most poignant and why? Did listening to the author's voice on the audio change your perception or understanding of the essay? Why or why not? Save your document and share it with the other members of your group and me.

17 Oct. -- Choose two writing prompts from the handout personal-essay.doc and do a freewriting for each one. Your freewriting, or timed writing practice, should last at least ten minutes for each prompt. Bring to class to discuss.