THE ROAMING WRITER

Joy on the Journey

2005-12-06T15:24:00.000-08:00

Dear Students,
Today is our last day of class. I hope you enjoyed our journey in writing. I most certainly enjoyed traveling with you. However, the writing journey never ends. It continues through all your experiences in life. It is your path to communication, adventure, reflection, awareness, and sensitivity. Travel well on your journey and I know that our paths will cross again. A fond farewell my friends.

Joy on your journey,

Barry Wicksman

Assignment 8

2005-11-30T15:00:00.000-08:00

Complete the essay below by writting supporting paragraghs and a conclusion.

The Greatest Invention of All Time

Mel Brooks, one of the funniest comedians of recent times, in his role as a ten thousand year old man was asked to name the greatest invention of all time. He boldly answered, “Saran Wrap.“ When asked to explain his ridiculous answer in light of all the seemingly more significant inventions such as the TV, computer, airplane, etc. the ten thousand year old exclaimed, “ It keeps sandwiches fresh.“ Although the ten thousand year old man was off the mark in choosing the greatest invention, he did point the way. The greatest invention of all time is not Saran Wrap but the sandwich. The sandwich is the greatest invention for three reasons.
First,

Online Course Evalaution Survey

2005-11-30T14:30:00.000-08:00

For a closing assignment I would like to have all of you take this online course evaluation survey. This will provide us information regarding this EN 084 class you have taken this semester. Please write your comments on this survey:

http://CTLSilhouette.wsu.edu/surveys/ZS43433

You will need to enter your PowerCampus Number.

Thank you for taking part in this Online Course Evalauation Survey.

Your Instructor, Barry Wicksman

Assignment 7

2005-11-16T15:03:00.000-08:00

THE ROAMING WRITER: "BlogThis"

Hello Everybody,

Today, I would like you to write an opinion paragraph.I'd like you to express your agreement or disagreement with the statement: Money is more important than Love.Remember to express your ideas clearly and support them with good logical reasons. Also, give examples to clearify your ideas.Have fun writing!

The English Grammar Monster

2005-11-09T14:48:00.000-08:00

An understanding of the fundamentals of English grammar is essental to good writing. It will give you confidence and a valuable writing tool. However ,mastering English grammar is not an easy task. English grammar can be a many headed monster with many rules and exceptions to the rules. This monster, however, can be tamed through study and practice. In addition to studying your text books, there are a number of websites that offer free grammar practice. One such site is English as 2nd Language. So students, slay the English Grammmar Monster now and become a super writer hero!

Assignment 6

2005-11-02T16:55:00.000-08:00

THE ROAMING WRITER

Good Morning Students,
Today, I would like you to log-on to two of your classmates' blogs and write comments. Write how you feel about their blogs. What did you learn? Can you relate to what was written. Share your ideas and feelings.Enjoy communicating!

Assignment 5

2005-11-02T14:58:00.000-08:00

THE ROAMING WRITER

Good morming Students,
Let's get into the descriptive writing mood.Descriptive writing requires you to really use all your senses and imagination. I would like you to be an artist with words. Describe a place or an object. Close your eyes for a moment . Imagine yourself at the place you want to describe or at one with the object you want to describe . What do you see? What do you hear? What do you smell? How does it taste? How does it feel? What does your sixth sense tell you? Open your eyes and write.

The Idle Rocking Chair

2005-11-02T14:42:00.000-08:00

THE ROAMING WRITERAs the sun sets over the parched grass prairie, it casts its final light on the worn porch of a deserted cabin. There sits an old wooden rocking chair. The peeled paint from years of use reveals its true color. A strong wind blows and awakens the chair to life. The old rocker glances out into the vast land and purple sky .It remembers days gone by. It recalls the young farmer who would rock it back and forth. It feels the farmer’s weight as he sat arm on arm. It smells the sweet fragrance from the farmer’s pipe. Lap, the farmer’s loyal companion would keep them company. It hears the gentle but firm voice of the farmer, and recalls when he said, “ Nothing lasts but the love of those that touch us.” The Farmer and Lap are no more. Although years have taken them, the memories linger on in the old rocking chair’s mind. Now, the sun settles into the night. All becomes dark and still again. The old rocking chair sleeps, and dreams.

Assignment 4

2005-10-19T18:03:00.000-07:00

THE ROAMING WRITER

Hi students! I hope that you are in a scary writing mood today. As you know Halloween is just around the corner. When we think of this holiday, images of ghosts, vampires, zombies and witches come to mind. Now, I want you to imagine that it is Halloween night and you are driving in a remote part of the island. You are lost. It's raining heavily outside. There is the periodic roar of thunder and flash of lightening. You are anxious to get home and relax in your warm cozy room. Suddenly, the engine of your car stops. You try many times to start it, but to no avail. You pick up the cell phone on the adjacent seat, and call for help, but the battery goes dead. Suddenly, you notice an old dilapidated house on a nearby hill. You leave your car and start walking toward the house. It's raining harder now and you're getting drenched from the downpour. You pick up your pace. You start running franticly. When you arrive at the house, you knock on the door. The door slowly opens by itself. A cold eerie feeling fills your body. You enter the haunted house. Describe the haunted house and what happens to you. Besure to use descriptive adjectives. Watch your verb tenses. Scare me!

Assignment 3

2005-10-19T16:00:00.000-07:00

THE ROAMING WRITER

Good Morning students! Todays assignment involves writing another definition paragragh. This time, I would like you to choose a word from your culture. You can choose a word relating to relationships, food, objects,places, or situations. Define the word. Tell its true meaning and importance. Give examples. I am looking forward to reading your paragraphs and learning something about your culture.

The True Meaning Of Chutzpah

2005-10-19T15:37:00.000-07:00

Chutzpah is like a two edged sword. The Yiddish word chutzpah is usually used to describe someone who has nerve and is extremely arrogant . The common example is a man who murders his mother and then pleads for mercy since he is now an orphan. This defininition illustrates the negative meaning of chutzpah. However, chutzpah also has a positive side. It alludes to the idea of having extreme self- confidence. Self-confidence is a necessary attribute for getting ahead in life. It is necessary for success in school, family, and work. More significantly, a man or woman with chutzpah will do what is morally right even when there is great opposition from friends, relatives , classmates or colleagues. Thus, chutzpah has positive and negative attributes. The chutzpah we cultivate and express will significantly affect our lives and the lives of those around us.

ASSIGNMENT 2

2005-10-05T15:54:00.000-07:00

THE ROAMING WRITER

What is Love? We are all familar with this term and if we are fortunate, we have experienced it.Write a definition paragraph on the meaning of love.You may use a dictionary. Quote or write the definition in your own words. Explain what love means to you. Describe the different kinds of love .

A Controversial Hero

2005-09-28T15:05:00.000-07:00

At a time when race was a predominant factor in American society , a man appeared who defied the prejudice. His name was Jack Johnson and he was the greatest boxer of all times. Jack Johnson was born on March 31, 1878, in Galveston ,Texas. He was the second of six children. His family was very poor. Jack turned to boxing to survive. He boxed professionally from 1897 to 1928 . In 1908 , Johnson knocked out Jim Jeffries , the white champion , and became the first African American heavy weight champion of the world. During his boxing career, Jack Johnson fought 114 fights and won 80 matches, 45 by knockout. His great power and skill in the ring awed the boxing world . However, because of the prejudice of the times, he received bad publicity from the press and his fights even caused race riots. This prejudice was furtherd by the fact that he married a white woman. Jack Johnson refused to give in to prejudice and discrimination ,and in so doing , became a great hero to all races.

Uncle Barry at Work

2005-09-09T00:09:00.000-07:00

Uncle Barry at Work
Originally uploaded by Uncle Barry.

Now I am at work. I am sitting in front of my computer. I am looking at my blog. I am planning to write something to you. I am thinking deeply. I am thinking, thinking, and thinking. I know what I am going to write! I will write a paragraph and tell you what I like to do. Please read my paragraph.

What I Like To Do

I love to practice taichi. Taichi is an ancient Chinese exercise and martial art. It is characterized by slow graceful movements. I usually practice taichi in the morning when the sun begins to rise. This is a quiet part of the day and the air is fresh. I usually practice taichi in front of my house but sometimes I do it at the beach. I usually practice taichi alone but sometimes I practice it with my students and friends. I practice taichi because it is good for my health. Moreover, it gives me peace of mind and the sense of being in harmony with nature. I first learned taichi from my Chinese master in Taiwan and that was many years ago. I have been practicing taichi for more than thirty years now, and I will continue practicing this beautiful ancient exercise because of the many benefits it gives me.

Now answer the following questions and use your answers to write a paragraph on what you like to do:

What do you like to do?
When do you do it?
Where do you do it?
Who do you do it with?
Why do you do it?
When was the first time you did it?

First Assignment

2005-09-07T15:57:00.000-07:00

My name is Barry Melvin Wicksman or BMW for short. I am 61 years old but everyone says that I look younger . Physically, I am 5"5' tall and weigh 143 lbs. I am humorous, outgoing and friendly. My hobbies are jogging, swimming, and practicing taichi. At present, I am teaching English at Northern Marianas College. I love teaching especially writing. I am looking forward to learning about you. Please tell me about yourself.

Getting to Know You

2005-08-24T18:29:00.000-07:00

Hello everybody this is my blog to communicate with you.
I'm Mr Wicksman your instructor for the next 15 weeks. Please read my blog posts and comment. I am looking forward to hearing from you. I hope you enjoy learning English. Study hard and remember that practice makes perfect.