Why end with a 30?

(Option 1) – LASA Senior English

While no one’s sure why 30 was used as an end sign for newspaper articles, there is no shortage of ideas. The Writer’s Market Web site offers a number of plausible explanations, with 30 coming from, alternatively: a Roman numeral translation of the XXX symbol put at the end of “very early, handwritten news items”; the 30 story quota the Associated Press writers once had (writers would allegedly number their stories with 30 being the last); the Morse code sign denoting the end of a telegraph transmission or an early typesetting mark used 30 to indicate the end of a line. {http://saila.com/journalism/thirty/}

Your 30 (or final words to me, to the class, to LASA)

This 400-500 word reflective paper is something like an occasional paper, but not exactly the same. The 30 is an opportunity to share your final words about your experience at LASA, with K-12 education in general, or with the friends and acquaintances you have here. It could be one memory and a reflection about something that happened during your time at LASA. It could be more an overall reflection or pastiche of memories about school. What do you finally want to say about your pre-adulthood school experience? What do you finally want to say to your classmates, friends and teachers? You need to print a hard copy and submit it to turnitin.com before presenting to the class.

(OR – turn over for other option)

Why end with a Family Anecdote? (Option 2) – LASA Senior English

Much of Things Fall Apart and The Woman Warrior revolve around the importance of cultural history and family history. Stories of this nature are often designed to teach us morals about where we came from and who we are. They can also be a great source of entertainment.

Think of an experience that happened to you and/or someone in your family, preferably something humorous. Record the details, retelling the family story in around 500 words, including a very short introduction to the people involved, the time, and the place. Include also a final paragraph that reflects on how this story has changed your perceptions about yourself or the world. You will share the story after submitting it to turnitin.com and printing it.

THIS ASSIGNMENT IS DUE ON TURNITIN.COM AND IN HARD COPY ON May 13/14.

Rubric: 30 or Family Anecdote A paper: This paper stays within the length parameters (400-500 words), incorporating colorful imagery and diction to develop the story or your reflections. As the paper progresses or near the end, you reveal insights about the experiences described. B paper: This paper is near or at the required length. It may not be as descriptive or engaging as an “A” paper. It has some self-reflection but may not delve as deeply. C paper: This paper may not be long enough or it tells the story with little reflection or it has little occasion/story and/or it has several awkward sentences or typos. F paper: This paper isn’t meeting the requirements. Review the directions.