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Assignments
By Joyce Kirst
Dear Student,
I designed the assignments in this booklet tohelp you practice the computer skills you will belearning in class. In past semesters, mystudents have made significant progress in theiroverall writing, showing improvement in writingfluency, complexity, and accuracy. I believe thatyou, too, will notice your powers of compositionincreasing as you work your way through thisbooklet.
The topics cover a variety of subjects, fromfear to fantasy, from hopes to holidays. If youare enrolled in an English class, I encourage youto practice the skills you are learning there inthese assignments, as well. I look forward toreading all of your documents this semester!
- Joyce Kirst
1. State of Being2. Face Your Fears3. The Best Thing I Ever Learned4. Computer vs Pencil5. Be A Sport6. Best Teacher7. Fire!8. When Bad Things Happen To Good People9. Tick Talk10.Saturday Night at the Movies11.Advice to New Students12.Zen13.The Tale of the Man Who Was Too Lazy to Fail14.Thinking15.Equal Justice16.Best President17.Lottery Fever!18.Photographs and Memories19.Vacation20.Dear Mr. President21.Steps for My Computer22.Happy Holidays23.You're the Teacher24.Money, Money, Money25.Expert26.Responsibility27.Math Mania28.Hopes and Dreams29.Weather30.TV-Land31.Research Project
ASSIGNMENTS
AssignmentState of Being
If you could live in any state besides California,
where would you choose to move and why? Write a
paragraph about your dream state. Then write a
second paragraph addressing the following: If that
new location is so great, why do you still live here?
Is this area better than your dream state for some
reason? Discuss your ideas in a document titled:
STATE.
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AssignmentFace Your Fears
In a short paragraph identify what frightens you mostabout computers. What makes you nervous? Whatcauses your heart to race? What makes your "fightor flight instinct" rise every time you get nearcomputer technology?
After writing, save your paragraph to your disk ina file named a:fears, and exit.
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AssignmentThe Best Thing I Ever Learned
We have all learned many things in our lives. Someof these accomplishments came easy for us, whileothers required a great deal of effort andperseverance. Think of one thing you've learned thatmakes you especially proud because you reallyworked for it.
Write a paragraph titled "The Best Thing I EverLearned" in which you describe your specialachievement. Save your document to your disk.Remember to name it:
A:TITLE
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AssignmentComputer vs Pencil
Compare and contrast a computer and a pencil.How are they similar? How are they different fromeach other? Describe situations where one toolbetter than the other for some reason.
After writing, print, save and exit.
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AssignmentBe A Sport
Many people have expressed the opinion thatprofessional sports have become too violent. Theypoint to recent incidents of fights, outbursts, andeven assaults involving high profile athletes. It hasbeen proposed that these athletes should be barredfrom their sports and prosecuted for their behavior.
Do you agree or disagree with these fans. Givereasons to support your opinion.
After writing, print, save and exit as usual.
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AssignmentBEST TEACHER
Think about the best teacher you ever had. Tellwhat characteristics you admired and why. How didhe or she influence you at the time? Write aparagraph or two about this special teacher in adocument titled: a: Teacher.
After your essay is finished, spell check thewhole document. Print the final version, save iton your disk, and exit.
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Assignment
"FIRE!"
You have seen the sign: IN CASE OF FIRE DONOT USE ELEVATOR. Your assignment is toidentify what you SHOULD DO in case of fire.Consider your own safety as well as that of others,including people with disabilities.
After writing your essay, print a copy and savethe document under the title: A:FIRE.
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b
AssignmentWhen Bad Things Happen To Good People
As children we were told that bad things shouldhappen to bad people, and good things will come tothose who are good. Does it seem like the oppositeis sometimes true?
Write a paragraph regarding how BAD things thathappen to us can help us to become better people.Discuss any bad events in your life which havehelped you become stronger, more tolerant, morepatient, kinder, or more understanding. Then identifywhether you think the benefits are worth thesuffering.
Incorporate the commands you've learned so farin your document.
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AssignmentTick Talk
What really ticks you off? Write about somethingthat's making you really angry these days. Thenwrite a brief statement about what you can do tomake the situation better.
After writing, print, save and exit as usual.
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AssignmentSaturday Night at the Movies
Write a paragraph describing your favorite movie ofall time. Briefly tell about the plot and characters.Why is that particular movie special for you?
After writing, print, save and exit as usual.
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AssignmentADVICE TO NEW STUDENTS
Write a paragraph about what you would say to newBC students. Think of things that would make lifeeasier for them here. Share any tips that youreceived when you were new, too.
After your essay is finished, spell check thewhole document. Print the final version, save iton your disk, and exit.
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AssignmentZEN
There is a Zen story about a young man who washaving trouble achieving a certain outcome. He wentto Buddha for advice. Buddha led the man to theriver, pushed him in, and held him under water.Finally, when the youth was about to pass out,Buddha let go. The startled man, gasping for air,was frantic: "Why did you do that, Master? I couldnot breathe." To this, Buddha responded: "Whenyou want the outcome as much as you wanted thatbreath of air, then, and only then, will you get it."
Write about an outcome you want as much asyou want your next breath of air, and what stepsyou will take to see that you reach your goal.
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AssignmentThe Tale of the Man Who Was Too Lazy to Fail
by Robert Heinleinin Time Enough for Love
To explain David I must go back to his childhood. He was ahillbilly, which means he came from an area uncivilized even bythe loose standards of those days -- and Dave came from so farback in the hills that the hoot owls trod the chickens.
His education was in a one-room country school and endedat thirteen. He enjoyed it, for every hour in school was an hoursitting down doing nothing harder than reading. Before and afterschool he had to do chores on his family's farm, which he hated,as they were what was known as "honest work" -- meaning hard,dirty, inefficient, and ill-paid -- and also involved getting up early,which he hated even worse.
Graduation was a grim day for him; it meant that he now did"honest work" all day long instead of spending a restful six orseven hours in school. One hot day he spent fifteen hoursplowing behind a mule...and the longer he stared at the south endof that mule, breathing the dust it kicked up and wiping the sweatof honest toil out of his eyes, the more he hated it.
That night he left home, walked fifteen miles to town, sleptacross the door of the post office until the post-mistress openedup next morning, and enlisted in the Navy. He aged two yearsduring the night, from fifteen to seventeen, which made him oldenough to enlist.
A boy often ages rapidly when he leaves home.Write about some adventures or experiencesDavid might have had in the Navy. Tab to indenteach paragraph. Spell check, print, save & exit.
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Assignment
Thinking
Write a paragraph about what the young woman
above might be pondering. Write in present tense
from HER point of view; for example, "I'm sitting here
thinking about..." Be creative!
Remember to save and print your document
before exiting.
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AssignmentEQUAL JUSTICE
Do you think "Equal Justice for All" is a reality in theUnited States today? Why or why not? Whatexamples support your opinion? Write a paragraphidentifying your opinion on Equal Justice.
Next, interview a friend or family member regardingEqual Justice. Write a second paragraph quotingyour partner.
Write the first paragraph in double spacing with1" margins. Write the second paragraph insingle spacing with 1.5" margins. You don’tneed to put quotation marks around the secondparagraph. Spell check, print and save as usual.
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AssignmentBEST PRESIDENT
Write a paragraph describing the traits you think agreat president should have. Then tell which of ourformer presidents comes closest to your ideal andwhy.
Use as many commands as you can from thosewe've learned so far. Don't forget to spell checkafter writing. Print and save as usual.
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AssignmentLOTTERY FEVER!
If you won the lottery (over $20 million), what wouldyou do first? What would you do after 6 months, oneyear, 5 years, 20 years? How would it change yourlife?
Write at least 2 good paragraphs, spell check,save, and print. Then switch the order of theparagraphs. Print again. You may move themback to their original places if you wish.
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Assignment
Photographs andMemories
Recall 4 or 5 of your favorite personal photos fromyour life. Are there any common themes to thesepictures? Do they represent special memories foryou? When was the last time you looked at them orshared them with a friend or family member?
Write a two paragraph essay. In the first paragraphdescribe your favorite photographs using "visualwords". In the second paragraph write about thefeelings or memories attached to these old pictures.
Save the document. Print one copy. Thenchange the order of the paragraphs. You maymove them back to their original locations ifdesired. Exit as usual.
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AssignmentVacation
Write a story about the best vacation you've everhad. Describe where you went, with whom, and whyyou have such good memories about that trip.
If you've never had a vacation away from home,write about your dream vacation. Use words to helpthe reader picture the vacation spot and follow youradventures in this fabulous place.
Remember to use the commands you havelearned as well as the good sentence structureyou are learning in your writing classes.
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AssignmentDEAR MR. PRESIDENT
Write a letter to the President of the United States orthe President of Bakersfield College regardingsomething that has been on your mind. Explain whatyou've been concerned about, and tell the Presidentwhat you think can be done about it.
Use as many commands as you can from thosewe've learned so far. Don't forget to spell checkafter writing. Print and save as usual.
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AssignmentSTEPS FOR MY COMPUTER
Write a paragraph about the steps you follow to startyour computer, load the programs you need, retrievedocuments, write, print, save, and exit. Include anyother commands you use, as well.
If you write in list form, rather than paragraph form,use the automatic numbering feature, so you canmove items around without renumbering.
After your essay is finished, spell check thewhole document. Print the final version, save iton your disk, and exit.
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AssignmentHappy Holidays!
Write about your favorite holiday memory. Describewho or what made that day special for you.
Note: You may choose ANY holiday or special event.
Use as many commands as possible from thosewe have studied so far.
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AssignmentYou're the Teacher
Write a computer assignment for a classmate. Tellhim or her what to write about and which commandsto use. You may choose any of the commandswe've learned so far.
Print a copy of the assignment and save it toyour disk.
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AssignmentMoney, Money, Money
Think of at least one way you could use yourcomputer skills to make more money. Describe howa computer would be a part of your plan, and whatadditional skills or resources you might need beforeyour idea could work.
After writing, print, save and exit as usual.
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Assignment
Computer Expert
The man in the picture is considering buying a
computer. He has called you for advice because he
heard that you are a real computer expert. Tell him
what steps he needs to follow as he explores the
computer market. Remember that he wants to get a
good computer at a good price. Don't forget to
instruct him on other items he may need, including a
printer, supplies, and technical assistance.
Print before you save and exit.
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Assignment
Responsibility
Some adults have recently voice the opinion that
young people do not demonstrate an appropriate
level of personal responsibility. They point to such
situations as juvenile crime, premarital sex, and high
school drop out rates.
Do you agree or disagree with their assessment of
today’s youth? Give examples to support your
opinion.
Don’t forget to spell check and save before
printing.
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Assignment
Math Mania
Many people have nothing good to say about Math. Most
can recall at least one embarrassing moment related to
Mathematics in school. Think back on your Math life.
Identify a time when you had a POSITIVE experience
regarding Math. Perhaps a teacher spent a little extra
effort, or maybe a certain type of Math seemed more
natural for you. Write an essay about this experience.
Use as many commands as you have learned so
far.
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Assignment
Hopes, Dreams, and Aspirations
Write a paragraph about your hopes or dreams for the
future. Where do you see yourself in 5 years? How do
you hope your life will be different in the years to come?
How will you know when you’ve reached your goals, and
what will you do to get there?
Use the commands you find most challenging
(just for practice).
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Assignment
Weather
Describe the most amazing weather event you have
ever personally experienced. Have you been in
shock during thunderstorms? Did tornadoes make
your head spin? Did you get washed away by
floods? Was it snow and ice that shivered you to the
bones? Write a paragraph about the weather
phenomenon you witnessed.
Spell check, save, print and exit as usual.
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Assignment
TV-Land
Some Americans believe that television should be more
family-oriented. They object to the violence and adult
language on TV. If you were in charge of television
programming, would you change the current line-up to suit
these viewers? Why or why not? Discuss what factors
would contribute to your decision.
Produce a document with as many commands as
possible.
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RESEARCH PROJECTComputer Article
1.Find a RECENT article regarding computers.Your magazine or newspaper article should beno more than 6 months old.
2.READ it!
3.WRITE two paragraphs: A brief summary of thekey ideas in the article, and what newinformation you learned from reading it.
4.SAVE your document on your disk and exitWord.
5.Open your Internet Browser’s mail utility. SENDan attachment of your summary to me with ane-mail message. It is due on or before theresearch project deadline date in your syllabus.
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