What it's all about

Introductory English, for me, is about how language works. Especially written language, but many of the same things apply when we talk together. It's about "literature" too, of course, but I usually start with what we might call everyday language.

If you want to know more about how I organize this, and why I do it, you should read the introduction to the course. It's on the English 1006T Web page. I'd be more than happy -- eager, even -- to respond to questions about it.

You put your left foot in

This year, I'm going to start with a look at the language of believing. Your assignment for Thursday afternoon is to look back through the statements of belief we've been working with -- the ones you brought to class, or ones your group settled on (I've put links to the notes Karla took last Thursday on the 1006T page) -- and choose one about which you could say either "yes, I believe that" or "no, I do not believe that." Then, choose one about which you would say, "I can't say whether I believe that or not, because it depends . . ." and write out what it depends on.

Bring to class Thursday afternoon one page on which the first belief is written (you don't have to say whether you believe it or not), and, below that, the second one. Below that one you should say what it depends on.