As stated on the class Discussion page, postings are graded for both form (editing) and content, and they are not simple opinion pieces. Postings are the equivalent to in-class essays in a face-to-face class, so they must show your understanding of the reading, your ability to apply the situations to actual experiences described in precise detail, the depth of your thinking and creativity developing an essay about the topic. A typical posting should be around 300 words long and, when appropriate, incorporate documented quotations from the readings.
Likewise, simple "I agree" or high-five ("Good job") responses will earn no points. Responses need to demonstrate your ability to add examples and ideas to the discussion. Ideally, they will introduce new ways of looking at the topic that will allow others to pick up on your examples and expand on their own discussions. A typical response will be about 150 words.
Also remember (and this is true of all discussions and essays for this class) your are not summarizing what you read, and you are not just giving unsupported opinions; you are trying to show that you understand what you have read. When possible, you must quote and document examples from the readings, and you should be able to apply the situations to actual, specific, detailed (not general) examples you have experienced or studied in the real world.
Hellos, "In New Mexico" and "American Space, Chinese Place"
First, in a couple of sentences, introduce yourself (you might want to let us know a little bit about your background, your goals, your thoughts (fears?) about Freshman Composition--whatever you feel you want to share).
Then discuss any one of the following:
Some students argue that "In New Mexico" has just too much information. That is unfortunate because that is exactly the kind and degree of detail your writing should have. The great news is that it is not hard, but it does require you to look closely at the world (a good thing). Being sure to quote (and if you know how, document; if you don't yet know how, that's fine; you will by next week) specific passages from the essay, explain why they are necessary, what they add to the piece, how the make the reader share the experience rather than just being told: "They are resourceful" and "They do off-the-grid things" and "They turn trash into treasure"?
"American Space, Chinese Place" was written at the height of the success of the Baby Boomer generation, with all of the idealism and promise that seemed to follow World War II. The American Dream had shifted from a rooted, multi-generational, farm-based culture to a mobile, nuclear-family, city-based population. Citing real examples (you will want to privide links to outside sources to back up your answer), just how realistic are the observations about the American house (not necessarily home) in the essay? Note: this could very well lay the groundwork for your first Paper if you choose the "Research" topic (on alternative housing/living).
"American Space, Chinese Place" is a comparative analysis (of two house styles and the two cultures they represent). If you have some personal background in another culture, you can extend the comparison to that culture. What is housing like, and how does it represent values, ideas, ideals, outlooks, activities, maybe even religious beliefs of that culture?
If they are not notably different from the American or Chinese discussed in the essay, then this would not be a good topic choice. If you do take up this topic, though, narrow the foucs (Japanese countryside living is not the same as Japanese city living, for example; life on a Navajo reservation is not the same as life on a Chumash reservation), and be sure you are very specific, and consider including images or links to examples of what you are talking about.