So, I’m taking this course called “Teaching in the Community College,” which is basically a prep course for applying to teaching positions at the community college or high school level. Next Saturday we have teaching demonstrations and I have to do 20 minutes of a “Comp 101” class. It can cover anything that a typical beginner’s writing class would teach, but I only have 20 minutes so I’ll probably have to stick to one topic. It has to be lecture-based, but can also include some discussion as well.
I was thinking of lecturing on the concept of “audience” and how writing styles have to adapt according to the expected reader. Either that or do something about how to begin a piece of writing in a way that will draw a reader in (maybe make handouts of famous first lines from books and discuss why they are so famous). Any suggestions on these or other topics would be greatly appreciated!
PS: I am slightly worried about the whole thing - not because I’m nervous about teaching, because I do have experience, but because the day before is our department’s winter dance party and I know I’m going to be horribly hungover the morning of my demonstration. 