Updates - Check here for assignments and news

New Update (11/17/06) -----------------------------

Poetic forms
Yesterday we discussed what makes poetry good, and we decided the following that the following attributes can lead to good poetry:

Important Subject or meaning, Focus on Rhythm in language, Sound supports meaning, Free use of language, Use of Metaphor / imagery, use of Rhyme, Ambiguity Makes you think, Layered meaning make reader work, Common made awesome, Focus on feelings

Today you will investigate some forms of poetry, and decide which ones you want to be intimate with and attempt.

Go to this poetic forms website, and read about several of the forms. Choose four that you want to get to know better and attempt.



New Update (11/07/06) -----------------------------

The Romance
Boy meets girl
Boy and girl fall in love
Boy and girl are physically or metaphorically separated
Boy and girl overcome incredible odds to be together (Usually the boy ends up saving the girl)They live happily ever after

The Horror
Person is horribly wronged (usually not revealed at beginning)
Wronged person is turned into monster
Monster, in warped attempt to make things right or seek revenge, kills lots of people in gruesome way
Hero is the only one smart enough to figure out the Monster
Hero uses insight to kill or cure monster

Contest
Use one or more of the characters you have created this year (or a new one) and put them in a typical Romance or Horror Story
500 words maximum
We will read them Monday
Best of each type of story will win a prize

Also by Monday– Find a printed example of a Romance or horror story (maybe in a blue book?) and be ready to discuss it.

New Update (11/02/06) -----------------------------
Post your science fiction attempt (about 250 words) to your blog by 11/03

New Update (11/01/06) -----------------------------

The twist in science fiction

We have discussed how science fiction writers change the rules of the natural world through technology or some kind of natural event.

And, we have discussed how the "distopia" is one of the favorite themes of science fiction writers because they like to use the genre to ironically point out what is wrong or could go wrong with humanity.

Your Turn.

First, brainstorm at least ten very common situations:
Example:
Halloween, Honeymoon, Cooking breakfast, Starting a new job, Playing a videogame

Then, brainstorm at least ten unbreakable rules of our Universe:
Example:
The future happens after the past, people can't be in two places at once etc.

Then, brainstorm at least ten current or future potential problems with humanity or society:
Example:
Hunger, Greed, War etc.


Finally - Write!
Choose one common situation- This will be the setting of your story.
Choose one unbreakable rule to break- This will lead to conflict in your story.
Choose one human problem- This will also lead to conflict / climax.

Write a one sentence synopsis of this story.
Example:
One day, while I was cooking breakfast, I realized that I was simultaneously back on the battlefield of the cyborg war ten years earlier.

Write some more synopses until you hit one you like, and start writing the story. You must write at least 250 words. You may choose to do more.

New Update (10/30/06) -----------------------------

Start thinking about your portfolio
You will be completing a portfolio composed of at least four pieces and three different Genres of writing at semester. This will count as your semester exam. You will also have the opportunity to submit it to Scholastic.

Go to the scholastic arts page (below) and READ some of the winners in different writing categories. Also continue reading pieces in your blue book.

On your blog, list at least three genres that you are interested in attempting.

______________________________
Hannah Analysis

Post the following on your blog based on "Hannah" by Lena Weber.


After reding the first two paragraphs, what was your impression of what the plot of the story would be?


Did that impression change? If so, when?


Copy your favorite image, and explain what effect it had on you as a reader.


What would you say is the overall theme of the story, and how was this created?

Copy a part of the story where the writer gave you significant insight into a character. Explain what the insight is. Did the writer tell you or show you this?


Ending- Do you feel satisfied with the ending? Why or why not?