Question of the Week (1/6/12)

Choose one of the writing exercises below and complete it by class on Monday. Be sure to bring a copy to class to share.

• Pretend you are riding on a bus and overhear one person say to another person, "I'll never forgive you as long as I live." Write a story that tells who these people are and what happened before their conversation.
• Write a story rich in dialogue. Some examples are: a dialogue between a child and a grown-up involving a monkey; a dialogue between two people stuck in an elevator together; and a dialogue with a friend after they've broken their friend's favorite possession.
• Write an essay about trading places with someone. This can be someone famous or someone who lives down the street. Describe your day in detail as that person, and that person's day as you.
• Begin your piece by writing "I remember" and write down any memories that come to mind. It doesn't matter if a memory happened five minutes ago or five years ago, just to write down what you remember. The point of this exercise is to generate ideas without worrying about how the words are coming out or analyzing them. If a memory is particularly vivid, a writer can stick with that memory and add detail about it. Later, writers can go back to their memories and choose those that seem most interesting to write larger pieces about.
• Think of something you dislike and write about it as though you love it, then change perspectives and write about it as though you dislike it, and then write about it as though you don't care one way or another about it. This exercise is a great challenge for your imagination, and a means for getting them to explore different writing perspectives.

Have fun with this and we will share them on Monday! Enjoy your weekend.

Question of the Week (12/2/11)

In thinking about your next essay:

We constantly compare and contrast people and events in our lives though often we are not consciously aware that we are making a comparison. We choose our friends by discovering the similarities between their lives and ours. We choose classes in a way that we think will most benefit us.

For this paper, compare and contrast two characters, themes, motifs, symbols, places etc. from A Lesson Before Dying.  You will need to choose a topic that is significant, that gives the possibility of depth of thinking and/or creativity, and that would be interesting for your reader to consider.

The first step in this paper writing process will be to make a long, detailed chart of the similarities and differences between the two literary devices, people, or places (yes, you DO need to actually write this down and turn it in with your drafts).  The second step is to decide from the items on the list which major areas of comparison you will take up in your paper; in other words, what will each paragraph cover?  The third step is to choose an angle (specific point of view) from which to write the paper and a method of  organization: AAA BBB or AB AB AB. Since you cannot post your entire chart on the blog, write a free write about the two things you wish to compare and share them. Be sure to bring your detailed chart to class on Monday. Your posts are due by 3 p.m. on Monday.

Your rough draft is due next Friday, 12/9. You should bring 5 copies to class, one of which you will turn in to me. Below are some notes on how to begin your rough draft.

 

Some notes on the rough drafts:

1.     You don’t have to use all the details on your chart.  Some won’t fit into your major categories anyhow.

2.     After you take up the points in one part, the points must be taken up in the same order in the other part of the essay.  Be sure each part has equal space.

3.     The points must echo each other.  There must be an active comparison or contrast going on.  You will need appropriate transitions and linking expressions.

4.     Your final paragraph must come to some judgement or conclusion about the two things being compared. 

5.     Make your comparison as complete and clear as you can.  Use examples and/or supporting evidence to make your point interesting and vivid.  What do you really want to say about these two?  Is it clear?  Is it interesting?

6.     Be sure your rough draft is double spaced and you have included all the necessary information on your first page such as: your first and last name, your section, the date, your teacher's name, that your quotes are in proper MLA format, etc.  Comma errors, fragments, and run-ons are not acceptable.  Edit carefully. 

You could also read the compare/contrast section of your English text for more examples of these types of essays. 

Question of the Week (11/18/11)

In thinking about A Lesson Before Dying, how would you answer the following questions?

1) What is a human right?
2) How would you define justice?
3) What is the relationship between justice and self-esteem?

Post your response to one of the questions by Monday at 3 p.m. Explore the question and dig deeper than the superficial. Keeping in mind these are difficult questions and there really is no right or wrong answer. With regard to writing, there is more meaning in the journey, than the destination. Be sure to respond to another classmates' response, if you are not the first to post.

I Have a Dream

Post your "I Have a Dream" speeches here.

Question of the Week (11/4/11)

Choose one of the prompts below and write a rough draft of your persuasive essay. This will be like a structured free write, in that you should just write down your ideas on the selected topic. Post your draft and comment on another classmates' draft as well. Posts are due by 3 p.m. on Monday. Happy writing.

Since the cloning of the sheep Dolly, there has been much debate

over whether or not human beings should be cloned. Many people

feel this is a violation of the natural order of things and that all

research in the area of human cloning should be banned. Others

feel that this is a natural progression of science and human

evolution and that research in the area of human cloning should be

a priority. How do you feel about this issue? Use specific reasons

and examples to support your position.

All-girl schools have been gaining popularity in recent years

because of the belief that girls learn better when they aren’t

competing with or intimidated by boys, who statistically get more

attention in the classroom. Do you think single-sex schools are a

good idea? Why or why not? Use specific reasons and examples to

support your position.

Many of us spend hours in front of our computers and

communicate more by e-mail or instant-messaging than in person.

Some people believe that this is good because it helps shy people

communicate more openly with others. Others believe that

computer communication prevents us from developing

interpersonal skills and limits our ability to have meaningful

relationships with others. How do you feel about this issue? Use

specific reasons and examples to support your position.

According to some health organizations, many foods on our

grocery store shelves are made with genetically modified

ingredients. Most of these foods, however, do not have a GMO

(genetically modified organism) label. Do you think there should

be a law requiring manufacturers to label foods containing GMOs?

Use specific reasons and examples to support your position.

What is your all-time favorite movie and why? Write an essay persuading readers to watch this film.

Today, there are more and more reality shows on television. Do

these shows make good television? Why or why not? Explain your

answer using specific reasons and examples.

Is “an eye for an eye” a good basis for determining an appropriate

punishment? Why or why not? Use specific reasons and examples

to explain your position.

Is there a book that you feel should be required reading for

everyone? Write an essay persuading your audience to read

this book.

Some people go right on to college after high school; others take a

year or more off to work or travel. Which do you think is the

better choice? State your position and support it with specific

reasons and examples.

For centuries, people have wondered about the possibility of life

on other planets in the universe. Do you believe extraterrestrial life

exists? Write an essay persuading others to share your point of

view.

If someone discovered a formula that would enable us to live

forever, would that be a blessing or a curse? Use specific reasons

and examples to support your answer.

Some educators argue that every child in every school should have

access to computers. Others believe that the value of computers in

the classroom is overrated and that computers may actually

interfere with the learning process. In your opinion, how

important are computers in the classroom? Use specific reasons

and examples to explain your answer.

Some people believe that students aren’t learning enough in high

school. Should school standards be higher? Explain your answer

using specific reasons and examples.

It has often been said, “Ignorance is bliss,” and “What you don’t

know won’t hurt you.” Do you agree with these statements? Why

or why not?

 

Question of the Week (10/28/11)

Watch this:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S3gB1zgpGqs
Read Why We Crave Horror Films by Stephen King, the essay can be found online.  Simply type in "why we crave horror films" into google and a pdf of the article is the first hit.
Answer the following question and post your answer to the blog by 3 p.m. on Halloween. We will discuss this essay in class on Monday.

Question: What has been your own experience watching horror films? Are they one of your favorite film genres, or do you avoid horror films? Identify one horror film and explain your response to it.

Question of the Week (10/21/11)

Choose one of the prompts below and write your response. Posts are due by 3 p.m. Monday, October 24.
Enjoy your weekend.

1. Choose a fairy tale and rewrite it from another character's point of view. For example, retell the story of Snow White from Bashful's point of view, or what if Cinderella's slipper had fit one of her step-sisters? What if Little Red Riding Hood took place in the city instead of the forest. Have fun with this one.
2. In 300 words, write about deceit.
3. Recall a time when you did something to get noticed. Write about it in third person.
4. Take two people who immensely dislike each other and stick them in the back of a cab during rush hour traffic. What happens? (Feel free to change the setting if you wish.)
5. Write about how you felt when you were lied to.
6. Two people split a winning lotto ticket. What happens next?
7. Find an interesting headline and create a story around it.