Enriched 9-17-2012

Okay, so after our discussion today we all realize that we have some work to do on our writing, especially our timed writing prompts.  That info from the Numbers Game was startling to say the least.  I can't overstate the importance of becoming a good timed writer.  In addition to getting you into a better college (think higher ACT and SAT scores), writing well under a time constraint also opens up doors to myriad scholarships and monies colleges are somewhat reluctant to give away.  Imagine how happy Mom and Dad will be when colleges start increasing the money they are willing to give you all because of your writing score on a standardized test!  They might be so excited that they'll take the money they saved and buy you a car!  Life is good when you know how to write.

A couple individuals who demonstrated some writing talent on the Bambara piece were Peter Rutkowski, Kacey Wood, Bryce Yoder, and Grant Brenner.  Nice job, all of you.  

Okay, so we will be working on more timed writings in the near future, but our next writing assignment (given tomorrow?) will be of the more traditional kind.  You'll be writing it at home, and we'll be taking it through the writing process.  We've read some Bambara, some Poe, some Donne, some Brooks, and I've got a nonfiction piece up my sleeve yet as well.  Regardless whether we read it or not, there is a similar element running through each one of the other pieces.  It deals with our role in humanity.  I'll offer more specifics tomorrow.  

Static?  Dynamic?  Hope you know what they mean.  I'll be tossing flat and round at you tomorrow.  Hmmm...

I was glad to see the positive reception the World War Z excerpt delivered.  Looks like there might be a run on the title at Barnes and Noble.  We'll spend part of tomorrow continuing our analysis of the excerpt and "The Masque of the Red Death".  Lots to talk about there.  Creating a symbolic Venn diagram loaded with quotes from the texts is a challenging yet effective way to compare the two pieces.    Can't wait to see what your creative minds deliver.  I also have a few more higher level questions to ask.

Another busy day in LA tomorrow.  I'll see you there.

Okay, I didn't forget.  An Archer card signature for anyone who can tell me who the father of the author of World War Z is AND tell me why you should know him.