Honors: Read that classic and work on the presentation if you have time. Presentations will officially begin on Thursday, December 4. You should not count on having much, if any, class time to work on the presentation.
The satire writing will be due Friday, December 5.
Standard: Read that novel and work on the presentation if you have time. Presentations will officially begin on Thursday, December 4. You should not count on having much, if any, class time to work on the presentation.
Eat a lot of turkey and enjoy the break.
We'll begin our Author Essay Unit when we return.
Wednesday, November 26, 2014
Tuesday, November 25, 2014
Author Essay Is Approaching
Quick hit today.
Honors: read the classic and be sure you are preparing for the presentation. The presentations begin next week.
I heard dozens of great satire ideas today in periods one and two. (Typed this prior to period 6). The best ones are the ones you care about, have an interest in or just are knowledgeable about. Now take those ideas, be creative and satirize the heck out of them. Come to class with a dog draft of your idea so we can hone, edit, revise and perfect it tomorrow.
Potential topics I can remember so far:
relationship goals
designer spending
fangirls
stereotyping
football safety
height
complaining about cafeteria food
lots of others too.
Here's a link to the rubric and expectations.
Standard: read the novel and be sure you are preparing for the presentation. The presentations begin next week.
You reflected on your timed writing today and we did a bit of work on acuity.
One more day to Thanksgiving!
Until next time...
Honors: read the classic and be sure you are preparing for the presentation. The presentations begin next week.
I heard dozens of great satire ideas today in periods one and two. (Typed this prior to period 6). The best ones are the ones you care about, have an interest in or just are knowledgeable about. Now take those ideas, be creative and satirize the heck out of them. Come to class with a dog draft of your idea so we can hone, edit, revise and perfect it tomorrow.
Potential topics I can remember so far:
relationship goals
designer spending
fangirls
stereotyping
football safety
height
complaining about cafeteria food
lots of others too.
Here's a link to the rubric and expectations.
Standard: read the novel and be sure you are preparing for the presentation. The presentations begin next week.
You reflected on your timed writing today and we did a bit of work on acuity.
One more day to Thanksgiving!
Until next time...
Monday, November 24, 2014
Satire
We reviewed some Acuity questions in the honors class today and then we also discussed satire. We looked at several examples and laughed out loud at some of them. The Onion is a great source for satire.
We reviewed our definition of the term and the examples helped to demonstrate the clever way satirists work. One tricky aspect of satire is comprehending what, exactly, is being satirized. Just because the satire is talking about baby shampoo, doesn't necessarily mean that baby shampoo is the target of the satire. In that example, the way modern society coddles its children is being satirized, from its hands-off approach to discipline to the practice of giving everyone a trophy. Regardless, good satire will make you laugh while making a strong, relevant point.
Tonight I want you to think about possible satire topics. What is ripe to be satirized? What topic or movement or law or idea or fad or news item deserves to have its ridiculousness pointed out satirically? Think about the sports world, world news, television, music, film, weather, etc. If you ask me the idea that One Direction just won Artist of the Year has a big target on its back. The unlimited power of Roger Goodell is begging to be satirized. Is anything off limits? Can ISIS be satirized? Ferguson, Missouri? Public education?
Whatever you choose, you just need to be sure you understand the point you are trying to make and be able to present it effectively.
Topics tonight...more discussion tomorrow.
In that standard class we celebrated our writing accomplishments and then turned around and offered one more day to strengthen the theme papers. Those that took advantage of the extra 24 hours will definitely benefit based on our class discussion.
We reviewed the expectations for the debate/presentation. Here's a link to them. In addition to reading, you should be making preparations for the debates/presentations beginning next week.
We took a look at a bit of Acuity too. Our next Acuity test is December 10. Let's be ready for it.
Until next time...
We reviewed our definition of the term and the examples helped to demonstrate the clever way satirists work. One tricky aspect of satire is comprehending what, exactly, is being satirized. Just because the satire is talking about baby shampoo, doesn't necessarily mean that baby shampoo is the target of the satire. In that example, the way modern society coddles its children is being satirized, from its hands-off approach to discipline to the practice of giving everyone a trophy. Regardless, good satire will make you laugh while making a strong, relevant point.
Tonight I want you to think about possible satire topics. What is ripe to be satirized? What topic or movement or law or idea or fad or news item deserves to have its ridiculousness pointed out satirically? Think about the sports world, world news, television, music, film, weather, etc. If you ask me the idea that One Direction just won Artist of the Year has a big target on its back. The unlimited power of Roger Goodell is begging to be satirized. Is anything off limits? Can ISIS be satirized? Ferguson, Missouri? Public education?
Whatever you choose, you just need to be sure you understand the point you are trying to make and be able to present it effectively.
Topics tonight...more discussion tomorrow.
In that standard class we celebrated our writing accomplishments and then turned around and offered one more day to strengthen the theme papers. Those that took advantage of the extra 24 hours will definitely benefit based on our class discussion.
We reviewed the expectations for the debate/presentation. Here's a link to them. In addition to reading, you should be making preparations for the debates/presentations beginning next week.
We took a look at a bit of Acuity too. Our next Acuity test is December 10. Let's be ready for it.
Until next time...
Friday, November 21, 2014
Dashes and Cohesive/Circular/Echo Writing
In the honors class it was all about the dash today. Okay I answered some questions about the upcoming classic assignment and I had you reflect on a recent timed writing, but then we dived into the dash headfirst.
We discussed how it is differentiated from the hyphen and stressed the three times the dash should be used. If you want to review, click on this link on the dash presentation. We looked at the difference between the en-dash and the em-dash and our discussion culminated in a one question quiz. We looked at the question from the Acuity test on dashes—the one that I missed—and our results were amazing. We went from 22/100 answering correctly on last month's test to over 70/100 getting it correct today. Bravo! Now we need to get the rest of you to understand fully.
Be sure to read that classic this weekend and start organizing your ideas for the debate/presentation.
In the standard class we did one last edit. You are going into the weekend with one final push to make your theme essay the very best it can be. Look at the rubric and assess yourself. What do you need to work on? Where can you improve? Who can you show your paper to in order to see how strong it is? This is a 100 points, so you want to do well.
We looked at cohesive writing today too. We could also call it circular writing or echo writing, but regardless of its name, it occurs when you echo an idea you use in your introduction by repeating it in your conclusion. Here is a link to an example I created. Try and do this with your writing. Look at your lead and conclusion and try to tie them together. Professional writers do it, so it's not a bad idea to copy.
Be sure to polish up that final draft this weekend. Print it out with double spacing. Can't wait to see them.
Read some of that novel too.
Until next time..
We discussed how it is differentiated from the hyphen and stressed the three times the dash should be used. If you want to review, click on this link on the dash presentation. We looked at the difference between the en-dash and the em-dash and our discussion culminated in a one question quiz. We looked at the question from the Acuity test on dashes—the one that I missed—and our results were amazing. We went from 22/100 answering correctly on last month's test to over 70/100 getting it correct today. Bravo! Now we need to get the rest of you to understand fully.
Be sure to read that classic this weekend and start organizing your ideas for the debate/presentation.
In the standard class we did one last edit. You are going into the weekend with one final push to make your theme essay the very best it can be. Look at the rubric and assess yourself. What do you need to work on? Where can you improve? Who can you show your paper to in order to see how strong it is? This is a 100 points, so you want to do well.
We looked at cohesive writing today too. We could also call it circular writing or echo writing, but regardless of its name, it occurs when you echo an idea you use in your introduction by repeating it in your conclusion. Here is a link to an example I created. Try and do this with your writing. Look at your lead and conclusion and try to tie them together. Professional writers do it, so it's not a bad idea to copy.
Be sure to polish up that final draft this weekend. Print it out with double spacing. Can't wait to see them.
Read some of that novel too.
Until next time..
Thursday, November 20, 2014
A Closer Look at Acuity Questions
In the honors class we looked at our Acuity questions. How'd we do? Well, as expected, we seemed to do better when we talked them through as a group. The test is tricky, and when it asks for the "best" answer, sometimes it can get confusing. Bouncing ideas off someone else will always help. But that help won't be there when you settle in to take the test yourself so be sure to:
-revisit the text often
-read it closely
-talk yourself through the questions and the responses
-eliminate two options quickly
-don't over think your responses
Realize that the people involved in the creation of the Acuity test are also responsible for the creation of the new ISTEP. The more practice you get on the these types of tests, the better you should do come ISTEP time.
We talked quickly about the coming Classic Presentation. As promised here is the link to the Classic Presentation!
Read it over and come to class tomorrow with any questions you might have.
Tonight you should read that classic.
In the standard class we continued editing our peers' papers. There is a lot of good discussion going on but you want to be sure you look at the development of the ideas and the support being offered along with the spelling or capitalization errors.
Tonight you should rewrite your paper to make it the best it can possible be. We'll do a bit more editing and revising tomorrow before officially collecting the papers on Monday.
Tonight you should revise and read that novel.
Until next time...
Wednesday, November 19, 2014
Celebrations and Edits
Lot to celebrate in the honors class today. Before submitting the papers we took some time to celebrate what you accomplished.
You celebrated your understanding of cohesive writing.
You celebrated your ability to look deeper at a piece of writing to uncover the hidden gems of insight.
You celebrated your ability to revise, revise and then revise some more.
You celebrated your peers and the roles they played in helping you improve your writing.
You celebrated your family members and the roles they played in improving your writing.
You celebrated your paragraph development.
You celebrated your titles.
You celebrated your cleverness.
You celebrated your sophisticated word choice.
You celebrated your original themes.
You celebrated the improvements you made as a writer.
But mostly, you celebrated that you were submitting your theme essays.
That's a lot of celebrating! We have five days before Thanksgiving Break. We'll fill those days with some of the instruction that has been overlooked so far this year before jumping back into our writing program December 1.
Cohesive writing due tomorrow.
Read those classics by December 1.
In the standard class you have been revising and revising and revising on your own and with your partner. Today you received plenty of peer support that will help you along your revision trail. The Group of Four editing you're doing can go a long way to helping you write a successful paper if you ask the right questions and offer the detailed insightful responses to help the writer achieve his or her best.
We did not get through everyone today so we will pick up where we left off tomorrow. If you were helped today then be sure to go home and revise while the suggestions are fresh in your mind.
If you did not get help today, go home and revise your paper so that it can be as strong as possible. That way you will get the help on the important things instead of wasting time on little things you could improve on your own.
So...revise tonight and don't forget to read some novel too.
Until next time...
You celebrated your understanding of cohesive writing.
You celebrated your ability to look deeper at a piece of writing to uncover the hidden gems of insight.
You celebrated your ability to revise, revise and then revise some more.
You celebrated your peers and the roles they played in helping you improve your writing.
You celebrated your family members and the roles they played in improving your writing.
You celebrated your paragraph development.
You celebrated your titles.
You celebrated your cleverness.
You celebrated your sophisticated word choice.
You celebrated your original themes.
You celebrated the improvements you made as a writer.
But mostly, you celebrated that you were submitting your theme essays.
That's a lot of celebrating! We have five days before Thanksgiving Break. We'll fill those days with some of the instruction that has been overlooked so far this year before jumping back into our writing program December 1.
Cohesive writing due tomorrow.
Read those classics by December 1.
In the standard class you have been revising and revising and revising on your own and with your partner. Today you received plenty of peer support that will help you along your revision trail. The Group of Four editing you're doing can go a long way to helping you write a successful paper if you ask the right questions and offer the detailed insightful responses to help the writer achieve his or her best.
We did not get through everyone today so we will pick up where we left off tomorrow. If you were helped today then be sure to go home and revise while the suggestions are fresh in your mind.
If you did not get help today, go home and revise your paper so that it can be as strong as possible. That way you will get the help on the important things instead of wasting time on little things you could improve on your own.
So...revise tonight and don't forget to read some novel too.
Until next time...
Tuesday, November 18, 2014
The Theme Essay Due for Honors
Tomorrow is the day. Your theme essay is due if you are in the honors class.
Be sure you are offering clear, developed arguments.
Be sure you double check your conventions and challenge yourself to be creative with them.
Be sure you don't stress over the paper.
Here is a quick checklist to be sure you are as prepared as you need to be.
1) Type it. Double space it. Print it.
2) Have the self-assessed rubric stapled to the top of your paper.
3) Have a new rubric stapled on top of that (available in class tomorrow).
4) Make sure the final copy is neat and clean.
5) Bring it to class.
Once that is turned in you can turn your full attention to the classic reading and the cohesive assignment. I can't wait to start assessing them.
In the standard classes you have a couple more days. Use the time wisely by revising nightly. Take what we discuss in class and apply it to your own writing. As John Updike said, "Writing and rewriting are a constant search for what we are trying to say."
Keep revising. When you think you have it, look again, more deeply. You can always improve what you've written.
Revise tonight and read some of your novel.
Until next time...
Be sure you are offering clear, developed arguments.
Be sure you double check your conventions and challenge yourself to be creative with them.
Be sure you don't stress over the paper.
Here is a quick checklist to be sure you are as prepared as you need to be.
1) Type it. Double space it. Print it.
2) Have the self-assessed rubric stapled to the top of your paper.
3) Have a new rubric stapled on top of that (available in class tomorrow).
4) Make sure the final copy is neat and clean.
5) Bring it to class.
Once that is turned in you can turn your full attention to the classic reading and the cohesive assignment. I can't wait to start assessing them.
In the standard classes you have a couple more days. Use the time wisely by revising nightly. Take what we discuss in class and apply it to your own writing. As John Updike said, "Writing and rewriting are a constant search for what we are trying to say."
Keep revising. When you think you have it, look again, more deeply. You can always improve what you've written.
Revise tonight and read some of your novel.
Until next time...
Monday, November 17, 2014
Honors Thematic Essay Due Date Approaches
In less than 48 hours you will have handed in your thematic essay...if you are in an honors class. Today we completed our group of four peer edits and spent some time revising our papers.
We also introduced the idea of syllogisms. We defined syllogism as a form of reasoning where a conclusion is drawn from two given or assumed propositions. As an example we used a classic syllogism from Socrates:
All humans die.
Socrates is a human.
Therefore, Socrates will die.
Since the first two statements are true, we can conclude that the third statement would be true. However, that is not always the case. Sometimes the logic in a syllogism is faulty.
Mindy is nice to me.
I like Mindy.
Therefore, Mindy likes me.
While the first two statements are true, the conclusion is not necessarily valid. Mindy might be nice to me just because she is a nice person. She may not like me or even know me. While the second example is still a syllogism, it is an invalid one.
You need to look for this kind of faulty logic and reasoning showing up in your papers. Be sure you read your essay carefully and remove any logical fallacies from your writing.
Tonight you should push this paper to the brink of final draft submission. We will look at the paper for one more day tomorrow, but then the final draft should be printed off and handed in on Wednesday.
Don't forget to read your classic and work on your cohesive writing assignment as well.
In the standard class we did some quick peer editing of our rough drafts.
After that we saw how authors might use some literary techniques to help them develop their themes. Some of the examples of literary techniques they might use include:
parallel structure
foreshadowing
similes and metaphors
personification
sentence length
descriptive words and sentences
repetition
You made a plan to revise your papers for tonight and to read some more of that novel of yours as well. Be thinking about the classic issue as you read.
Until next time...
We also introduced the idea of syllogisms. We defined syllogism as a form of reasoning where a conclusion is drawn from two given or assumed propositions. As an example we used a classic syllogism from Socrates:
All humans die.
Socrates is a human.
Therefore, Socrates will die.
Since the first two statements are true, we can conclude that the third statement would be true. However, that is not always the case. Sometimes the logic in a syllogism is faulty.
Mindy is nice to me.
I like Mindy.
Therefore, Mindy likes me.
While the first two statements are true, the conclusion is not necessarily valid. Mindy might be nice to me just because she is a nice person. She may not like me or even know me. While the second example is still a syllogism, it is an invalid one.
You need to look for this kind of faulty logic and reasoning showing up in your papers. Be sure you read your essay carefully and remove any logical fallacies from your writing.
Tonight you should push this paper to the brink of final draft submission. We will look at the paper for one more day tomorrow, but then the final draft should be printed off and handed in on Wednesday.
Don't forget to read your classic and work on your cohesive writing assignment as well.
In the standard class we did some quick peer editing of our rough drafts.
After that we saw how authors might use some literary techniques to help them develop their themes. Some of the examples of literary techniques they might use include:
parallel structure
foreshadowing
similes and metaphors
personification
sentence length
descriptive words and sentences
repetition
You made a plan to revise your papers for tonight and to read some more of that novel of yours as well. Be thinking about the classic issue as you read.
Until next time...
Friday, November 14, 2014
Weekend Tasks
Honors: Be sure to keep revising, polishing and perfecting the theme essays. In addition you should be reading your classic and don't forget about that cohesive writing assignment. Due date is 11-20-2014.
Standard: You should be typing up a complete draft of your theme essay. No need to print it for Monday just have a draft completed. You should also be reading your novels.
Enjoy the weekend.
Standard: You should be typing up a complete draft of your theme essay. No need to print it for Monday just have a draft completed. You should also be reading your novels.
Enjoy the weekend.
Thursday, November 13, 2014
Peer Edits
I like the work that we were doing today in the honors classes. Focusing groups of four on editing a paper can be powerful. There is little that will get by four pairs of eyes, and the depths that you were hitting were impressive. We'll be continuing our editing process tomorrow. I'll be having you work on the papers over the weekend with an eye on turning them in, say...Tuesday. You can use the time wisely by
-coming to the discussion with specific questions
-knowing what areas you need help with
-focusing on the big ideas...what is really important
-listening when someone else is talking
-analyzing the piece together
Don't forget to read your classic and work on your cohesive writing assignment. 8 down 92 to go.
In the standard class I shared the rubric with you. Here's another link to it. We also started the writing of our final theme essay. It's still in draft form but you should be busy tonight typing at least one page of material.
Think through your arguments:
Are they actually supporting my theme?
Is my evidence doing what I need it to do?
Did I fully analyze that evidence and explain the point or is there more that I can do?
Good writing takes time and I know you can take the time to write well.
Be reading your novel as well.
Until next time...
-coming to the discussion with specific questions
-knowing what areas you need help with
-focusing on the big ideas...what is really important
-listening when someone else is talking
-analyzing the piece together
Don't forget to read your classic and work on your cohesive writing assignment. 8 down 92 to go.
In the standard class I shared the rubric with you. Here's another link to it. We also started the writing of our final theme essay. It's still in draft form but you should be busy tonight typing at least one page of material.
Think through your arguments:
Are they actually supporting my theme?
Is my evidence doing what I need it to do?
Did I fully analyze that evidence and explain the point or is there more that I can do?
Good writing takes time and I know you can take the time to write well.
Be reading your novel as well.
Until next time...
Wednesday, November 12, 2014
Complete Drafts Tomorrow and What It Takes
We had a small interruption in period one today due to the band absences (17 people missing) so I added another day of writing to the schedule. That allowed me to finish meeting with several students on their themes and arguments and allowed the students to keep working on those drafts.
For tomorrow you should each have a completed draft in class. It's a draft not a final copy. No need to print it off. The Google Doc will be good enough for what we will be doing. We'll do some peer editing tomorrow using the rubric, talk about transitions and come to grips with the difficult task of revising. As you know, this paper was scheduled to come in by this Friday, but it's becoming clear to me that that just isn't going to happen. I'll keep you posted on the new due date.
Don't forget to read your classic novel and complete your cohesive writing assignment (11-20-2014).
In the standard class we took one more look at What It Takes To Write a Successful Essay. We emphasized the need to
-have a lead
-have an introduction
-mention the title and author
-share a theme/claim
-offer context
-S.P.A.T.
-state the argument
-provide the evidence
-analyze the evidence
-tie it back to the claim
-cite the quotes
-offer a conclusion
-use paragraphs
We also looked closely at our own essays and one in particular. You know what it takes to write a successful essay. You also know that my expectations are high. I won't settle for pretty good and I hope you won't either.
Tonight I need you to identify what your theme will be for the thematic essay you'll be writing. I also want you to identify your three arguments. Write them all in your writer's notebook and be clear.
Since you don't have to write much tonight, you should also spend some time reading your novel.
Until next time..
For tomorrow you should each have a completed draft in class. It's a draft not a final copy. No need to print it off. The Google Doc will be good enough for what we will be doing. We'll do some peer editing tomorrow using the rubric, talk about transitions and come to grips with the difficult task of revising. As you know, this paper was scheduled to come in by this Friday, but it's becoming clear to me that that just isn't going to happen. I'll keep you posted on the new due date.
Don't forget to read your classic novel and complete your cohesive writing assignment (11-20-2014).
In the standard class we took one more look at What It Takes To Write a Successful Essay. We emphasized the need to
-have a lead
-have an introduction
-mention the title and author
-share a theme/claim
-offer context
-S.P.A.T.
-state the argument
-provide the evidence
-analyze the evidence
-tie it back to the claim
-cite the quotes
-offer a conclusion
-use paragraphs
We also looked closely at our own essays and one in particular. You know what it takes to write a successful essay. You also know that my expectations are high. I won't settle for pretty good and I hope you won't either.
Tonight I need you to identify what your theme will be for the thematic essay you'll be writing. I also want you to identify your three arguments. Write them all in your writer's notebook and be clear.
Since you don't have to write much tonight, you should also spend some time reading your novel.
Until next time..
Tuesday, November 11, 2014
Work Day
As the title says, this was mostly a work day in all classes.
The honors students identified their themes and arguments and then I walked around and conferred with them about the directions they were going. I didn't meet with everyone, but plan on finishing the task tomorrow.
For tonight, the honors students should be finishing up draft #1 of the theme essay. Don't forget to read some classic and remember that the cohesive writing assignment is due in 9 days.
The standard students took a closer look at S.P.A.T. with an emphasis on stating the argument. I believe that they all had a clearer sense of how to do that by the time we were finished. I assigned a 2 page theme writing, complete with introduction, body paragraphs and a conclusion for class tomorrow. Oh, and don't forget to read some of your novel.
Until next time...
The honors students identified their themes and arguments and then I walked around and conferred with them about the directions they were going. I didn't meet with everyone, but plan on finishing the task tomorrow.
For tonight, the honors students should be finishing up draft #1 of the theme essay. Don't forget to read some classic and remember that the cohesive writing assignment is due in 9 days.
The standard students took a closer look at S.P.A.T. with an emphasis on stating the argument. I believe that they all had a clearer sense of how to do that by the time we were finished. I assigned a 2 page theme writing, complete with introduction, body paragraphs and a conclusion for class tomorrow. Oh, and don't forget to read some of your novel.
Until next time...
Monday, November 10, 2014
Locked and Loaded Themes
Honors: You have had your practice writings and have narrowed the field of themes. You have selected a final theme and now are on to the draft stage of the theme essay. Now you apply all you know to your writing and develop the best essay you can.
We talked about the themes you selected today. There were some that are playing it safe and others taking real chances. I like the bold moves. Still, delivering on the evidence and analysis could take a fairly standard theme and turn it into an amazing paper. Keep pushing yourself. Keep reading the stories so that you can find the evidence you need to offer an original and convincing paper.
Have at least one page typed for class tomorrow (double spaced). We'll take a quick look at what you have and then spend more time writing.
We also looked at archetypes today. We defined the term and offered several examples. In addition I collected some cohesive writing pieces and reminded the students to read their classics.
In the standard class we discussed the novels you are reading outside of class. Be sure to bring that novel to class everyday. Be constantly asking yourself, "Is my book a classic? Why or why not?" Use the notes we shared.
Most of our time was spent working on and analyzing our S.P.A.T. paragraphs. We emphasized the need to offer a clear argument in that first sentence. You are doing a decent job providing evidence but you need to be sure to offer the context so that the reader can understand the discussion. Our analysis has been present but thin. Beef it up a bit. We were having some trouble tying the discussion back to the claim, but I believe we have cleared that up. Nevertheless, after seeing the struggles we had today, I'm assigning another night of S.P.A.T. writing. Give me one fresh, new paragraph that applies what you learned today. It should probably be at least one page to be successful (unless you write small). I need effort on these paragraphs tonight. Come in with the best paragraph you can write.
Until next time...
We talked about the themes you selected today. There were some that are playing it safe and others taking real chances. I like the bold moves. Still, delivering on the evidence and analysis could take a fairly standard theme and turn it into an amazing paper. Keep pushing yourself. Keep reading the stories so that you can find the evidence you need to offer an original and convincing paper.
Have at least one page typed for class tomorrow (double spaced). We'll take a quick look at what you have and then spend more time writing.
We also looked at archetypes today. We defined the term and offered several examples. In addition I collected some cohesive writing pieces and reminded the students to read their classics.
In the standard class we discussed the novels you are reading outside of class. Be sure to bring that novel to class everyday. Be constantly asking yourself, "Is my book a classic? Why or why not?" Use the notes we shared.
Most of our time was spent working on and analyzing our S.P.A.T. paragraphs. We emphasized the need to offer a clear argument in that first sentence. You are doing a decent job providing evidence but you need to be sure to offer the context so that the reader can understand the discussion. Our analysis has been present but thin. Beef it up a bit. We were having some trouble tying the discussion back to the claim, but I believe we have cleared that up. Nevertheless, after seeing the struggles we had today, I'm assigning another night of S.P.A.T. writing. Give me one fresh, new paragraph that applies what you learned today. It should probably be at least one page to be successful (unless you write small). I need effort on these paragraphs tonight. Come in with the best paragraph you can write.
Until next time...
Friday, November 7, 2014
A Sample Paragraph
This weekend's homework for the honors class is as follows:
1) select a theme for the theme essay
2) reread your story with the theme in mind, being sure to think about author's craft as well
3) read some of that classic (should be finished by December 1)
4) see what cohesive writing examples you can find (due November 20)
Today in class we took a closer look at your practice essays. After that we talked a bit about the decisions an author makes to with his craft to help convey the theme of his writing. Some literary devices to be on the lookout for include:
1) select a theme for the theme essay
2) reread your story with the theme in mind, being sure to think about author's craft as well
3) read some of that classic (should be finished by December 1)
4) see what cohesive writing examples you can find (due November 20)
Today in class we took a closer look at your practice essays. After that we talked a bit about the decisions an author makes to with his craft to help convey the theme of his writing. Some literary devices to be on the lookout for include:
parallel
structure
personification
comparisons
(similes/metaphors)
repetition
sentence
length
descriptive
words/sentences
You might have noticed all the repetition that Poe uses in a "The Tell-Tale Heart" or all the figurative language employed by Myers in "The Treasure of Lemon Brown". Why do they do these things? Is the repetition or the figurative language helping either author develop his theme? That's what I want you to consider, and perhaps, write about in your essay. I've included a link to the sample paragraph I shared with you in class today.
This weekend's homework for the standard class is as follows:
1) write a good S.P.A.T. paragraph in your writer's notebook; if the first one isn't good, then write another one
2) read your novel (should be finished by December 1)
Today in class we discussed what makes a book a classic. You received the hand-out summing up the notes so be sure to be referring to it when you read your book so that you can be making an educated decision on whether or not your book will become a classic.
We also looked at a couple S.P.A.T. paragraphs. It quickly became evident that we need to work on these. With that in mind we are slowing down the train. That's why you are not writing another 2 pages tonight; instead, you are writing the best S.P.A.T. paragraph you can write. Good luck.
Until next time...
Thursday, November 6, 2014
The Rubric and the Cohesive Writing Assignment
Some solid S.P.A.T. conversations in the standard class today. After looking at a couple examples we discovered that we need to work on our spatting a bit. Here are a few observations taken from class today:
1) Know the difference between your theme and your arguments. Be sure you offer your arguments--and not your theme/claim--at the start of the body paragraphs. The body paragraphs are supporting your theme. Each body paragraph should offer a different reason (argument) as to why your theme is correct for your story.
2) Offer context. You need to offer enough information about what happened in the story so that the reader can understand your paper. You are writing this as if your reader has not read your story.
3) Make sure the analysis says something new and doesn't just repeat what is stated in the quote.
4) Sometimes it might be necessary to offer more than just one quote as evidence.
5) If quoting something you better be sure that what is in the quotes comes directly from the text.
Write another two pages tonight on a different theme and bring it to class tomorrow.
Most of you chose books to read with your partner today too. If I've approved your choice, start reading. We won't do anything officially with them until after Thanksgiving but don't procrastinate. 10 pages a night is a lot easier to handle than 35.
In the honors classes we also confirmed our books. A lot of good classic novels were selected. Again, start reading now, especially if you have The Count of Monte Cristo!
Before traveling to the IMC we looked at cohesive writing. We have defined it as ending a piece of writing back where you began. You return to the idea mentioned in the lead which adds a level of cohesion for the reader. You now get to locate a good example yourself and type it up for a quick 10 points. Here's a link to the work I want you to do with it. Good luck.
We also went over the rubric for the theme essay. We focused on the A because that is where I want you to end up. Here's a link to the entire rubric so you can write with it in mind.
Tonight you are writing a third theme essay (2 page minimum) before making the big decision tomorrow. Good luck tonight.
Until next time...
1) Know the difference between your theme and your arguments. Be sure you offer your arguments--and not your theme/claim--at the start of the body paragraphs. The body paragraphs are supporting your theme. Each body paragraph should offer a different reason (argument) as to why your theme is correct for your story.
2) Offer context. You need to offer enough information about what happened in the story so that the reader can understand your paper. You are writing this as if your reader has not read your story.
3) Make sure the analysis says something new and doesn't just repeat what is stated in the quote.
4) Sometimes it might be necessary to offer more than just one quote as evidence.
5) If quoting something you better be sure that what is in the quotes comes directly from the text.
Write another two pages tonight on a different theme and bring it to class tomorrow.
Most of you chose books to read with your partner today too. If I've approved your choice, start reading. We won't do anything officially with them until after Thanksgiving but don't procrastinate. 10 pages a night is a lot easier to handle than 35.
In the honors classes we also confirmed our books. A lot of good classic novels were selected. Again, start reading now, especially if you have The Count of Monte Cristo!
Before traveling to the IMC we looked at cohesive writing. We have defined it as ending a piece of writing back where you began. You return to the idea mentioned in the lead which adds a level of cohesion for the reader. You now get to locate a good example yourself and type it up for a quick 10 points. Here's a link to the work I want you to do with it. Good luck.
We also went over the rubric for the theme essay. We focused on the A because that is where I want you to end up. Here's a link to the entire rubric so you can write with it in mind.
Tonight you are writing a third theme essay (2 page minimum) before making the big decision tomorrow. Good luck tonight.
Until next time...
Wednesday, November 5, 2014
The First Practice Theme Essay
In the honors class that's one practice theme essay down...and hopefully you learned a lot to apply to the second practice theme essay you'll be writing tonight.
You discussed the difficulties and successes you had last night with the writing. Your peers then helped you to pinpoint your strengths and weaknesses.
We were reminded that we all need to include
-a lead/introduction
-title and author
-a theme/claim
-context
-S.P.A.T.
-conclusion
-paragraphs.
In addition you need to be sure that the arguments you share are accurate and developed well enough to support the theme you identified from the story. I'm looking for well-developed and insightful analysis of each story's theme. Don't limit yourself.
With that in mind, be aware that the two pages you write in your writer's notebook will most likely be insufficient for the final draft. What you are writing in your notebooks is a start, a draft. Once you select a theme to fully develop, it should be expected that the length of the paper will grow.
One thing I'd like to explain about S.P.A.T. I know writing is not formulaic, and writing that is formulaic tends not to be as strong as more creative endeavors; however, for the sake of this paper, S.P.A.T. gives us all a place to start. I do not want anyone thinking or believing that all you need to do to be effective is to follow S.P.A.T. To the contrary feel free to go beyond S.P.A.T. If you want to layer multiple quotes effectively in your analysis then by all means do so. The most successful papers will not be written by rote. Start spatting but then be creative and make the writing truly your own.
Both the honors and the standard class should be writing a 2 page minimum theme paper tonight over one of your themes that you have not written about yet. As you write be sure to make the adjustments that your partners, teacher, peers and self noted. This paper, though still a draft, should be stronger than last night's paper (for the honors classes; this is the first night of writing for the standard class).
We'll go to the IMC tomorrow for book selection: classics for honors and novels for standard. Bring your book if you already have it.
Until next time...
You discussed the difficulties and successes you had last night with the writing. Your peers then helped you to pinpoint your strengths and weaknesses.
We were reminded that we all need to include
-a lead/introduction
-title and author
-a theme/claim
-context
-S.P.A.T.
-conclusion
-paragraphs.
In addition you need to be sure that the arguments you share are accurate and developed well enough to support the theme you identified from the story. I'm looking for well-developed and insightful analysis of each story's theme. Don't limit yourself.
With that in mind, be aware that the two pages you write in your writer's notebook will most likely be insufficient for the final draft. What you are writing in your notebooks is a start, a draft. Once you select a theme to fully develop, it should be expected that the length of the paper will grow.
One thing I'd like to explain about S.P.A.T. I know writing is not formulaic, and writing that is formulaic tends not to be as strong as more creative endeavors; however, for the sake of this paper, S.P.A.T. gives us all a place to start. I do not want anyone thinking or believing that all you need to do to be effective is to follow S.P.A.T. To the contrary feel free to go beyond S.P.A.T. If you want to layer multiple quotes effectively in your analysis then by all means do so. The most successful papers will not be written by rote. Start spatting but then be creative and make the writing truly your own.
Both the honors and the standard class should be writing a 2 page minimum theme paper tonight over one of your themes that you have not written about yet. As you write be sure to make the adjustments that your partners, teacher, peers and self noted. This paper, though still a draft, should be stronger than last night's paper (for the honors classes; this is the first night of writing for the standard class).
We'll go to the IMC tomorrow for book selection: classics for honors and novels for standard. Bring your book if you already have it.
Until next time...
Tuesday, November 4, 2014
Some Keys for Spotting Classics
So what is a classic novel? We had that discussion today in the honors class and came up with some pretty good ideas. They included:
-it should have social significance
-it should have a universal theme
-it should be timeless
-it should be original
In addition to these ideas we looked at an amalgam of ideas from a variety of resources including Princeton University and Italo Calvino. Here is what they had to say.
- A classic usually expresses some artistic quality--an expression of life, truth, and beauty.
- It’s original.
- A classic stands the test of time. The work is usually considered to be a representation of the period in which it was written; and the work merits lasting recognition. In other words, if the book was published in the recent past, the work is not a classic.
- A classic has a certain universal appeal. Great works of literature touch us to our very core beings--partly because they integrate ideas that are understood by readers from a wide range of backgrounds and levels of experience. Thematic ideas of love, hate, death, life, and faith touch upon some of our most basic emotional responses.
- A classic makes connections. You can study a classic and discover influences from other writers and other great works of literature. Of course, this is partly related to the universal appeal of a classic. But, the classic also is informed by the history of ideas and literature--whether unconsciously or specifically worked into the plot of the text.
- The classic book has the ability to be reinterpreted, to seemingly be renewed in the interests of generations of readers succeeding its creation.
- Ancient books are classics not because they are old but because they are powerful, fresh and healthy.
- A classic is a work which constantly generates a pulviscular cloud of critical discourse around it, but which always shakes the particles off.
- A true classic has an author who has enriched the human mind, increased its treasure, and caused it to advance a step; who has discovered some moral and not equivocal truth, or revealed some eternal passion in that heart where all seemed known and discovered; who has expressed his thought, observation, or invention, in no matter what form, only provided it be broad and great, refined and sensible, sane and beautiful in itself; who has spoken to all in his own peculiar style, a style which is found to be also that of the whole world, a style new without neologism, new and old, easily contemporary with all time.
- 'Your' classic is a book to which you cannot remain indifferent, and which helps you define yourself in relation or even in opposition to it.
- A classic is a work which persists as a background noise even when a present that is totally incompatible with it holds sway.
These are the ideas you will need to be considering when you are reading your classic novel and preparing your presentation. You will definitely need to be taking notes as you read. Remember that you will also need to have information from an expert outside source, someone who has done some critical writing on your novel.
I want you to look deeply into the topic and offer insightful reasons as to why your novel should or should not be considered a classic.
For homework tonight, you need to be finalizing a classic selection. You should also write two pages (minimum) of one of your theme essays. This is a dog draft but should be written with a lead, S.P.A.T. and a conclusion. Don't forget to offer context and use paragraphs.
In the standard class you and your partner discussed the thematic ideas and themes you came up with last night. You pointed out some holes and identified other possible pieces of evidence your partner might use. Tonight you are to go home and re-read the story, being sure to annotate it for all of your possible themes as you read. Reading the story a second time with your themes in mind should enable you to see some things that you missed the first time. Be alert! And have those highlighters and pens close by.
In the standard class you and your partner discussed the thematic ideas and themes you came up with last night. You pointed out some holes and identified other possible pieces of evidence your partner might use. Tonight you are to go home and re-read the story, being sure to annotate it for all of your possible themes as you read. Reading the story a second time with your themes in mind should enable you to see some things that you missed the first time. Be alert! And have those highlighters and pens close by.
Until next time...
So,+
Monday, November 3, 2014
Reading and Writing While Thinking
I trust after this long hedonistic weekend of candy debauchery and lots of naps that you are ready and raring to go on to our first paper of the new quarter. Well, ready or not here we go.
Today in the honors classes I had you and your partner discuss the thematic ideas and themes you came up with over the weekend. You pointed out some holes and identified other possible pieces of evidence your partner might use. Tonight you are to go home and, after printing off a hard copy of the story, re-read it, being sure to annotate it for all of your possible themes as you read. Reading the story a second time with your themes in mind, should enable you to see some things that you missed the first time. Be alert! And have those highlighters and pens close by.
We also discussed the classic novels and the work you will be doing with those. Basically, I need you and your partner to identify a classic novel you both agree to read. Later this quarter (after Thanksgiving), you will be presenting info to the class. You will either be arguing together for the book to remain a classic or to be taken off the classic list. Should you disagree with each other, you will be debating your opinions on the classic issue. We will be discussing what makes a book a classic later this week. Let me know quickly your title quickly. I have final say and I want to avoid any repeats if at all possible.
In the standard class, you had some good discussions on the plots of your stories and then dabbled with some thematic ideas. Tonight I want you to do a sort of stream of consciousness writing--a brainstorming--of thematic ideas and themes. You should write for two pages on any ideas or themes you come up with talking about possible evidence you would use or potential problems you might encounter. I'll be looking for those two pages tomorrow.
You also will be reading a book on your own. While your book will not be a classic, you will be making a presentation on whether or not your book should be elevated to classic status or if it is fine right where it is. If you and your partner agree, you will present your information together. Should you and your partner disagree, you will be debating the topic in front of the class.
All classes will make a trip to the IMC later this week.
Good luck.
Until next time...
Today in the honors classes I had you and your partner discuss the thematic ideas and themes you came up with over the weekend. You pointed out some holes and identified other possible pieces of evidence your partner might use. Tonight you are to go home and, after printing off a hard copy of the story, re-read it, being sure to annotate it for all of your possible themes as you read. Reading the story a second time with your themes in mind, should enable you to see some things that you missed the first time. Be alert! And have those highlighters and pens close by.
We also discussed the classic novels and the work you will be doing with those. Basically, I need you and your partner to identify a classic novel you both agree to read. Later this quarter (after Thanksgiving), you will be presenting info to the class. You will either be arguing together for the book to remain a classic or to be taken off the classic list. Should you disagree with each other, you will be debating your opinions on the classic issue. We will be discussing what makes a book a classic later this week. Let me know quickly your title quickly. I have final say and I want to avoid any repeats if at all possible.
In the standard class, you had some good discussions on the plots of your stories and then dabbled with some thematic ideas. Tonight I want you to do a sort of stream of consciousness writing--a brainstorming--of thematic ideas and themes. You should write for two pages on any ideas or themes you come up with talking about possible evidence you would use or potential problems you might encounter. I'll be looking for those two pages tomorrow.
You also will be reading a book on your own. While your book will not be a classic, you will be making a presentation on whether or not your book should be elevated to classic status or if it is fine right where it is. If you and your partner agree, you will present your information together. Should you and your partner disagree, you will be debating the topic in front of the class.
All classes will make a trip to the IMC later this week.
Good luck.
Until next time...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)