I only assign 1 journal entry for the novel unit, and I usually find this one of the most interesting assignments as I get to have a bit of a dialogue with you about your novel. Please keep the following in mind when it comes to journal writing:
1. Writing in response to reading without a goal of deeper understanding is a waste of time (yours and mine)
2. Your goals are to:
a) personalize the story (make it more meaningful for you)
b) gain insights about characters
c) see the world in a different way
3. The main point of journal writing is to clarify your thoughts by committing your thinking to paper.
Please choose a quote or a passage from your novel (include page number) and explain the connection you have made to it. How does the connection you have made help you understand more about the book? Today you need to post your own journal entry, and respond to two other people in your Lit circle group. As always, proper grammar, spelling, punctuation etc. applies. Finally, make sure you are linked to everyone else who is reading the same novel. Please include your novel title in your blog title. Example: Journal #1: "I Am The Messenger"
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Review
Your blog topic today is to write a review for a book, movie, television series, song, album, video game,website,the performance of your favourite sports team this season, or pretty much anything you like. Below are some tips on how to approach your review. You are allowed to write a positive or a negative review.
1. Know what a review is. A review is not a recap of a TV episode or the plot of a book. It isn't just listing the different features in a PC game or what songs are on a new CD. Those things might be included in your review, but they are not the main event. Writing critically means you must tell people what is good or bad about your subject matter, and you need to provide specific evidence to back up your opinion.
2. As yourself "what does the reader want to know"? Think of the questions that a reader is likely to ask themselves about a movie, book, or song.
3. Decide on the overall point that you want to get across to the reader. Decide on an overall basic opinion of the product, such as "A hilarious, if overly long movie. Just don't expect anything groundbreaking"...and use this as a frame for your review. Hang everything else off this one idea. How does the movie's acting influence this opinion? Why isn't the plot that groundbreaking?
4. Don't write about yourself; the review is about the band, book, movie, or whatever you're reviewing.
5. Ask yourself, "what makes my review unique?" What is your unique selling point for this particular "product"?
6. Compare to other similar products, but not too much!
7. Be specific. What is unique about the experience of watching this movie, cheering for this team, reading this novel, or listening to this band?
8. Don't be afraid to state the obvious. Your readers might not be as familiar with your subject as you are. Don't be afraid to give a little extra description about things that you already know.
9. Be honest.
1. Know what a review is. A review is not a recap of a TV episode or the plot of a book. It isn't just listing the different features in a PC game or what songs are on a new CD. Those things might be included in your review, but they are not the main event. Writing critically means you must tell people what is good or bad about your subject matter, and you need to provide specific evidence to back up your opinion.
2. As yourself "what does the reader want to know"? Think of the questions that a reader is likely to ask themselves about a movie, book, or song.
3. Decide on the overall point that you want to get across to the reader. Decide on an overall basic opinion of the product, such as "A hilarious, if overly long movie. Just don't expect anything groundbreaking"...and use this as a frame for your review. Hang everything else off this one idea. How does the movie's acting influence this opinion? Why isn't the plot that groundbreaking?
4. Don't write about yourself; the review is about the band, book, movie, or whatever you're reviewing.
5. Ask yourself, "what makes my review unique?" What is your unique selling point for this particular "product"?
6. Compare to other similar products, but not too much!
7. Be specific. What is unique about the experience of watching this movie, cheering for this team, reading this novel, or listening to this band?
8. Don't be afraid to state the obvious. Your readers might not be as familiar with your subject as you are. Don't be afraid to give a little extra description about things that you already know.
9. Be honest.
Blog Roaming
Visit three classmates' blogs and read either their "top 3" or their blog choice entry. Leave a comment that offers suggestions as to the strengths of the article. It is not good enough to just say "well done" or "good job." You must refer to TWO SPECIFIC aspects of their writing. It may be the introduction, the diction, the imagery, the ideas... It's also not good enough to just say 'Nice diction" or "good ideas." What made the imagery effective? What specifically did you like about the introduction? As well, leave one suggestion for improvement. I will read comments that are posted as well as your blogs. Both will contribute to your blog mark.
Monday, October 12, 2009
Creative Pursuits
You have 2 options for this post. The first is to write a creative response to one of the following prompts listed at the bottom of this blog.
The second option is to visit the blog: >Eleven (the address is in the sidebar) and comment on either "A Soldier's Thoughts" or
"Perception is Everything". Remember that if you visit this blog you should expect to confront ideas and materials that go beyond the regular expectations for this course.
Prompt Options:
1. Write a story that includes the line “behind him/her the noise escalates”
2. List 10 simple pleasures. Describe one of them in detail.
3. Think of the ten worst things to say to a person who has just been dumped. Then write a paragraph describing the scene where you talk to that person.
4. Imagine your life is now a book. Write the blurb that people would read on the back cover.
5. Write about what you would cook for an enemy.
6. Write a fictional scary encounter with your hairdresser or barber.
7. Write about how you felt when you discovered you were lied to.
8. List 10 things you are afraid of. Pick one fear and write about it.
9. If you could invent something to help mankind, what would it be?
10. Expand on the phrase “a galaxy of longing”
11. Write a story about a town that ran out of its sugar supply.
12. List 10 things that you plan to do/accomplish in your life. Describe one of them in detail.
13. If your house was about to burn down describe the 5 things you would grab before you left and explain why.
The second option is to visit the blog: >Eleven (the address is in the sidebar) and comment on either "A Soldier's Thoughts" or
"Perception is Everything". Remember that if you visit this blog you should expect to confront ideas and materials that go beyond the regular expectations for this course.
Prompt Options:
1. Write a story that includes the line “behind him/her the noise escalates”
2. List 10 simple pleasures. Describe one of them in detail.
3. Think of the ten worst things to say to a person who has just been dumped. Then write a paragraph describing the scene where you talk to that person.
4. Imagine your life is now a book. Write the blurb that people would read on the back cover.
5. Write about what you would cook for an enemy.
6. Write a fictional scary encounter with your hairdresser or barber.
7. Write about how you felt when you discovered you were lied to.
8. List 10 things you are afraid of. Pick one fear and write about it.
9. If you could invent something to help mankind, what would it be?
10. Expand on the phrase “a galaxy of longing”
11. Write a story about a town that ran out of its sugar supply.
12. List 10 things that you plan to do/accomplish in your life. Describe one of them in detail.
13. If your house was about to burn down describe the 5 things you would grab before you left and explain why.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Top 3
Today's blog challenge is to choose the top 3 (of anything) and justify your choice. You may choose the top three hockey players of all time, the greatest musicians, the top three reasons to do something...the possibilities are endless. Here is a suggested sequence of events for the blog:
1. Choose your topic
2. Choose the criteria you are using to make your choices, and explain it to the reader. For example, if you are ranking the top three hockey players, how are you choosing to judge them? Points scored? Plus/minus rating? Years in the league? Stanley Cups won?
3. Type your blog out by first explaining the topic you have chosen, and the criteria for your choices. Then state each of your top three choices, and dedicate approximately a paragraph to each one that justifies why it deserves the ranking you gave it. As always, formal language and proper spelling and grammar applies.
1. Choose your topic
2. Choose the criteria you are using to make your choices, and explain it to the reader. For example, if you are ranking the top three hockey players, how are you choosing to judge them? Points scored? Plus/minus rating? Years in the league? Stanley Cups won?
3. Type your blog out by first explaining the topic you have chosen, and the criteria for your choices. Then state each of your top three choices, and dedicate approximately a paragraph to each one that justifies why it deserves the ranking you gave it. As always, formal language and proper spelling and grammar applies.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Superpower
If you could have any superpower in the world, what would it be, and why? Justify why you have chosen your particular gift, and rejected all others. OR You may choose to match any two superheroes together (Superman vs. Spiderman) and justify who would win in a battle. Remember to give EVIDENCE to support your opinion.
Blog Introduction
Blogs offer students a chance to easily read each others' ideas, as well as draw from internet resources. They also provide a different option for written expression. Please remember the following guidelines for blog use.
1. Everything you write on your blog must be considered PUBLIC. Do not include ANY information or opinions on your blog that you would not be comfortable with anyone else (in or outside the class) reading.
2. Please follow the proper expectations for writing in English 11. It is natural for students to become careless in their writing when working in an internet environment. However, in order for these blogs to be effective, proper grammar, punctuation, and appropriate word choice must be used at all times.
1. Everything you write on your blog must be considered PUBLIC. Do not include ANY information or opinions on your blog that you would not be comfortable with anyone else (in or outside the class) reading.
2. Please follow the proper expectations for writing in English 11. It is natural for students to become careless in their writing when working in an internet environment. However, in order for these blogs to be effective, proper grammar, punctuation, and appropriate word choice must be used at all times.
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