Anecdotes from a New World of Communication

Write about your experiences with new forms of communication in the form of anecdotes (a "mini" story). Discuss two positive and two negative experiences. Each anecdote should be no more than 50 words long, so the overall word requirement is from 150 to 200 words. Be honest but there is no need to name names to protect your privacy.

Possible topics: Facebook; Twitter; Smart phones; email; texting and their effects on you personally and others around you.

NOTE: Please do bring a printed copy of your remarks to class on Wednesday. See you then!

Writing a List Poem Based on "A Note"

Beginning with "Life is the only way," write your own list poem using "A Note" as a model. Your poem must use the same (with minor variations) number of words and structure as Szymborska's. Use what you learned Wednesday to compose a stronger poem.

Try to find a rhythm to the words you choose (note the number of syllables as well as the number of words). Be careful to punctuate exactly the same way and be aware of how the poet has used punctuation to divide and compare ideas. Post a copy of your poem to the blog before coming to Wednesday's class.

Be prepared to do a recital of your poem (please practice ahead of time!) and speak for one to two minutes on the process you followed and any difficulties you experienced.  Marks will be assigned as follows: quality of poem—50%; recital—25%; remarks on process—25%.

My Experience with Poetry

Write a 50-word paragraph that refers to your personal experiences with poetry. The experiences do not have to be at school, although they may be if you wish. Be specific please. Bring your printed work to class along with a printed copy of your chosen poem.


To help you find a poem, here are three online sources of quality poetry. Remember that you need to defend the poem's quality in group work that day, so be sure to choose well.


Poems at Slate.com (each poem is read by the poet; a good way to decide if you like the way it sounds)


Canadian Poetry Online (from the University of Toronto library; a list of poets that links to poems from each one)


Poetry Daily Archive (alphabetical archive of poems by title; here you can look for an interesting title and see if you can find a poem you like)

"Ghost World" Recommend or Not?

Would you recommend the film “Ghost World” to a friend? Write a paragraph that a person could read and understand if that person has not seen the film before. Give enough detail so the basic plot is clear and then comment on one or two specifics that helped you to reach your decision. Write a paragraph of between 150 and 200 words and bring your word processed work to class next Wednesday.

"A Spoiled Man" or "The Woman of the House"?

Decide which of the two stories we have studied this term that you would recommend most strongly. Referring specifically to both stories, present your argument to a reader who has not read either story. Use literary terms in your answer. Write in paragraph form. Write about 200 words; use a single or multiple paragraphs as you see fit.

Bring your word-processed work to class next Wednesday, April 11.

Paragraph Answer for "The Woman of the House"

Write an answer that is based on information found on the page you have been assigned. Try, as best you can, to connect what happens on that page to events that occur either before or after in the story. Use at least one literary term (setting, conflict, plot, irony etc.) in your answer. Quote the story at least once, but no more than 20 words, maximum, for all quotes. Identify the page number, please, as a heading before your paragraph. See my model answer for more ideas on what to do.


Write between 150 and 200 words. Bring your word processed work to class on Wednesday.


Online copy of the story for quoting.

Narrative Essay: Sample Writing and More

Hello everyone from sunny (and hot; 26 degrees!) Montreal.

I plan to put my samples here at this post before the weekend and will try to provide at least two different ways to begin. Remember to took at the three samples you received with your assignment for ideas on how to begin. In the meantime, why not read two example essays written by students in previous semesters.

The first one, "Her Smile," is the most popular student writing in the history of the Pearson ALC. Read it to see why.

The second, "Grandpa's Shoes," is an anonymous submission from a student who, previous to attending my classes, had difficulty with longer form writing--not any more!

Paragraph Answer for "A Spoiled Man"

Write an answer that is based on information found on the page you have been assigned. Try, as best you can, to connect what happens on that page to events that occur either before or after in the story. Use at least one literary term (setting, conflict, plot, irony etc.) in your answer. Quote the story at least once, but no more than 20 words, maximum, for all quotes. Identify the page number, please, as a heading before your paragraph. See my model answer for more ideas on what to do.


Write between 150 and 200 words. Bring your word processed work to class on Wednesday.


Link to the story online for easier cut and paste quoting.