Responding to Temple Grandin

What was, for you, the most powerful image you saw in the film, Temple Grandin? Why did you find it powerful? Answer in a short paragraph of about 100 to 125 words.

For the article, "Temple Grandin: The Non-Whisperer," answer the following:

Write about anything that stays on your mind after reading. Quote John Allemang once in your answer. Write about 100 to 125 words.

Bring your work, word processed, to class next Wednesday, please. See you then.

Describing a Person (Based on "A Little While" by Edwidge Danticat)

Using what you have learned about good writing today, write a short character description of a person you know (do not identify them by name; if you need to use a name, make one up). Write about 100 to 150 words. Use some dialogue. Feel free to use a structure used by Danticat as your guide. Bring your copy, word processed, to class on October 3.

NOTE: Download a copy of the Grade 11 class annotations in document form. We did this together and, I'm sorry to say, that would have worked better than the approach I used this morning. Always something new to learn!

Reaction to "Writing Good English" by William Zinsser

What is your personal reaction to what you learned about writing from your peers and from William Zinsser? Did anything surprise or puzzle you? Do you strongly agree or disagree with any suggestion? Explain why. Answer in paragraphs (but not an essay). Write no fewer than 150 words and no more than 200. Due in time for Wednesday's class. Bring a copy, word processed, please.

Here I Am

Post your "Here I Am" here as a comment. No need to double space online. Please have this done before you come to class next Wednesday. NOTE: When joining the blog, please provide your real name!

If you have trouble joining the blog, here is a document to help you. Also, if you need me, I will be checking my email this weekend for any problems you may have.

Something New; Something Memorable

Please post your comment here before next Friday's class. Remember to bring me a paper copy as usual for me to mark and comment. Thanks everyone for a great term (though long) and look for my comment below as well.

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)