Class Answers on a Specific Page for "Literally"

Answer based on ONE of the topic choices from Page 2 of your worksheet. Please identify which question you are answering first, before your paragraph. A good answer will range from 150 to 200 words and use one or two short quotations. It will be easier if you relate your answer to the overall "gist" of the story (how the element you discuss fits within the story in other words).

Also, remember to annotate your story before coming to class next Wednesday. Bring your sheet of annotations and word-processed answer to class. Thank you!

Guide to Literary Terms (Word Document)

Personal Reaction to Class Activity and William Zinsser's "Writing Good English"

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 a paragraph. Write no fewer than 150 words and no more than 200. 

Due in time for Wednesday's class. Bring a copy, word processed and double spaced, please.

Here I Am

Write your version of "Here I Am" here as a comment to this post. Remember to follow the format of my examples exactly (use the same punctuation and word forms etc.).

I will provide my new version here as well.

NOTE: Be sure to post your "Here I Am" here as a comment and not to "post" to the blog.

Remember to bring a copy on paper to class for your performance. Good luck!

Something New; Something Memorable

Write two paragraphs, one for each topic, one for "something new" and one for "something memorable." You may mention multiple examples or expand on one example. Your paragraphs should be a minimum of 150 words and maximum of 200 words for each topic.

Be specific and detailed in your writing. Use your best sentences and proofread carefully. Work is due before class time on Wednesday, January 15. Post here and bring a copy, properly formatted, to class to hand in that day. Thank you everyone.

My comments will follow yours and will be posted before the end of next week.

Practice Provincial Exams

Transcript of J. K. Rowling's Harvard Commencement Speech

Example Memoir: "Finding Beauty"

I've included yellow highlighter on my short sentences and id'd two long sentences. You can find my strong verbs and repetitions on your own.

Best of luck everyone. I look forward to reading your work over the holidays. Oops! I gave myself homework for the holidays . . . 

"Finding Beauty"

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 this week 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%.

Class Tips for Writing a Poem

NOTE: Check your formatting carefully after copy and pasting poem. You'll need to add spacing. Try to have your poem look exactly the same as the original handout if you can!

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. Post your work and remember to 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 will 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)

Louis C.K. Hates Cell Phones