Responding to Wag the Dog

Write about a favourite scene in the movie. Post your response here as a comment. (Maximum 250 words; minimum 150 words) Make a critical comment, modeling your answer on Ebert's writing. Be specific in your description and be clear on whether you think the scene was (or was not) effective. What were the filmmakers trying to say in the scene?

Script (by David Mamet) for the film, Wag the Dog.

Bring your writing to class, word processed, next Wednesday.

Also, please view this video of the "wag the dog" technique being used on the public in 1991 (first Gulf War). 

Congress Testimony of Nayirah (Read the description below the video before you watch.) Note your reaction to this information and bring to class, but do not post it at the blog)

A Favourite Line, Idea, Image

Without naming the poet, choose a favourite line, idea or image from the list poems presented today. Write no more than 50 words (not including the excerpt chosen).

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%.

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 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)

Inconsiderate

Three Examples to Show the Trait:

As the students begin to read, a murmur of conversation begins. Someone responds with a loud “ Shh”! But, shortly after, the conversation among a small group of students continues.

Two students are actively engaged in conversation about the story; two others listen to the first with some interest. One student leans back in a chair, head turned away from the others and says, “We are finished discussing the story. Can we leave now?”

Several students come to class that day without having done homework, without having read a required story. In groups the students join, the prepared students struggle, trying to have an informative conversation on a story only some of them have read.

Assignment on annotation is below. 

"Giving a Clock": Annotations

Annotate each page with at least two different kinds of annotation.  Present three of your annotations here, one from pages 1-3, one from 4-6 and one from 7-8. Use literary terms in each annotation (setting, characterization, conflict and so on). 

Avoid reading anyone else's annotations before posting your comment. This way, we will have a better variety of responses to help us to understand the story well.

Homework for "In Other Rooms, Other Wonders"

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.

Taking a Close Look: Capturing an Image

I call this shot "Riley Park Coming Down." Over the years, I spent many hours in this Vancouver community centre— shepherding my children to preschool classes; watching proudly as they learned to swim in the Percy Norman Pool (still standing to the left of the picture); learning to do Pilates in the multi-purpose room.

It was small and friendly, with a strong community feeling. My wife served on the board for many years and told me many tales of the frustrations of responding to people, every one of whom just knew exactly what was needed to solve the many problems (like the pool leaking into the surrounding soil; once, the whole thing needed to be drained a second time to try to figure that out . . .)

I feel sad to lose a community space. Once the buildings are gone, the community needs to figure out what to do with this space. We are already talking about it, online, over our email lists.

One thing I admire in our city is that ALL the trees are being preserved. Watching the heavy machinery (and feeling the rumble as a huge wrecking ball bashes into the building) I marvel how the workers manage to avoid damaging the vegetation.

To see a larger version of the photo, click on it.

NOTE: When you send your photo to the email account on your worksheet, use this subject: Brad's Photo (fill in your own name). That way, it will be easy to choose yours from the list to view on screen!

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)

"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.

Make a "Pitch" for Your Narrative Essay Idea

Write a short (100 to 150 word) pitch for your narrative essay idea. Why would we be interested in the person you chose? What makes this person interesting? What influence have they had on you that is interesting to others?

Responding to "Changing Education Paradigms"

Write your response here as a comment before class on Wednesday, February 22. See you then!

Here is the link to Sir Ken Robinson's lecture, Changing Education Paradigms

Here is the link for the graphic used in the lecture. (note this is a large Adobe .pdf  file and will take time to upload to your computer; save a copy to your own hard drive if you wish)

Imitation Based on "A Clean Well-Lighted Place"

Using a minimum of 75 words based on a group of sentences taken from Yiyun Li's piece write an imitation on any topic that suits the design. Do not include the original sentences from the text in your post. We should be able to find the section ourselves based on your imitation.

Remember to bring a word-processed copy to class next Wednesday.

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 Different; Something Memorable

Write your response as a comment before coming to class. Bring a word processed (and double spaced) copy to class that day.

Write a minimum of 100 words (and no more than 150) per topic. Provide a heading to each one in order to separate your text. One paragraph per topic seems to work best. Using a variety of sentences and punctuation will increase your score.

Remember that your words will be read by next term’s class, so try to provide useful and accurate information for them to better understand our studies this term.