Are You Motivated By Competition?

Consider entering a piece of your writing in the Alpha Short Story Contest. It's not a big task and you have a month to complete the work, but we need to register you now. Prize - iPad  mini.

Theme: The Best or Worst First Day Of School

Length: 500-750 words (2-3 double-spaced pages in 12 pt font)

This is an OPTIONAL task for which I will give you extra credit and editing support.

Dialogue Task

We've discussed the punctuation rules for writing direct speech and practiced developing a written conversation with a classmate. Now your task is to write a story that features dialogue. Check the class folder for;
1. Task Guidelines
2. Assessment Rubric
3. Story Starters

This task will require that you have a peer edit your work (before I do) and that you edit someone else's work. The deadline for the final product is the end of class on Friday, Oct. 3. Don't wait to the last minute, begin now.

I am trying to pace our assignments with a sensitivity to your workload in other courses. Remember, if you are writing something for another class, you can ask me for editing support and I can give you credit for it as an additional assignment. Video tutorials for MLA and APA formatting are in the class folder. Google Docs will automatically insert footnotes for you.

Are You Organized?

If you check the shared class folder on Google Drive you will see that I have organized the contents into folders;

- ASSIGNMENTS - so far Tell A Story" & "Awakening"
- COURSE INTRO - has the course overview and introductory ppt
- PRESENTATIONS - the Power Points about writing
- TUTORIALS - short videos on how to use Google Drive

To create folders to organize your own work, use the "CREATE" drop down menu (shown to the right here) and select folder. It will let you name it. I suggest that you make a folder for this course and have it contain;
1.  a folder for each of your assignments, where you can put various drafts and ideas for further work
2. a folder for your Culminating Portfolio, where you put the corrected pieces of writing after you have received back your assessment rubrics

Stay on top of the work. Be organized.

Gratitude Note

DUE SEPT 21 - Mr MacPherson shared the video "The Science of Happiness". The link is below. Let's conduct our own experiment... write a short memo to someone whom you value. Tell them what positive influence they have had on your life and express your gratitude. (I've included mine)

"The Science Of Happiness: An Experiment In Gratitude"

Dear Tom,

I just wanted to pause for a moment and tell you how much I value your presence in my life. After 40 years together it is easy to fall into a routine of taking my most precious friendship for granted. I hope you know that you are my most valued collaborator and the shoulder upon which I can always find support. The daily tasks that you take on for the management of our shared household, are vital in order that I may be left with the energy to pursue the career that I love. Your commitment to my aging parent is beyond value as is your on-going mentoring of our "adult" offspring. I cherish the opportunity to share your warmth, both emotionally and physically. My gratitude is beyond words.

MR

Now...if you really want to replicate the experiment, share your posting with the person you are addressing. Paste it into an email and send it to them, print it and mail it or read it to them. It takes courage. You might want to wait for my comments. It's always nice to get rid of those pesky typos before sending it to the intended audience.

An Awakening

Assignment Two: Awakening is to write an introductory paragraph in which the main character has an awakening. You are free to let your imagination soar. You don't need to dwell on a clear depiction of character this time, just intrigue the reader. Hook us with your creative language and unique situation. Be careful...several of you seem to want to tell the story. This is just the opening paragraph, stick to description of the situation and hints about what might be going on.

What is your awakening?

EDITING
1. I will do your first edit, but it must to me by end of class on Wednesday.

2. You need to get one classmate to do a second editing. Share the story with them. Hopefully they will be helpful to you, but I am interested in seeing what they have done so...each class member needs to edits one paragraph, let's not all ask the same individual.

3. If you get the paragraph to me in by end of class Thursday, I will do an OPTIONAL third edit, this is particularly for those people who struggled with Assignment One.

Submit the assignment through Google Docs with the file title "Name: Awakening". The rubric is in the class folder so you can check expectations.

Censorship: What is Acceptable To Write?

This week we reviewed an article about a student who was arrested for including violence in his creative writing assignment. The question to reflect upon for your next blog posting is whether or not there needs to be censorship of what is written. Is everything acceptable? If not, where is the line that must not be crossed and who sets the rules? It has been common throughout the history of literature to have books "banned". The "Harry Potter" series has been the focus of much concern in this regard, as certain parents and religious groups object to the presentation of magic and the glorification of witches, wizards and other "dark" themes. Check out two minute video of authors' views at the link below. This post is due on Tues., Sept. 16.

Banned Book Week: 13 Authors Speak Out.

NOTE: I am now "following" your blog. This means I will get a notification whenever you write a new post. This will save me checking repeatedly and will help me avoid missing anything. You would be wise to "follow" the class blog. To do so notice the Reading List on the window when you first sign in. Click on the ADD button and put in this address: ololwriterscraft.blogspot.com and "publicly" follow so I can see who is on top of this task.

If you want to follow a classmate's blog you will find a "Follow" button adjacent to their About Me section. This should be located near the top right of their blog. I have removed it from the class blog.

First Assignment Due

Your first piece of writing is due by the end of class Friday, Sept. 12, unless you have made other arrangements with me. Please read the checklist below to ensure that you have done what is expected:
1. You should have had at least one draft edited prior to final submission.
2. Please label the file with your Name - and the Assignment Title.
3. Read the rubric, which is in the shared folder, to evaluate whether you have met the criteria.

Good luck and git 'er done!

Tell A Story

It's just like telling a story verbally.

The Power Point presentation from Thursday has been placed in the class folder on Google Drive.
Your first task is to think of an entertaining story, from real life, and write it down as if you were telling it to a group of friends. Think about the following;
- make it amusing or build suspense
- tell it from an "omnipresent" perspective, you see, hear and know everything
- don't fret over spelling and grammar...yet

You must have a first draft done by Wednesday, Sept. 10, but if you get it done earlier, pass it along to me and I will give you feedback.