GUELPH MERCURY

Phil Andrews editor Guelph Mercury

Confirmation has been received from Phil Andrews editor of the Guelph Mercury. He feel some of our creative non-fiction submission might be a good fit. He will keep us posted.

Stay tuned for details.

CHRISTMAS! WHAT'S IT ALL ABOUT?

Santa holding baby Jesus.

December has arrived and along with it one of the most stressful and commercial times of the year. People over-extend their credit cards, family drama explodes and depression is an uninvited guest in many homes. Christmas songs bombard shoppers as they fight their way through crowded malls in order to purchase obligatory gifts which will be exchanged on Boxing Day. The Catholic Church is waiting to make us feel repentant about only showing up once a year and charities make us feel guilty about not giving to all of them. The goal of choreographing a perfect holiday seems beyond the reach of most people. So, what's is all about?

Post an image and a brief reflection that capture your feelings about the impending holiday season.

Journalistic Ethics

Disgraced journalist Stephen Glass.

When a journalist lies, what should be the consequence?Is an apology enough?If fined, who gets the money?Does prison accomplish anything?Should they be allowed to profit from book or movie deals?

 Investigate the story of Stephen Glass. You might even watch the movie "Shattered Glass." Reflect on the questions above. Craft a well written, thoughtful and objective response to post on your blog.


Due: Sunday, November 22nd.

CONTEST UPDATE

Congratulations to Alanna, Chris, Dana, Eric, Max, Nina and Tiffany for taking a risk. Their poems were submitted to the Polar Expressions Contest, in B.C., today. Results not expected until March.

If you missed this opportunity there is another contest for Young Writers of poetry (with a 24 lines limit) due on Nov. 10th.

The PROSE portion of the Polar Expressions Contest must be sent by December 18th.  The catch is that there is a 450 word limit. This is "flash fiction". It might be a character sketch, a reflection on a past experience or a brief scene. Give it a try.

The Guelph Public Library has a contest in the spring with a 1,500 word limit.

COME TO A SLAM

On Saturday, November 21, GUELPH SPOKEN WORD is hosting a Poetry Slam at the Ebar above the Bookshelf at 41 Quebec Street, downtown. This month there is NO ADMISSION charge, so it is your chance to come out and see what is going on. The event begins at 7:00 pm and you'll want to come a bit early to get a seat. THIS IS TONS OF FUN!

Plan on participating by;

1. Being an active audience members, cheering and calling out responses.

2. Being a judging team, using a flip cart to rate each performance.

3. Read one of your original poems at the non-competetive portion of the night just to prove you can do it.

4. Participate as a Slam contestant with an appropriate, well rehearsed piece and a back-up poem in case you make it to the second round.

Note- You should plan to bring some money to buy refreshments to support the venue.

POETRY ANALYSIS

Select a poetry book from the front of the room. You may not take a poem from the internet. Choose a poem that you can understand and enjoy. Write a brief analysis of that poem. You do NOT need to quote the whole poem, but offer a taste of it. Ensure that your posting offers the following information; (see the example posting below)

Seth Adrian Harris

- Poem Title
- Poet's name with basic info about them that helps clarify their work
- the title of the book and page number where this poem can be found
- an explanation of what the poem is about
- you opinion on its value, imagery or themes that you like
- add an image of the poet, or something related to the theme

DUE BY END OF CLASS WED. OCT. 28

"Back" 

by Seth Adrian Harris

Sacred Space: Urban Sprawl (pg 59)

Seth Adrian Harris is a Canadian poet of Jamaican descent, who currently lives in Toronto. The content of his work draws heavily upon his cultural background and he uses images and music to enhance his message. This poem was published in 2004, and makes references to the beginning of our life, conception, and the beginning of all life when he says;

we go back through the womb

up the fallopian tube

swim backwards from the egg

back before the big bang theory.

I am particularly intrigued by the lines;

Some say the eyes are the windows for the soul

while others say they are doors for the soul

now, I bend towards the latter more that the former

This reference caught my attention because windows suggests a one-way communication, but he is suggesting the metaphor of doors, which implies that communication, and in fact movement, can happen in both directions, to and from the soul. I like that concept because it reinforces my belief in my power to control my own fate.

In the poem he also refers to Eve and the slithering trickster who got her to eat the apple. He says;

since we've savoured the fruit

Eve and I have been working on

a kind of high bred hybrid

we call it the fruit of wisdom

and it's the mixture of knowledge

and experience

I enjoy Harris' imaginative use of imagery, like this poem in particular because of the creative video he developed to present it. 

THE RIGHT TO VOTE

So, you had a chance to cast a ballot on Oct. 15th, as part of the Student Vote program, and then the "adults" went ahead and made their selection of the new government on Oct.19th. Did they make a wiser choice than you or the same choice? Perhaps you feel they made the wrong choice.

If you are responsible enough to drive a vehicle capable of killing people, at the age of sixteen. If you are responsible enough to be employed serving food and handling cash at fourteen. Then why do you need to be eighteen in order to have your vote count?

Should Canada's voting age be lowered to sixteen? 
Explain your thinking on this matter.

Post to be complete by Thursday, Oct. 22.

ONE SENTENCE STORY

American Short Story writer, Amy Hempel, says that a single sentence is the core material when writing stories. She feels that the most revealing story she has ever written is;

Memoir

Just once in my life – 

oh, when have I ever wanted anything just once in my life

She challenges you to write a one sentence story 

and to share you story with the world on Twitter @

#1sentencestory 

DESCRIBING SETTING - "An Awakening"

As we continue to develop our writing skills, this weeks' task asks you to focus on describing SETTING. Inspired by Ontario author Tony Burgess, you are to write two BRIEF scenes which begin with some kind of "Awakening". PUT THEM IN THE SAME DOCUMENT.

Your first version will be written in a 3rd person narrative style. For example: "She opened her eyes to an impenetrable darkness that smelled of dampness and decay. With no recollection of how she ended up in this situation, the girl could not possibly prepare herself for the torment that was headed her way." As narrator, you know all, see all.

Then, rewrite the scene from a 1st person point of view. For example: "I opened my eyes to an impenetrable darkness that smelled of dampness and decay. I could not remember how I ended up in this situation and my stomach lurched as I imagined the variety of dangers that might await me." As the person in the scenario, you only now what your sense tell you, or what you remember.

The next step is to share your document with a classmate. You are to offer your peer some edits on their first draft and you will be given credit for doing so.

YOUR ADAPTABLE MIND

Yesterday, Mr MacPherson shared a video called "The Adaptable Mind" to trigger discussion about the traits you will need to be successful in the future. If you want to re-watch the video, the link is here.

https://vimeo.com/133190364


The narrator pointed out that for the majority of human history mankind has had an agricultural economy. Then, about 200 years ago, this changed to an industrial economy. Within your parents' lifetime mankind has moved to a knowledge economy, but the question is... What's next for you?

Your future will lie within a HUMAN ECONOMY. Machines are doing the labour and managing the information, but unlike what Hollywood films suggest, they cannot manage on their own. The five personality traits listed to the left are human characteristics that are essential in order to address the social, economic and environmental challenges that lie ahead.

YOUR BLOG RESPONSE

Write a brief self-analysis that includes examples to demonstrate which of these traits you have already developed and explain how you plan to continue your personal growth in the future.

To be completed by Sunday, October 11.

EDUCATION IS THE KEY?

Darryll Suliman Amoako's spoken word performance "Why I Hate School But Love Education" is well worth you attention. His use of descriptive language, such describing a soccer ball as a 'leather swan', and his use of rhythm create an engaging rant about the value of post secondary education.

"Why I Hate School But Love Education" - spoken word

Write a brief, but insightful, blog posting titled "Education Is The Key?"

done by Sun. Sept. 27th

"PUNK, YOU ATE IT!"

Dialogue is a clear change between multiple characters

To write well you need to be able to punctuate it. Make sure you have reviewed the "Commas" slideshow in the class folder, under Grammar. Take a moment to do the work sheet and then check your answers against the one posted in the same folder. If you need a review, the "Dialogue" slideshow is also in the grammar folder.

The next task is to experiment a bit with writing dialogue. We will take some time to interact with partners over the Google Drive to co-author a series of direct speech. Then the next assignment will be a SHORT piece of authentic sounding, perfectly punctuated dialogue.

When you're ready, check the Dialogue Story Starters in the Assignment #2 folder. Let's aim to have a rough draft of this done by the end of this week.

DO IT WELL - OUR FIRST DUE DATE

Your "Tell A Story" assignment should be ready by the end of class on Friday. Ready means the following:
1. your have shared a Writer's Craft folder with your name on it
2. in the folder is a story titled Tell A Story and your name
3. the story has an interesting title (18 pt entered)  and your full name (12 pt entered)
4. the body of the story is 12 pt, a readable font, full justified, and DOUBLE SPACED, but no gaps between paragraphs and indent
done with TAB
5. see if you can add page numbers, with your surname, in a footer
6. make sure you attended to edits, and spell/grammar checked, esp

Everything I've read is on schedule to be clear and interesting. 

A few people have also included good descriptive language such as metaphors.

ASSIGNMENT #1 - TELL A STORY

If you can use language to speak, and know how to form sentences on the page, you can develop as a writer. Once you identify something you want to write about, it gives you a sense of direction and you will become involved in making that as clear and interesting as possible. Write down an “appropriate” story that you have told in the past to entertain your friends. You can change names if you need to. Feel free to embellish and exaggerate for added impact. Relax and write the story as if your were telling it to our friends. (Rubric is on Google Docs)

FIRST DRAFT BY END OF CLASS MONDAY AT THE LATEST.

SECOND DRAFT BY END OF CLASS WEDNESDAY AT THE LATEST

FINAL DRAFT BY SATURDAY, SEPT. 19th.

The path to success is through editing of drafts. That's where the learning happens.
Don't forget to check your class email.

WELCOME - LET'S BEGIN

Your tasks: 

1. Submit your email.

2. Set up a blog and submit the address.

3. Open the class blog (obviously you've done that) and bookmark it.

4. Check that you can access the course documents on Google Drive.

Write your first posting which should be a response to the the following questions. Watch your spelling and grammar. Find a suitable image to make it appealing. The goal is to present insightful comments over long superficial rambles. Do it promptly.

QUESTION: 

What is your intention for this course? 

What do you think writing skills could offer you?

ALMOST DONE

If you've been watching the class calendar then you will know that our time together is coming to an end. You've got a bit of a reprieve on the blog deadline of Jan. 16th because I am still unpacking boxes after moving, but please try to focus on these dates to help us keep our sanity as exams approach;

Mon., Jan. 19th - I will start assessing blogs. I am looking to see that all posting are present and that edits have been made. If you leave my comments it will make it easier for me to check:)

Mon., Jan. 19th - The two groups  working on songs are hoping to present their work. It won't take long and there will be time to continue collaborative work.

Tues., Jan. 20th - Final edits and publication should be completed.

Wed., Jan. 21th - Collaborative projects should be completed. I would like to have groups share their work with the class.

Mon. Jan. 26th - We do not have an exam, but all culminating folders must be complete by this day. It helps me if your done earlier and let me know. I have a lot of reading to do.

Class Anthology - Our book is on the way to the printer. I need to know how many copies you would like. The cost will be slightly higher than expected due to the size of the book. It will cost between $5 and $10.