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?