Please complete your reading of either Clive Barker's The Thief of Always or Stephen King's Nightmares and Dreamscapes. Next week (after Geva and the Clean House), we will be writing our own horror stories. There will be a test on each book next week as well. For Stephen King, you do not have to read ALL the stories, but should read about 200-300 pages of it. You, of course, may read all of it, if you'd like.
Homework: Please read the handout from last class: "No Shield of Disbelief." Take notes in your journal about key writing advice you find useful in the article.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Geva Workshop/Preparing Speech Cards
Today we will be participating in a workshop with our guest speakers from Geva. Please make sure that you completely fill out and turn in the field trip permission form for our trip on Thursday. You will be missing periods 5-8, so please make sure you make up that work and let your teachers know you will be missing.
Please dress appropriately for the weather (we will be walking to Geva) and the theatre.
Please bring a bagged lunch (as you will miss your lunch period).
During 4th period, we are going to prepare our speeches. Print out your speech (your computer should print now--we've had them fixed) - print out a copy of your speech. You may wish to increase the size of the font so that you can easily read the speech. 14 point font should be fine.
With your script, I encourage you to highlight or find the key sentences--the sentences that are most important. What MUST your audience hear?
Now, using the index cards provided and a pair of scissors, cut up your speech into parts. Physically. Use the scissors to cut paragraphs or your key sentences, then glue or tape the speech to the cards. Keep your cards safe (as you will rehearse your speech from these) -- you will turn these in at the end of your performance.
Please dress appropriately for the weather (we will be walking to Geva) and the theatre.
Please bring a bagged lunch (as you will miss your lunch period).
During 4th period, we are going to prepare our speeches. Print out your speech (your computer should print now--we've had them fixed) - print out a copy of your speech. You may wish to increase the size of the font so that you can easily read the speech. 14 point font should be fine.
With your script, I encourage you to highlight or find the key sentences--the sentences that are most important. What MUST your audience hear?
Now, using the index cards provided and a pair of scissors, cut up your speech into parts. Physically. Use the scissors to cut paragraphs or your key sentences, then glue or tape the speech to the cards. Keep your cards safe (as you will rehearse your speech from these) -- you will turn these in at the end of your performance.
Friday, October 23, 2009
Journal Entries: Nightmares & Dreamscapes
Take a look here for Stephen King's official website. You can find information about the author there.
Some tips about writing by Stephen King.
Journal ideas:
1. Write a story about revenge.
2. Write about the end of the world.
3. Write about a creepy student (or teacher)
4. Write a vampire story (but don't rely on cliches) - try to write an ORIGINAL vampire story
Some tips about writing by Stephen King.
Journal ideas:
1. Write a story about revenge.
2. Write about the end of the world.
3. Write about a creepy student (or teacher)
4. Write a vampire story (but don't rely on cliches) - try to write an ORIGINAL vampire story
Journal Entries: The Thief of Always
Click here for information Clive Barker has provided on the Thief of Always.
Motifs (a motif is a recurring or repeated object, image, or idea in a story):
Questions: Rictus says “No questions boy…questions rot the mind.” Questions (pg. 6, 8, etc.) are a recurring motif in the novel. Try to notice as many “questions” or “question-like” items or events in the book. Remember that this book is a mystery. Without questioning, one can never find the answer to a mystery. What might the author be trying to tell us as people?
Personification: Giving inanimate or non-living objects human qualities. Barker uses the poetic technique of personification throughout the book. As you read, try to notice when he uses it. Consider why he might want to describe inanimate objects with living traits.
Similes: A comparison between two things using the words “like” or “as”. Similes are used like adjectives, to describe an abstract idea in a more concrete or solid way. Keep a record of the number of times Barker uses similes in his novel. Why does he use so much comparison?
Time: Follow references to time throughout the novel. Notice when characters talk about time. How might all this talk about time create a lesson or meaning for us as readers?
Names: many of the names in this book hold clues as to their true nature or significance. What might the names: Rictus, Carna, Millsap (the town), Griffin, Swick, Mr. Hood, Jive, Marr mean?
Animals: Look for the types of animals mentioned or met in the novel. What might be the connection between them?
Transformation: A character that changes in a story is called “dynamic”. What kinds of changes occur to Harvey and the other characters in the book? Are these all physical or mental changes? Why is change important as a theme, do you think?
Journal exercises.
Chapter One - three:
1. Pg. 2; Pick a month. Personify it. Explain why the month is monstrous or marvelous, etc.
2. Pg. 3; Write about your own route to school. What would a detective following your route to school and your day find. Describe where you go and what you do routinely.
3. Pg. 5; Describe what you would like to do with your time or life.
4. Pg. 8; make a list of questions that you would like answered. Start realistically, then begin asking questions a small child might ask or ask questions that seem odd or far-fetched and creative.
5. Pg. 22; What would be a fine thing to build in your life?
6. Pg. 22; Use infinitives to string a series of seemingly random thoughts together as in the first paragraph on page 22 (chapter 3). An infinitive is made by adding TO + VERB. Notice how Barker creates a rhythmic passage using semi-colons and infinitives.
7. Pg. 23; Describe a person’s face using a simile.
8. Pg. 25; Mrs. Griffin says, “Nothing’s perfect…because time passes…and the beetle and the worm find their way into everything sooner or later.” Consider the meaning of this statement. In your journal, list your own reasons why nothing is perfect.
Motifs (a motif is a recurring or repeated object, image, or idea in a story):
Questions: Rictus says “No questions boy…questions rot the mind.” Questions (pg. 6, 8, etc.) are a recurring motif in the novel. Try to notice as many “questions” or “question-like” items or events in the book. Remember that this book is a mystery. Without questioning, one can never find the answer to a mystery. What might the author be trying to tell us as people?
Personification: Giving inanimate or non-living objects human qualities. Barker uses the poetic technique of personification throughout the book. As you read, try to notice when he uses it. Consider why he might want to describe inanimate objects with living traits.
Similes: A comparison between two things using the words “like” or “as”. Similes are used like adjectives, to describe an abstract idea in a more concrete or solid way. Keep a record of the number of times Barker uses similes in his novel. Why does he use so much comparison?
Time: Follow references to time throughout the novel. Notice when characters talk about time. How might all this talk about time create a lesson or meaning for us as readers?
Names: many of the names in this book hold clues as to their true nature or significance. What might the names: Rictus, Carna, Millsap (the town), Griffin, Swick, Mr. Hood, Jive, Marr mean?
Animals: Look for the types of animals mentioned or met in the novel. What might be the connection between them?
Transformation: A character that changes in a story is called “dynamic”. What kinds of changes occur to Harvey and the other characters in the book? Are these all physical or mental changes? Why is change important as a theme, do you think?
Journal exercises.
Chapter One - three:
1. Pg. 2; Pick a month. Personify it. Explain why the month is monstrous or marvelous, etc.
2. Pg. 3; Write about your own route to school. What would a detective following your route to school and your day find. Describe where you go and what you do routinely.
3. Pg. 5; Describe what you would like to do with your time or life.
4. Pg. 8; make a list of questions that you would like answered. Start realistically, then begin asking questions a small child might ask or ask questions that seem odd or far-fetched and creative.
5. Pg. 22; What would be a fine thing to build in your life?
6. Pg. 22; Use infinitives to string a series of seemingly random thoughts together as in the first paragraph on page 22 (chapter 3). An infinitive is made by adding TO + VERB. Notice how Barker creates a rhythmic passage using semi-colons and infinitives.
7. Pg. 23; Describe a person’s face using a simile.
8. Pg. 25; Mrs. Griffin says, “Nothing’s perfect…because time passes…and the beetle and the worm find their way into everything sooner or later.” Consider the meaning of this statement. In your journal, list your own reasons why nothing is perfect.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Oh, the horror!
Today, during 3rd period we are going to be working on our speech writing. Please read and examine the previous post for details. Work toward completing your speech (due Friday as a draft).
When writing speeches, it is sometimes helpful to create an outline first. All speeches have a goal or thesis that should be stated clearly (just like well written essays). This statement should be clearly stated in an introduction.
The purpose of an introduction is to hook your listener. Look at the speech tips for advice.
After a catchy introduction, we move on to the body of the speech. In the body of a speech you should provide information in clear, concise details. Major or important points should be stated clearly and concisely, with follow up details afterwards to help the listener picture or understand the point.
Finally, a conclusion should get the audience to think about the relevance of your topic. In summing up, make a conclusion about your topic. Answer: why should we care? or Why is this important?
During 4th period we will be getting either Stephen King's book or Clive Barker's. We will be dividing into "reading" groups to begin our dark journey. Information about horror writing is forthcoming.
When writing speeches, it is sometimes helpful to create an outline first. All speeches have a goal or thesis that should be stated clearly (just like well written essays). This statement should be clearly stated in an introduction.
The purpose of an introduction is to hook your listener. Look at the speech tips for advice.
After a catchy introduction, we move on to the body of the speech. In the body of a speech you should provide information in clear, concise details. Major or important points should be stated clearly and concisely, with follow up details afterwards to help the listener picture or understand the point.
Finally, a conclusion should get the audience to think about the relevance of your topic. In summing up, make a conclusion about your topic. Answer: why should we care? or Why is this important?
During 4th period we will be getting either Stephen King's book or Clive Barker's. We will be dividing into "reading" groups to begin our dark journey. Information about horror writing is forthcoming.
Monday, October 19, 2009
10/19 Agenda - Elk's Club Speech
Please finish writing your sketches. These are due.
If you have already completed your sketch, please write a 2-3 page speech (double spaced) concerning one of the following themes:
Elements of Raising A Well-Adjusted and Highly Motivated Child Today
(What are some of the family elements that must exist while raising a well-adjusted and highly motivated child today?)
Youth Wish List for Changes for the World
If you could lead the world for a day, what three (3) changes that impact youth would you make and why?
The Importance of a University degree
What is the importance of a university degree?
Impact of African-American Inventors in Medicine
African-American inventors in medicine: what impact did the invention have on our lives in the 19th and 20th centuries? Research one of these and explain its significance.
Offering of Advice for Elders from Generation Y
If you could give three (3) pieces of advice to the elder generation, what would that advice be and why would that advice be important?
Check here for tips on writing and delivering speeches!
End of Sudden Fiction: We will be getting a new book on Wednesday. Please complete the rest of Sudden Fiction on your own.
If you have already completed your sketch, please write a 2-3 page speech (double spaced) concerning one of the following themes:
Elements of Raising A Well-Adjusted and Highly Motivated Child Today
(What are some of the family elements that must exist while raising a well-adjusted and highly motivated child today?)
Youth Wish List for Changes for the World
If you could lead the world for a day, what three (3) changes that impact youth would you make and why?
The Importance of a University degree
What is the importance of a university degree?
Impact of African-American Inventors in Medicine
African-American inventors in medicine: what impact did the invention have on our lives in the 19th and 20th centuries? Research one of these and explain its significance.
Offering of Advice for Elders from Generation Y
If you could give three (3) pieces of advice to the elder generation, what would that advice be and why would that advice be important?
Check here for tips on writing and delivering speeches!
End of Sudden Fiction: We will be getting a new book on Wednesday. Please complete the rest of Sudden Fiction on your own.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
End of the Marking Period!
Today, write a sketch. Your sketch should be no more than 3 pages in length. Look here for the format of sketches.
Also, when you have completed your sketch please complete any assignments that you have not yet completed. This will likely be either homework, journal work, or the short stories: Hitman and the Questionnaire exercises.
4th period, please prepare one of your pieces of writing to read/perform in room a240.
HOMEWORK: Please finish reading Sudden Fiction. We will be getting a new book next week.
Also, when you have completed your sketch please complete any assignments that you have not yet completed. This will likely be either homework, journal work, or the short stories: Hitman and the Questionnaire exercises.
4th period, please prepare one of your pieces of writing to read/perform in room a240.
HOMEWORK: Please finish reading Sudden Fiction. We will be getting a new book next week.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Journal Due! & Agenda 10/13
Today I will be collecting and grading your journals.
For those of you who have not yet completed your Questionnaire short story (or your Hitman story drafts) please complete these assignments during period 3.
For those of you who have completed your work so far, please take a look at the sketch writing entry from last Thursday. Please watch a few samples of sketch writing and try your own hand at creating a 1-2 page comic sketch.
4th period (?) If we can print, please select either your Hitman, Questionnaire, poem draft, or some other short story to "perform" for the class. We will be sharing these works in room a240. Please pick something you have not yet performed in class.
For those of you who have not yet completed your Questionnaire short story (or your Hitman story drafts) please complete these assignments during period 3.
For those of you who have completed your work so far, please take a look at the sketch writing entry from last Thursday. Please watch a few samples of sketch writing and try your own hand at creating a 1-2 page comic sketch.
4th period (?) If we can print, please select either your Hitman, Questionnaire, poem draft, or some other short story to "perform" for the class. We will be sharing these works in room a240. Please pick something you have not yet performed in class.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Sketch Writing Tips
Sketch Writing Advice: (by Brian Luff)
1) Choose a setting. Avoid common set-ups like doctor's surgeries or "Man Goes Into a Shop". Think original. Only set the sketch in one location.
2) Don't make the sketch too long. Two minutes is a good length to start with.
3) If you're trying to sell your material to TV, don't put in anything too expensive like a helicopter. Most TV shows are on a tight budget.
4) Three characters is more than enough for a 2 minute sketch. Don't write for a cast of thousands.
5) Work out loud. Say the lines as you write them. You need to hear what the material sounds like.
6) Think about what is happening visually as well as the words. Describe the physical action in detail. What are the characters wearing? What do they look like. What are their names? (Don't just call your characters FIRST MAN, SECOND MAN. It will help to bring them to life in your mind).
Types of Sketches
To help you get going, here's a few tried and tested comedy formats for sketches.
1) Escalation: Funny idea starts small and gets bigger and bigger, ending in chaos of ridiculous proportions.
2) Lists: Sketches in which the bulk of the dialogue is a long list of funny items. The best example of this is "Cheese Shop" in Monty Python. (You can find all the Python sketches at www.planetcomedy.force9.co.uk/bookstore.html.)
3) Mad Man, Sane Man: This format speaks for itself, but don't go for obvious settings.
4) Dangerous Situations: For example, sketch set on flight deck of aircraft.
5) Funny Words: Sketches which use the sound of language itself to be funny. For example, use of the words "blobby" or "wobble" (See, Mr. Bean).
6) Old and New: Getting a laugh from putting something modern in an historical setting (Or, vice versa) Example: Sir Walter Raleigh using a cigarette lighter.
7) Big and Small. Getting humour from large differences in scale. For example, a mouse trying to make love to an elephant.
Look here for samples of fine sketch writing:
The Whitest Kids U Know
Kids in the Hall
Saturday Night Live
Mad TV
SCTV
1) Choose a setting. Avoid common set-ups like doctor's surgeries or "Man Goes Into a Shop". Think original. Only set the sketch in one location.
2) Don't make the sketch too long. Two minutes is a good length to start with.
3) If you're trying to sell your material to TV, don't put in anything too expensive like a helicopter. Most TV shows are on a tight budget.
4) Three characters is more than enough for a 2 minute sketch. Don't write for a cast of thousands.
5) Work out loud. Say the lines as you write them. You need to hear what the material sounds like.
6) Think about what is happening visually as well as the words. Describe the physical action in detail. What are the characters wearing? What do they look like. What are their names? (Don't just call your characters FIRST MAN, SECOND MAN. It will help to bring them to life in your mind).
Types of Sketches
To help you get going, here's a few tried and tested comedy formats for sketches.
1) Escalation: Funny idea starts small and gets bigger and bigger, ending in chaos of ridiculous proportions.
2) Lists: Sketches in which the bulk of the dialogue is a long list of funny items. The best example of this is "Cheese Shop" in Monty Python. (You can find all the Python sketches at www.planetcomedy.force9.co.uk/bookstore.html.)
3) Mad Man, Sane Man: This format speaks for itself, but don't go for obvious settings.
4) Dangerous Situations: For example, sketch set on flight deck of aircraft.
5) Funny Words: Sketches which use the sound of language itself to be funny. For example, use of the words "blobby" or "wobble" (See, Mr. Bean).
6) Old and New: Getting a laugh from putting something modern in an historical setting (Or, vice versa) Example: Sir Walter Raleigh using a cigarette lighter.
7) Big and Small. Getting humour from large differences in scale. For example, a mouse trying to make love to an elephant.
Look here for samples of fine sketch writing:
The Whitest Kids U Know
Kids in the Hall
Saturday Night Live
Mad TV
SCTV
What's Due Now?
Next week the marking period ends. On Tuesday your journals will be due.
What goes into a journal?
Glad you asked: all your pre-writing, notes from class, ideas for stories/poems/plays, cartoons, articles, quotes, historical facts, figures, lists, homework assignment reminders, brainstorming exercises, journal exercises from class, character descriptions, writing, writing, and more writing. Pretty much everything that inspires you to write.
How is it graded?
Glad you asked again. I count pages and then compare your grades with other students. I place numeric cut-offs that usually look like this for a 6 week marking period (note this sometimes changes): 30+ pages = A+ 25-29 pages = A, 20-24 = B+, 15-19 = B, 11-14 = C+, 9-10 = C, less than 9 = D, not turned in = F. These #'s are full pages, not half-pages in general. I usually round up for your benefit.
Today: finish your HIT MAN story and begin working or try to complete your Questionnaire exercise (see below). Send these items to our dropbox with your name on the file. Ex. John Smith - Hit Man story.docx
HOMEWORK: Please read pages: 112-143. In your journal try one of the following prompts, taken from the stories in this selection:
1. Write about someone coming home after a long absence away.
2. Make a metaphor about an aspect of life literal (as in Dinner Time)
3. Write a story that takes an aspect of life and make a metaphor of it (as in the Anatomy of Desire)
What goes into a journal?
Glad you asked: all your pre-writing, notes from class, ideas for stories/poems/plays, cartoons, articles, quotes, historical facts, figures, lists, homework assignment reminders, brainstorming exercises, journal exercises from class, character descriptions, writing, writing, and more writing. Pretty much everything that inspires you to write.
How is it graded?
Glad you asked again. I count pages and then compare your grades with other students. I place numeric cut-offs that usually look like this for a 6 week marking period (note this sometimes changes): 30+ pages = A+ 25-29 pages = A, 20-24 = B+, 15-19 = B, 11-14 = C+, 9-10 = C, less than 9 = D, not turned in = F. These #'s are full pages, not half-pages in general. I usually round up for your benefit.
Today: finish your HIT MAN story and begin working or try to complete your Questionnaire exercise (see below). Send these items to our dropbox with your name on the file. Ex. John Smith - Hit Man story.docx
HOMEWORK: Please read pages: 112-143. In your journal try one of the following prompts, taken from the stories in this selection:
1. Write about someone coming home after a long absence away.
2. Make a metaphor about an aspect of life literal (as in Dinner Time)
3. Write a story that takes an aspect of life and make a metaphor of it (as in the Anatomy of Desire)
Questionnaire for Rudolph Gordon Exercise
After reading "Questionnaire for Rudolph Gordon" you may have noticed that the story and development of character is hinted at through the use of interrogative sentences (in other words: Questions!)
Now you try. Using either a fictional or non-fictional character (for example you could use your own made-up character or a real person like Abraham Lincoln, Bette Davis, John Beckham... etc.) ask a series of probing interrogative questions. Include questions about important events, reactions, personality traits, history, etc. that help TELL a story about the character.
Try to get 100 questions (but at least 21). The image above is a sample from a previous SOTA student. You can read her example as well for a model.
When you're finished, please save your story as "Questionnaire" and send it to my DROPBOX -- make sure your name is on it.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
The Hit Man (& Others)
After our journal writing time, let's take a look at a short story from your Sudden Fiction collection entitled "Hit Man". T.C. Boyle tells the entire story of his character from early childhood to death. Stories that cover the entire life of a character are often called "EPIC".
1. From your journal, create a character and name this person. His/her name will be your title.
2. Jot down a list of important and non important details or events from this character's life in your journal. Include "early years", important life events (like marriage or buying a first house), non-important life events (like going to the dentist or buying soap), and characteristics or important quirks for your character (like allergies, poor eye sight, personality flaws, etc.), finally, include actions the character does (like baking a cake or playing softball, etc.)
3. Include how the character dies or where the person is at the end of their life (you do not actually have to have your character die)
4. From this longer list, pick about 10 or so items from your list and order them from "Early years" to "Death or the end of useful life"
5. Then for each item, give the section an interesting/intriguing title. Write a sentence or up to a few paragraphs for each section detailing what happens.
Call this the "Hit Man" story on your heading. Save. DO NOT PRINT.
HOMEWORK: Please read the stories on page: 83-105 in Sudden Fiction. Pick the top three you liked from this selection and in a paragraph explain what you liked about each story. This will be considered participation credit and is due next class.
1. From your journal, create a character and name this person. His/her name will be your title.
2. Jot down a list of important and non important details or events from this character's life in your journal. Include "early years", important life events (like marriage or buying a first house), non-important life events (like going to the dentist or buying soap), and characteristics or important quirks for your character (like allergies, poor eye sight, personality flaws, etc.), finally, include actions the character does (like baking a cake or playing softball, etc.)
3. Include how the character dies or where the person is at the end of their life (you do not actually have to have your character die)
4. From this longer list, pick about 10 or so items from your list and order them from "Early years" to "Death or the end of useful life"
5. Then for each item, give the section an interesting/intriguing title. Write a sentence or up to a few paragraphs for each section detailing what happens.
Call this the "Hit Man" story on your heading. Save. DO NOT PRINT.
HOMEWORK: Please read the stories on page: 83-105 in Sudden Fiction. Pick the top three you liked from this selection and in a paragraph explain what you liked about each story. This will be considered participation credit and is due next class.
Friday, October 2, 2009
Short Story Due - Writing Day
Please complete your short story started on 9/30. This is due today. Please put the assignment in our drop box with your name on it and Sudden Fiction story.
After you write, if you are done early, please complete any assignment/reading/writing project you are working on with Ms. Gamzon. Alternatively, you can spend your time freewriting in your journal or typing up poetry/short stories, etc. that you have not had time to type.
As a last resort play "free rice" and learn some vocabularly.This option should only be used if you have completed all other work.
After you write, if you are done early, please complete any assignment/reading/writing project you are working on with Ms. Gamzon. Alternatively, you can spend your time freewriting in your journal or typing up poetry/short stories, etc. that you have not had time to type.
As a last resort play "free rice" and learn some vocabularly.This option should only be used if you have completed all other work.
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