Halloween Horror Films From the Past

Roger Corman films:

The Raven(1963)
The Terror (1963)

Samuel Z. Arkoff films:

Beast with a Million Eyes (1955)
I was a Teenage Werewolf (1957)
Attack of the Puppet People (1958)
Teenage Caveman (1958)

Two of my personal favorite Vincent Price films (which never really were horrifying, but fun, nonetheless):
The Abominable Dr. Phibes (1971) Here's the trailer.

Dr. Phibes Rises Again (1973) Here's the trailer.

Arkoff's Partner Nicolson's last picture was:
Legend of Hell House (1973) a particularly entertaining and effective horror film.

Alfred Hitchcock films:

Rear Window (1954)
Vertigo (1958)

John Carpenter films:
Halloween
The Thing and a good horrible clip from the film.
Prom Night (1980)
The Fog (1980)

Stephen King films (films based on Stephen King's work)
Creepshow
The Shining and a clip.
Carrie

Other horror films:

Blackula (1972)
Tales from the Hood
The House on Haunted Hill (1999)
Friday the 13th
The Exorcist

Spoon River & a Diversion

Today 3rd period, after we hear the last 3 speeches, we will work on preparing our poem performance of Spoon River.

Then something else 4th period.

Last of the Speeches; Spoon River

Today we will complete our speech delivery. Afterward, please sign up for one of the character poems from Spoon River. More information to follow in class.

Speech Delivery (continued)

Today we will continue and conclude our speech delivery. Please complete Spoon River and choose 3 poems--one of which you will orally interpret.

Speech Rehearsal & Delivery

Please use 3rd period to rehearse your speech.

Effective speech is largely based on knowing well what you wrote. Being familiar with the words you used and how to pronounce them are helpful. In addition, sincerity, effective volume, eye contact, effective pacing, effective gestures and posture can help make your speech more effective and interesting.

Get into pairs and "rehearse" your speech. Deliver your speech to one another, taking turns. The listener should give you feedback about effectiveness. What parts of the speech are weak, vague, or badly delivered? Where does the listener stop listening in the speech? Does the opening of the speech effectively hook or interest the listener? Critique each other.

During 4th period, we will begin delivering speeches. I'll take volunteers first, then random performers.

Speech Rehearsal/Spoon River

To begin class, we will complete the character building exercise.

After which we will spend some time reading Spoon River. During period 4, we will prepare and rehearse our speeches. Plan to deliver these speeches beginning next class.

Preparing Your Speech

Today, you should finish up and print a copy of your speech. When you finish this, please cut your speech into sections and post on index cards. Then get together in groups of 2 or 3 and take turns rehearsing your speeches.

2nd period we will pick up Spoon River from the library.

Homework: None.

Speech Writing

Speech writing is not easy. A speech writer needs to know what his/her goal is. Luckily, most speeches come in only a few types. Some speeches are used to inspire or inform, others are used to persuade, introduce, or entertain. As you watch President Obama's speech, consider what you think his goal is in giving this speech.

When writing a speech, a speech writer uses what is called Rhetorical technique or Rhetoric.

Rhetoric is broken down into three distinct tactics to persuade or inspire a listener or reader.

1. Logos (logic): this is the logical, sense argument inherent in the speech. Logic appeals to our rational mind. It makes us think and in thinking, we understand how one thing causes another. Listen for facts or statistics, listen for examples, listen for the word "think" or "consider". When you hear these type of words, that's the speech writer telling you that he/she is using logos. Good speech writers are subtle.

2. Pathos (heart/passion): this is the heart-felt argument in the speech. Pathos appeals to our feelings. It makes us sympathize or consider the argument for how it can affect us as listeners or readers. Listen for personal accounts, personal challenges, listen for words like "imagine" or "feel". Listen for the speaker to sympathize with his/her audience. Listen for testimony (opinions from famous role models). Often a speaker will use second person POV to help create pathos.

3. Ethos (confidence/strength of character): this is the speaker's skill and confidence that what he or she is saying is important, relevant, or necessary for a listener or reader. A good speaker sounds like he or she KNOWS what the issue is all about, that the subject is well researched and the speaker is knowledgeable. Also, watch the speaker's eyes, his posture, the way he stresses his words, the way he delivers the speech. Is there anaphora in the speech (a repetition of a phrase or statement)? This builds pace and stresses the important parts of an argument.

These three rhetorical techniques, by the way, are also used in essay writing. Next time you write an English paper or Social Studies paper, try using rhetoric to create your essay.

Check here for tips on writing and delivering speeches!

Today we will begin writing speeches. 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
African-American inventors: 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?

HOMEWORK: End of Sudden Fiction: We will be getting a new book next week. Please complete the rest of Sudden Fiction on your own.

Catching Up

Please complete the writing assignments. For those of you who have completed everything, please read Sudden Fiction: pp. 135-138 "The Personal Touch" and write a story where you include an epistle (a personal or business letter) in the text of the story. Use "The Personal Touch" as a model. Or you may choose 129-132 "Things I Did to Make it Possible" and write a story and make a list of several things that your protagonist did to accomplish some task.

For everyone else, please complete the class notes, and the poetry exercises. These are past due.

HOMEWORK: Sudden Fiction: pp. 128-185. Please read the stories in this section for homework. Respond to 3 of the stories IN YOUR JOURNAL.