Today, let's chat about "I Know Why..." & "Black Boy". Please complete these memoirs: there will be a test on them on Wednesday, June 2.
Speaking of June 2: Our last coffeehouse reading of the year will occur then on June 2 at 7:00 in the Ensemble Theatre. Please attend.
Then, let's continue our debate practice. Find a debating partner and let's argue.
Friday, May 28, 2010
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Blog (Free Choice) & Debate
During period 3, please do both of the following:
1. Post a blog entry on your blog concerning any topic you would like to write about.
2. Read and review the procedures for debating. We are going to try a little speech/performance activity next period and your understanding of how debate works is essential to your participation.
A. During period 4, we will gather in room a240 to debate various issues as posted on the sheet given to you during period 3. Look over this sheet and familiarize yourself with the issues.
B. Read and study debate procedure here:
A debate is a speaking contest between two or more speakers who have opposing views on a proposition.
1. Affirmative - (Pro) 2. Negative - (Con)
1. Affirmative:
A. Attack the way things are at present
B. Arguing that a specific change should occur
C. Proposes changes in the Status Quo. Must prove a problem exists and then must offer solutions
2. Negative:
A. Disprove or refute those attacks on the status quo (the way things are now or already established). You must prove that the status quo is correct.
Use Facts:
1. Facts: truthful evidence (LOGOS)
2. Case Studies: persuasive examples or anecdotes. (PATHOS)
3. Testimony: evidence and examples from outside sources; professionals, etc.(PATHOS)
4. Statistics: a type of "fact," although often not as truthful. Usually taken from a poll. Data is usually broken down into numbers. (LOGOS)
5. Quotes/narrative: anecdotes and stories (PATHOS)
6. Examples (PATHOS/ETHOS)
Use Reasoning (LOGOS)
1. Induction - specific facts or cases to general principles
2. Deduction - reason from general principles to specific cases
3. Cause to Effect - reasoning what began something to the present situation
4. Effect to Cause - reasoning from present situation back to its beginning
5. Analogy - using comparisons. Show truth through similarities.
Faulty Reasoning
1. Name calling - (using bad labels/slandering without evidence)
2. Card stacking - (One sided; talks only about one side of the argument) 3. Bandwagon technique - (Everyone's doing it...)
4. Glittering generality - (Using vague; or non-specific language)
5. Testimonial - (Using celebrities or people well known to push the issue)
6. Begging the question - (Speaker never proves their point)
7. Non sequitur - (Not organized or out of logical sequence)
8. Hasty generalization - (Not enough evidence to support opinion)
9. Propaganda - (Stating opinions as if they were fact)
Debate Sequence
1st Affirmative constructive speech
1st Negative constructive speech
Constructive speeches are designed to build a case for or against the subject. In your constructive speech, you want to clearly state your side and the reasons why you are for or against the subject. Do not refer to your opponent. This speech is about your stance and delivering your message to your audience only.
1 minute preparation
2). 1st Affirmative Cross-Examination
1st Negative Cross-Examination
Cross-Examination allows you to ask questions of the other speaker and get short answers to clarify their stance. Expose faulty reasoning or logic problems with your opponent's case. 1 minute preparation
3). 1st Affirmative Rebuttal & Conclusion
1st Negative Rebuttal & Conclusion
Rebuttals are short speeches which you try to comment on your opponents speech. Further strengthen your own case. Conclude or sum up your case clearly for your audience.
1. Post a blog entry on your blog concerning any topic you would like to write about.
2. Read and review the procedures for debating. We are going to try a little speech/performance activity next period and your understanding of how debate works is essential to your participation.
A. During period 4, we will gather in room a240 to debate various issues as posted on the sheet given to you during period 3. Look over this sheet and familiarize yourself with the issues.
B. Read and study debate procedure here:
A debate is a speaking contest between two or more speakers who have opposing views on a proposition.
1. Affirmative - (Pro) 2. Negative - (Con)
1. Affirmative:
A. Attack the way things are at present
B. Arguing that a specific change should occur
C. Proposes changes in the Status Quo. Must prove a problem exists and then must offer solutions
2. Negative:
A. Disprove or refute those attacks on the status quo (the way things are now or already established). You must prove that the status quo is correct.
Use Facts:
1. Facts: truthful evidence (LOGOS)
2. Case Studies: persuasive examples or anecdotes. (PATHOS)
3. Testimony: evidence and examples from outside sources; professionals, etc.(PATHOS)
4. Statistics: a type of "fact," although often not as truthful. Usually taken from a poll. Data is usually broken down into numbers. (LOGOS)
5. Quotes/narrative: anecdotes and stories (PATHOS)
6. Examples (PATHOS/ETHOS)
Use Reasoning (LOGOS)
1. Induction - specific facts or cases to general principles
2. Deduction - reason from general principles to specific cases
3. Cause to Effect - reasoning what began something to the present situation
4. Effect to Cause - reasoning from present situation back to its beginning
5. Analogy - using comparisons. Show truth through similarities.
Faulty Reasoning
1. Name calling - (using bad labels/slandering without evidence)
2. Card stacking - (One sided; talks only about one side of the argument) 3. Bandwagon technique - (Everyone's doing it...)
4. Glittering generality - (Using vague; or non-specific language)
5. Testimonial - (Using celebrities or people well known to push the issue)
6. Begging the question - (Speaker never proves their point)
7. Non sequitur - (Not organized or out of logical sequence)
8. Hasty generalization - (Not enough evidence to support opinion)
9. Propaganda - (Stating opinions as if they were fact)
Debate Sequence
1st Affirmative constructive speech
1st Negative constructive speech
Constructive speeches are designed to build a case for or against the subject. In your constructive speech, you want to clearly state your side and the reasons why you are for or against the subject. Do not refer to your opponent. This speech is about your stance and delivering your message to your audience only.
1 minute preparation
2). 1st Affirmative Cross-Examination
1st Negative Cross-Examination
Cross-Examination allows you to ask questions of the other speaker and get short answers to clarify their stance. Expose faulty reasoning or logic problems with your opponent's case. 1 minute preparation
3). 1st Affirmative Rebuttal & Conclusion
1st Negative Rebuttal & Conclusion
Rebuttals are short speeches which you try to comment on your opponents speech. Further strengthen your own case. Conclude or sum up your case clearly for your audience.
Monday, May 24, 2010
I Know Why...Black Boy Discussion (middle)/Blogging
Again, today we will gather in groups of 2-3 and chat about your experience so far reading the memoirs.
Each member of the group please choose a passage from your reading that you liked or found effective. Share the page # and read the passage with your group. Discuss how the writing is effective. What is the author doing to make the passage effective? How does it compel you as a reader to keep reading?
After your small group discussion, please complete any of these blog entry ideas (taken from both books):
1. Describe a time that you were made fun of by your peer group. Why were you being teased, what was your reaction, how did this teasing affect you?
2. Write about a time when you noticed subtle discrimination either in what you read, what someone said, or perhaps in a television show/movie or while listening to music.
3. Write about your first job. What did you learn from this experience?
4. Write about an experience you’ve had with organized religion. This may be a church, temple, or synagogue – or perhaps your own family’s beliefs. What sort of feeling do you get when entering a religious organization? What sort of people do you observe there? What do you think of them? Have you learned anything from this experience? etc.
5. Write about an animal attack you or a family member has suffered. The attack does not have to be too serious, but what were the circumstances leading up to the attack, who did it involve, what was the result, etc.?
6. Write about the first story or poem you remember writing. What was the story or poem about? Who read it? How was it received by an audience, etc.
7. Write about a time that you talked back to an adult in authority. Explain what the conflict was and what you said. What was the result of your insubordination?
8. Hopefully, you haven’t suffered an altercation based on a “hate” crime (being of a certain race, culture, religion, sexual orientation, etc.) But write about yourself or a person that you know who has suffered some sort of injustice, physical or mental abuse because of this discrimination. If you are uncomfortable with this topic, you may change names to protect the innocent.
9. OPTIONAL: If you can and wish to do so, write about a time you were physically abused (either by an adult or peer).
10. OPTIONAL: Girls (if you wish to do so - completely your choice): write about your first period; boys (again, if you wish to do so) write about your first ejaculation. OR write about learning about sex or sex education in school.
11. Write about something you feel guilty about.
12. Write about a sports event.
13. Write about cooking your first meal (perhaps for yourself or your family).
14. Write about a friend of the family. Try to characterize this person through a good description.
15. Write about listening to or hearing a ghost story from your childhood. You may either write about listening to and reacting to the story or include dialogue that tells the story, if you recall it.
16. Write about the day you graduated from 8th grade or elementary school.
17. Write about visiting a dentist or doctor.
18. Write about your neighborhood or community.
HOMEWORK: Please plan to complete your book by this Friday. There will be a test next week on each book.
Each member of the group please choose a passage from your reading that you liked or found effective. Share the page # and read the passage with your group. Discuss how the writing is effective. What is the author doing to make the passage effective? How does it compel you as a reader to keep reading?
After your small group discussion, please complete any of these blog entry ideas (taken from both books):
1. Describe a time that you were made fun of by your peer group. Why were you being teased, what was your reaction, how did this teasing affect you?
2. Write about a time when you noticed subtle discrimination either in what you read, what someone said, or perhaps in a television show/movie or while listening to music.
3. Write about your first job. What did you learn from this experience?
4. Write about an experience you’ve had with organized religion. This may be a church, temple, or synagogue – or perhaps your own family’s beliefs. What sort of feeling do you get when entering a religious organization? What sort of people do you observe there? What do you think of them? Have you learned anything from this experience? etc.
5. Write about an animal attack you or a family member has suffered. The attack does not have to be too serious, but what were the circumstances leading up to the attack, who did it involve, what was the result, etc.?
6. Write about the first story or poem you remember writing. What was the story or poem about? Who read it? How was it received by an audience, etc.
7. Write about a time that you talked back to an adult in authority. Explain what the conflict was and what you said. What was the result of your insubordination?
8. Hopefully, you haven’t suffered an altercation based on a “hate” crime (being of a certain race, culture, religion, sexual orientation, etc.) But write about yourself or a person that you know who has suffered some sort of injustice, physical or mental abuse because of this discrimination. If you are uncomfortable with this topic, you may change names to protect the innocent.
9. OPTIONAL: If you can and wish to do so, write about a time you were physically abused (either by an adult or peer).
10. OPTIONAL: Girls (if you wish to do so - completely your choice): write about your first period; boys (again, if you wish to do so) write about your first ejaculation. OR write about learning about sex or sex education in school.
11. Write about something you feel guilty about.
12. Write about a sports event.
13. Write about cooking your first meal (perhaps for yourself or your family).
14. Write about a friend of the family. Try to characterize this person through a good description.
15. Write about listening to or hearing a ghost story from your childhood. You may either write about listening to and reacting to the story or include dialogue that tells the story, if you recall it.
16. Write about the day you graduated from 8th grade or elementary school.
17. Write about visiting a dentist or doctor.
18. Write about your neighborhood or community.
HOMEWORK: Please plan to complete your book by this Friday. There will be a test next week on each book.
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Blogging & Reading (Black Boy/I Know Why...Sings)
Today, please use the "journal exercises" from the previous class and do the following:
--Write at least 3 blog entries today during class.
Need a break? Lots of writing? Take time in the lab to read. Do not waste time please. Either spend your time reading the memoirs, or writing on your blog.
REQUIRED POST: Please include one blog about what you are reading. Post a comment about your experience reading Black Boy or I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings.
HOMEWORK: Keep reading. Try to get through page 170-200 through the weekend.
--Write at least 3 blog entries today during class.
Need a break? Lots of writing? Take time in the lab to read. Do not waste time please. Either spend your time reading the memoirs, or writing on your blog.
REQUIRED POST: Please include one blog about what you are reading. Post a comment about your experience reading Black Boy or I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings.
HOMEWORK: Keep reading. Try to get through page 170-200 through the weekend.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Discussion/Blogging
Today, to begin the class, let's discuss your experience reading "I Know Why...Sings" and "Black Boy."
Discuss with groups of 3-4:
1. How far have you read in the book? (hint: you should be somewhere around page 70ish. If you haven't read this far, please make sure you use your time in lab and outside of school to reach around pg. 100 by Thursday.
2. How has researching the author helped you create expectations about the story of the author's life?
3. What drew you in to the author's story? Can you identify where this happened for you as a reader? Each group member should share. Compare what you have learned. Why does it take some people longer to enter into the world of a book?
4. Choose a particularly nice passage from the book and share it with your group. Together read the passage (usually a paragraph or two). What is effective in the writing?
When called to order, please begin the following writing assignment:
Creative Essay (memoir) Project
Directions: Like Richard Wright and Maya Angelou, you are going to write a short memoir of your life in the form of 3-5 creative essays.
Essays may be about any of the writing prompts below for each book, but usually memoir focuses on five separate topics:
Essays should be 3-7 pages (double spaced, 12 point font)
Each essay should have a beginning, middle, end.
Each essay should be 99% true (you may make up dialogue and details you don’t remember, but it should be the gist of what occurred or was said.)
Writing Suggestions:
I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings Chp. 1-10
1. Write about an embarrassing moment
2. Write about visiting a relative
3. Write about someone you know who is disabled
4. Write about the moment you realized you were of a certain culture/race
5. Write a story about attending church (or a preacher)
6. Write about a family ritual (perhaps a Sunday outing or dinner with relatives)
7. Write about a favorite or disappointing gift
8. Write about a parent standing up for him/herself
9. Write about a drive or vacation moment with your father
10. Write about your own self image (how do you see yourself) or about a time that you improved or ruined your own self-image.
Black Boy Chp. 1-2
1. Write a story about your experience with fire
2. Write a story about a pet
3. Write a story about your first fight
4. Write a story about your early experiences in school
5. Write about Vandalism
6. Write about a preacher or about attending church
7. Write about a parent
8. Write about a relative
9. Write about a family ritual (perhaps a Sunday outing or dinner with relatives)
10. Write about your own self image (how do you see yourself) or about a time that you improved or ruined your own self-image.
11. Write about the moment you realized you were of a certain culture/race
Discuss with groups of 3-4:
1. How far have you read in the book? (hint: you should be somewhere around page 70ish. If you haven't read this far, please make sure you use your time in lab and outside of school to reach around pg. 100 by Thursday.
2. How has researching the author helped you create expectations about the story of the author's life?
3. What drew you in to the author's story? Can you identify where this happened for you as a reader? Each group member should share. Compare what you have learned. Why does it take some people longer to enter into the world of a book?
4. Choose a particularly nice passage from the book and share it with your group. Together read the passage (usually a paragraph or two). What is effective in the writing?
When called to order, please begin the following writing assignment:
Creative Essay (memoir) Project
Directions: Like Richard Wright and Maya Angelou, you are going to write a short memoir of your life in the form of 3-5 creative essays.
Essays may be about any of the writing prompts below for each book, but usually memoir focuses on five separate topics:
A person
An event
A realization
A belief about the world, event, person, etc.
A conflict
Essays should be 3-7 pages (double spaced, 12 point font)
Each essay should have a beginning, middle, end.
Each essay should be 99% true (you may make up dialogue and details you don’t remember, but it should be the gist of what occurred or was said.)
Writing Suggestions:
I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings Chp. 1-10
1. Write about an embarrassing moment
2. Write about visiting a relative
3. Write about someone you know who is disabled
4. Write about the moment you realized you were of a certain culture/race
5. Write a story about attending church (or a preacher)
6. Write about a family ritual (perhaps a Sunday outing or dinner with relatives)
7. Write about a favorite or disappointing gift
8. Write about a parent standing up for him/herself
9. Write about a drive or vacation moment with your father
10. Write about your own self image (how do you see yourself) or about a time that you improved or ruined your own self-image.
Black Boy Chp. 1-2
1. Write a story about your experience with fire
2. Write a story about a pet
3. Write a story about your first fight
4. Write a story about your early experiences in school
5. Write about Vandalism
6. Write about a preacher or about attending church
7. Write about a parent
8. Write about a relative
9. Write about a family ritual (perhaps a Sunday outing or dinner with relatives)
10. Write about your own self image (how do you see yourself) or about a time that you improved or ruined your own self-image.
11. Write about the moment you realized you were of a certain culture/race
Friday, May 14, 2010
Your Very Own Blog Project
To set up your blog:
1. Go to blogspot.com or (tumblr.com)
2. You may take a quick tour, if interested. Otherwise, create a new account.
3. You must enter an email account (if you have no email, use one from your family; if this isn’t working, use an email account from a trusted and valued friend.) This will be your “username”
4. Create a password, display your name, look at terms of service, etc.
5. Log onto your blog. Follow the prompts to set up your page.
6. You may provide biographical info and so on. At some point, you will need to create a NEW Post. Each new post needs a title and you should edit it before you post it.
Today, you will need to set up your Blog and do the following posts:
A. An introduction to your website. Welcome your guests and explain that you are a student @ SOTA, taking a creative writing course.
B. Write a short non-fiction entry about something you feel passionate about. You can rant, rave, etc. but remember that your blog is a public forum and other people in the world can access your writing. Don't embarrass yourself. Check your spelling and language so you don't come across as ignorant or unskilled. As always, it is important for a writer to think about his/her audience.
1. Go to blogspot.com or (tumblr.com)
2. You may take a quick tour, if interested. Otherwise, create a new account.
3. You must enter an email account (if you have no email, use one from your family; if this isn’t working, use an email account from a trusted and valued friend.) This will be your “username”
4. Create a password, display your name, look at terms of service, etc.
5. Log onto your blog. Follow the prompts to set up your page.
6. You may provide biographical info and so on. At some point, you will need to create a NEW Post. Each new post needs a title and you should edit it before you post it.
Today, you will need to set up your Blog and do the following posts:
A. An introduction to your website. Welcome your guests and explain that you are a student @ SOTA, taking a creative writing course.
B. Write a short non-fiction entry about something you feel passionate about. You can rant, rave, etc. but remember that your blog is a public forum and other people in the world can access your writing. Don't embarrass yourself. Check your spelling and language so you don't come across as ignorant or unskilled. As always, it is important for a writer to think about his/her audience.
Creative Non Fiction
Today, please open the Powerpoint presentation in your workshop folder entitled "Non-Fiction". In your journal, please take notes and complete the brainstorming exercises to move toward a first draft of a non-fiction story (memoir).
After taking some notes, please link to this website: BackHand Stories. This site is dedicated to the short form of non fiction and fiction (flash fiction). There's quite a bit here. Please complete the following:
A. Please watch the video from Ira Glass on Storytelling.
B. Click on the non-fiction menu on the top of the page. Read at least 5 of these short creative non-fiction stories. Then, to hand in, on a separate sheet of paper, please respond to your reading in a paragraph or two. What were the topics these stories dealt with, what was effective in your opinion in the writing style, what have you learned about non-fiction from reading these selections, etc.?
HOMEWORK: Please start and continue to read Black Boy or I Know Why...Sings. You may use your time in lab to read these books.
If you have questions or are having problems with the text, please jot down your question so that we can answer them on Tuesday, next week.
After taking some notes, please link to this website: BackHand Stories. This site is dedicated to the short form of non fiction and fiction (flash fiction). There's quite a bit here. Please complete the following:
A. Please watch the video from Ira Glass on Storytelling.
B. Click on the non-fiction menu on the top of the page. Read at least 5 of these short creative non-fiction stories. Then, to hand in, on a separate sheet of paper, please respond to your reading in a paragraph or two. What were the topics these stories dealt with, what was effective in your opinion in the writing style, what have you learned about non-fiction from reading these selections, etc.?
HOMEWORK: Please start and continue to read Black Boy or I Know Why...Sings. You may use your time in lab to read these books.
If you have questions or are having problems with the text, please jot down your question so that we can answer them on Tuesday, next week.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Monster Response & Research
At some point during 3rd period, you will be asked to go to the library and pick up either "Black Boy" by Richard Wright or "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" by Maya Angelou. When you return to class (or before you go down to get the book), complete the following assignment (due at end of class):
Please post a comment to this blog entry about Monster. What was your reaction to reading this play? What stands out foremost in your mind? Is a play like this valuable? Would it be, in your opinion, an interesting play to watch? What did you like/dislike most about the play? Did you feel the characters were necessary or interesting? Why or why not? Explore.
Make sure you post your comment by the end of class.
Then, please move on to the following task:
1. In your journal, please jot down some notes about the author of the book you chose. Either research Richard Wright or Maya Angelou depending on what book you chose to read. Hint: search the author's name or title of the book to start. Then see where you go from there.
2. Find out a little bit about the author. Use the internet to conduct your research. You may also try to find a video interview on Youtube.com with the author--or see them perform some of their work. Either way, make note of important key facts and information that you find interesting in your journal.
3. Spend some time today reading. There will be journal responses next class that will help you as you read. We will also discuss non-fiction (memoir) next class.
FAQ: How far should I read?
A: As far as you can. Your education and getting better at reading requires you to try it. Get into the book. See how far you can read at one time. Note in your journal your feelings. Is the book, for example, drawing you in? If not, why not? If so, why? These are always questions you will want to ask yourself as a writer.
FAQ: Why should I take notes on the author or as I read in my journal?
A: Using your journal to gather information can help you understand a difficult text or to remember key scenes or situations in a book--particularly if you find the book too complex or skim more than read. Your journal is a great place to put questions you can ask in class about writing. Knowing a little bit about an author is helpful in understanding what they are trying to accomplish or communicate through their writing.
Keep notes in your journal for the upcoming test on this memoir. You will be able to use it for the test.
HOMEWORK: Read Black Boy or I Know Why...Sings. Please bring your books to class next class. Complete any research you did not finish during class.
Please post a comment to this blog entry about Monster. What was your reaction to reading this play? What stands out foremost in your mind? Is a play like this valuable? Would it be, in your opinion, an interesting play to watch? What did you like/dislike most about the play? Did you feel the characters were necessary or interesting? Why or why not? Explore.
Make sure you post your comment by the end of class.
Then, please move on to the following task:
1. In your journal, please jot down some notes about the author of the book you chose. Either research Richard Wright or Maya Angelou depending on what book you chose to read. Hint: search the author's name or title of the book to start. Then see where you go from there.
2. Find out a little bit about the author. Use the internet to conduct your research. You may also try to find a video interview on Youtube.com with the author--or see them perform some of their work. Either way, make note of important key facts and information that you find interesting in your journal.
3. Spend some time today reading. There will be journal responses next class that will help you as you read. We will also discuss non-fiction (memoir) next class.
FAQ: How far should I read?
A: As far as you can. Your education and getting better at reading requires you to try it. Get into the book. See how far you can read at one time. Note in your journal your feelings. Is the book, for example, drawing you in? If not, why not? If so, why? These are always questions you will want to ask yourself as a writer.
FAQ: Why should I take notes on the author or as I read in my journal?
A: Using your journal to gather information can help you understand a difficult text or to remember key scenes or situations in a book--particularly if you find the book too complex or skim more than read. Your journal is a great place to put questions you can ask in class about writing. Knowing a little bit about an author is helpful in understanding what they are trying to accomplish or communicate through their writing.
Keep notes in your journal for the upcoming test on this memoir. You will be able to use it for the test.
HOMEWORK: Read Black Boy or I Know Why...Sings. Please bring your books to class next class. Complete any research you did not finish during class.
Monday, May 10, 2010
Spoon River Response/Monologue Plays
Today, please respond to Spoon River by posting a comment below. Identify the poem or character that you enjoyed reading the most. What did you think of the collection? What did you learn about poetry, character, or internal monologues from reading the collection?
Afterward, please get into groups of 2-3 and read the following plays from the handout packet. Read each play. Each member of the group should take on a specific role for each play.
During period 4 we will be moving to room A240 to read the play "Monster". Please complete "Monster" for homework.
HOMEWORK: Complete the play MONSTER by Dael Orlandermith.
Afterward, please get into groups of 2-3 and read the following plays from the handout packet. Read each play. Each member of the group should take on a specific role for each play.
During period 4 we will be moving to room A240 to read the play "Monster". Please complete "Monster" for homework.
HOMEWORK: Complete the play MONSTER by Dael Orlandermith.
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Close of the 5th Marking Period - Internal Monologue
Please complete your internal monologue poem today. For extra credit, write at least 3 poems that interlink. Additionally, please continue to read and complete Spoon River by Monday, May 10. Note how, taken together, we get a complete picture of the lives and people in this small American town.
Finished early?
Complete any late or missing work. Read Spoon River. Move your "Children's Story" to InDesign and set up a booklet.
Finished early?
Complete any late or missing work. Read Spoon River. Move your "Children's Story" to InDesign and set up a booklet.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Spoon River Anthology
Spoon River is a collection of internal monologue poems by American poet Edgar Lee Masters.
As we read this collection, please note that each poem is "spoken" using the voice of the speaker. Certain characters speak seriously, in a, pardon the pun, grave manner. Other characters have a humorous or sarcastic tone to their "voice."
Each character is assumed to be dead and talking from the grave about his/her life. After reading the collection, feel free to try this technique yourself.
Options:
1. Go to a cemetery. Record the names on gravestones. Imagine who this/these person or persons are. What meant the most to them? What kind of personality did they have? How did they live? How did they die? What did they do for a living? Who did they love or dislike? What was the most important object/idea/person to them? What do they most regret? Use these questions to create an internal monologue.
2. Look through a phone book. Record some names of people you don't know. Imagine who these people are. What meant the most to them? what kind of personality do they have? How do they live? How will they die? What do they do for a living? Who do they love/dislike? What means the most to them? waht do they regret? Use these questions to create an internal monologue.
3. Do several of these poems. Then put them together. At least two of your characters should know each other and reference the other character.
As we read this collection, please note that each poem is "spoken" using the voice of the speaker. Certain characters speak seriously, in a, pardon the pun, grave manner. Other characters have a humorous or sarcastic tone to their "voice."
Each character is assumed to be dead and talking from the grave about his/her life. After reading the collection, feel free to try this technique yourself.
Options:
1. Go to a cemetery. Record the names on gravestones. Imagine who this/these person or persons are. What meant the most to them? What kind of personality did they have? How did they live? How did they die? What did they do for a living? Who did they love or dislike? What was the most important object/idea/person to them? What do they most regret? Use these questions to create an internal monologue.
2. Look through a phone book. Record some names of people you don't know. Imagine who these people are. What meant the most to them? what kind of personality do they have? How do they live? How will they die? What do they do for a living? Who do they love/dislike? What means the most to them? waht do they regret? Use these questions to create an internal monologue.
3. Do several of these poems. Then put them together. At least two of your characters should know each other and reference the other character.
Internal Monologue Poem
After viewing the samples/models, and creating your character, please write from the voice of your character a poem that must be said (perhaps after the character's death or some such time) to a specific person or audience.
See posts below to help you.
I am collecting your journals. Please have these ready for checking. Thanks.
During 4th period, we will be moving to room a240 to read Spoon River. Please bring your books and journals.
See posts below to help you.
I am collecting your journals. Please have these ready for checking. Thanks.
During 4th period, we will be moving to room a240 to read Spoon River. Please bring your books and journals.
Monday, May 3, 2010
London, Paris, Barcelona Trip 2011
Students interested in joining the SOTA school trip to London, Paris and Barcelona!
There is an informational meeting Thursday May 6 at 6:00 in room 238.
There is an informational meeting Thursday May 6 at 6:00 in room 238.
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