Tuesday, September 10, 2013

Introductory Speech & Creating Fiction from Interview

When called, please come up to the front of the room and introduce your partner. You may use your notes if you get stuck, but try to "talk" to us. No one likes to be "read" to. As a class, politely listen to each speech. Listening is an important element in the communication process. It is extremely rude to chat, ignore, or otherwise distract a speaker. Please be courteous in this class. As class rules state: Respect all NOUNS (that includes you and me and each other).

Effective Elements of a Speech include:
  • Volume
  • Pace
  • Pitch or tone of voice
  • Language or imagery
  • Organization
  • Creativity
  • Confidence (ethos)
  • Body posture/Facial expressions/Gestures/Eye contact
While listening to a speech, a listener should:
  • Pay attention
  • Make eye contact with the speaker
  • Be courteous and polite
  • Avoid interruptions
  • Listen (not just hear)
After all students have given their speech, please listen for further instructions for our next writing task.
THE TASK: You will use your interview notes to create a fictional character and place that character (based on your original partner) into your story. 
THE RULES: Your story can follow any genre (sci-fi, fantasy, horror, western, romance, realistic, action, comedy, etc.) Want to write about teenage vampires? Go ahead! Choose a genre or topic that you are interested in. This helps a writer write a story successfully.

Your story should be relatively short (approx. 2-5 pages, double spaced). You can always add to the draft later. When you have completed your first draft, please title your story, put your standard heading on the top left (or right) and proofread your work for spelling/grammar errors. When satisfied that this is your 'best' work, please print and turn in. This assignment is not due yet. You should aim to write at least 1 page per class period.

Remember that a hook works just as well for a story as it does for a speech. Revise your opening sentence of your story to HOOK your reader. Be creative to grab our attention!
HOMEWORK: Please read "How Communication Affects Your Life" and answer the 10 ?'s at the end. This is due Friday.

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