Proverb Story Draft; Gift of the Magi; Speak: Day 1

Lab: (period 1)

Need a theme for a story? Authors often use proverbs as a basis for their themes.

A proverb is a short, common saying or phrase. It particularly gives advice or shares a universal human truth. 

Choose one of the following proverbs or famous sayings:

• Love is the greatest gift of all.
• Money can’t buy you love.
• A gift must come from the heart.
• Beauty comes from within.
• Two wrongs don't make a right.
• When in Rome, do as the Romans do.
• The squeaky wheel gets the grease.
• Fortune favors the bold.
• People who live in glass houses should not throw stones.
• Never look a gift horse in the mouth.

Write a short personal essay* in which you examine your chosen proverb and explain how you personally connect with the saying. Tell that story. 

Start your essay with the line: "They say that...[insert chosen proverb]" then either agree or disagree with the statement and explain in story form your reason for agreeing or disagreeing. 

"They say birds of a feather flock together, but this is not my case. I grew up an only child in a small town along the Mississippi river. I had no friends, little family, and no sense of belonging. That is, until I met Barnaby. The story how we met is a funny one. Let me explain..."

*Your story can be fictional (completely made up), semi-fictional (based on true events), or completely true (nonfiction). You choose what's best for your story. Print out your draft at the end of period 1 (even if you are not done with it...see homework below).

Please honor your writing time. Instead of complaining that the draft is due at the end of the period, please focus on writing. There should be minimal or no chatting with your neighbor regarding your story at this moment. Instead, focus on your work. Your neighbor will focus on his/her work. Use the time in the lab to write. 

When you complete your work, please proofread and check your grammar!

Period 2: Reading & Discussion; Please get Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson from the library. Return to the classroom (238) to read: 

• The short, short story: "The Gift of the Magi" by O. Henry.
• Use textual evidence to answer the following question: Which of the sayings best describes the main theme of The Gift of the Magi?  Why?  
• The opening chapter(s) of Speak.

HOMEWORK: Read the rest of the marking period (mp 1) (pp. 3-46). Look for examples of the "coming of age" novel tropes. Jot down these observations with page #'s in your journal. 

If you did not complete your draft of your personal essay (proverb story draft) in the lab, then complete it for homework. Turn in the finished draft Friday if you turned in an incomplete draft today.