Complete Late Projects; Trevor Noah Stand Up

Please use the first 15 minutes or so in class to work on any late projects and upload your humorous essay draft. If you have your holiday gift writing to your "secret" santa, please prepare that (remember to give your secret santa your writing!)

After our writing time, please enjoy the comedy of Trevor Noah. As you watch, examine his performance and compare/contrast that with Ellen Degeneres and other comedians you might know.

• Trevor Noah stand up comedy
• Trevor Noah stand up comedy #2

HOMEWORK: None. Enjoy your holiday! Be safe and rest.

Comedy Writing: Day 2; Comic Devices/Techniques for Writers; Steve Martin's Essays

Period 3: Writing Time!

Write a humorous speech/essay.

Try using these techniques:

• The rule of three
• Incongruity (surprise the reader by writing something unexpected or illogical--when combined with the rule of three the incongruous example/statement comes as the third in the series! Ex. apples, oranges, and baby anacondas)
• hyperbole (exaggeration--anything can be made ridiculous by exaggerating it)
• understatement (stating something serious or important as a common or non-important subject)
• overstatement (the opposite of understatement: giving importance to subjects that are not important: ex. Death is nothing to be scared of (understatement); what you should be scared of is insurance salesmen! (overstatement). 
• Puns & wit (puns are word plays, usually using a word that SOUNDS like another word with a different meaning, or use the alternate, less used definition of a word to make a joke: ex. Dolphins swim in schools. Quite frankly I hear they don't pass algebra because they see no porpoise in it. (pun); Wit is clever word play: Goldfish periodically swim in schools--I don't know how they manage to sit still in chemistry class though!) (wit: the idea that schools of fish swim combined with the idea that we don't swim in school, we attend it--or that gold fish might take a chemistry class where gold is one of the basic elements on the periodic table.)
• Innuendo (an attached meaning to a phrase or word that is stated innocently, but that has a rude or political or attached meaning that is implied, usually sexual in nature). From City of Bones: “The rat, huddled in the hollow of her palms, squeaked glumly. Delighted, she hugged him to her chest. “Oh poor baby,” she crooned, almost as if he really were a pet. “Poor Simon, it’ll be fine, I promise--”
  “I wouldn’t feel too sorry for him,” Jace said. “That’s probably the closest he’s ever gotten to second base.”
• Irony. Irony comes in 3 types: situational, dramatic, and verbal (which we know better as sarcasm). See today's handout for more details!

Use the techniques and tips from this class and last class and what you learned from reading Degeneres' or Lawson's work. Try to emulate or copy Degeneres' style if you can. Your topic or (set) does not have to be about anything too serious--in fact, the more common or ordinary the topic, often the better you can poke fun at it...although, you may wish to tackle a serious topic. When comedians write about serious topics in a scathing or satirical or truthful way, they often create Black Comedy or Dark Comedy.

IMPORTANT: It's important not to alienate and offend your audience in your comedy--instead, try to discuss the topics and observations that we all can relate to. 

It's funny because it's true.

No ideas? Check here for 414 prompts.

Use the rest of period 3 to write your draft. Honor writing time! Avoid conversations and distractions from your peers and instead--I know, it's a weird idea--write.

Period 4ish: 

Around 10:00 we will stop writing to read the short essays by Steve Martin from the book "Pure Drivel". Steve Martin is another famous comedian, known for his plays, movies, and physical prop comedy.

With time remaining, you can aim to complete your comic essay/speech (and upload to our Google classroom--see homework) or read the 2nd essay and write jokes and humor in your journal or as extra credit (check that list of 414 prompts for ideas!)

Or if you finish early, take a look at this video advice about writing comedy & Kevin Hart's 3 Secrets to Hilarious Storytelling (video)

HOMEWORK: If you did not complete your draft today in class, please complete it and submit your draft by the end of tonight: 11:59 p.m. If you missed any link or video today, please check it out! You'll be amazed at what you can learn!

Ellen Degeneres: Here and Now; Comic Essay

Ellen Degeneres: Here and Now (Conclusion)

After viewing Degeneres' performance, take a moment to reflect on her performance style:

• Did she hook your attention? If not, why not? If so, how?
• Did she keep your attention? If not, why not? If so, how?
• Did she entertain? What topics or chunks in her set did you most enjoy?

Now, try writing a humorous speech/essay. Use the techniques and tips from last class and what you learned from reading Degeneres work. Try to emulate or copy her style if you can. Your topic or (set) does not have to be about anything too serious--in fact, the more common or ordinary the topic, often the better you can poke fun at it...although, you may wish to tackle a serious topic. When comedians write about serious topics in a scathing or satirical or truthful way, they often create Black Comedy or Dark Comedy. It's important not to alienate and offend your audience in your comedy--instead, try to discuss the topics and observations that we all can relate to. 

It's funny because it's true.

No ideas? Check here for 414 prompts.

HOMEWORK: None. Work on your humorous essay.

OPTION: Secret Santa's Writing Workshop! If you would like, place your name in the "box" and draw a name. Write that person a "personalized" short story, poem, play sketch, or article/essay/non-fiction, comic strip, etc. for the holidays! We'll deliver our gifts on Friday, Dec. 20 before Winter Break! This is extra credit; if you don't want to participate, you don't have to. Don't put your name in the box and don't draw a name from the box!

Ellen Degeneres; Here and Now (2015)

Today, we'll start our class by reading one of the essays in the packet, then we'll take a break by watching the stand-up comedy of Ellen Degeneres.

What you need to know about writing stand up comedy: Believe it or not, comics (and writing comedy) can lead to a successful writing career.

Earning a livable salary through comedy is not easy. On average a typical professional comedian makes about 30,000/year--but this can be less, of course, or much, much more. Popular comedians like Ellen Degeneres can make around 75 million/year or more and many comedians you could probably name make a very good living from their writing and performance skills. 

Of course, money is not the only form of reward. Comedians perform because they love what they do. Or the prestige of a respected gig. Or simply to get better. As with any freelance job, their work requires resourcefulness, determination and creativity. Being funny is essential, but a few accounting skills don’t hurt. Also, who writes their material? They do.
What if you wanted to be a comedian when you grow up? Or out? Here are a few tips from the professionals:

Develop a Writing Habit

A stand-up comedian's job is as much about writing as it is performing. You need to be disciplined in your writing, dedicating a few hours every day to sitting at a desk and writing jokes. Good comedy takes practice.

To kickstart your joke-writing process, come up with a topic and write down as many jokes, funny lines or one-liners as you can think of. You’ll likely use only one or two of them, but you need to write a lot in order to find the true comedic gold. Don’t be scared if your first draft doesn’t want to make you laugh out loud or if you don’t find your own writing funny. Learn how to be patient with yourself, and keep at it.

Stand-up gets better as it becomes more personal—that comics who make fun of themselves and lay themselves bare to the audience are often the strongest performers. The same is true of comedic writers.

To kick off your writing process, sit down and make the following lists:

• Everything that makes you mad
• Everything you think is wrong with yourself
• Everything you think is wrong with the world
• Things you wish you could change about your personality
• Things you wish you could change about your body.

Let's take 5 minutes and try this now (use your journal to record your ideas/brainstorming)!

Add this to your daily writing habit; spend time each day making a new list in your journal, then develop a few items on your list into jokes.

When you’re learning how to write stand-up, it helps to watch or listen to some of your favorite comedians’ stand-up and pay attention to how they tell their jokes. How do they set up ideas, and how are those ideas transformed into punchlines?

Next, some comedy performance vocab.

SET: Your collection of jokes, with a beginning/middle/end. It’s everything you plan to say onstage. It's very much like writing a speech. Because, well, it is.

BIT: An individual joke or small cluster of jokes on the same topic.

CHUNK: Several BITS that all revolve around the same larger topic.

(So, a SET contains CHUNKS, and CHUNKS contain BITS that are made up of JOKES. Or, JOKES make up BITS and BITS make up CHUNKS and CHUNKS make a SET!)

The format of a short set might look like this:

• OPENER: The comedian starts with something that introduces him/her personally to the audience, especially if there is something visual about you that stands out, e.g. unusual hair color, super bushy eyebrows, a parrot on your shoulder, etc. Acknowledge it right off the bat and the audience will forget about it and pay attention to YOU.
• CHUNK 1: Topic 1. It's good for this to be something personal, too. Let the audience get to know you! Your chunk should include your first BIT (funny), then your second BIT (funnier), and finally, your third BIT (funniest)--comedy often comes in threes!
• CHUNK 2: Topic 2: No need to segue between chunks. You can just start a new topic.
• BIT (funny), BIT (funnier), BIT (funniest), then...
• CHUNK 3: Topic 3: It's sometimes good to connect back to an earlier topic to create continuity. This can be related to an earlier topic…or not! Either way, your 3rd CHUNK should include: BIT 1 (funny), BIT 2 (funnier), BIT 3 (funniest). 
• CLOSER: Could really be chunk or bit 4, but a callback, or just a killer joke you know ALWAYS works.
• Bonus: using an outline like this can also help you memorize the order of your jokes because they will make internal sense to you as the performer...

As we watch Ellen Degeneres' set, take note of how she skillfully performs her jokes (bits/chunks/sets!)

If we have time left, please continue reading her essays on your own. See below.

HOMEWORK: None. If you haven't read Ellen Degeneres' essays please do so. You will be attempting to write a humorous essay next class (Friday). Start getting some ideas!

Proust Questionnaire Essay; Ellen Degeneres (Day 2)

Period 3: (10 minutes)

This morning, please choose any essay from Ellen Degeneres from the handout we did not read together in class (ex. "Family") and identify any of the 21 pieces of advice I gave you about non-fiction and explain how the essay follows this advice. Be specific and use the TEXT to support your answer for full credit. Place your analysis in the COMMENT section below.

WRITING TASK - The Proust Questionnaire Essay Draft: Write today by either A.) brainstorming and outlining ideas that answer the question you chose, or... B.) start right off with your essay and try to write until you get stuck. When you get stuck (and you will) either... 1.) brainstorm and outline ideas or details that answer the question you chose, or ... 2.) choose another topic from the questionnaire, create a transition between the two questions, and start again writing to answer your next selected question.

When writing comedy, it is okay to digress and move on to another topic--this is often a technique called INCONGRUITY (which means your digression does not logically follow or continue your idea) Once a pattern or expectation is recognized by a reader/listener, breaking this pattern makes us laugh. Usually, however, non-fiction essays focus on ONE topic at a time. Whichever path you choose, be aware when you are digressing and use it to entertain your reader. If you can keep your focus, that's great too!

In GRAMMAR we can indicate digressions by using the em-dash.

Try writing for 20 minutes without stopping or bothering others or getting distracted. If and when you get stuck, try the instructions above. Unstick yourself and keep writing your non-fiction "essay". After 20 minutes, check your goals and start again for another 20 minutes of writing.

At the end of the first period, TURN IN THE DRAFT. Challenge yourself: if you normally can only write a paragraph or two in 20 minutes, try writing at least 3 fully developed paragraphs. If you can normally write half a page or one full page, try to increase this number. Give yourself a goal as a writer and see if that helps you create.

Complete the "exit" ticket evaluating your writing time today. (See handout!) I'm collecting this for credit at the end of period 1.

During period 4, we'll take a look at a few more essays and possibly begin watching a performance by Ellen Degeneres' stand up comedy.

HOMEWORK: Complete the 2nd packet (or first) of Ellen Degeneres' essays. Make sure you have turned in your Proust Questionnaire draft to our Google Classroom.

Non-fiction; The Proust Questionnaire Essay; Ellen Degeneres: Seriously...I'm Kidding

Fundamentally, the goal of any writer is to hook our attention, keep our attention, and entertain us. Sometimes we forget that our writing is not just boring drudge work that we write for a grade, but it is to entertain or please readers. If anything, you should at least write to entertain YOU!

Non-fiction is often a stumbling block for young writers. We generally prefer fiction over non-fiction. Maybe non-fiction feels too personal or too embarrassing, or we just don't want to write about ourselves and our own experiences or reflect on our own lives. But non-fiction sells better than fiction does. So it might be useful for us to learn how to write it better. But first, let's look at some tips today that may change how we think about and write non-fiction.

After learning about how to improve our non-fiction writing, let's choose a topic from the Proust Questionnaire. Use the advice I gave you during your writing time today. Select at least 1 tip to try. If that tip doesn't work for you, try a different one.

WRITING TASK - The Proust Questionnaire Essay Draft: Start your writing today by either A.) brainstorming and outlining ideas that answer the question you chose, or... B.) start right off with your essay and try to write until you get stuck. When you get stuck (and you will) either... 1.) brainstorm and outline ideas or details that answer the question you chose, or ... 2.) choose another topic from the questionnaire, create a transition between the two questions, and start again writing to answer your next selected question.

When writing comedy, it is okay to digress and move on to another topic--this is often a technique called INCONGRUITY (which means your digression does not logically follow or continue your idea) Once a pattern or expectation is recognized by a reader/listener, breaking this pattern makes us laugh. Usually, however, non-fiction essays focus on ONE topic at a time. Whichever path you choose, be aware when you are digressing and use it to entertain your reader. If you can keep your focus, that's great too!

In GRAMMAR we can indicate digressions by using the em-dash.

Try writing for 20 minutes without stopping or bothering others or getting distracted. If and when you get stuck, try the instructions above. Unstick yourself and keep writing your non-fiction "essay".

At the end of 20 minutes, find a stopping or ending point for your draft. DO NOT TURN IN THE DRAFT YET. Challenge yourself: if you normally can only write a paragraph or two in 20 minutes, try writing at least 3 fully developed paragraphs. If you can normally write half a page or one full page, try to increase this number. Give yourself a goal as a writer and see if that helps you create.

Complete the "exit" ticket evaluating your writing time today. (See handout!) I'm collecting this for credit at the end of class today.

As a model for non-fiction, let's take a look at some of Ellen Degeneres' writing. As we read, look for examples of the non-fiction techniques I covered in class. Your packet includes stories/essays/non-fiction from Degeneres' book Seriously, I'm Kidding. We'll read/watch more of her work next class.

HOMEWORK: Complete your reading of the essays by Ellen Degeneres and work on your Proust Questionnaire essay draft you started in class. Please type it up if you wrote the draft in your journal. Remember to be entertaining!

Extemp Speech; Creative Non-Fiction Tips; Jenny Lawson

Period 3:

TASK: Short extemporaneous (off the cuff) speech exercise:

Choose one of these 10 topics or create a topic of your own on which to speak. Here are some examples. Feel free to make up your own if you have a different or better idea.

1. How is social media [narrow the type] uniting the world? How is social media ruining the world? [pick one side and defend it]
2. Why is having a pet [specify the type: dog, cat, goldfish, snake, horse, badger, etc.] better than having a brother/sister/parent/friend/grandparent/neighbor [pick one]?
3. The best kind of food in your opinion is... And explain why.
4. My wish for humanity is ________. And explain why.
5. Why we should be vegan/vegetarian/carnivores [pick one]. And explain why.
6. The best movie/video game/novel/tv series of all time will always be... And explain why.
7. If I were an animal/object, I'd want to be... And explain why.
8. How is money/religion/technology [pick one] the root of all evil in our society? How is money/religion/technology [pick one] the only thing we should be concerned about in our society? [pick one side and defend your position]
9. If I won the lottery I would: ____ And explain why.
10. What advice would I give to my parents before I was born? What advice would I give to them now?

Choose one topic. Review the video for tips on what you might include or how you might "write" and prepare your speech, then take 5 minutes to write your speech and deliver it to the class!

How to write a speech in 5 minutes (2 min.)

Period 4:

Next, let's take a look at some short essays by Jenny Lawson as models for our next assignment.

As we read, try to notice if the author did any of these things to make her work more interesting and creative or enjoyable for a reader...

21 Tips and Tricks of the Trade -- How to Write Better Non-Fiction (and Fiction)

• Often the most powerful stories are about your family and the childhood moments that shaped your life.
• You don’t need to build up tension and waste the reader's time by padding or delaying the subject matter of your story. Instead, surprise the reader by telling it like it is. Be truthful as you see it. 
• Don't try to impress. Try to tell a story!
• You can use real documents and quotes from your family and friends. It makes it so much more personal and relatable. But if you can't remember the exact wording or what happened, make up the detail--but aim for the truth.
• Reflect and make a point about the human condition. You can start off with this theme in mind and then go away from it. At the end of the essay, you may come back to the first theme to close the circuit.
• Using poetic language is totally acceptable, as long as it improves the story.
• Style comes from your unique personality and the perception of the world. It takes time to develop it.
• Never try to tell it all. “All” can never be put into language. Take a part of it and tell it the best you possibly can.
• Avoid cliché. Try to infuse new life into your writing. Cliches are old hats. Don't wear them.
• Write about you. Paint a picture of your former self. What did that person believe in? In what kind of world did he or she live in? Write about you before you became you now.
• “The day that turned your life around” is a good theme you may use in a story. Memories of a special day are filled with emotions. Strong emotions often create strong writing.
• Use cultural references, slang if necessary, and allusions to create a context for your story.
• Create brilliant, yet short descriptions of characters.
• Don’t be afraid to share your intimate experiences. Write boldly. The reader wants a bold writer.
• Intertwine a personal journey with philosophical musings. Reflect on your subject. Write about beliefs and meaning, not just recorded events. 
• By voicing your anxieties, you can heal the anxieties of the reader. In that way, you say: “I’m just like you.”
• Admit your flaws to make your persona more relatable.
• Don’t worry about what people might think. The more you expose, the more powerful the writing. 
• You come from a rich cultural heritage. You can share it with people who never heard about it. You are more exciting and interesting than you think you are. 
• Never forget about your identity. It is precious. It is a part of who you are. 
• Show rather than tell. Paint the scene/picture with words. Don't forget to establish your setting. Describe.

HOMEWORK: None. If we didn't finish reading Jenny Lawson's essays, please do so. If you are inspired, write your own non-fiction or write in your journal.