Summer

Have a nice summer break! Keep writing!

Portfolio/Test on Books

Read, write. Prepare portfolio.

Portfolio due tomorrow.

Blog Posts, Reading Circle, Portfolio

Today, spend the first 10 minutes of class posting a blog entry on your blog regarding the reading you have been doing with your chosen book. What do you think so far? How far have you read? What have you learned about writing through reading the novel? What questions do you have? Etc.

Then, gather with your reading group and chat about the book. Each reader should discuss the book. Create a survey with your group members. Find out how many people enjoy the book (write the number down), how many dislike the book or are having trouble understanding or relating to the book, and answer any questions that group members may have. Discuss for about 15 minutes. Then: go back to your portfolio preparation.

The portfolio is due on Friday.

Final Portfolio

There are two (2) parts to your final portfolio.
A. A 4-6 page, double-spaced, typed self evaluation essay
B. A variety of your best work chosen from all your CW classes

Your final portfolio will count for both 9th grade creative writing classes and will be reviewed by Mr. Craddock & Ms. Gamzon. It will constitute 25% of your final grade.

Part A. Self Evaluation Essay

Part B. Portfolio

Select work that you created this year in Ms. Gamzon or Mr. Craddock’s classes. All work should be copies of original work. No journals will be accepted. Follow the guideline below.

Table of contents. Your table of contents should order your portfolio into the following parts:
a. Poetry
b. Fiction
c. Non-fiction
d. Scripts
e. Special projects

Poetry. Choose 6-8 of your best poems. Select work that shows your understanding and growth in the field of poetry. Each poem’s title should be listed on the table of contents.

Fiction. Choose 4-5 of your best fiction pieces. Select work that shows your understanding and growth in the field of fiction. Each fiction piece’s title should be listed on the table of contents.

Non-fiction. Choose 2-3 of your best non-fiction pieces. Select work that shows your understanding and growth in the field of non-fiction. Each non-fiction piece’s title should be listed on the table of contents.

Scripts: Choose 2-3 of your best scripts. Select work that shows your understanding and growth in the field of script writing. Each script’s title should be listed on the table of contents.

Special Projects: Choose 3-4 of your special projects (newsletter, slideshow*, brochure, literary magazine, web design, blog, etc.) which show your growth and creative ability. Each project should be listed on the table of contents. If you have been working on a project not assigned in class, you may include this work in your special projects. (Example: I am working on a novel, and I haven’t told my teachers or I have written a musical, etc.) Please do NOT print your special project, unless you already have an extra copy. Instead, please talk about these projects in your reflection.

Self Reflection Non Fiction - Creative Essay:

During the entire freshman year, we have thrown quite a bit of information, projects, and assignments your way. We did not do this to be cruel, but to see how you react to pressure, deadlines, writing & reading skills, and so that you had the opportunity to grow as a writer and a student. It is true that the most important qualification for writers is that they write. Apart from this, reading is also the most important way to improve your writing at this stage. These introductory courses are designed to get you to know yourself as a student and writer a little better. Part of this is the need to self-reflect. Examine the writing rubrics and the material in your portfolio. Reflect on your work this year.

Reflective piece: 4-6 pages, double-spaced. Write about how you’ve grown as a writer this year, what has been easy/hard for you, what areas you feel you need more work in; reflect on your progress as a writer, a reader, and as a student. Write about each selected piece you have chosen to include in your portfolio (per genre): why did you include these pieces in your portfolio? How does the piece show your growth and development as a writer in this particular genre? What did you learn about yourself concerning writing from this assignment or project? Discuss the writing process you used to create the work, where you got your ideas, what you learned about the form or genre of the work as you wrote and revised it, what you learned about yourself as a writer, etc. Discuss special projects and reading that had an impact on you. What did you learn about writing and about yourself through these assignments this year?

Rubric

_____ Table of Contents 10 points
_____ Reflective Essay (4-6 pages) 30 points
_____ Poetry (5-7 poems) 10 points
_____ Fiction (3-4 short stories) 10 points
_____ Non Fiction (1-2 creative essays) 10 points
_____ Special Projects (1-2 special projects) 10 points
_____ Grammar (Work is clean, copy-edited, free of errors) 10 points
Penalty: (-1/2 point for each grammar error. Up to -10 points)
_____ Portfolio turned in complete and on time 10 points

Penalties:
• Late portfolios (-10 points per day late)
• Handwritten work (-1 for each handwritten page)
• Grammar errors (see above)

The final portfolio is due Friday, June 11

Quiz, Blog, & Last Book Choice

Today, after I answer any specific questions about the memoirs you read, we will take a quiz on the books. Please answer the essay portion of the test on your blog.

Before the test, you will be picking up one of four books:

All books have similar archetypal plots dealing with character growth and "self discovery" (the name of our course). You may choose from:

Cantora by Sylvia Lopez-Medina (Romance)
The Color Purple by Alice Walker (Realism)
The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkein (fantasy)
A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula LeGuin (fantasy)

After you complete your test, please begin reading your chosen book. Please bring your book with you next class as we will be reading outside with it (weather permitting).

Debate (cont.)/Class Discussion on Memoir

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.

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.

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.

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.

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:

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

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.