Illustration Planning Exercise:
Toapply all the concepts and skills that we discussed in class on Monday and you read in your text, we will complete the following exercise. In this exercise, you will draft an effective thesis statement, an introduction using one of the introduction strategies we have learned, three body paragraphs that rely on specific relevant examples for support, and a conclusion. Remember that a thesis statement is not a statement of fact ( ie. “There are many reasons for X;” “I will be explaining why X is Y;” etc.). A thesis statement is something that is provable and that you will prove through your essay (ie. X is an excellent example of Y because of A, B, and C.) Your introduction should effectively introduce not only your topic but also your thesis statement, the specific point you are going to make in your essay. Your thesis statement should be at the very end of your introduction. As you develop your body paragraphs, be sure to use the skills we have already learned—description and narration and use good, specific examples. Finally, your conclusion should effectively sum up your paper in a single paragraph. It is your last chance to let your reader see your point of view and convince them to view the situation as you do. What follows is an outline that you will turn in with the draft of your essay by the end of class. You can copy and paste it into word. This exercise will count as both a quick write and quiz grade. After you complete the outline, write your essay. Your outline and essay are due on Wednesday, October 3, 2007.
Here's your Outline:
Topic: p185 in SWW. Use the one you picked for homework on the previous blog/
Introduction strategy you will use:
Introduction: Revise the one that you submitted for your blog--it should be about 1/2 a page long and end with your thesis
Body Paragraph #1
Example #1
Example #2
Example #3
Body Paragraph #2
Example #1
Example #2
Example #3
Body Paragraph #3
Example #1
Example #2
Example #3
Conclusion--revise the one that you submitted for homework.
Mrs. M
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Monday, September 24, 2007
Reading Log Entry #6
Reading Log Entry 6: On page 185 is a list of topics, choose one and write three possible thesis statements. Choose your best one and then write an introduction and a conclusion using one of the strategies that you learned from the reading
Monday, September 17, 2007
Class Discussion 9/17/07
I am sorry that I can't be with you in person today. My two-year-old son is sick and running a fever. He's been up since 4 o'clock this morning. But thank you for your patience and understanding.
Descriptive writing is a stepping stone. Mastering that skill helps you add the details to you writing that gains and sustains your reader's interest and helps the readers see, feel and think the way that you do. To begin moving from a focus on descriptive writing to a more essay type writing, we need to do a few things. And here are your tasks to accomplish in class today and as homework, if you need to:
1. In your text book, the authors discuss the qualities of a good narrative essay. What are they and how are they the same and different from a descriptive one.
2. A good narrative essay has a central point. Literary types call it a theme. Here is a link for a short story:
http://www.courses.vcu.edu/ENG200-dwc/hughes.htm
Based on the information in the text, elements of a short story does he employ? What is the central point of the story? What details support that? Do you feel the story was effective or ineffective? Why?
3. Email this as an MS word attachment to cmcguire@pjc.edu: Below are ten (10) topics that will result in a narrative essay. Choose one (1) and write a 1-2 page narrative essay. Be sure to use sensory details, descriptions and dialog.
NARRATIVE ESSAY PROMPTS
1. [Being Unprepared] Because you have been sick, out of town, busy at work, or working on other homework, you didn't have as much time to study for an important test as you needed. Everyone going to school has been in this situation. Think of a specific test that you took that you felt unprepared for and narrate the events. Tell your readers about the preparation that you were able to do, the reasons that you didn't get to prepare as well as you wanted, taking the test, and any significant events that happened after you took the test. Your paper should help readers understand what it felt like to be unprepared.
2. [Lightbulb Moment] Think of an experience when you realized that you suddenly understood an idea, a skill, or a concept you had been struggling with -- it might be something related to a class that you took or a specific athletic skill you were trying to perfect. For instance, you might think about trying to understand how to identify iambic pentameter in a poem or how to complete a Taylor Series problem in your Calculus class. Or you might consider trying to perfect your free throws and suddenly understanding how your follow-through was affecting your success. Write a narrative that tells the story of your movement toward understanding. How did you finally come to understand? What changed your perceptions and gave you a new understanding? Your paper should help readers understand how you felt to struggle with the idea or skill and then to understand.
3. [Childhood Event] Choose a vivid time from your childhood -- You might think of the first time that you rode a school bus, of a time when you went to the principal's office, the first A you earned on a test or paper, earning money to buy something that you really wanted, and so on. Narrate the events related to the childhood memory that you've chosen so that your readers will understand why the event was important and memorable.
4. [Achieving a Goal] Think of a time when you achieved a personal goal -- you might have finally completed a marathon or triathlon, or you might have bettered your score on the SATs or another test, or you might have learned how to use a piece of software like Microsoft Word or Excel. Tell your readers about the story of how you met your goal. Be sure that your readers understand why the goal is important to you.
5. [The Good and the Bad] Think about an event in your life that seemed bad but turned out to be good. Maybe you got injured and while you were waiting for your broken leg to heal, you learned how to use a computer. What makes the event change from bad to good may be something that you learned as a result, something that you did differently as a result, or something that happened that wouldn't have occurred otherwise. Tell the story of the event that you experienced and help your readers understand how an event that seemed negative turned out to have valuable consequences.
6. [Being a Teacher] Teaching someone else how to do something can be rewarding. Think of a skill that you've taught someone else how to do. Perhaps you taught someone else how to swim, showed someone how to bake a souffle, or helped someone learn how to study more effectively. Think about the events that made up the process of teaching the skill, and narrate the story for your readers.
7. [Changing Places] Every place has things that change -- sometimes as the result of economics, sometimes because different people are involved, and sometimes for no clear reason that you know about. Think of a change to a place that you know well. Perhaps the local grocery store you grew up with as Smith and Bros. Grocery was bought out by a regional chain like Food Lion or Winn Dixie. Maybe the First National Bank of Smithburg suddenly becomes NationsBank. Perhaps the change was more personal -- an older sibling moves out of the house and your family changes the room to a guest room or an office. Think of a specific change and narrate the events that occurred. Readers should know the details of the change, and they should know how you feel about the changes that occurred.
8. [Personal Rituals] Describe a personal ritual that you, your friends, or your family have. Think about the personal steps that you always go through when you prepare for an exam. Do you sit at a desk, spread books and notes across your bed, or use the kitchen table? Do you have to have something to drink...soda, water, jolt? There are numerous things that we do for which we create our own personal rituals. Choose one event -- studying for a test, writing a paper, dressing and warming up before a game, or preparing and having a special family meal. Narrate the events that take place when you complete your ritual so that your readers understand the steps that the ritual includes and why you complete them.
9. [Standing Up] Choose a time when you did something that took a lot of nerve, a time when you didn't follow the crowd or a time when you stood up for your beliefs. Perhaps your friends were urging you to do something that you were uncomfortable with and you chose not to cave into peer pressure. Maybe you took a stance on a political issue that was important in your community, or you might have Whatever you choose, think about the details of the event and write a story that tells about what happened. Your narrative should show your readers why you decided to make a stand or try something that took nerve, give specifics on the events, and share how you felt after the event.
10. [Disagreeing] Think of a time when you disagreed with a decision that had been made and did something about it. The decision might have been made by someone you know personally -- your Biology teacher announced a new policy to grade for spelling and grammar on your quizzes and homework, or an older family member decides to cancel a subscription to a magazine that
you liked to read. You might have responded by discussing your concerns with your principal or dean, or you might have decided to get a part-time job to earn enough money to buy the magazine yourself. Or the decision could have been made by someone you never met -- perhaps your school board decided to change the lines in your school district so that you would have to go to a different school, or your state legislature has passed a bill that you disagreed with. Your response might have been to write a letter to the editor, to your state representative, or to the school board. Whatever happened, your job is to write a paper that narrates the events that occurred -- from the decision that was made to your response. Be sure that your paper gives enough details that your readers understand why you disagreed with the decision and why you felt that your response was appropriate.
Descriptive writing is a stepping stone. Mastering that skill helps you add the details to you writing that gains and sustains your reader's interest and helps the readers see, feel and think the way that you do. To begin moving from a focus on descriptive writing to a more essay type writing, we need to do a few things. And here are your tasks to accomplish in class today and as homework, if you need to:
1. In your text book, the authors discuss the qualities of a good narrative essay. What are they and how are they the same and different from a descriptive one.
2. A good narrative essay has a central point. Literary types call it a theme. Here is a link for a short story:
http://www.courses.vcu.edu/ENG200-dwc/hughes.htm
Based on the information in the text, elements of a short story does he employ? What is the central point of the story? What details support that? Do you feel the story was effective or ineffective? Why?
3. Email this as an MS word attachment to cmcguire@pjc.edu: Below are ten (10) topics that will result in a narrative essay. Choose one (1) and write a 1-2 page narrative essay. Be sure to use sensory details, descriptions and dialog.
NARRATIVE ESSAY PROMPTS
1. [Being Unprepared] Because you have been sick, out of town, busy at work, or working on other homework, you didn't have as much time to study for an important test as you needed. Everyone going to school has been in this situation. Think of a specific test that you took that you felt unprepared for and narrate the events. Tell your readers about the preparation that you were able to do, the reasons that you didn't get to prepare as well as you wanted, taking the test, and any significant events that happened after you took the test. Your paper should help readers understand what it felt like to be unprepared.
2. [Lightbulb Moment] Think of an experience when you realized that you suddenly understood an idea, a skill, or a concept you had been struggling with -- it might be something related to a class that you took or a specific athletic skill you were trying to perfect. For instance, you might think about trying to understand how to identify iambic pentameter in a poem or how to complete a Taylor Series problem in your Calculus class. Or you might consider trying to perfect your free throws and suddenly understanding how your follow-through was affecting your success. Write a narrative that tells the story of your movement toward understanding. How did you finally come to understand? What changed your perceptions and gave you a new understanding? Your paper should help readers understand how you felt to struggle with the idea or skill and then to understand.
3. [Childhood Event] Choose a vivid time from your childhood -- You might think of the first time that you rode a school bus, of a time when you went to the principal's office, the first A you earned on a test or paper, earning money to buy something that you really wanted, and so on. Narrate the events related to the childhood memory that you've chosen so that your readers will understand why the event was important and memorable.
4. [Achieving a Goal] Think of a time when you achieved a personal goal -- you might have finally completed a marathon or triathlon, or you might have bettered your score on the SATs or another test, or you might have learned how to use a piece of software like Microsoft Word or Excel. Tell your readers about the story of how you met your goal. Be sure that your readers understand why the goal is important to you.
5. [The Good and the Bad] Think about an event in your life that seemed bad but turned out to be good. Maybe you got injured and while you were waiting for your broken leg to heal, you learned how to use a computer. What makes the event change from bad to good may be something that you learned as a result, something that you did differently as a result, or something that happened that wouldn't have occurred otherwise. Tell the story of the event that you experienced and help your readers understand how an event that seemed negative turned out to have valuable consequences.
6. [Being a Teacher] Teaching someone else how to do something can be rewarding. Think of a skill that you've taught someone else how to do. Perhaps you taught someone else how to swim, showed someone how to bake a souffle, or helped someone learn how to study more effectively. Think about the events that made up the process of teaching the skill, and narrate the story for your readers.
7. [Changing Places] Every place has things that change -- sometimes as the result of economics, sometimes because different people are involved, and sometimes for no clear reason that you know about. Think of a change to a place that you know well. Perhaps the local grocery store you grew up with as Smith and Bros. Grocery was bought out by a regional chain like Food Lion or Winn Dixie. Maybe the First National Bank of Smithburg suddenly becomes NationsBank. Perhaps the change was more personal -- an older sibling moves out of the house and your family changes the room to a guest room or an office. Think of a specific change and narrate the events that occurred. Readers should know the details of the change, and they should know how you feel about the changes that occurred.
8. [Personal Rituals] Describe a personal ritual that you, your friends, or your family have. Think about the personal steps that you always go through when you prepare for an exam. Do you sit at a desk, spread books and notes across your bed, or use the kitchen table? Do you have to have something to drink...soda, water, jolt? There are numerous things that we do for which we create our own personal rituals. Choose one event -- studying for a test, writing a paper, dressing and warming up before a game, or preparing and having a special family meal. Narrate the events that take place when you complete your ritual so that your readers understand the steps that the ritual includes and why you complete them.
9. [Standing Up] Choose a time when you did something that took a lot of nerve, a time when you didn't follow the crowd or a time when you stood up for your beliefs. Perhaps your friends were urging you to do something that you were uncomfortable with and you chose not to cave into peer pressure. Maybe you took a stance on a political issue that was important in your community, or you might have Whatever you choose, think about the details of the event and write a story that tells about what happened. Your narrative should show your readers why you decided to make a stand or try something that took nerve, give specifics on the events, and share how you felt after the event.
10. [Disagreeing] Think of a time when you disagreed with a decision that had been made and did something about it. The decision might have been made by someone you know personally -- your Biology teacher announced a new policy to grade for spelling and grammar on your quizzes and homework, or an older family member decides to cancel a subscription to a magazine that
you liked to read. You might have responded by discussing your concerns with your principal or dean, or you might have decided to get a part-time job to earn enough money to buy the magazine yourself. Or the decision could have been made by someone you never met -- perhaps your school board decided to change the lines in your school district so that you would have to go to a different school, or your state legislature has passed a bill that you disagreed with. Your response might have been to write a letter to the editor, to your state representative, or to the school board. Whatever happened, your job is to write a paper that narrates the events that occurred -- from the decision that was made to your response. Be sure that your paper gives enough details that your readers understand why you disagreed with the decision and why you felt that your response was appropriate.
Monday, September 10, 2007
Reading Log Entry #4
I've enjoyed looking at your monsters and seeing how closely your own drawing matched the drawing based on your description. As we discussed in class, the point of that little activity was to underscore your responsibility as a writer. It is your job to help your audience see what you see and experience things that you experience. So, as we begin discussing your next reading log, I'd certainly like for you to keep our experience with "monster writing" in mind.
In addition, your text talks about what effective descriptive essays need--it gives you a list of do's and don'ts. So based on the monster writing experience and the information in the text, answer the following questions:
Of the sample descriptive essays, which did you like the best? Why? What were you favorite visual images?
I look forward to your posts!
As always, Happy Writing--
Mrs. M
In addition, your text talks about what effective descriptive essays need--it gives you a list of do's and don'ts. So based on the monster writing experience and the information in the text, answer the following questions:
Of the sample descriptive essays, which did you like the best? Why? What were you favorite visual images?
I look forward to your posts!
As always, Happy Writing--
Mrs. M
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
Reading Log #3
Many of you mentioned that one of your biggest hang-ups when it comes to writing is not know what to say or how to say it. Others of you mentioned that you over think the essay and can't get down to the actual writing of the essay because you're over analyzing it. For me, I have to have a clear picture of where my essay is going and how I'm going to get there before I even start to write. I'd like to tell you that I sit down and create an extensive outline or do some other pre-writing strategy every time before I write a piece. However, I do organize my thoughts mentally, and I often do jot down an outline depending on the kind of writing that I am doing. The bottom line is this: through practice and experience writing, I have learned the things that help me most when generating and organizing ideas for something that I am writing. And one of my goals for this class is for you to learn what works for you so that you can take it away with you and use it as you need to in other writing situations.
So here's your next reading log:
Reading log entry 3:
From your reading assignment in the text, pick a pre-writing strategy that you’ve not used and use it to plan your descriptive paragraph. What did you like about the pre-writing strategy? What didn’t you like? For this posting, you do not have to post the plan for your descriptive paragraph. Just identify the pre-writing strategy you used and talk about what you liked or disliked about it.
As always, you can generate your own post or reply to someone elses.
Happy writing,
Mrs. M
So here's your next reading log:
Reading log entry 3:
From your reading assignment in the text, pick a pre-writing strategy that you’ve not used and use it to plan your descriptive paragraph. What did you like about the pre-writing strategy? What didn’t you like? For this posting, you do not have to post the plan for your descriptive paragraph. Just identify the pre-writing strategy you used and talk about what you liked or disliked about it.
As always, you can generate your own post or reply to someone elses.
Happy writing,
Mrs. M
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)