Tuesday, February 28, 2012

2/17-2/24

1- Brainstorm story idea
2- Write a brief plot summary
3- Decide what theme you will focus on while writing your rough draft
4- How will you show the theme in character, setting, and plot?
5-Write your rough draft, at least two pages typed, double-spaced
6-Have someone critique your rough draft, writing at least ten helpful comments on it.
7-Write your second draft, focusing on the following:
-an obvious inciting incident, plot complications, climax, and resolution
-subject/verb agreement
-complete sentences with a subject, predicate, capital, and end punctuation
-new paragraphs every time that the speaker, setting, or purpose changes

Thursday, February 9, 2012

2/8-2/9/12

In a team of 4 or less, create a four minute presentation that explains theme in literature. Include in your presentation a definition for theme, an explanation of why it is important, and examples from commonly known texts.

If you were absent, write a one page explanation of theme.

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

2/7/12

Be good for the sub!

Topic: Finding stories and plot structure in song.
Lecture:

Resources:

Picture Window Lyrics

Thursday, February 2, 2012

02/03/12-02/06/12

Topic: Plot structure and surprise endings.
Lecture:Begin by watching Neil Gaiman read his short story, "Other People." Because we are looking at plot structure, and surprise endings, you can read this story on more of a surface level. However, monitor your own understanding and reread (or re-listen) anytime that you become confused. This story has a circular plot structure, which means that you end up in the same place that you began. What effect does this have on our understanding of traditional plot structure? What does it do for the overall meaning of the story?
Homework: Read "The Open Window" in the orange text book. Write a brief summary of the story, focusing on the ending. Look for ways that Saki may have foreshadowed the ending. Also, look for ways that he intentionally concealed it or mislead you.
Resources: Neil Gaiman reads "Other People." "Other People"

02/01/12-02/02/12

Topic: Understanding Characters
Lecture: We are continuing to look at understanding character through their thoughts, words, and actions. Read the short story, "Mandy Shupe." What kind of person is the speaker? Think of her mindset, tone, attitude, etc. as she relates the details about Mandy. After reading about the speaker's description of Mandy, how would you describe the speaker?
Assignment:Read "The Utterly Perfect Murder" in the orange text book. Write down at least 15 details that tell us about the protagonist. Include things that the character thinks, says, and does. For each telling detail, write down the inference you were able to make from the given information.
Resources:Mandy Shupe