Your Inner Child!

Taken from Google Images

 

This is a writing exercise to get you in touch with your child-self before we start writing your children's books! Choose one of the prompts below and write it as your child-self (this is going to take some thought)! 

What kind of things would you have to say about one of these topics when you were 5 years old? 7 years old? 9 years old? If you're feeling brave, use your multi-genre sheet! Make sure that you write in a child's voice - your child voice!

a. What do you want to be when you grow up? Why?

b. What is the scariest thing that has ever happened to you? Why was it so scary? What did you do about this scary thing?

c. Talk about a time in which you felt proud of yourself. What did you do and why did you do it? Did you receive any awards for this task?

d. What are the differences between boys and girls in how they act? Why do you think that boys act one way and girls act another?

e. What would you do with a million-billion-zillion dollars? What would buy and why?

MG #5 - Magazine Article

For the first 10 minutes of class, I want you to read an article in the magazine that you brought. Does the genre of the magazine determine the types of articles that are written? How?  What is the importance of audience? What other techniques do publishing companies use in their magazines that hold reader interest? I mean, a magazine isn't simply made up of a bunch of articles, right?  What else do you see upon the pages?

For the next genre, we will be exploring elements of magazines and come up with a list of "genres" within a magazine that make up the publication as a whole. What can you find? Let's brainstorm and collaborate together!

Taken from Google Images



Think about a way in which you could incorporate various elements of a magazine into your multi-genre project. Here are some things to ponder before you get started:

• What kind of magazine would relate to your multi-genre topic? Womens' interest? Mens' interest? Health? Beauty? Sports?
  
• Who is your target audience? Who is most likely to buy the magazine, and how would you write the article for that specific group of people?
  
• What kind of photos, headings, and statistics could you use to make your piece more engaging and interesting for your readers?
  
• What type of advertisements do you see in the magazine?  Could you incorporate an ad into your MG project?

MG #4 - Diary/Journal Entry

Taken from Google Images

 

"It's an odd idea for someone like me to keep a diary; not only because I have never done so before, but because it seems to me that neither I - nor for the matter of anyone else - will be interested in the unbosomings of a thirteen-year-old schoolgirl. Still, what does that matter? I want to write, but more than that, I want to bring out all kinds of things that lie buried deep in my heart."

-Anne Frank

If you haven't already guessed, the genre we will be focusing on today is a diary or journal entry. What's the point in keeping a diary, you might ask? A diary entry is one of the most personal forms of writing simply due to the fact that the writer believes that his/her eyes will be the only ones to ever gaze upon the page. A diary is a place where one can disclose innermost thoughts - the reality, the raw nature, of one's life.

Anne Frank had thought this, but when her diary was discovered, a piece of history and a piece of a human heart were also discovered. Frank's diary has become one of the most famous pieces of literature in all history, and all because a little girl got a blank book as a gift. Her diary is history, thoughts, and emotions frozen in time.

For this piece, I want you to think about how you could incorporate a diary entry into your multi-genre project.  You could even use it for repetend, so think of a good place for a diary/journal entry to write for your piece, and expose whatever raw thoughts and emotions you or your character may have.

MG #3 - Interview

Taken from Google Images

 

For your third and final genre this week, you will be writing up an interview for your multi-genre project.  You have already written a poem and a letter, so think about how you could incorporate an interview into your project.  There are many different types of interviews conducted for many purposes, and you get to choose a scenario and run with it. 

 

Stuck?  Think about how an interview is structured.  In most instances, an interview consists of one person asking questions to gain knowledge (the interviewer) and the other person responding to the questions asked, providing that information for better understanding in any given situation (the interviewee):

Interviewer - Why are interviews effective for multi-genre projects?

Interviewee - Well, I think that writing an interview (fictional or not) is a good way for students to understand the thoughts of their characters, or even their own thoughts during the writing process.

Interviewer - Should students look at writing an interview like writing dialogue?

Interviewee - Yes!  An interview is dialogue, so students must make sure that the dialogue that they write for the interview is effective and ultimately moves the piece forward.

Interviewer - So, could a student interview an actual person for this genre?

Interviewee - Absolutely.  It may even make the interview more authentic!  Students should experiment and see where this genre takes their project!

As always, think about where this interview that you write will fit into the big scheme of things!

Let's Write a Letter! MG #2

Taken from Google Images

 

There are many different kinds of letters - letters of complaint, letters of recommendation, thank you letters, cover letters, or even just a letter to your grandma to let her know you're doing okay.  No matter what type of letter you choose, this is the general format:

 

Mr./Miss Your Name
Your Street Address/PO Box
Your City, Your State, Your Zip Code

Person Receiving Letter
His/Her Street Address/PO Box
His/Her City, State, & Zip Code

Today’s Date (ie – March 29, 2012)

Dear Receiver,

This is a basic letter in block format. When writing letters you need to use complete sentences, correct spelling, and proper punctuation. Put one space between each word and do not use enter on the keyboard until you get to the end of the paragraph.

The first paragraph in a letter should explain who you are and why you are writing. In the second paragraph you will give details as to the content and purpose of the letter. In the third paragraph you will restate the purpose in the first paragraph, and thank the reader for their time.

Use only proper English in written communication. Abbreviations, text-language, and emoticons make a poor impression on your letter readers. Written communication makes a lasting impression on the reader, and letters - although they are a lost art - are a big deal. So follow this simple format when you write a letter for your multi-genre project!

Thank you for your time,

 

Your Name

 

For this genre you will be writing a letter, and you get to pick which kind.  Would a letter of complaint or a goodbye letter work best in your MG project?  You choose.  Before you write, think about this letter's place in the big scheme of your project - what purpose will it serve? What theme will it carry?  And where will it be placed within your other pieces?

Multi-Genre #1 - Poem

Taken from Google Images

 

The first genre we will be exploring for this unit is poetry! 

Think about the three topics you are considering for your Multi-Genre Project.  Which one is most appealing to you?  How could you incorporate a poem into that project?  What would that poem say to your readers?  How would it carry the theme of your project? 

A poem is one of the five required genres you can use for this assignment, so think about a way to use what you write today as a mere puzzle piece in the big puzzle that will be your multi-genre project.  Below are some tips for writing poetry:

-Use imagery that paints pictures in the reader's mind

-Think about perspective; who is the speaker of your poem, and what does he/she have to say?

-Use poetic devices like similes, metaphors, alliteration, and personification to add life to your work

-Set the tone for your reader based on the diction (words) you use

-Use the 5 senses - sight, hearing, taste, touch, and smell

-Try to make it rhyme!

To Get You Started...

Creeeeeepy.
Taken from Google Images

 

Begin this writing exercise with one of the following:

 

1. They met in an online chat room for people who...

 

2. He always looked so uncomfortable...

 

3. Clowns always made her...

In addition to using one of these to begin, also use the character "formula" that we used yesterday to create a realistic character for this writing exercise!

Create a Character!

Taken from Google Images

 

For this prompt, please open your journal and do the following...

 

1. Pick an age between 22 and 57
 

2. Choose a hair color
 

3. Choose an eye color
 

4. Choose a height
 

5. Name a city/town
 

6. Choose a type of residence (house, apartment, loft, etc)
 

7. Write down a last name
 

8. Write down a first name
 

9. What is this person's biggest pet peeve?
 

10.  What is this person's favorite TV show?
 

11. What is this person's guilty pleasure?
 

12. Where is this person's favorite place to go?
 

13. What is this person's relationship status?
 

14. What is this person's education?
 

15. What is this person's favorite article of clothing?

 

16. What is this person's biggest flaw?

 

17.  What is this person think his/her greatest achievement is?

 

 

It is important to remember that in order to create believable characters, writers must consider things like appearance, age, relationship status, character likes and dislikes, geographical location, and any little quirks or flaws the character has.  Details like these are essential in creating a lovable, flawed, and 3-dimensional character!

 

Now that you have an idea for a person based on these details, create a believable character and put him/her in an unlikely situation to see what happens :)  Make sure this prompt is written in Third Person!

 

 

Okay, I'll Give You the First Line...

For this short-story writing prompt, you may use any POV that you desire; however, you have to start your story with one of the following lines...

1) It seems almost impossible for her/him to go back to that split second when...

 

2) She/he said, "I double dare you..."

 

3) She/he had a scar...

Omniscient Narrator

Taken from Google Images

For this writing exercise, you will write from an omniscient POV, meaning your narrator knows everything - especially the thoughts of each of the characters.  You have your choice from the prompts below:

a. Write a scene in which a small group of friends get together—to watch the game on TV or to attend a group event of some kind.  Imagine they share a secret or bad experience of some kind from their past that no one ever discusses.  Keep that secret in the story—a robbery in which they all took part, a trip to Mexico that went out of control—on the fringe of the discussion, bringing it up slowly until it’s finally out in the open.

b. Begin a scene with a line you’ve overheard someone say recently.  It needn’t be a catchy or powerful line either.  Something mundane will work: “How much are these pants?” or “If you’re good I’ll let you pick out some candy at the counter” or “Is he ever on time for a meeting?” Begin there and move forward, providing a completely different setting and context for the line.

c. Create two or three characters from facets of your personality.  Put them in a car, driving to the coast.  Who takes the wheel?  Who navigates?  Give them a topic of conversation such as the best route to take or what they should do when they arrive.  Be sure to add some form of conflict to keep it interesting.

Objective POV Writing Prompt

Awkward Coffee Date?  Write about it!
Taken from Google Images



As you recall, an objective POV entails one being a "fly on the wall" or a reporter viewing the scene and the people in it.  For this prompt, your third person narrator should not be able to enter the minds of the characters, so much of this prompt will focus on setting the scene with details and description, dialogue, and character gestures - not thoughts!  This will be different from the subjective POV prompt, so do your best to get into an objective POV.

You have your choice from the following prompts; choose the one that most inspires you!

1. Place two characters in a room. They have vastly different views of life.  Create dialogue in which these differences become clear to the reader, but don’t allow the characters to confront these differences directly.  Instead, they might argue or talk about a safe or non-explosive subject. 

For instance, a father and son watch a football game and talk mostly about what they are watching.  Two sisters meet for dinner at a trendy restaurant.  A teacher and a student have a conference about a failing test grade.  The different world views, again, should not be stated directly by your narrator - keep it objective!

2. Write a scene in which two former lovers meet after many years.  What happens?  Set the scene, and be sure that you use dialogue that moves your piece forward.  Also, make sure that you illustrate the gestures of the characters: what is she doing with her hands?  How does his voice sound when he speaks to her?  Does she burn her tongue on the coffee she ordered?  Does he spill water all over the table?  Be a fly on the wall for this meeting.

3. Begin a story with a character in the middle of a rage.  The character’s anger seems completely inappropriate to its source.  For example, a character can be cursing in great anger about a minor inconvenience or disappointment—the local basketball team lost an important game, the cookie jar is empty, he forgot to put down the toilet seat again. 

As readers, watch this character complain and bellow his/her frustration at the characters around him, but it becomes clear that the character is angry about something else, which you may name or not.  Remember, no inside thoughts of this character - just paint a picture of him/her as if you are an outside observer.

Story from a Photo - Subjective POV

Taken from National Geographic on Google Images

 

After you have chosen your photo, think about how you can create a character based on the person you see.  Then think about beginning your story with the blare of that person's alarm clock.  Your protagonist awakens for the day, showers, dresses, eats breakfast, and heads out to begin a seemingly normal day.

However, sometime early in your protagonist's day, a conflict arises.  Drama begins (all stories must have conflict otherwise they're going to be super boring!).  Start your story here - at the moment of conflict.  Be sure to use a third person subjective POV (i.e. - narrator can enter the mind of your protagonist and no one else).

In her book Building Fiction, Jesse Lee Kercheval warns writers about the “alarm clock” opening, noting that too often this approach delays the start of the story and bores readers from the get-go.  Avoid boring your readers; start your story "in medias res" - in the middle of the action (like in Bierce's "An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge" or Hemingway's "Hills Like White Elephants").

Don't forget to add things like: character development/description, dialogue, scene setting, gestures, and the five senses.  This is just like writing your memoir, only it's fiction! :)

*Thanks to Jack Heffron's The Writer's Idea Book

Creating Characters

Morrie.
Taken from Google Images

 

You've already learned how to set a scene and write some awesome dialogue.  The next step in our creative writing journey together is to portray a character the way we want to.

For this journal prompt, I want you to think about a person that you will write about in your memoir.  Just as you used the five senses to describe your bedroom, use the five senses to describe your character. What does he/she look like?  Smell like?  Sound like?  How does this person make you feel? 

In addition, make sure to include this person's good traits and bad - their quirks and flaws, too.  Be honest when illustrating this character, for your readers need to be able to relate to this person and get the sense that they know who you are writing about.  Honest writers are good writers.  It's okay to fabricate a bit in a memoir, but the true essence of this person should be apparent in your writing.

Before you begin, think of tactics that Mitch Albom used to portray his professor Morrie.  Think about what tactics I used in my memoir to portray my troubled friend Austin.  Your task for this journal prompt is to write a realistic and honest description of someone you know - someone who will likely make an appearance in your memoir.

Ready.  Set.  Write.

Dynamite Dialogue

A nice family dinner.
Taken from Google Images

 

Based on what you have learned about writing dialogue from the "Dialogue to Avoid" and "Dialogue Example" handouts (and the awesome clip from Little Miss Sunshine), in your journal write an effective piece of dialogue between two or more characters. 

Also, keep your memoir in mind; look at this writing prompt as a jumping-off point in getting started on the long-term assignment!

Setting the Scene

Taken from Google Images

 

Sketch a drawing of your bedroom in your journal. This doesn't have to be amazing - it's just to get your mind a-goin'!

Write about your living space from your perspective - memoir style.  Describe your personal space in as much detail as possible, noting things like if the bed is made, if there are posters on the wall, if your clothes are color-coded while hanging in your closet or if they are rumpled on the floor. All of these components help to create a scene.
 
Tiny details like this not only help illustrate a scene, but also give readers insight as to who lives in this space. What hints would your room give about you to an objective outsider? If your bed is unmade, what could this tell us about you? If your curtains are closed, what does this tell us about you? If your room is immaculately clean, what would this tell us about you?  If you have a 3 week old piece of pizza under your bed, what does that tell readers about you?  :) 

Remember to be incredibly descriptive - use the five senses and literary devices (metaphors, symbols, personification) - this will enrich your writing!   Ready, set, write!

Tuesdays with Morrie

After reading the first 54 pages of Tuesdays with Morrie, what are your thoughts about the memoir?  Free write for 5 minutes...

Next, if a memoir is supposed to be about the person writing it, why do you suppose Mitch Albom focuses so much on Morrie, his old professor?  What's the point of the narrative being based mostly upon this old man?  What do you suppose Albom is conveying about Morrie through his personal memoir?

Your Creative Writing Hopes and Dreams :)

What you hope to learn...

-become a better writer and write some awesome stories
-learn how to focus my writing
-figure out copyrighting
-be a more confident writer
-keep writing after school is out
-write something other than a research paper
-how to construct a great story
-compile thoughts into effective sentences and convey it in the way I want to
-learn about grammar and proper writing
-become more outgoing - step out of comfort zone
-be more creative
-learn new vocabulary
-write in detail that paints pictures in people's minds

What you hope to do...

-write great stories
-get an A!
-have fun
-use my iPod as I write
-write happy things; less depressing things
-get my deep thoughts on paper and out of my head
-learn something about myself and my future
-create great stories and memoirs
-be happy while writing
-write effectively and pass the class
-how to convey my feelings
-put emotion into my writing
-use my imagination
-have fun!

Your expectations of me...

-give constructive criticism
-stay awesome (I'll try)
-be funny
-try to understand my writing
-help us express our thoughts through writing
-help when I ask for it
-be a great teacher
-be inspirational
-make this semester worthwhile
-be fun and helpful
-teach me to write more creatively

Poem from a Picture



After each of you have found an image that interests you, moves you, or inspires you in some way you need to put on your creative pants, and yes - you guessed it - you are going to write a poem based on that photo! 

This writing activity should show you that absolutely anything can trigger writing inspiration; it's just that sometimes you need to take a deeper look at what you see, feel, hear, taste, and smell.  So, my friends - from here on out there should be no whining about having nothing to write about because good ideas are everywhere!

You will need to post this poem (polished and revised, of course) to your blog by Friday at 4pm!  I look forward to reading what you each write!

 

*****

Poem-Writing Advice:

 

-Use imagery that paints pictures in the reader's mind

-Think about perspective; who is the speaker of your poem?

-Use poetic devices like similes, metaphors, alliteration, and personification to add life to your work

-Set the tone for your reader based on the diction (words) you use

-Use the 5 senses - sight, hearing, taste, touch, and smell

-Try to make it rhyme!