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Vocab Practice

Take this practice quiz to see if you are ready for this week's cumulative vocab test.

Final Portfolio

Here is the assignment and rubric for the final portfolio. The portfolio is due on 12.20.05 by 3:45.
Download 9a_portfolio.doc

Our Last Essay!!!

Your narrative inspired by music is due Monday, December 19, 2005. Here is the rubric.  Download music_essay.doc

11.29.05

On the board today:
Characterization is the use of literary techniques to create a character. The reader uses the elements of characterization to make realizations about the character. Elements of characterization include:
    1. Appearance
    2. Inner thoughts and feelings
    3. Actions
    4. What others say
    5. Environment
    6. Speech

Together we:
Completed a characterization web for "An Ethnic Trump" by Gish Jen.

You used your brains to:
Choose a character from the movie and complete a characterization web about that person using details from the movie.

Tonight your homework is:
Answer each question with a sentence of at least 30 words that includes at least 3 reasons.
    1. If you could take one word on desert island with you, which would it be?
    2. If you could abolish one word forever, which would it be?
    3. If you could praise or taunt someone with one word, which would it be?
    4. If you could use one word to make money, which would it be?

11.28.05

On  the board today:
Narrative writing recreates an experience for a central purpose--usually to reveal an insight about the action or people involved.

We read:
"An Ethnic Trump" by Gish Jen on page 596 of the textbook.

We wrote:
An answer to journal question 2 or 3 on page 600 of the textbook. 2. Write a definition of yourself to send to someone you do not know, like a penpal. oR 3. Imagine you are Luke as a teenager. Write a letter to your parents explaining how you feel about Chinese school. The journal should be at least 100-150 words.

We defined:
Week 13 vocabulary words- colloquial, commiserate, compatible, incipient, incontrovertible, incorrigible, prolific, pugnacious, querulous, tedious, tentative, thwart, vilify, virtuoso and vulnerable

Our homework is:
Choose 5 vocabulary words and write a sentence for each that has at least 30 words and contains a context clue.

Lit Event 11.10.05

From the Decatur Public Library:

Roddy Doyle

Oh, Play That Thing coverThe outstanding Irish-born writer and winner of the Booker Prize, Britain's highest literary award, for his 1993 novel Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha, discusses his most recent novel, Oh, Play That Thing. It's an imaginative sequel to his 1999 bestseller, A Star Called Henry, about a marvelously mythic figure named Henry Smart who makes his way into Jazz Age America. Doyle's 1987 novel The Commitments was made into a popular movie in 1991.

Thursday November 10, 7:00 PM Decatur Library

Fabulous Introductions!

Guess what?!

It's time to write introductions. I think you probably know all about how to write a fabulous introduction. Please comment and share one of your favorite techniques for writing something that will hook your reader.

Use the ideas of your peers to help you write your introductions!

*2nd and 4th period need to bring a draft of the introduction to class on Monday
*3rd period will draft an introduction in class on Monday

11.3.05 Outline

You've found a topic that interests you, you've found some interesting research to support your thinking about your topic, and now you ask, what's next?

The next step in the writing process is forming an outline that will guide you as you write your rough drafts. How do you write an outline, you ask? Check out these excellent resources:

Online Writing Lab
Lakewood Public Library
A Research Guide

For a sample outline, check out Lindsay's blog.

Your outline is due at the end of the period on Friday. Good luck!

Getting Down the Good Stuff

Do you need a little bit more help knowing what to write down in your blog as you take notes about research material? If so, check out what the Online Writing Lab for some extra help.

11.2.05 Wonderlog Post

Today I want you to reflect upon your research so far. Write a 100-200 word reflection in which you consider the following:
    -How has your research question held up? Have you had to modify it?
    -Have you found enough or the right kind of information?
    -Are you still researching what you were at the beginning?
    -What have you learned about research so far? Do you like the process? Why or why not?
    -What next? Are you ready to start writing?