3.09.2009
Short Story Rough Draft: Due Wednesday March 11th
Please bring a completed rough draft of your short story project to class on Wednesday to workshop and get feedback on. If you are not done please have at least 3 pages written and an outline for the rest of the story. If you are not sure how to end your story then write out 3 possible endings for your story to get feedback on from your group. PLEASE BRING 2 COPIES TO CLASS I WILL BE COLLECTING YOUR SHORT STORY TO LOOK AT AND GIVE DETAILED FEEDBACK ON.
3.02.2009
Writing Memoirs: School Stories Due: Wednesday March 4th
Begin to write about specific memories and oocurences from your past school experiences.
Focus on a brief period of time or series of related events. Describe the events and then show, either directly or indirectly, why they are significant
-- or in short, why you continue to remember them.
Ideas to get you started:
-first day of school
-moving to a new school
-teacher interaction (worst/best)
-school bully
-school crush
-not feeling accpeted
-not feeling smart
-trying to fit in
-peer pressure
Focus on a brief period of time or series of related events. Describe the events and then show, either directly or indirectly, why they are significant
-- or in short, why you continue to remember them.
Ideas to get you started:
-first day of school
-moving to a new school
-teacher interaction (worst/best)
-school bully
-school crush
-not feeling accpeted
-not feeling smart
-trying to fit in
-peer pressure
2.26.2009
Short Story Project Due & Presented on-March 20th
(Written part should be typed, 12 pt. font, double spaced, AT LEAST 5 pages, & publication quality. Any artwork should be professional and good quality.
You will be presenting these to class (you may also turn your project into a PowerPoint).
Project Ideas:
* Graphic Novel/Story (5+ written double spaced pages total & graphics--will be quite a bit longer with illustrations)
* Comic Book (5+ written double space pages total & graphics--will be longer with illustrations)
* 1-3 Short Stories (5+ written double spaced pages). You may also add art/photos/illustrations as extras.
* Children’s Book/Story (5+ written double spaced pages total & illustrations)
* Memoirs –fiction or non-fiction (5+ written double spaced pages). Illustrations/photos are extras.
* Portfolio Pieces--a mix of genres: stories, graphic comic, memoir, etc. (5+written double spaced pages)--you may use any of the stories written in class: fractured fairytales, comics, memoir writings, flash fiction, etc.)
* A Chapter of a Novel or Novella –typed & double spaced--more than 5 pages
See me if you have another idea (stories linked to photographs/art, stories linked with music, digital stories, etc.)!
You will be presenting these to class (you may also turn your project into a PowerPoint).
Project Ideas:
* Graphic Novel/Story (5+ written double spaced pages total & graphics--will be quite a bit longer with illustrations)
* Comic Book (5+ written double space pages total & graphics--will be longer with illustrations)
* 1-3 Short Stories (5+ written double spaced pages). You may also add art/photos/illustrations as extras.
* Children’s Book/Story (5+ written double spaced pages total & illustrations)
* Memoirs –fiction or non-fiction (5+ written double spaced pages). Illustrations/photos are extras.
* Portfolio Pieces--a mix of genres: stories, graphic comic, memoir, etc. (5+written double spaced pages)--you may use any of the stories written in class: fractured fairytales, comics, memoir writings, flash fiction, etc.)
* A Chapter of a Novel or Novella –typed & double spaced--more than 5 pages
See me if you have another idea (stories linked to photographs/art, stories linked with music, digital stories, etc.)!
2.16.2009
The Art of Workshop: Due Wednesday, February 18th
Part 1:
Please bring to class 2 copies of an original piece of writing that you would like feedback on. We will go through the basic structure of the writer's workshop using my own story as an example.
Part 2:
Please read the short story, Before The Wind
You are responsible for:
1.Looking at the overall story, its’ characters, the dialogue, the themes, the settings, the mood, the tone, the imagery, the use of metaphor and simile.
2.Listing all that is working well in the piece. Please be specific. Find at least three examples of elements that are working well and write them down. This can be anything from a specific sentence you like to the overall theme of the piece.
3.Listing the elements of the story that are confusing or unclear. Again, this could be a sentence that seems awkward or a specific section of the piece that doesn’t seem to fit with the rest of the story/poem. Please be specific with your feedback and please offer ONLY constructive criticism.
Please bring to class 2 copies of an original piece of writing that you would like feedback on. We will go through the basic structure of the writer's workshop using my own story as an example.
Part 2:
Please read the short story, Before The Wind
You are responsible for:
1.Looking at the overall story, its’ characters, the dialogue, the themes, the settings, the mood, the tone, the imagery, the use of metaphor and simile.
2.Listing all that is working well in the piece. Please be specific. Find at least three examples of elements that are working well and write them down. This can be anything from a specific sentence you like to the overall theme of the piece.
3.Listing the elements of the story that are confusing or unclear. Again, this could be a sentence that seems awkward or a specific section of the piece that doesn’t seem to fit with the rest of the story/poem. Please be specific with your feedback and please offer ONLY constructive criticism.
No Country For Old Men Quiz: Tuesday, February 17th
In class quiz in response to the excerpt from Cormac McCarthy's novel, No Country For Old Men.
2.10.2009
Graphic Novel Response: Due Friday, February 13th
Go to Mrs. Crutchfield's blog @ http://crutchfieldsclass.blogspot.com/ and scroll down to the graphic novel and comic assignment. Follow the directions and complete all parts of the assignment.
After reading a graphic novel (or part of a graphic novel) please write a 1-2 page response to these questions:
1. What forms of good and evil were present in the graphic novel?
2. Did the good character represent something bigger then him/herself (freedom, liberty, morality, honesty, etc.)
3. Did the evil character represent something bigger then him/herself (war, racism, ignorance, etc.)
4. What forms of violence were present in the story? Be sure to address all forms, even if you feel the violence was justified.
5. What are the central theme or themes of the story? Remember, the theme is going to be the author's opinion on one of the big ideas of the story, and often the big ideas can be found in the middle of the conflict.
After reading a graphic novel (or part of a graphic novel) please write a 1-2 page response to these questions:
1. What forms of good and evil were present in the graphic novel?
2. Did the good character represent something bigger then him/herself (freedom, liberty, morality, honesty, etc.)
3. Did the evil character represent something bigger then him/herself (war, racism, ignorance, etc.)
4. What forms of violence were present in the story? Be sure to address all forms, even if you feel the violence was justified.
5. What are the central theme or themes of the story? Remember, the theme is going to be the author's opinion on one of the big ideas of the story, and often the big ideas can be found in the middle of the conflict.
Good and Evil Response: Due Wednesday, February 11th
Watch the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CggjBd7o-PM&feature=related
and the write a One Page Response addressing each question:
1. What is the video's primary audience? Who are they trying to reach?
2. What is the video's primary message? What are they saying about our culture?
3. What are your own opinions and beliefs on the idea of Good and Evil?
4. What makes someone Good? What makes someone Evil?
and the write a One Page Response addressing each question:
1. What is the video's primary audience? Who are they trying to reach?
2. What is the video's primary message? What are they saying about our culture?
3. What are your own opinions and beliefs on the idea of Good and Evil?
4. What makes someone Good? What makes someone Evil?
1.29.2009
Resolution to the Dilemma Story: Due Tuesday, February 3rd
Now that you have created a dilemma, it is up to you to resolve it. On a separate piece of paper create a resolution to your story. The resolution must be creative, address the what would you do question, be AT LEAST ONE PAGE in length and should, in some way, resolve the conflict. Please be aware that Resolutions do not have to be pretty and sweet, often times the resolution to a story leaves the reader with more questions and concerns. Of course it is up to you to decide how you want your story to end.
You will be graded on:
1.creativity
2.whether you address the "What Would You Do" question
3.The length of your resolution (at least one page)
4.whether you resolve the conflict
You will be graded on:
1.creativity
2.whether you address the "What Would You Do" question
3.The length of your resolution (at least one page)
4.whether you resolve the conflict
1.22.2009
Create your own "Dilemma Story": Due Monday, January 26th
It is now your turn to create your own "Dilemma Story." Your story should be creative, include AT LEAST one conflict (Internal or External), and should end with a "What would you do?" Dilemma. Stories should be AT LEAST one page (if you type your story please double space).
Feel free to use your own life experiences and your notes as a resource in creating the conflict.
Please attach all your in class prompt responses, notes, and your dilemma response to your story.
Feel free to use your own life experiences and your notes as a resource in creating the conflict.
Please attach all your in class prompt responses, notes, and your dilemma response to your story.
1.18.2009
A Brief Introduction and Q & A: Due Friday, January 23rd
1. A Brief Introduction:
This assignment is designed for you to have an opportunity to introduce yourself to me through some form of creative, individual expression. My only requirements for this assignment are that you write AT LEAST one paragraph explaining why your creative expression is a valid representation of who you are at this moment in your life and you spend time and effort focusing on the qualities and passions that you would like to share with me.
Options for expression (but not limited to):
-poetry (your own or a poet you admire)
-fiction/non-fiction (your own or an author you admire)
-songs (your own or songwriters/bands you admire)
-visual art (your own or an artist you admire)
If you give me a list of your favorite bands/songs, please include either a CD of the music and/or links to the band's websites/MYSPACE pages.
If you give me a list of your favorite stories/poems/authors please include at least one sample of a story or poem and/or links to the author's websites.
Due to the time limitations and structure of the classroom, often times I am unable to get to know all of the students I am working with as much as I would like. My hope is that this assignment allows for you to express who you are in an unique and authentic way and in doing so, gives me a little insight to who you are and where you are coming from.
2. Q & A:
Please write AT LEAST one question you would like to know about me.
The reason I ask for the questions in writing is that if I feel the question is to personal or inappropriate for the classroom setting I can choose not to answer the question or I may speak to the individual outside of the class and address the question one on one. I will answer all the questions I deem appropriate in the weeks to come.
This assignment is designed for you to have an opportunity to introduce yourself to me through some form of creative, individual expression. My only requirements for this assignment are that you write AT LEAST one paragraph explaining why your creative expression is a valid representation of who you are at this moment in your life and you spend time and effort focusing on the qualities and passions that you would like to share with me.
Options for expression (but not limited to):
-poetry (your own or a poet you admire)
-fiction/non-fiction (your own or an author you admire)
-songs (your own or songwriters/bands you admire)
-visual art (your own or an artist you admire)
If you give me a list of your favorite bands/songs, please include either a CD of the music and/or links to the band's websites/MYSPACE pages.
If you give me a list of your favorite stories/poems/authors please include at least one sample of a story or poem and/or links to the author's websites.
Due to the time limitations and structure of the classroom, often times I am unable to get to know all of the students I am working with as much as I would like. My hope is that this assignment allows for you to express who you are in an unique and authentic way and in doing so, gives me a little insight to who you are and where you are coming from.
2. Q & A:
Please write AT LEAST one question you would like to know about me.
The reason I ask for the questions in writing is that if I feel the question is to personal or inappropriate for the classroom setting I can choose not to answer the question or I may speak to the individual outside of the class and address the question one on one. I will answer all the questions I deem appropriate in the weeks to come.
Response to "The Hunter's Son": Due Wednesday, January 21st
Creatively respond to the story "The Hunter's Son" by writing a one page reflection on your own reaction/interpretation to the story. Please focus on one specific element of the story (the ending, a specific character, an action, a scene, a theme [the power of silence], etc.) and relate it to your own life experience (family, friends, incidents, feelings, beliefs, etc.) Your response should reflect your own ideas and feelings on the story and should in some way relate to your self.
This assignment is designed to help you start thinking about your own "What would you do story" that will be due on Monday, January 26th. We will be spending this week in class focusing, writing, and discussing the elements that go into making a powerful "dilemma" story.
This assignment is designed to help you start thinking about your own "What would you do story" that will be due on Monday, January 26th. We will be spending this week in class focusing, writing, and discussing the elements that go into making a powerful "dilemma" story.
12.03.2008
Guest Speaker: Marty Campbell
Monday, December 8th: My good friend Marty Campbell will be reading his poetry and discussing the writing and editing process. For information on Marty and a sample of his poetry go to: http://www.jackstraw.org/programs/writers/WritersForum/06/writers/marty.shtml
or http://www.kuow.org/program.php?id=11689
or http://www.kuow.org/program.
12.01.2008
Guest Speaker: James "Cutty" Cunningham
Monday, December 15th: James Cunningham aka Cutty will be performing his original hip hop, spoken word style, and discussing his own creative process. For a sample of his music check out his page: http://www.myspace.com/cuttybangbangsc
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