Monday, November 4, 2024

WEEK 8

Good morning!

HERE'S YOUR WORK....

1. Revise your book or film review. 

2. Write a limited literary analysis. Show how Guy de Maupassant communicates the theme that APPEARANCES ARE DECEIVING. 

Requirements (read these very carefully):

i.  Use evidence from the text to support your arguments.

ii.  Quote the text at least 3 times (no citations needed).

iii.  Watch this short video on incorporating direct quotations.  

iv.  Do NOT summarize the story in this essay. I'm your audience and I've read it bunches of times. You will, of course, need to reference what happens in the story in order to make your points, but you don't need to summarize anything. Here's the difference between summarizing (bad!) and referencing (good!): 

Summarizing: "Yoda was a Jedi master who mentored Luke Skywalker." (You don't need to tell me that.)

Referencing: "When Yoda used the force to pull the x-wing out of the water, he was showing Luke that strength is not in one's size." (You can tell me that because you're analyzing.)

Do you see the difference? If you said the first example to anyone who knew the Star Wars story, they would say, "Duh." But you might say the second example to that same person, and they would say, "Hmm. Good point." Avoid the Duh statements. 


v.  organize it in a logical way. Here's one such way:
1) intro paragraph that mentions the theme, the story, the author's full name (After that you can simply refer to the author by last name, and you won't need to mention the story title again).
2) three body paragraphs to unpack the theme (you could walk chronologically through the story or pick 3 elements like plot, characterization, or setting to discuss.)
3) conclusion paragraph. 

vi. Proof it carefully.

vii.  600 words minimum



3. Read the following:

The essays you'll be looking at (they're at the end of this post) all fall into the category of definition /classification (a sub-category of expository or informative writing). This kind of essay defines or classifies something (the "something" can be just about anything, but generally the something can be stated IN A WORD.)

As you read the examples, take note of a few things (and this will all make more sense after you've read the examples): 

1. Though "definition/classification" sounds stuffy and academic, most of these examples are anything but. Be creative.

2. The organization is not rigid like some of the other essays we've done. Be creative.

3. The variety of topics is wide: a thing, a person, a place, feeling, idea, an activity, an area of study, a mental action. You could also differentiate between two things as in ---- vs. ---- (see the last grammar vs. usage essay below). Be creative.

4. I'll repeat myself here: you NEED to be creative. You're not reporting back to me on what a dictionary definition says—I can read a dictionary for that—You're creating a new way of looking at something!

One more time: This will make more sense after you read the essays below.


4. Do the following for each essay below:

1. Explain what other modes of discourse are being used (i.e. in addition to its being an expository piece, does it also include descriptionnarration, and/or argumentation?).

2. Briefly describe the various parts of the definition. An outline would work for this. 


Here are the essays:



5. Propose a word, term, or phrase for your definition/classification essay, and briefly explain your thesis. IF YOU WANT TO SHOOT ME AN EMAIL EARLY IN THE WEEK, I'LL APPROVE IT FOR YOU. Here's how my sport topic might sound: 

"I'm defining the term sport. I don't like how sport includes so many things, so I'm going to propose a stricter definition. 

Choosing a term to define can be tricky. You're not writing an essay on how a word or phrase makes you feel or on what you think about when you hear a particular word or phrase. That would be a purely reflective piece. This is primarily an expository essay. You're teaching your readers a new definition. It will likely have some argumentative discourse too; you're trying to convince your reader that your definition is helpful.

Good luck! (There's no such thing as luck; in fact, as a Christian who believes in God's complete sovereignty, I could write an essay re-defining the phrase "good luck" to mean something like "I hope things go well for you in that particular endeavor." See? There are topics all around us. I would start looking in the places you're most interested in.)


Be inspired by IsaiahBehold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. Is 43:19

Due Friday at 5:00, as usual. Have a great week!


Monday, October 28, 2024

CATCH UP!

 

This is our second catch-up week. Get caught up! 

On work. 

On rest. 

On that thing you've been putting off.

Monday, October 21, 2024

WEEK 7

Happy Monday!

Next week is a catch-up week, so you can take TWO weeks to get this done if you'd like.

Here's your work:

1) Revise the comparison essay.

2) Write a review on the book or film of your choice (check last week's post for the no-no list, and I'll add no cartoon character works as well). 

  • Include the title of the book or film and its author or director in the introduction paragraph.
  • This writing is not highly prescriptive like the comparison was, but you should still be thinking beginning, middle, end.
  • Your review should include a recommendation--to watch it or not, thumbs up or down, etc. Even a qualified recommendation (as in "read this book only if you're interested in....") will work. Whatever you do, don't leave your review completely neutral. 
  • Be careful of how much of the plot you give away. Remember your audience--assume they haven't seen or read it yet, but they might based on your recommendation. NO BIG SPOILERSJust give enough plot to build interest.
  • 500 words minimum.


3) Limited Literary Analysis readings / characterization...

  • Read this: Maybe this will be review, maybe not, but "characterize" means that the author gives the character some personality and makes him or her "real." Characterization is direct when the author tells us about the character explicitly. "Joe was cruel" or "Joe weighed 400 pounds" would be direct. Characterization is indirect when we have to infer something about the character from something that happens or something he or she says. "Joe hid a flower for his wife to find in her luggage" implies that Joe is thoughtful. It's indirect.  
  • Read the short story The Necklace; In one, well-developed paragraph (75+ words), explain how the author characterizes Messr. Loisel (the husband). In a 2nd paragraph explain how the author characterizes Mathilde. Include one quote from the text for each character. 

Next week you'll be writing a Limited Literary Analysis. This sounds fancy, but it's really just an essay that focuses on one element of literature in a novel, short story, poem, or play. Essays that discuss such things as characterization, character development, theme/motif, voice, setting, figurative language, point of view, or allegory are in the category of literary analysis. 
You'll be writing on the element of theme. I'll tell you what the theme is next week.


4) LBGB

1. Read chapter five, "The Comma."

2. There are four comma rules (it looks like five, but I won't make you review the misc conventions; you should look through those though). For each rule, A) Write out the rule in your own words; B) Write out two examples from the book; C) Write out two original (your own) examples.  

3. Explain each of these usage problems as though you were an expert (What's the problem? And what is the fix?): 
  • action verbs over linking
  • ambiguous they
  • parallel structure
  • begs the question
  • mano a mano
  • Choose one of your own.


Everything is due Friday, 11/1. 

Have a great week!


Monday, October 14, 2024

WEEK 6

Good Morning!


So this week we'll be doing at least two things: writing the comparison essay, and looking at the next essay form: the film/book review. Some of you are even doing final drafts of the narrative essay. That's a lot of writing. Oh, and there's a little Strunk and White too. 

Pace yourselves. Home schoolers are especially good at that, right?

1. Revise your narrative essay (final draft). 

Remember, every essay needs to have a point. Why would someone want to read about that time you broke your toe unless you learned something about yourself or the world you live in? They wouldn't. No one wants to read a narrative unless it's about something beyond the narrative, so look for a lesson, an insight, a point.

Read my comments carefully. And when you think you're all done and you're ready to turn it in, proofread it one more time. 

2. Begin the comparison essay (first draft).

Some reminders...

The choices you make need to involve a legitimate choice. In other words, it needs to be something that reasonable people probably think hard about often. Pepsi vs. Coke is not good comparison essay material. No one really thinks about that, despite what the commercials say. Whether a football kicker should go with soccer or football cleats is better. Whether a 20 gauge or 12 gauge is the better load for a shotgun is better. 

Write a draft of 600+ words, carefully proofed, in one of the two outline forms -- alternating or opposing -- and no deviating from this format! YES, this is a highly prescriptive essay. NO, you don't have the freedom to organize it however you want. We're becoming disciplined writers.

3. The book or film review (no essay draft yet, just pre-writing). 

Read this book review. Notice it MAKES A JUDGMENT on the book. That's key. Your job will be to critique a book or film and make a recommendation to your reader (yes, no, or a qualified yes or no). Summarize the Opening Moves review in one paragraph.

Read this film review.  It's a little heavy on re-telling of the plot (something we'll need to avoid), but it's well-written and does the job of critiquingAnd this one. It's a good example of a "qualified" yes. What do the two film reviews have in common? One paragraph, please. 

Before you get your wheels turning too fast, I'll let you know now that there are some off-limits subjects: Your book or film may NOT be on anything Tolkien, Rowling, Collins (Hunger Games), or Lucas related. It may not feature aliens or superheroes (sorry, Marvel and DC fans. You'll need to stretch beyond your comfort zone). The rest of the literary world is open for your enjoyment! 


4. LBGB...

1. Read chapter 4, "The Clause."

2. Define the following:
a. clause
b. simple sentence
c. independent clause
d. dependent clause
e. the complex sentence
f. the compound sentence
g. the compound-complex sentence 

3. Choose one from the four "Avoid" items and explain how it might improve your writing. 50+ words.

4. Explain the problems in these usage items (how do people tend to mess them up?) and their correct usage:
a. who / whom
b. literally
c. choose one

  


Turn everything in by midnight Friday

Have a great week!




Monday, October 7, 2024

WEEK 5

Good morning!

Your main task this week is to get the first draft of the narrative essay turned in. We'll also start looking at the next mode of discourse: argumentation. With description and narration, we did just one essay, but for argumentation we'll be writing two pieces over a three-week period: a comparison essay and a film/book recommendation. 



Here's your work for the week...

Due Friday at midnight...

1. Go through the work section (not the essay section) and label every week clearly. Some of you are already doing that, some aren't. I need it to be easy for me to scroll down and quickly find what I'm looking for, but if it's all strung together without labels I can't do that. Thank you!


2. First draft of the narrative essay. Write an essay about a significant event that can be narrated (first this happened, then this, and then I did this [or she did that]...etc.). 

Remember, as with any essay, it should have a point, so avoid picking some random thing that has no potential for reflection or insight. 

Don't tell me about your day at work unless there was something important about it. Maybe it was your first day of work, and you worked really hard, and you gained some appreciation for those who have to do it every day to support a family (or something else deeper than just my day at work). 

Each of the essays we've read so far has a point. Your writing should have a point.

Organization: 
3 parts - an intro paragraph; body paragraphs that narrate the event; a conclusion paragraph that draws something significant out of the event.

Format:
800 words minimum
paragraph form
non-scripty font 

PROOF IT CAREFULLY for spelling, grammar, mechanics, and read it aloud to someone else.   


3. Read this post on proof-reading. Summarize my advice in a 50+ word paragraph.


4. 
Comparison...I don't like the name of this essay type, but most people know it as a compare-and-contrast essay, so I'll start there. Here's why I don't like it: when we compare two things, we often see both similarities and contrasts. But calling it a similarity/contrast essay is somehow even worse than compare/contrast. So why not just call it a comparison essay, since it implies both things? I see no reason not to.  

Read this post on the comparison essay (there's a sample essay at the end of the post).

a. Summarize the main points of the post. Use an outline format instead of paragraph.

b. In short outlines (like the country/city examples in the post, one for the opposing pattern and one for the alternating pattern), compare two of the following pairs (that's FOUR short outlines) using 3 points of comparison: 
  • apples and oranges (Yes, they can be compared!)
  • pc vs. mac
  • two breeds of dogs (your choice)
  • charcoal vs. gas (as in bbq method)
  • airline travel vs. car (or some other mode)
  • propose a comparison of your own

5. Choose your essay subjects —two items for comparison— and propose an outline (it must be in opposing or alternating pattern, and it must include your three points of comparison; in other words, don't just say you'll use opposing pattern — show me using the points). If I approve them, these will be your comparison essay subjects. It's IMPERATIVE that you do #3 above before you choose your subjects. 


6. LBGB. Read chapter 3 this week and do the following: 

1. Define "phrase" using a formal definition (like a definition you might find in a dictionary).
2. Define "phrase" using an informal definition (hint: look in the "Debrief" section).
3. Diagram this sentence:  The car in the road hit our mailbox.  You may do it on paper and attach it to your google doc (I have no idea how to do that, but I bet there's a way). Or you can do it on paper, take a pic, and email it to me.
4. Look at these usage pairs and write a correct sentence using each:
        a. affect / effect
        b. compose / comprise
        c. farther / further
        d. i.e. / e.g.



Have a great week!



Monday, September 30, 2024

CATCH UP!

 

This is our first catch-up week, so no post today. 

Use it to CATCH UP. If not in my class then in some other endeavor that you've neglected. 

Have a great week, and see you next Monday.

Monday, September 23, 2024

WEEK 4

Good morning!

First, here's a reminder about the posting schedule:

  • Post 1 - 9/2
  • Post 2 - 9/9
  • Post 3 - 9/16
  • Post 4 - 9/23 (work will be due Friday 10/4)
    •  No post on 9/30
  • Post 5 - 10/7
  • Post 6 - 10/14
  • Post 7 - 10/21 (work will be due Friday 11/1)
    • No post on 10/28
  • Post 8 - 11/4
  • Post 9 - 11/10
  • Post 10 - 11/17



YOUR WORK...

1. Unless I scored your descriptive essay as a final draft (It would look like this: Descriptive Essay FD), revise it one more time.. 


2. Read this post on narration.


3. Read this introduction to the form. It suggests some pre-writing strategies and exercises, but these are NOT assignments. You're welcome to do them, but I'm not assigning them as work. I only need you to read it.

(You MUST do #2 and #3, which show you what narrative writing is, before you do #4 and #5, which have you doing your own narrative writing.)

Just like we did with the descriptive essay, we'll start the narrative essay by practicing with some paragraphs first. In the next post I'll assign the actual essay. After that the pace increases to (roughly) a new essay every week. 


4. Using events from your lit source, write your own 100+ word paragraph for each type of event below. 


a. a character's interaction with another character
b. an event where something bad happens
c. an event where something good happens
d. an everyday occurrence (something mundane like Luke purchasing a new droid or Mr. Darcy writing a letter, or Peter, Edmund, Susan, and Lucy going on a stag hunt)


Obviously, these won't be experiential (at least not to you, for a character maybe), but they will be narrative. And if you would like to write in the first person and pretend they're your experiences, knock yourself out.


5. Write FOUR narrative paragraphs (100+ words each) based on FOUR DIFFERENT PERSONAL EXPERIENCES FROM YOUR OWN LIFE. TWO OF THESE MUST COVER NO MORE THAN AN HOUR OF TIME. The time span of the other two are up to you. 


One of these may end up being your essay topic, but don't worry yet -- you're not committing to anything. The idea here is to practice the form and if some brainstorming leads to an essay topic, great. If not, you can worry about that next post. *See the brainstorm list below for help with topics.


6.  LBGB..You get a week off from LBGB. You're welcome! 



That's an essay revision (maybe), some reading, and 8 paragraphs. Put the paragraphs in the "MISC" section of your google doc. 

As usual, everything is due by Friday @ 5:00.


* I borrowed the following list from a writing resource. You can come up with your own ideas or use these to get things rolling. If nothing else, reading through it will at least give you a sense of the unlimited range of possible material for narration.
  1. 1 wedding or funeral
  2. one minute of a football game (or other sporting event)
  3. your first day at a new school
  4. your first day at a new job
  5. your last day on a job
  6. a disastrous encounter with someone of the opposite gender
  7. a moment of failure or success
  8. an encounter that changed your life
  9. an experience that led to renewed faith
  10. a strange job interview
  11. an experience that demonstrated how labor-saving devices can be more trouble than they're worth
  12. an experience that left you disillusioned
  13. an embarrassing experience
  14. a frightening experience
  15. a memorable journey
  16. an encounter with someone or something you were afraid of
  17. an occasion when you experienced rejection
  18. your first visit to the country (or to a large city)
  19. the breakup of a friendship
  20. an experience that showed how we should be careful of what we wish for
  21. a significant misunderstanding
  22. a dangerous experience
  23. an experience that showed how appearances can be deceiving
  24. an account of a difficult decision that you had to make
  25. an event that marked a turning point in your life
  26. a historic event
  27. a memorable encounter with someone in authority
  28. an act of heroism or cowardice
  29. an imaginary encounter with a real person
  30. a rebellious act
  31. a brush with greatness
  32. a brush with death
  33. a time that you took a stand on an important issue
  34. an experience that altered your view of someone
  35. a trip that you would like to take
  36. a vacation trip from your childhood
  37. your introduction to a hobby you now love to do
  38. your first time away from home
  39. two different versions of the same event
  40. a traffic accident
  41. a day when everything went right (or wrong)
  42. an experience that made you laugh until you cried
  43. the day you decided to change your life
  44. the experience of being lost
  45. an unexpected encounter
  46. surviving a hurricane or a tornado (or other natural disaster)
  47. an experience that taught you a lesson
  48. an important discovery
  49. an eyewitness account of an important event
  50. an experience that helped you grow up


HAVE A GREAT TWO WEEKS!