Writing Across Cultures

Use the lab to complete the following by the end of class: Research web-based resources. There are a variety of helpful sites. Remember that you will want to record any site you visit IF you borrow ideas or information from it. See previous post for help with MLA format. Looking for text-based material? Try Google Books Type in your subject and see what you might find. Text based sources continue to be more "academic" than web-sites and blogs.  1. Research and record your research. 2. Check in occasionally with your partner(s). 3. Limit your information to cover only 5-15 minutes worth of a presentation. Narrow down broad topics. 4. Decide on a visual aide. 5. Remember: you want to   explain to us what the topic is  identify where is it found in our culture  examine how it affects or affected our American culture answer why this topic is part of our culture (what is its significance)?   In other words: what is it? where does it come from or ...

After listening to the essays "Me Talk Pretty One Day" and "Jesus Shaves" we will retire to the computer lab where you will get together in your research groups and decide on a pop cultural topic for your research. Please take note of research techniques and familiarize yourself with the requirements of this project. In groups of 2-3, please identify an area in which to study, research, and prepare a presentation to the class: Pop or Media Icons Fads Technology Sports/Leisure Activities Music Fashion Food or lifestyle Your project has a research requirement as well as a class presentation requirement. 1). a creative non-fiction essay/reflection (which will count for your portfolio; every group member needs to complete this part individually), and 2). a presentation you will present to the class (this is a group grade). What can you present? Anything pertaining to your topic. Effectively, you want to explain to us what the topic is, where is it f...

What is  Popular Culture ? Popular culture studies popular culture from a critical theory perspective. It is generally considered a combination of communication studies and cultural studies. Barriers between so-called high and low culture have broken down, which encompasses such diverse media as comic books, television, mass media, and the Internet. The theory of progressive evolution : Capitalist economies create opportunities for every individual to participate in a culture which is fully democratized through mass education, expansion of leisure time and cheap entertainment, media and paperbacks. In this liberal view, popular culture (low culture) does not threaten high culture, but is an authentic expression of the needs of the people. In groups of 2-3, please discuss ideas for the following. Use your notes to help you identify these terms. Pop or Media Icons Fads Technology Sports/Leisure Activities Music Fashion Food or lifestyle For the...

Let's continue our Pop Matters ' reports. Thank you Taylor, Kaisean, and My for volunteering last class. As we listen and consider the article, jot down ideas that cross your mind. If an article makes you think of something related or unrelated, write it down. Gather ideas like precious pearls from an oyster bed. By the end of this sharing and reporting exercise, you should have taken a page or two of notes/ideas for stories, poems, plays, scenes, films, songs, essays, memoirs, etc. Then we will listen to David Sedaris' reading of his non-fiction essays: "Jesus Shaves", "Me Talk Pretty One Day", and "See You Again, Yesterday."

Last class you read a few articles from the website Pop Matters . You were to choose 3 articles and write a short 1-2 paragraph summary of each article. I'll be collecting that work as participation credit at the end of today's class. But first: Using your notes please define 5 of the following terms: Pop Culture  Counter culture Subculture Trash culture Theory of progressive evolution High culture/low culture  Mass media Folklore Urban legend Fads If you finish your quiz early, please begin reading the article Being the Other and respond to it in your notebook/journal. When the class is ready, we will share our articles with each other. Be prepared to summarize and discuss one of the articles in front of the class. The rest of us will be listening and taking notes about possible topics to write about, making a list or creating a graphic design of ideas. NOTE: if you have not completed your non-fiction essay, please do so over this weekend and bring the d...

We have been given 10-15 tickets to attend BOA 's annual fundraiser Dine & Rhyme . Featured poets are Dorianne Laux and Nin Andrews . They will also be reading from The Collected Poems of Lucille Clifton , a recent BOA publication. The event takes place this Sunday (September 23) at 3:00 at the auditorium of the Memorial Art Gallery (right next door to us). If you are interested in joining us, please let me or Ms. Gamzon know ASAP so we can reserve you a ticket. If you go, you will get extra credit.

Please work on your non-fiction essays during the first 1/2 of class this morning. If you have not yet posted to the forum regarding David Sedaris, please complete that as well. Whatever you do not finish today, please complete for next class. You should have a draft of your essay ready for next class. During the second 1/2 of class, please investigate these crucial key terms. In your notes, please identify and define the following 10 terms: Pop Culture  Counter culture Subculture Trash culture Theory of progressive evolution High culture/low culture  Mass media Folklore Urban legend Fads After researching and defining these concepts/terms, go on to the following assignment: Please link to the website: Pop Matters (a popular culture on-line zine). During class: please peruse this site. Choose 3 articles in any of the following categories: television, movies/film, music, gaming, dvds, books, comics, multimedia, events or culture. To turn in for participati...

Here's a bit of information on the author. His facebook page link... and his agent page . Feel free to look up some info on the author and check out links to his work and reviews. During today's class we are going down to the Ensemble Theater for your Rights & Responsibilities assembly. There is likely to be much information about senior issues, including graduation and the senior exit interview. Please conduct yourselves in the assembly appropriately. While it was my intention to listen to "12 Moments in the Life of an Artist" and "The Youth in Asia", please complete reading these essays on your own this weekend. We will have one more class period in the lab before your non-fiction draft is due. If we return from the assembly with enough time, we will work on our non-fiction writing. HOMEWORK: Please respond to David Sedaris' first part of Me Talk Pretty One Day on our forum. This forum post is due by Tuesday, Sept. 18.

Very few authors know exactly what they want to write when they start a new story or poem. That makes starting difficult. Here are a few techniques to try when you've lost your muse: 1. Freewriting : Focus on a topic or theme and write everything you can think of or remember about your subject. Don't worry about grammar or punctuation. Just write what you can recall or remember. When stuck, go back and fill in details. Write "I don't remember" until you do. Keep your pen or fingers moving. Also called automatic writing. 2. Brainstorming : similar to freewriting, but less structured. Brainstorming is like throwing up on a page and seeing what you've been eating. While gross, this pretty much explains brainstorming.  How to do it: Write as much as you can, ignoring all rules of grammar, literary style, and so on. You don't even need a topic or theme. Just write. See where it leads you.Write anything that comes to your mind: don't discar...

-- > Non-Fiction is prose that presents and explains ideas or tells about real people, places, objects, or events. It is an account or representation of a subject that is presented as fact. This presentation may be accurate or not; that is, it can give either a true or a false account of the subject in question. However, it is generally assumed that authors believe them to be truthful at the time of their writing. Autobiographies, biographies, essays, reports, letters, memos, and newspaper articles are all types of nonfiction. Characteristics of Non-Fiction   The people, events, places, and ideas presented in nonfiction are real, not invented.  Nonfiction is narrated by an author who is a real person.  It presents facts, describes true-life experiences, or discusses ideas.  Nonfiction is written for a specific audience, or group of readers. In addition, it addresses a clear purpose, or reason for writing. The audience and purpose influence the t...

Memoir is growing in popularity. In the last decade, creative non-fiction (memoir, mostly) has increased sales and readership. Creative non-fiction works exactly like fiction. There is very little difference, except that the plot, characters, setting, etc. are based on real people, places, and events. A writer of non-fiction must tell a story. That is the primary function of non-fiction, and it is often forgotten when attempting it. There is usually dialogue, a rise of action to a climax, an epiphany, and attention to imagery, characterization, and other literary devices. Lack of memory is not an excuse for lack of detail. If a writer doesn’t remember the details exactly, she must provide these details from her imagination. The goal is to tell an interesting story.

This morning let's start off with an essay. After reading and responding in writing to this article, let's continue our discussion of cultural groups. Last class I asked you: 1. What are some characteristics that your generation share? 2. Who or what would you define as the voice of your generation? How might you use this information to write an article that would appeal to your "generation"? How might the article we read help you write an article that would appeal to your parents' generation? Make a list or mind map of some ideas for an article you might write for these generations. Let's define culture . What is culture? In your own words, describe this term. Share your response with a partner. Now, let's read about "Cultural Studies." What sticks out for you as important or interesting in this article? Our first writing unit, if you will, covers non-fiction. Please take a look at the information posted above this post regarding tip...

Please read the article and then respond to it in writing for 2-3 minutes. Much of our class will use this technique to brainstorm ideas for stories, poems, plays, films, non-fiction and other writing projects. The fundamental idea of this course is to use our research and responses to a variety of topics to inspire our artistic impulses. Secondly, it is a course that urges the artist to depict him or herself in relation to or as the other. We will be examining power structures and hegemonic cultural groups in relation to each other, using this topic to reach a more universal and engaged POV about our own selves, our own cultures, and the world audience itself. This course is a literature course, a course in ideas, as well as a practice from which to write and capture authentic voices. You will be allowed in many cases to make your own path, as you build a writing/project portfolio. But first, let me introduce to you the field of cultural studies. Let's read. And respond...

Culture Scientists and Anthropologists define culture as learned behavior acquired by individuals as members of a social group. According to Edward Tyler in 1871: culture includes knowledge, belief, art, morals, law, custom and other capabilities or habits acquired by a group. Culture is a learned behavior. Culture is also used to refer to a highly cultivated person versed in art, philosophy, etc. Culture includes insignificant behavior such as behavior traits, etiquette, food habits, as well as refined arts of a society. Culture can also be considered as the sum total of human knowledge and acquired behavior of humankind. Habits or behavior is generally transmitted from members to the young or outsiders until the outsider is also an insider, part of the group. Language : common way of communication. Language is a system of verbal and nonverbal symbols used to communicate ideas. The study of these symbols is what is known as semiotics . Taboos : strict mores or beha...

4 = Exemplary 3= Accomplished 2= Promising 1=Beginning 0=Failing Exemplary: Thoroughly and artistically developed characters, plot, structure, conflict, theme, and setting. Uses vivid description, effective diction and word choice, tone or voice, POV, imagery, and compelling dialogue throughout portfolio. Uses a variety of effective literary devices. Writing can be considered “art,” effectively communicating issues central to the human condition in a compelling way. Has few errors in spelling punctuation, syntax, and usage. Sentence structure and overall effect of the work is artistic. Work includes evidence of several revised drafts that improve on earlier drafts. Work included in portfolio reflects a wide range of styles and genres. There is more than Twelve full typed pages of new work. Uses lab and class time to full extent; always on task when given an assignment. Participates consistently and insightfully in class discussions; an exemplar for other students. Studen...

Welcome class of 2013 to our classroom blog. Check here each class period for agendas, deadlines, educational information, advice, and a whole lot of links to enhance your education. All you have to do is read and click. Any material and links or articles posted here are fair game when it comes to unit tests. You will be using this blog throughout this course. If you're absent or missed something in class, please check the blog to get caught up. As stated above, each new class period includes a new post. If you have a question about an assignment and are too embarrassed to speak to me in public (or you have a question that you think you will forget to ask), feel free to use the comment section. On our link page is a link to our Creative Writing Forum . You will be expected to use the forum to discuss the major reading and thematic topics in this course. Electronic forums save paper. You are keeping the world green by posting responses and reflections there.