Writing Across Cultures

This morning, please use the lab to prepare and complete your portfolio and/or research for your Women's Studies presentation. You are required to have the following in your portfolio for a passing grade: --The Cultural Baseline Essay --The Dystopian Story --Other work inspired by the writing prompts/reflections we worked on during this course* --A written reflection --Revisions of your work (including various drafts) Please note that you will  be expected to conduct some revision each marking period (show your drafts), along with a short 2-3 page reflection. These pages do not count for the # of pages indicated below. Please also note that your portfolio grade is a combination of quantity AND quality. Scores are determined by an average score. What is the reflection? You know that stuff that you wish I knew so that I don't grade you too harshly on an assignment? That. Also, what problems are you having with your writing or with a specific piece in your port...

Helen of Troy Does Countertop Dancing by Margaret Atwood: https://www.poets.org/poetsorg/poem/helen-troy-does-countertop-dancing William Butler Yeats: Leda and the Swan http://www.poetryfoundation.org/poem/172064   Stanley Kunitz: The Abduction https://www.poets.org/poetsorg/poem/abduction   Maya Angelou: A Plagued Journey http://www.poetryfoundation.org/poem/178951

Anne Sexton The Operation For My Lover, Returning to His Wife

Mass Incarceration video The Enduring Myth of Black Criminality

For today's lesson & agenda, please link to Ms. Springer's blog here . HOMEWORK: Complete 1984 .

I will be using the following rubric when assessing your portfolios. A portfolio is due each quarter and comprises the major part of your quarter grade (along with attendance, participation/homework, reading, quizzes/tests, presentations and class activities). Please note that you will  be expected to conduct some revision each marking period, along with a short 2-3 page reflection. These pages do not count for the # of pages indicated below. Please also note that your portfolio grade is a combination of quantity AND quality. Scores are determined by an average score. 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 ...

This morning, please spend the first 30 minutes today working on your dystopian stories. Please use the following blog while Ms. Springer is teaching you: Ms. Springer's Blog HOMEWORK: Please check Ms. Springer's blog for this, but continue reading 1984  (part III) & the article from the Atlantic Monthly "The Black Family in the Age of Mass Incarceration"; continue writing.

How to Write a Dystopian Story (prompts) Dystopian Fiction Project Use the writing prompts from class to create your own dystopian story. Length is up to you, but remember that a good story has a beginning, middle, and end. Character is important, so you'll want to develop your character enough for us readers to care about him or her. Setting becomes an important aspect in any science fiction or fantasy story like this. Settings seem more real when they are described with specific details and verisimilitude. The shorter the story, the closer to the climax you will want to begin. Other advice/resources: The Writing Cafe: The Dystopian Society 5 Tips to Writing a Dystopian Story It's a Bad, Bad World: Writeworld What Makes a Good YA Dystopian Novel? Some writing tips: No matter what, when you get stuck (and you will) remember to step into the shoes of your protagonist. What does she see, what does he think, what does she want, etc.? Skip to the next sc...