Writing Across Cultures

Period 1: Lab. Please continue working on your writing portfolio. Period 2: Classroom. Help yourself to a snack, coffee or tea. We will listen to chapter 3 of The Once & Future King. As you read, use the graphic organizer to storyboard major events in the chapter. HOMEWORK: Please read The Once & Future King . See previous post assignment and today's storyboards for details about how to keep track of the chapters in this book. Read as a writer, noting passages that you might be able to model, particularly involving characterization, setting, narrative voice, dialogue, and humor. Continue writing if you can to prepare your portfolio for the end of the marking period (Jan. 20). 

Period 1: Lab. Please work on your portfolio this morning until 8:00. We will then shift places and go downstairs for the second half of our mythology presentations. Period 2: Mythology presentations. The Once & Future King As you read along with the audio book/chapter, please complete the following tasks: A. Find a phrase, sentence, or short passage that helps create the image of the setting or a particular character. List a few examples as we read along. Try to get at least 3 on your list (you may have more than that). B. Choose one of the scenes/characters depicted on your list and sketch (sketchpad) or draw that scene/character. You might also use " snapchat ", wordle , Google Keep , popplet , mindmeister , piclit ,  storyboardthat,  puppetpals , interactive whiteboard , or some other internet program on your phone if you have one and share your work or comments about the book/characters, etc. with a friend. An alternative for those of you worried about you...

Period 1: Lab Please prepare your mythology Prezis for todays presentation (2nd period). Use your time in the lab to work on your writing portfolio. Portfolios are due Jan. 20. Where do we find myths in our contemporary culture? Here are only a few examples: Clash of the Titans (trailer, 1981) Excalibur (trailer, 1981) Conan the Barbarian (trailer, 1982) Beastmaster (trailer, 1982) Krull (trailer, 1983) Tim Burton's Batman (trailer, 1989) Eric the Viking (trailer, 1989) The Fifth Element (trailer, 1997) X-Men (trailer, 2000) Spiderman (trailer, 2002) The Fantastic Four (trailer, 2005) Percy Jackson, the Lightning Thief (trailer, 2009) The Avengers (trailer, 2012) Guardians of the Galaxy (trailer, 2014) Batman v. Trump  (mock trailer, 2016) Period 2: At 8:00, please go to the library and pick up The Once & Future King by T.H. White . Then to the classroom. Mythology Prezis Take notes on key aspects of these cultures and their myths as...

Period 1: Lab. Please complete your mythology Prezi's for our presentations on mythology. If you finish early, spend time working on your portfolio (portfolios are due the week of January 16!) Portfolio ideas: Create a comic book script of a hero's adventure Recall a favorite childhood author (like Gaiman remembers Moorcock) and tell a story about how you came to find, fall in love, and how the author helped you cope with events in life (this can be an essay or fiction or poetry or script).  Please SHARE your prezi with me at the comment link below to speed up presentation process. Classroom: Workshop. Let's finish workshopping your analysis papers. The Star Wars Analysis final draft is due in your portfolio by the end of the marking period. This is a required assignment for this class! With time remaining, please continue working on draft projects, or, if both groups have finished workshopping, let's begin our mythology Prezi's. HOMEWORK: Read ...

Enjoy this shlocky adventure film from director  Nathan Juran  with  Ray Harryhausen's  fun little claymation monsters. Seventh Voyage of Sinbad (1958)  As you watch, trace how well the film completes the male "Quest Hero" pattern in the character of Sinbad, and the female "Quest Hero" pattern in the character of Princess Parisa. Note: stories and their authors may mix up, combine, or omit these events-- they do not have to be completed in order , although some stories do follow the archetype closely. Turn in your analysis at the end of this film (today). If you were absent and missed the film, read the script here (or stream the film). HOMEWORK: Portfolio work: write your own Sinbad (or a similar hero) adventure story, film script, epic or narrative poem, play,  comic strip (see this link for this) Here's help:  the adventure archetype  (usable for any story!) and the quest archetype  (both of which should sound som...

Period 1: Lab Take a look at this article on how to write an adventure novel in 3 days  (and the actual article this website took it from) using Michael Moorcock's methods. You can read about this author at the links as well. Use your time in the lab to complete your Prezi projects. See previous posts for more details, but essentially, your "slides" should only consist of a couple of words (no more than 10 per slide) with a picture or graphic that helps illustrate (or remind you) of your point. You will give your Prezi's to the class next week (Starting Thursday). Summarize and be able to tell us about a creation myth central to your culture's mythology Summarize and be able to tell us about a significant hero central to your culture's mythology Summarize and be able to tell us about important/key gods/goddesses (and what ideas they represent) within your culture's mythological cycle. Check Eliade's essay for classifications for these myth...

Please turn in your homework. See previous post for details. Kristen Wiig: Goddesses of Creation, SNL Use the time in the lab to complete research on your mythological topic You should know the major gods/goddesses of your chosen mythological subject You should know the creation myth that goes with that tradition You should identify key cultural traditions/beliefs that are represented in the myths of this culture: for example: arête (strength) is a common cultural quality examined in many hero myths. Find examples of some others. You should identify one hero from this tradition and be able to tell this legend Use the time in the lab to prepare and begin designing your Prezi.  PREZI notes:  Prezi's and other presentations should only contain the KEY IDEAS of your presentation. You are NOT supposed to read to us. You (the speaker) should know your information. If you need to, write this in your notes, but do not copy/paste sections that you should know and del...

Period 1: Please get into your groups of 4 from last class and share details about the Mircea Eliade essay on myth. Take 10-15 minutes to share your summaries. You should have a basic understanding of Eliade's points. We will be using some of Eliade's theories in our next examination of myths/legends. Please see homework below for more Eliade's theories. REQUIRED STORY PROJECT: 1. Scour and flip through the collection of myths in  Mythic Voices . Pick a myth outside of cultural Greece. You may feel free to do other portfolio pieces with the stories you have read: Cupid & Psyche, Theseus, The Golden Fleece, Perseus, Hercules, etc. [you will find Cupid (Eros) & Psyche, Hercules & the Hydra, Demeter & Persephone, Theseus, the Trojan War, Odysseus, and even Gilgamesh in the mythic voices collection. Do not pick these myths for this assignment, please.] 2. Choose a myth from the collection. Do not pick a myth you are familiar with. Read the myth. As you ...

Please use your lab time today to complete your  Star Wars  Hero's Journey analysis paper. Remember: titles of major works (novels, films, full length plays, epic poems, etc.) are  italicized .  This analysis draft is due by end of period 1.  Also, if you have completed your draft and proofread it or are ready to turn it in, you may begin planning or generating ideas for your mythic story retelling. Here's how to begin that: 1. Scour and flip through the collection of myths in  Mythic Voices . Pick a myth outside of cultural Greece. You may feel free to do other portfolio pieces with the stories you have read: Cupid & Psyche, Theseus, The Golden Fleece, Perseus, Hercules, etc. [you will find Cupid (Eros) & Psyche, Hercules & the Hydra, Demeter & Persephone, Theseus, the Trojan War, Odysseus, and even Gilgamesh in the mythic voices collection. Do not pick these myths for this assignment, please.] 2. Choose a myth from the collection. ...

Please turn in your homework. See previous post for details. Please use your lab time today (until 8:00) to continue working on your Star Wars Hero's Journey analysis. Remember: titles of major works (novels, films, full length plays, epic poems, etc.) are italicized . This analysis draft is due Tuesday, Nov. 29. Also, you may begin planning or generating ideas for your mythic story retelling. Here's how to begin that: 1. Scour and flip through the collection of myths in Mythic Voices . Pick a myth outside of cultural Greece. You may feel free to do other portfolio pieces with the stories you have read: Cupid & Psyche, Theseus, The Golden Fleece, Perseus, Hercules, etc. [you will find Cupid (Eros) & Psyche, Hercules & the Hydra, Demeter & Persephone, Theseus, the Trojan War, Odysseus, and even Gilgamesh in the mythic voices collection. Do not pick these myths for this assignment, please.] 2. Choose a myth from the collection. Do not pick a myth you are...

LAB: Please use your time in the lab to work on your analytical examination of Joseph Campbell's theories in Star Wars . REMINDER: Come see William Shakespeare's Star Wars: Verily a New Hope tonight at 7:00 in the Ensemble Theater. Extra credit if you go. For help with your essay, please see the previous post. CLASSROOM: Let's continue examining Carl Jung's theories. For homework, please watch the two linked videos and outline the key concepts shared in these two videos. After reading about Jung, please read a few poems from the packet. A creative task would be to take a myth (any myth you have encountered in Edith Hamilton's Mythology ) and use it as a creative spark to write your own poem. Use the models to create your own poem drafts. Then, let's take a look at Northrop Frye's theories . Frye was born in Quebec, Canada and lived in New Brunswick, Canada and taught at the University of Toronto--just hours away across our lake. See handouts/...

1st: LAB: Let's finish the last few minutes of Star Wars . Analysis: Write an analysis of Joseph Campbell's Hero's Journey archetype and/or the four functions of myth using the film Star Wars by George Lucas. Your task: Examine the effect and significance of Lucas' use of Joseph Campbell's  Hero's Journey Archetypes  and/or  the four functions of myth  in the film  Star Wars . Hero Journey: Status Quo/The Ordinary World The Call to Adventure (Refusal of the Quest)   Accepting the Call Entering the unknown Supernatural Aid Allies/Helpers Acquiring/given a gift/Talisman Tests & The Supreme Ordeal Reward (finding the treasure) The return/journey home Master of Two Worlds/Restoring the World Special Archetypes: Heroes Shadows (villains/antagonists/adversaries) Mentors Heralds/messengers Threshold Guardians/Monsters/(represent hero's weaknesses) Shapeshifters (represent change or reversal of fortune) Tricksters (mischief-makers...

1st: LAB: Please work with your partner or prepare your analysis of The Quest for the Golden Fleece or Perseus in regards Joseph Campbell's Hero's Journey. This homework project is due today by the end of period 1. If you finish early, please work on the following tasks: Did you read the myths of Perseus and Theseus? If not, use your time to do so now. Review pages 24 - 62 in Edith Hamilton's Mythology . Create a fictional god or goddess (or pantheon) of Gods that might exist in our world today (or ones you make up). This can be humorous. For each god/goddess, consider what this god/goddess' sphere of control or aspect is: how does the god/goddess represent him/herself, what does he/she symbolize, or what "job" does the god/goddess hold in your pantheon. For example, Zeus is the god of rain and the sky, and he was the ruler of all the other gods--which meant he is also the maker of rules/laws (or government). He also slept around a lot, impregnating in...

1st: LAB: Take a few minutes (no more than 10) to discuss your feelings/thoughts about the Presidential Election and/or the coffeehouse. Use the first period (until 8:00) to work on your mind-map/graphic, design for the quest of the golden fleece or the myth of Perseus. Turn in by end of lab time, Monday, Nov. 14. 2nd: CLASSROOM: Star Wars . As you watch Star Wars , please take notes about the hero's journey. HOMEWORK: Please read the story Theseus in Edith Hamilton's Mythology. Continue and complete your graphic of the hero's journey. This will be due (extended deadline) Nov. 14 during 1st period. 

This morning, before we continue Star Wars , let's discuss the Analytical Essay project. Let's review possible steps for you as you examine the film: How to Write an Analytical Essay Tips for a Textual Analysis  Graphing for Textual Analysis Your task: Examine the effect and significance of Lucas' use of Joseph Campbell's Hero's Journey Archetypes  and the four functions of myth  in the film Star Wars . When writing your body paragraphs, consider using the SEC method: State: State your idea or claim (or state your next idea or claim) Example: Give an example (paraphrase examples from the text or use direct textual support...quotes) Comment: Comment on the example you used (connect it back to your thesis or claim).  Repeat. Okay? Any questions?  Let's return then to Star Wars and continue watching. Take notes. Graph. Etc. You will use your notes for your analytical paper project. HOMEWORK: Edith Hamilton's "The Quest for...

LAB: Today we'll be in the library for only a little while (from 7:30 - 7:50). While you're here, please put finishing touches on your portfolios, print out any thing left to print out, etc. Tomorrow the marking period ends. Please make sure you have turned in your "Overcoat" ?'s Homework and any missing work you might have not completed. On your way back to the classroom, please return The Epic of Gilgamesh and pick up both: Edith Hamilton's Mythology and Mythic Voices . We will be using selections from both books. CLASSROOM: Let's hear the rest of the chapters (3-6 & 7) of The Epic of Gilgamesh and discuss the Gilgamesh's hero journey & the work's 4 functions of a myth. Hero Journey: Status Quo/The Ordinary World The Call to Adventure (Refusal of the Quest)   Accepting the Call Entering the unknown Supernatural Aid Allies/Helpers Acquiring/given a gift/Talisman Tests & The Supreme Ordeal Reward (finding the tre...

Your portfolios are due today. LAB: Your portfolio should have the following: A 1-2 page reflection: what has worked or not worked for you in your portfolio? What do you need more help with? What would you like to see more of in the class/course? Do you need any specific feedback concerning your writing or a piece of your writing? Explain anything you think I should know about your portfolio this marking period. Evaluate your progress so far this year. A copy of your final summary draft for The Namesake .  A copy of your essay: "How it feels to be me..." (Zora Neale Hurston exercise) Any of the following: Complete or revise your "identity poem" draft  Complete or revise your story draft where you use multiple based on the structure of  The Namesake . (Sept. 19, 21, 23) Complete or revise your "name" poem. (Sept. 19, 21, 23) Nurture versus nature creative response Labels creative response Melting pot creative response Object identificat...

Your portfolios are due today. LAB: Your portfolio should have the following: A 1-2 page reflection: what has worked or not worked for you in your portfolio? What do you need more help with? What would you like to see more of in the class/course? Do you need any specific feedback concerning your writing or a piece of your writing? Explain anything you think I should know about your portfolio this marking period. Evaluate your progress so far this year. A copy of your final summary draft for The Namesake .  A copy of your essay: "How it feels to be me..." (Zora Neale Hurston exercise) Any of the following: Complete or revise your "identity poem" draft  Complete or revise your story draft where you use multiple based on the structure of  The Namesake . (Sept. 19, 21, 23) Complete or revise your "name" poem. (Sept. 19, 21, 23) Nurture versus nature creative response Labels creative response Melting pot creative response Object identificat...

During period 1, please work on your portfolios. Print out and secure work that you have finished. Write your reflection. Workshop and revise any pieces you would like feedback on. Complete or compose last minute drafts. During period 2, please select a chapter and sketch a mind-map of Gilgamesh's journey for that chapter. Be prepared to summarize key events in the chapter with the class. You will be working in groups for this assignment. Help each other help our class. Consider the 4 functions of myth. How does the  Epic of Gilgamesh rate? Let's discuss. Then, let's hold the epic up to Joseph Campbell's Hero's Journey . We'll read about the hero's journey and examine how the epic rate with those ideas as well. With time remaining (unlikely, but possible) we'll discuss the literary elements of epics. Characteristics of  Epics Great length (obviously longer than a dithyramb (choral song), ode, lyric, narrative, or dramatic poem)  Dignified ...

Classroom: In his book Pathways to Bliss , Joseph Campbell defines four functions of myths: Evoke existential thought (answer: what is the meaning of my life?) Present an image of the cosmos (and your relation to it) Validate society or culture (& its rules) Make sense of a person's stages of life (birth, adolescence, adulthood, old age, death) Let's read. As you read The Epic of Gilgamesh , look for these 4 functions of myth in the epic. We will discuss the epic next class. You should be able to discuss how you understood the 4 functions of myth while reading Gilgamesh . Please watch the end of the video on Mesopotamian Culture. Complete your graphic organizer notes. Context: Mesopotamian Culture LIBRARY LAB:  Please return to the library lab. Prepare your workshop. You will want to share your original work (items in your writing portfolio) with at least 2 other students. If you used Google docs to write your drafts, then share your work with other...

LAB: Please work on your portfolio pieces (or your summary paper). See previous posts for specific details. At the end of the period, we will pick up The Epic of Gilgamesh from the library. CLASSROOM: Mythology comes from the Greek 'mythos' for story or speech of the people, and 'logos' for reason or word . Myths are closely linked to religion and folklore. They usually include divine beings, supernatural events, and allegorical meanings. Myths that deal with the creation of the universe (or aspects of it) are cosmologies or creation myths. Myths that deal with heroes or historical figures that take on a "superhuman" quality are legends. While myths that tell stories about animals or inanimate objects are fables. A word about myths: Myths usually run along cultural lines--embodying a specific world view or belief of that culture. They are often the basis of religion or religious belief. Myths often explain origins, natural phenomena, or a...

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 based on the holistic rubric. Some papers/assignments are also required and should be included in your portfolio. This marking period the summary paper for The Namesake should be included in your portfolio. 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, eff...

Here they are in order (and # of votes...) Mythology 76 Psychology 81 Media Studies 94 Gender/Feminism, LGBTQ 106 Popular Culture 107 Philosophy 112 Sociology/Political Science 114 Race/Minority Literature 115 Mystery/Detective Fiction 131 Dystopian/Utopian Literature 150 Science Fiction/Fantasy 155 African Literature 159 Middle East Literature 170 Asian Literature 173 North America/Native American/Canadian Literature 185 South/Central American Literature 186 European Literature 191 British Literature 193 Pacific/Island Literature 198 Australia/New Zealand Literature 204

Literature Survey: Please RANK in interest oder (1 being most interested, 20 being less interested) units you would most prefer to study this year in this course. Please note that all units will include reading/writing at a college level: Lowest scored units will be delivered first. It is likely that we will not be able to cover all units during our time together. ___Dystopia-Utopian Literature ___Race & Minority Literature ___Gender, Feminism, & LGBT Studies  ___Psychology ___Philosophy ___Mythology ___Popular Culture ___Media Studies ___African Literature ___British Literature ___European Literature ___Asian Literature ___North America/Native American/Canadian Literature ___South & Central American Literature ___Australia/New Zealand Literature ___ Pacific/Island Literature ___Middle East Literature ___Sociology/Political Science ___Science Fiction/Fantasy Fiction ___Mystery/Detective Fiction

LAB: Please turn in your homework (3 of the 9 questions for the short story "The Overcoat" by Nikolai Gogol. ) After our announcement , please continue working on your summary workshops. Today in the lab, please complete at least 2 more summary workshops with your peers. Summary Workshop Review each other's  The   Namesake  summaries. Offer ideas based on these points: Is the summary accurate and complete? Does it include all the author’s main points? Are they in the right order? Did you remember not to include details, examples, your opinions, and information that isn’t in the original selection? Did you write the summary in your own words? Did you use transitions so that it reads smoothly? If someone else read your summary, would they see and be able to understand all of the important points the author presented in the original selection?  Did you write in complete sentences, with proper syntax, sentence structure, grammar, and mechanics for col...

ANY REFERENCE TO SPECIFIC KNOWLEDGE/LANGUAGE THAT IS  NOT  COMMON KNOWLEDGE MUST BE CITED OR GIVEN CREDIT. How do I set up a works cited page for: MLA  Format &  Chicago Style Formatting Books/texts Video/films Internet sources Paintings Interviews Magazines T.V. Programs/Radio Musical Sources/Album Peer Review Process: When reviewing another's paper, look for strengths. Give specific and exact feedback or criticism. Those of you thinking of going into the sciences will meet Peer Reviewing again. Here's an illustration: Sounds like hard work! And it is, but it's also worth it. One of our goals in college is to study a subject so much that we learn it, grow from the experience, meet other like-minded people, and become experts in our chosen field. It all starts with planning, time management, critical thinking skills, and writing or sharing our findings in coherent and effective ways. Your peers can help you do this provided both of you...

Classroom: Let's complete: "An Open Letter to Women Writers of Color" and respond to the letter. Epistolary poems have been around since the Roman poets Horace and Ovid. Ovid wrote a series of fictional love letter poems from historical & mythological women in his cycle: Heroides . Court poets of the middle ages picked up on the idea and many Renaissance and Neoclassical poets used the form. Alexander Pope's Epistle to Dr. Arbuthnot is just one example of many. The "letter" poem uses direct address and is often addressed to a named (or unnamed) audience. Read a few examples of the form: Letter poems: Langston Hughes: "Letter" Dear Mama, Time I pay rent and get my food and laundry I don’t have much left but here is five dollars for you to show you I still appreciates you. My girl-friend send her love and say she hopes to lay eyes on you sometime in life. Mama, it has been raining cats and dogs up here. Well, that is all so I...

EQ: Write a summary essay for the novel  The Namesake . LAB: Read the article and case study on summaries. Complete your summary paper for the novel  The Namesake  by Jhumpa Lahiri. See the double-sided rubric handout for details about how the formal paper will be graded. We will workshop these papers next week, along with any fiction/poetry you have written for your portfolio. NOTE: Please include an MLA formatted citation page with your paper draft. You will need to cite sources that you use or used for this paper. Your primary source is your text (novel), along with the chapter about summaries from our classroom text/manual: What It Takes: Academic Writing in College  by Laurence Behrens and Leonard J. Rosen, the Howcast video  "How to Write a Summary" , and Sandra Jamieson's article from  Drew University Online Resources for Writers  entitled, "Summary Writing." If you consulted other online or library sources, please include them as well ...

EQ: Write a summary essay for the novel  The Namesake . LAB: Read the article and case study on summaries. Using your notes, summaries, and text, write a summary paper for the novel  The Namesake  by Jhumpa Lahiri. See the double-sided rubric handout for details about how the formal paper will be graded. *Refer to the chapter and materials/blog notes about summaries to assist your writing! Your summary should have an  introduction ,  body , and  conclusion . I suggest you organize your summary by chapter (1 paragraph per chapter for the body of the essay would be appropriate, for instance). Transitional words should help the flow of your essay and further organize your main ideas. NOTE: You will need to cite sources that you use or used for this paper. Your primary source is your text (novel), along with the chapter about summaries from our classroom text/manual, the Howcast video  "How to Write a Summary" , and Sandra Jamieson's article from...

EQ: Write a summary essay for the novel The Namesake . LAB: Using your notes, summaries, and text, write a summary paper for the novel The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri. See the double-sided rubric handout for details about how the formal paper will be graded. *Refer to the chapter and materials/blog notes about summaries to assist your writing! Your summary should have an introduction , body , and conclusion . I suggest you organize your summary by chapter (1 paragraph per chapter for the body of the essay would be appropriate, for instance). Transitional words should help the flow of your essay and further organize your main ideas. NOTE: You will need to cite sources that you use or used for this paper. Your primary source is your text (novel), along with the chapter about summaries from our classroom text/manual, the Howcast video "How to Write a Summary" , and Sandra Jamieson's article from  Drew University Online Resources for Writers  entitled, "Summary Wr...