Writing Across Cultures

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 that enhance the artistic quality of the work. Writing can be considered “art,” effectively communicating issues central to the human condition in a compelling and creative way. Titles are creative and compelling. Has few errors in spelling punctuation, syntax, and usage. Sentence structure and overall effect of the work is artistic. Format is effective, carefully and correctly followed. 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 twenty or more full typed pages of new work. Uses lab and class time to full extent; always...

Period 1: Due to testing we will not have access to the lab 1st period. We may use the lab to print out and prepare our portfolios during 2nd period. Media readings: Jennifer Government thoughtful questions: How far fetched is this book? Could anything in it really happen in the real world? Discuss the characters: which ones are likable, which ones are not? Why? What ideas or cultures do the characters represent? What are some reasons we should identify with the character Jennifer? Using Chomsky's theories of manufacturing consent, how do the corporations in this book manufacture consent? Which characters are most susceptible? How do you know? Period 2ish: (Lab) Prepare and turn in your portfolio.  Research your decade. Begin arranging the most useful or interesting material you found in a presentation (or podcast or documentary film...) Extra Credit Opp.: Read and review (evaluate) any article on Popmatters.com (i.e., film, tv, games, comics, music, books, or...

The Ghazal is a poetic form consisting of rhyming couplets and a refrain, with each line sharing the same meter. A ghazal may be understood as a poetic expression of both the pain of loss or separation and the beauty of love in spite of that pain. The form is ancient, originating in 6th century pre-Islamic Arabic verse. It is one of the principal poetic forms which the Indo-Perso-Arabic civilization offered to the eastern Islamic world. History: The ghazal spread into South Asia in the 12th century under the influence of the new Islamic Sultanate courts and Sufi mystics. Although the ghazal is most prominently a form of Persian and Urdu poetry, today it is found in the poetry of many languages. The Arabic word غزل ġazal is pronounced [ˈɣazal], roughly like the English word  guzzle . The Form: A ghazal is composed of five or more couplets. The second line of each couplet in a ghazal usually ends with the repetition of a refrain of one or a few words, known as a  ra...

Period 1: Portfolio ICE-BREAKER/Exercise: A little pop culture food for thought: The Clever Tricks of Advertising The Dangers of the Internet Pop and Philosophy Choose 1 of these videos and respond to it in the COMMENT section below while you are in the lab this morning. Then continue to use your time in the lab to complete the following: Prepare your portfolio. Portfolios are due next class. Remember you need the following: Dystopia story draft Evaluation essay of Brave New World or A Clockwork Orange Manchurian candidate synthesis creative non-fiction essay Reflection. Keep this short and to the point. Discuss your writing, not whether you like or dislike the course--or how tired and unmotivated you are. I'm already aware of all that. If there's anything writing-wise you want to learn before it's too late, let me know now. Revisions (remember to include your earlier drafts--it is helpful to have the drafts that I commented on in particular...) Other cr...

Lab: Trash Cultur e: Please complete/turn in your homework from last class. Use the printout if you cannot access the website. See details below this post. In the lab, use your time to workshop, write, research your decade project, or prepare your portfolio. See further options in the Popular Culture writing options below: Popular Culture Sequence: Leisure & Games Games (Crash Course) The Psychology of Games (Crash Course) Role-playing Games (Crash Course) The Olympics, FIFA, and Why We Love Sports (Crash Course) Comic Book Culture (documentary, 30 min) The Real Importance of Sports (TEDx Talk) NationStates: Max Barry's online game for Jennifer Government Extra Credit/Ideas for Portfolios (now and forever): Make a Youtube video on a popular culture topic you love; Ex. Crash Course...Dating or Crash Course 1990's Hip Hop Artists or Crash Course Anime.  Interview someone cool and make a short documentary. Create a podcast on a popular culture topic...

Lab: Period 1 Lab reading/comment TASK: For participation credit today! Please read the information about pop & trash culture here at this link this morning. In the COMMENT section of this blog post, please complete the following questions: A. Explain how our mass media (#3) has promoted "trash culture" (#2) in our society. Find an example from mass media of trash culture and explain what might be a problem or problems you might have promoting this sort of culture to a mass audience (or personal audience--like your family. I.E., think: would it be good for your children or younger siblings, if you had any... ?)  B. Read #4, #5, #6, #7, and #8. Choose one to comment on. Do you agree with the websites indication regarding these points? Explain your thinking. Workshop option:  If you have a piece ready for perusal, please share your piece (probably through Google docs) to up to 3 other classmates. Fill out one of the workshop forms and turn this in at the e...

Today there are 3 posts. The first (this one) focuses on some advice concerning what we've covered in MP3. The one after this is our class agenda. We're following that one for Friday's class. Finally, the last post in this sequence covers Irish culture and limericks. Since it's St. Patrick's Day, enjoy some Irish culture while you can get it. Here goes: Some folks have had a few questions as to what we're supposed to be doing on a variety of projects. Here's some advice: Read the blog. No, really. Read the blog--especially if you are absent or late to class! You are responsible for anything posted here or linked from these posts. So much cool information if you use it! Ask questions. I keep going unless you stop me. If you have a question or concern--let me know about it by raising your hand and bringing it to my attention. This will never change. People are often helpful, but you have to ask them for help if you want help--because they are busy or h...

Lab: Period 1 Workshop option: If you have a piece ready for perusal, please share your piece (probably through Google docs) to up to 3 other classmates. Fill out one of the workshop forms and turn this in at the end of the session. This option will be available through next week as well. You may select me if you wish as one of your reviewers. See below for details. Peer Writer: If you select a peer to help you revise and workshop a piece, please be clear about what kind of feedback you are seeking. Share our piece with this person or people in Google Docs. Please note that peers are not required to give you feedback, but if they do, it acts as credit for them. Keep track of your drafts. You will need to show how you improved a piece by printing out the workshopped draft (or early drafts) and the revised draft. This is easy to do in Google docs. If you don't know how to access your document's history, please ask me.  Peer Reviewer: If you have been selected to review a...

Top of the mornin' to ya! An optional assignment in the lab today (to celebrate St. Patrick's Day) is the limerick (and a bit about Irish culture). SPOTLIGHT on: The Limerick A  limerick  is a humorous poem originating in Ireland. All limericks have five lines and are written in what we call a  rhyme scheme . A rhyme scheme is a pattern that indicates (shows) how the line in a poem ends.  A rhyme scheme starts with the letter  " A ", for example,  and if the next line doesn't   rhyme with the first, it is labeled  " B " and so on throughout the alphabet. As creative writing majors, we expect you to be able to determine rhyme scheme for any given poem. For the limerick, that means the following: For example:          I once knew a man named Matt     A Who always used to wear a hat      A to cover his hair       ...

Lab: Period 1 (until 8:00) Please continue working on your writing projects. See previous posts for details. There will be a chance to workshop next week. Classroom: Period 1/2: From last class: "A Tiger Fighter is Hard to Find" by Ha Jin. Video Reflection: What's the problem with the media? Jennifer Government : Discussion of chapters 1-4. HOMEWORK: Complete part one of Jennifer Government for Monday. 

Period 1: Lab The Narrative/Thematic Synthesis (creative non-fiction):  Using the sources in the post(s) below concerning the text Manchurian Candidate , use at least 3 sources in addition to the film, to write a synthesis of ideas. Create an original issue/thesis about our culture by using the text sources (see below) to support your ideas. For example, you could discuss brainwashing, political issues, spies and "moles", betrayal, solitaire, memory & alternative facts, The Cold War, the current political situation in the U.S., Russia's involvement in undermining our democracy, Communist China, mothers and sons, PTSD disorder, the media, media codes, cultural representation in films, etc. Find ways in which to combine the sources you select to create a thesis --something you want to claim as true or important to our culture, way of thinking, an explanation of ties to our past and how that affects us in the present, or some "synthesis" of idea...

Period 1: The Manchurian Candidate (conclusion) With time remaining, we will go to the library. Since another class if scheduled for the lab, grab a computer if you need one. Complete the reading of various sources--also see handouts. Determine how you might be able to use at least 3 of these sources in an essay on the film. Please work on your required drafts (critical evaluation & dystopian story). Also, read and note the various sources below to prepare for your synthesis of  The Manchurian Candidate . Source 1: Roger Ebert review of the film Source 2: The Search for the Manchurian Candidate Source 3: Manchurian Candidate: No Mere Fiction Source 4: Conspiratorial Facts Source 5: Greenwald: No Evidence for Russian Hacking Source 6: A Demand for Russian "hacking" Proof Source 7: Accessing Russian Activities ICA report  and  article from Mother Jones site S ource 8: Who Controls the Money, Controls the World  (video) Source 9: Noam Chomsky: BBC In...