Portfolio Notes: MP2

NOTES ON GENRE/PROGRESS:

• Good job. Thank you for writing.
• Many good first drafts with much potential. 
• Variation in genre and samples (range); consider other writing projects you enjoy (short films, Podcasts, comic/graphic novel scripts, tv scripts, Youtube video memes, blogging, songwriting, genre fiction, speeches, Crash Course knock-offs, etc.)
• Many of you commented that you were surprised how well the Gothic story went
• Many of you commented on your improvement and progress
• Some issues you revisited with this portfolio:
• Lack of motivation (some of you have been dealing with this problem for years)
• Asking what is the focus of this class?
• Fleshing out ideas from the prompt writing(s)

NOTES ON STYLE:

• Contemporary writing is more journalistic. Short declarative sentences. Fragments. 
• Dialogue (in general) goes on too long. In a few cases you still don't know how to punctuate dialogue. OMG. Pick up any fiction book and check it when you are PROOFREADING and preparing your draft for your workshop group (or me). 
• Scenes need more description--but be careful! I do not mean unnecessary details, but details that include TONE, that act as characterization where needed, and as transitions or suspense in plotting. Scenes that do not establish setting, move the plot, or introduce characterization, suspense, theme, or conflict should be cut.
• In general, diction is the way in which you signal to your reader that something matters. When you describe something in detail, it should matter. Avoid the trap of making everything important. It is not. It should not be. Stress and emphasize only that which adds to your theme, character, development of plot or setting. Which means you need to know what these elements are--or what they could be. 
• The best way to achieve this nuanced skill is to read and notice how other authors you are impressed with do this. Too few of you are reading diligently (as writers).
• First drafts need (largely) to be cut. (See editing advice below). Consider this pattern as a rule of thumb: first draft (add), second draft (cut), third draft (add/craft/shape/embellish), fourth draft (cut), fifth draft (add), sixth draft (cut), seventh draft (add), eighth draft (cut), etc.
• Play with narrative structure. Stories do NOT have to be linear. 
• Focus poems on the single moment, not the epic. Many of you are still writing general poetry, without a reason (or rhyme...pardon the pun). Too much happens in your poems.
• There are many types and styles of poetry. Feel free to experiment, but keep in mind the lessons we've taught you. 
• Reflect. Philosophize. Entertain.
• Now is the time to write that thing you wanted to write since you began this program. What's stopping you?

NOTES ON REVISION/EDITING:

• I need your drafts to see your work. Please keep all previous drafts of the work you turn in for your portfolio from marking period to marking period. In particular, I need the draft I commented on attached to the newest draft. 
• Put the newest draft ON TOP--I want to see how you revised! Do NOT hide the fact that this is a new draft. If you have other first drafts that peers have commented on or that you have CHANGED, please include these drafts too. Use Google Docs history to help you.
• Grammarly.com is a must for all writers at this point. Get it, load it, use it. Proofread your work before printing it for my eyes. You can get grammar help at these sites:

• Grammar Bytes

• 5-Minute English

• English Grammar 101

• Grammarly Blog

• Grammar Book

Practice. Particularly comma and semi-colon usage.

• Strike LOOK and WALK from your writing vocabulary. Instead of telling us your character is  LOOKING at something, just describe the object we're supposed to notice.
• WALKING works the same way. Just go there. You don't have to tell us every single movement of your character from the time they wake up until they do something interesting on page 7. Instead of stating that a character is walking somewhere, have that character move fluidly into the next scene. Think like a movie script. Cut the boring stuff after your first draft.
• Again only provide detail for the important stuff: setting that connects to theme, character, or action. We don't care what color eyes or hair a character has unless those details are somehow connected to theme or plot. If you mention it, then you have to make it matter!

COURSE SUCCESS

There is more to your portfolio than # of pages. I watch your progress during the lab. I watch your participation in class and during discussions. I note whether or not you read a book when I give you a test. Half of the rubric refers to these things. Much of your rubric/grade is based on your writing skills (format, spelling, mechanics, grammar, revision). Some of it is your talent and ability or how smart or clever you are with your writing. Only a little bit is the # of pages you write.

Consider this: your homework (apart from reading) is to take what we discussed, read, watched or wrote about in class and do something with it. If you can't write unless you have a fully fleshed out idea or need a lightning bolt of inspiration to write, do the work that writing requires. I can't make you write or make you find the love to write or the time to write. This is your job. You're the artist. Be an artist. I will provide you with deadlines to help you avoid procrastination, I will provide you with reading material to inspire or challenge you, I will provide you with brainstorming prompts to get your creativity flowing, but if you don't do your part (as a writer and a student), the process will fail. You will be dissatisfied. Own it. If you want to change, you will. If you want to be an artist or writer, you will. If you want to be successful in this course, you will. There's no magic here. Do your work and you will begin to believe in yourself. 

Finally, to repeat again, I am available during our lab time to help you (workshop/edit/suggest a path forward/feedback, etc). You only have to ask. Yes, I'm scary and cynical, and I say things that you need to hear (if you listen), and my tone is rude sometimes or insensitive because I don't want to waste your time (or mine), and I'm a stubborn ass. But it's your job to ask questions or ask for help on the things you are having trouble with. People will always help you if you approach them in the right way and ask for help. Professors and teachers are busy, but they will always help you if you ask for help. That's the vocation of a teacher. Ask for help if you need it. That goes double for your peers and friends. Use that workshop folder!

Now. Get writing.