Writing Across Cultures

The last I'll say about revision. When we write, we generally go through the following steps (although not always in order...): 1. Initial generating stage: get an idea, write a draft 2. Creative revisioning stage (drafts 2 - ?): add and play with your draft 3. Constructive revisioning stage (drafts 2 - ?): cut and shape your draft; get feedback from others 4. Copyediting: correct your draft; have someone proofread your work and point out mistakes (or, eventually, you need to be able to do this yourself) Workshopping: Look for "hotspots" or what is enjoyable in the draft - note it; everyone should say something they liked about the draft (a line, a character, an idea, a theme, some dialogue, a sentence, etc.) You don't have to try to satisfy everyone's comments/criticisms of your work; listen to your own artistic heart... Conduct an anti-workshop: take an aspect of the story and turn it on its head; complete an exercise; rewrite; see creative exercises...

Many young writers confuse editing with revision. There is a distinct difference between the act of revising and the act of editing . Editing involves some of the following actions: Proofreading (examining your work for mistakes) Correcting grammar Correcting syntax or making your sentences more concise and readable Changing general words to more specific words  Removing or cutting lines, unnecessary details, scenes, characters, etc. Revision , however, is all about development and shaping of the story--or what is, essentially, art. It is: Developing the idea or theme of the piece Developing a character, setting, or plot element Introducing literary elements to strengthen theme, tone, setting, character, conflict, diction, etc. Considering the structure of the narrative Working on the shape of the story (openings, scenes, development of plot, character, setting, theme, middles, ends, etc.) So think of revision as a lump of clay (your draft) that you are ...

Period 1: Lab There will not be a test on Maurice after all. Sorry about that. Instead, let's press on. Although women may serve (and serve well) in the armed forces, military and fighting wars tends to be something we expect men to do, rather than women. This is a socially constructed gender bias , just like issues involving employment, funding, and equal protection under the law. Males, for example, are required by law to register for selective service. Females don't, although many would consider them both to be capable of serving their country. Recently, as you are probably aware, transgender citizens are banned from serving (males transitioning into women are required to register--women who transition to male are not). Let's take a closer look at the military in popular culture. War & Men : (25 minutes) Please read the essay: The Shock of War  (essay) Then click on the links below and compare/contrast the different honor codes. How do these codes...

Library Lab: period 1 Please go to the library for class today (or Ms. Gamzon's lab if there are no computers available). Work on your masks of masculinity essay projects. See posts below.  Select and work on a piece for our upcoming coffeehouse. Turn in your notes for Maurice to my sub. Complete Maurice (at least part 1). Feel free to continue reading the book on your own if you want to. We'll discuss it next class. HOMEWORK: Complete part 1 of  Maurice . [One of our greater tasks will be a choice of writing an historical fiction piece (perhaps set in the Edwardian period or just before, during, or after The Great War). As you read  Maurice , try to pick up Forster's psychological style. Include mythology, the monomyth of the hero's journey, or any other topic to inspire you regarding gender roles, our culture, and issues concerning masculinity. Again,  The Art of Manliness  (linked to your right of this page) is a good (and fun) resou...

Lab: Read this essay . Why We Should Celebrate Masks of Masculinity . Consider key points in the article. Be ready to bring up points in our short discussion 2nd period about the article. When you are done with the article and have thought about what you've read and how it fits into what we've been discussing, move on to other tasks during period 1. Please listen to one of the popular podcasts from the website  The Art of Manliness . You'll find the podcasts on the right side of the webpage near the bottom. Choose one podcast to listen to and write a review of the main points the speakers are making about men, our culture, and your reaction to the message.  Reviews of podcasts are due Tuesday, April 17  (along with your reaction article from the post on the toxic masculinity articles from Monday's class--see assignment below). Finally, spend at least 10 minutes this morning preparing for our reading of Maurice . Maurice  Notes: Take a moment to view this...

Please pick up the novel Maurice by E.M. Forster from the library. We will be examining Part 1 of the novel after our discussion. Kahoot:  Myth of Masculinity Survey/Quiz  & discussion. Let's screen  Crash Course Mythology #25: The Hero's Journey. Maurice Notes: Take a moment to view this short video about Edwardian childhood An Edwardian Childhood (documentary clip) Edwardian Summer (Pathe' Brothers Newsreel) Edwardian Photographs Choosing a College at Cambridge (promotional video); &  Cambridge: How Do Cambridge Colleges Differ? (vlog) Uncover the Truth about the Life of Edwardian Families (documentary) See handout on Edwardian Etiquette or view this link for more details/articles .  Maurice is a romantic look at the innocence of the Edwardian period. The book is dedicated to "a happier year"--in particular, just before The Great War. Men (and boys) were still very much influenced by the Victorian ethic: to be ernest, bold, c...

Lab: Welcome back! I hope you had a restful (if cold) spring break! TASK #1: This morning we're preparing for our discussion on the short story collection "The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven" by Sherman Alexie, while also examining some key aspects of those stories and our next unit on Gender: Men & Masculinity. To start off, take a quick look at one of the scenes from the most recent reiteration of The Lone Ranger (the 2013 pop culture film, starring Johnny Depp as Tonto and Armie Hammer as The Lone Ranger). As you watch, consider how the roles of the Lone Ranger and his "comic" sidekick Tonto enact their male duty or responsibilities. TASK #3: To read: (I suggest you complete your blog post first--see below...) during the lab, please read the collection of short articles taken from some recent magazine/newspapers about men. After reading, write your reaction to what some of these issues are, how you view them, whether or not you find...