Here's a link to MLK giving his "I Have A Dream" speech from 1963 on youtube
Journal # 17: Write your manifesto
According to Wikipedia, "A manifesto is a public declaration of principles and intentions, often political in nature. Manifestos relating to religious belief are generally referred to as creeds. Manifestos may also be life stance-related."
Think about the MLK speech we read, which is like a manifesto in a way. Now imagine you were going to write a speech like that or deliver it in front of 300,000 people. What would you say? What is your personal creed?
Journal #18: Something I Hate
We're now getting into argumentative essays, so we want to explore where your strong feelings reside. For this prompt I want you to write about something you really hate. It can be something large or something minute. Explore it and why you hate it for 10 minutes. Then Part Two of this journal is to come up with possible solutions to this problem--write for another 5 minutes.
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Final expository essays due Monday with all workshopping. MLA format, please!
Journal # 19: Write your manifesto
According to Wikipedia, "A manifesto is a public declaration of principles and intentions, often political in nature. Manifestos relating to religious belief are generally referred to as creeds. Manifestos may also be life stance-related."
Think about the MLK speech we read, which is like a manifesto in a way. Now imagine you were going to write a speech like that or deliver it in front of 300,000 people. What would you say? What is your personal creed?
Journal # 19: Write your manifesto
According to Wikipedia, "A manifesto is a public declaration of principles and intentions, often political in nature. Manifestos relating to religious belief are generally referred to as creeds. Manifestos may also be life stance-related."
Think about the MLK speech we read, which is like a manifesto in a way. Now imagine you were going to write a speech like that or deliver it in front of 300,000 people. What would you say? What is your personal creed?
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
"Painful Success" by Ann Fatima Tanchingco
“What for you is the essence of being a woman?” asked the host to the crowned 1994 Miss Universe, Sushmita Sen from India.
“I think being a woman, by itself, the very fact of that you are a woman is a gift of God which all of us must appreciate,” she confidently answered. “The origin of a child is a mother, and is a woman. A woman is someone who shares love and shows the man what loving, sharing and caring are all about.” Miss India boldly ended the final question and smiled.
Nine years after I witnessed the show, I was in my own pageant. My stage was a steel bed with iron bars on both sides for grasping. My audiences were the doctors, nurses, my husband and my mom. I was laying on a bed all swollen and weary ready to take my chance.
“Can you still push it harder?” I heard Doctor Mariz’s voice echoed in the back of my subconscious mind. She was persuading me to exert much force. It had been eight hours since the show started. I was exhausted. I was bathing on my own sweat and my gown was all wet and a little bloody. I felt the pain of unexplained torment rushing all over my body.
“Mr. Tanchingco, Mrs. Cenidoza,” my doctor caught the attention of my judges. “We’re doing our best to give what your wife’s/daughter’s request. She is insisting to have a natural childbirth. She doesn’t even want to be anesthetized. She’s a little stubborn but I admire her for being brave. We’re giving her few more hours and if the baby will not come out the normal way, we’re sorry but we have to transfer her to caesarean section. The baby is too big for her. ” she explained politely.
My husband and my mom who were with me in the room couldn’t decide. I was being hard-headed. I wanted to experience the moment of life and death, the moment of my own pageant. Say I was being stubborn as a daughter, proving to my mom that I could bear all the pain. I believed that I could do it without the help of sedatives that my mom used to have when I was inside her. I knew I was being selfish too, as a lover, taking all those unexplainable aches and sores that I was agonizing right at that moment all by myself. Although from the very start, he wanted me to have painless delivery but I resisted. What I solely knew then was I must be brave for my baby, as a becoming mother. I wanted to be with him and feel him on me. With every passing minute, the contractions became more often and painful, more revealing. I stood still with my decision.
Few hours later, it was time to my final ramp. Instead of a catwalk, I did a deafening cat cry. I felt the unbearable pain pinching all throughout my senses.
“Now push, Ann, push” I clearly absorbed what my doctor said. For that very time, I exerted the last effort that I could and blew it hard. Then, I felt my baby, slowly slipping out on me. It seemed that a thin thread separated me from my being an ordinary woman to a mother; a no-ordinary lady had been unleashed. Suddenly, I heard his first cry, sounded like a thousand angels singing in my ears. I felt relieved. I felt complete.
“Your baby is a healthy boy. Congratulations!” Doctor Mariz declared on a sparkling beam before me and my husband.
“Thank you Lord!” I calmly prayed. Finally, it’s over. I sighed and suddenly felt heaviness on my eyelids. After long hours of battling through life and death, I surrendered myself to forty winks, teary-eyed but fulfilled. Now I can rest. I won. I couldn’t believe that I gave life to another human being to live. He is my crown. My little angel is my living proof of a painful success that made me whole and complete. After that night, it would be another me, another mission to fulfill, another reason to live—being a Mother.
“I think being a woman, by itself, the very fact of that you are a woman is a gift of God which all of us must appreciate,” she confidently answered. “The origin of a child is a mother, and is a woman. A woman is someone who shares love and shows the man what loving, sharing and caring are all about.” Miss India boldly ended the final question and smiled.
Nine years after I witnessed the show, I was in my own pageant. My stage was a steel bed with iron bars on both sides for grasping. My audiences were the doctors, nurses, my husband and my mom. I was laying on a bed all swollen and weary ready to take my chance.
“Can you still push it harder?” I heard Doctor Mariz’s voice echoed in the back of my subconscious mind. She was persuading me to exert much force. It had been eight hours since the show started. I was exhausted. I was bathing on my own sweat and my gown was all wet and a little bloody. I felt the pain of unexplained torment rushing all over my body.
“Mr. Tanchingco, Mrs. Cenidoza,” my doctor caught the attention of my judges. “We’re doing our best to give what your wife’s/daughter’s request. She is insisting to have a natural childbirth. She doesn’t even want to be anesthetized. She’s a little stubborn but I admire her for being brave. We’re giving her few more hours and if the baby will not come out the normal way, we’re sorry but we have to transfer her to caesarean section. The baby is too big for her. ” she explained politely.
My husband and my mom who were with me in the room couldn’t decide. I was being hard-headed. I wanted to experience the moment of life and death, the moment of my own pageant. Say I was being stubborn as a daughter, proving to my mom that I could bear all the pain. I believed that I could do it without the help of sedatives that my mom used to have when I was inside her. I knew I was being selfish too, as a lover, taking all those unexplainable aches and sores that I was agonizing right at that moment all by myself. Although from the very start, he wanted me to have painless delivery but I resisted. What I solely knew then was I must be brave for my baby, as a becoming mother. I wanted to be with him and feel him on me. With every passing minute, the contractions became more often and painful, more revealing. I stood still with my decision.
Few hours later, it was time to my final ramp. Instead of a catwalk, I did a deafening cat cry. I felt the unbearable pain pinching all throughout my senses.
“Now push, Ann, push” I clearly absorbed what my doctor said. For that very time, I exerted the last effort that I could and blew it hard. Then, I felt my baby, slowly slipping out on me. It seemed that a thin thread separated me from my being an ordinary woman to a mother; a no-ordinary lady had been unleashed. Suddenly, I heard his first cry, sounded like a thousand angels singing in my ears. I felt relieved. I felt complete.
“Your baby is a healthy boy. Congratulations!” Doctor Mariz declared on a sparkling beam before me and my husband.
“Thank you Lord!” I calmly prayed. Finally, it’s over. I sighed and suddenly felt heaviness on my eyelids. After long hours of battling through life and death, I surrendered myself to forty winks, teary-eyed but fulfilled. Now I can rest. I won. I couldn’t believe that I gave life to another human being to live. He is my crown. My little angel is my living proof of a painful success that made me whole and complete. After that night, it would be another me, another mission to fulfill, another reason to live—being a Mother.
Monday, October 25, 2010
Monday, October 25, 2010
Be sure to read Ashley Cafasso's Essay below! And don't forget to bring copies of your rough draft expository essay for Wednesday.
As promised, here is a video link to Martin Luther King Jr. "I Have a Dream" speech from August, 1963: click here
Journal #17: What I Know (and how I know it)
Ask yourself: What do I know? You've all been on the planet for however many years, and in this time there are certain things you've come to know or understand. What are they? Make a list or pick one and explore it.
Journal #18: Voices/Why I Write
Based on Linda Hogan's essay, "Hearing Voices", I want you to explore what kind of "voices" speak to you? Or, in other words, why do you write?
As promised, here is a video link to Martin Luther King Jr. "I Have a Dream" speech from August, 1963: click here
Journal #17: What I Know (and how I know it)
Ask yourself: What do I know? You've all been on the planet for however many years, and in this time there are certain things you've come to know or understand. What are they? Make a list or pick one and explore it.
Journal #18: Voices/Why I Write
Based on Linda Hogan's essay, "Hearing Voices", I want you to explore what kind of "voices" speak to you? Or, in other words, why do you write?
"The YouTube Christmas" by Ashley Cafasso
Ever since I could remember, my grandmother always wanted the whole family together for Thanksgiving and Christmas. When she passed, my family decided to split the Holidays. One year Thanksgiving would be at my Aunt’s house and Christmas at ours. The next year we would switch and we would have Thanksgiving at our house and Christmas at theirs. Last year was a Christmas I won’t forget.
My cousin Nick had moved to Hawaii, no one had seen him in person for a few years. He had moved there with his fiancée, and he had started his own photography business. However last Christmas he surprised everyone by showing up on my Aunt’s front porch. It nearly gave her a heart attack
The conversation at the dinner table started with my mother going into a full-blown description of my brothers embracing 21st birthday in Los Vegas, and how he and his friends had gotten into trouble at a strip club. My mother loved to tell embarrassing story’s and every time she got the chance she would go into full detail about how my brother took rum shots or how he would stager when he tried to walk after each bar. My brother ignored the whole conversation because he mostly had no memory of the drunken time in Vegas.
As everyone started to eat and talk about their recent adventures at the dinner table something went terrible wrong at the head of the table. My mother and my uncle got into an argument about who can drink more. Soon my mother was trying to down a whole bottle of champing as so was my uncle, to see who could down the bitter drinks faster. Soon my older brother and younger cousin got into the argument. They stared to bet on who would down a bottle of champing fastest, my mother, or uncle. Soon all three of the bottles of champing had disappeared. As a result, the argument turned to who hadn’t drank and who was going to go buy more booze. I saw my cousin; Nick had escaped the drunken fest upstairs and I soon followed.
He went up to my grandmother’s old study where he was watching something online. Of course, he was surfing the popular website, YouTube. He was watching the annoying orange Christmas The annoying orange is a normal orange that has been photo-shopped to look like it has a mouth and eyes. He says sassy things and is, well annoying as a two year old. He is immature and usually makes farting noise from its unrealistic mouth.
When I sat down and watched it, I did not find the fart noises and annoying comments that the talking orange was making, funny at all. But, my cousin was cracking up. He was laughing so hard that I’m sure you could hear him down the street. When the small clip was over I showed him what I thought was funny, Charlie the Unicorn. Charlie the Unicorn is a poorly drawn animation show of three unicorns doing crazy things such as climbing erupting volcanoes. Usually at the end Charlie (the main unicorn) losses something important, such as his kidney and he can’t remember how he lost it. He was surprised that I knew what that was. Apparently, Charlie the Unicorn use to be popular when he was in high school. I realized that even thought my cousin was much older than I was he still had a child-like aura to him that made him fun to be around and even relatable.
However, I also realized he was a boy and boy’s ideas of funny are much different from girls. This was shown when we watched another YouTube video that I chose, Fred. Fred is a normal teenager around the age of 16. However, Fred has A.D.H.D and the actor who plays Fred pretends he is about the age of 12. The actor of Fred edits the videos and gives Fred a high-pitched voice. The video that we watched was about Fred swimming. He first describes is obsession for Judy, his neighbor and then goes into a kiddy pool, one that you can find in a toy store and splashes around like a lunatic. What makes the videos funny is the use of slow motion and voice-overs. I found the clip amusing while my cousin thought the annoying orange was better.
After we had watched about an hour of YouTube videos and the adults where done trying to get drunk, we where called back downstairs to start opening presents. Nick brought chocolates of all sorts for my parents, pornographic calendars for my older brother, kitchen items for my Aunt, Uncle, and grandfather, toys for all kids under the age of 12, and a Hawaii calenderer for me. He also brought the sprit of Christmas with him by being there for Christmas and spending time with everyone.
What I realized that year was that my mother was wrong. She would always tell me how my grandmother brought this family together, how she was our glue. When she kicked the bucket, everything had been lost. But mom was wrong because our family can still get along., No matter how much we may bitch and moan about each other we are still family. My cousin that year was our glue.
My cousin Nick had moved to Hawaii, no one had seen him in person for a few years. He had moved there with his fiancée, and he had started his own photography business. However last Christmas he surprised everyone by showing up on my Aunt’s front porch. It nearly gave her a heart attack
The conversation at the dinner table started with my mother going into a full-blown description of my brothers embracing 21st birthday in Los Vegas, and how he and his friends had gotten into trouble at a strip club. My mother loved to tell embarrassing story’s and every time she got the chance she would go into full detail about how my brother took rum shots or how he would stager when he tried to walk after each bar. My brother ignored the whole conversation because he mostly had no memory of the drunken time in Vegas.
As everyone started to eat and talk about their recent adventures at the dinner table something went terrible wrong at the head of the table. My mother and my uncle got into an argument about who can drink more. Soon my mother was trying to down a whole bottle of champing as so was my uncle, to see who could down the bitter drinks faster. Soon my older brother and younger cousin got into the argument. They stared to bet on who would down a bottle of champing fastest, my mother, or uncle. Soon all three of the bottles of champing had disappeared. As a result, the argument turned to who hadn’t drank and who was going to go buy more booze. I saw my cousin; Nick had escaped the drunken fest upstairs and I soon followed.
He went up to my grandmother’s old study where he was watching something online. Of course, he was surfing the popular website, YouTube. He was watching the annoying orange Christmas The annoying orange is a normal orange that has been photo-shopped to look like it has a mouth and eyes. He says sassy things and is, well annoying as a two year old. He is immature and usually makes farting noise from its unrealistic mouth.
When I sat down and watched it, I did not find the fart noises and annoying comments that the talking orange was making, funny at all. But, my cousin was cracking up. He was laughing so hard that I’m sure you could hear him down the street. When the small clip was over I showed him what I thought was funny, Charlie the Unicorn. Charlie the Unicorn is a poorly drawn animation show of three unicorns doing crazy things such as climbing erupting volcanoes. Usually at the end Charlie (the main unicorn) losses something important, such as his kidney and he can’t remember how he lost it. He was surprised that I knew what that was. Apparently, Charlie the Unicorn use to be popular when he was in high school. I realized that even thought my cousin was much older than I was he still had a child-like aura to him that made him fun to be around and even relatable.
However, I also realized he was a boy and boy’s ideas of funny are much different from girls. This was shown when we watched another YouTube video that I chose, Fred. Fred is a normal teenager around the age of 16. However, Fred has A.D.H.D and the actor who plays Fred pretends he is about the age of 12. The actor of Fred edits the videos and gives Fred a high-pitched voice. The video that we watched was about Fred swimming. He first describes is obsession for Judy, his neighbor and then goes into a kiddy pool, one that you can find in a toy store and splashes around like a lunatic. What makes the videos funny is the use of slow motion and voice-overs. I found the clip amusing while my cousin thought the annoying orange was better.
After we had watched about an hour of YouTube videos and the adults where done trying to get drunk, we where called back downstairs to start opening presents. Nick brought chocolates of all sorts for my parents, pornographic calendars for my older brother, kitchen items for my Aunt, Uncle, and grandfather, toys for all kids under the age of 12, and a Hawaii calenderer for me. He also brought the sprit of Christmas with him by being there for Christmas and spending time with everyone.
What I realized that year was that my mother was wrong. She would always tell me how my grandmother brought this family together, how she was our glue. When she kicked the bucket, everything had been lost. But mom was wrong because our family can still get along., No matter how much we may bitch and moan about each other we are still family. My cousin that year was our glue.
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Saturday, October 23
Make sure to add the "I Have a Dream" speech to your reading for October 30. Here's an electronic link to it: click here
Journal #15: Fictional ExpositoryGo to the list of pictures I've posted, either from July 13th or from September 27th on the blog. Pick one. Now I want you to imagine yourself AS this person. Now ask yourself--what are they the expert on? Then write an expository prompt assuming their voice and their expertise. Write for 10 minutes.
Journal #16: Voices/Why I WriteBased on Linda Hogan's essay, "Hearing Voices", I want you to explore what kind of "voices" speak to you? Or, in other words, why do you write?
Journal #15: Fictional ExpositoryGo to the list of pictures I've posted, either from July 13th or from September 27th on the blog. Pick one. Now I want you to imagine yourself AS this person. Now ask yourself--what are they the expert on? Then write an expository prompt assuming their voice and their expertise. Write for 10 minutes.
Journal #16: Voices/Why I WriteBased on Linda Hogan's essay, "Hearing Voices", I want you to explore what kind of "voices" speak to you? Or, in other words, why do you write?
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
"Writing a Newspaper Article?" by Moua Kong Lee
Lee needs to learn how to write a news paper article so he did a little research. He already knows it has to answer the five W’s; this is what he found out.
The way to start writing a news paper article; articles in a news paper are quick and to the point. Explains all the important facts about that thing you’re talking about. All good news paper start off with a good headline, this will insure that the reader will like it and follow up with the rest of the reading.
If you only have a limited amount of space to write then get straight to the point and leave the less interesting parts out, but if you have more space then you can stick the more detailed ones in.
For the body paragraph you could find some quotes to make it more interesting and more personal with more meaning. Also writing your paragraphs should be short and not too long or it will just look boring and readers will not want to read it. News paper articles can also include pictures; it can be an item that catches the reader’s eyes. Sometimes pictures can have more meaning than what the words are saying.
The way to start writing a news paper article; articles in a news paper are quick and to the point. Explains all the important facts about that thing you’re talking about. All good news paper start off with a good headline, this will insure that the reader will like it and follow up with the rest of the reading.
If you only have a limited amount of space to write then get straight to the point and leave the less interesting parts out, but if you have more space then you can stick the more detailed ones in.
For the body paragraph you could find some quotes to make it more interesting and more personal with more meaning. Also writing your paragraphs should be short and not too long or it will just look boring and readers will not want to read it. News paper articles can also include pictures; it can be an item that catches the reader’s eyes. Sometimes pictures can have more meaning than what the words are saying.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Here's an electronic link to MLK's "I Have A Dream" speech.
Here's a link to Cliche a day:
And here's today cliche:
Cliché: he's toast
meaning: facing certain defeat (example - be toast)
Rewrite 1: he's month-old biscuit
Rewrite 2: he's burnt bacon
Rewrite 3: he's melted ice
Rewrite 4: he's overdosed on Tobasco
Rewrite 5: he's past his use-by date
Comment: These all relate to food in different states of disaster. What other metaphors might you explore?
Journal #16: Fictional Expository
Go to the list of pictures I've posted, either from July 13th or from September 27th on the blog. Pick one. Now I want you to imagine yourself AS this person. Now ask yourself--what are they the expert on? Then write an expository prompt assuming their voice and their expertise. Write for 10 minutes.
Here's a link to Cliche a day:
And here's today cliche:
Cliché: he's toast
meaning: facing certain defeat (example - be toast)
Rewrite 1: he's month-old biscuit
Rewrite 2: he's burnt bacon
Rewrite 3: he's melted ice
Rewrite 4: he's overdosed on Tobasco
Rewrite 5: he's past his use-by date
Comment: These all relate to food in different states of disaster. What other metaphors might you explore?
Journal #16: Fictional Expository
Go to the list of pictures I've posted, either from July 13th or from September 27th on the blog. Pick one. Now I want you to imagine yourself AS this person. Now ask yourself--what are they the expert on? Then write an expository prompt assuming their voice and their expertise. Write for 10 minutes.
Monday, October 18, 2010
Monday, October 18, 2010
Here's an electronic link to "Politics and the English Language" by George Orwell
Also, we are adding "Conjunctions" from Sin and Syntax to the line-up for Wednesday the 20th.
Journal #15: Instructions to your Body Double
Okay, imagine you are going out of town for a week to someplace fabulous. Imagine that you have hired a "body double" to live your life for you while you will be out of town. Write an instructional note to your body double explaining information they might need to know about being "you" for a week (how to deal with mother-in-law, how to avoid ex's phone calls, how to discipline the children, etc.) Write for 10 minutes.
Also, we are adding "Conjunctions" from Sin and Syntax to the line-up for Wednesday the 20th.
Journal #15: Instructions to your Body Double
Okay, imagine you are going out of town for a week to someplace fabulous. Imagine that you have hired a "body double" to live your life for you while you will be out of town. Write an instructional note to your body double explaining information they might need to know about being "you" for a week (how to deal with mother-in-law, how to avoid ex's phone calls, how to discipline the children, etc.) Write for 10 minutes.
Saturday, October 16, 2010
"Seven Minutes After" by Julio Alvarado
Head-eyes looking forward, mouth shut, arms straight to the side with clenched fists, heels together standing erect is the position of attention. I stood at this position sweaty fisted and nervous. Twenty other recruits and I waited to swear on defending our people of the United States of America. After the ceremony was over I walked to where the television was located. I was simply pacing around the lounging area, while I waited for further instructions to fly to San Diego’s Marine Corps Recruit Depot. Gray smoky fire emitted from the tall tower and I stopped on a dime, frozen to the view. The newscaster said that a plane flew into the building. A scene from an action movie came to mind, of a suicide pilot flying a white plane headed towards a busy crowded city. It was really happening, a building on live television was on fire. There were no oohs or ahs heard in the background. Only pale, sad, angry faces and confused distorted expressions were present. Out of the corner of my eyes, I looked at the recruits around me and could see sorrowful, sour postures. Everyone was stuck in a fixed position like flies on shit waiting for orders on what to do. Our line of sight and hearing was pulled by an unseen magnetism coming from the tube. Terrorized by the events unfolding we wallowed in disbelief to the scene.
Expectations of what would happen next, then boom! The second twin tower was struck, like lightning abusing a strong massive tree. After its collision, the plane united with that building similar to dust thrown at dirt. My mind was asking itself, “Did a plane full of passengers just vanish into that skyscraper?” Chicago Military Entrance Processing Station was like the silence of a midnight gloomy cemetery. The towers stood at attention while crying out for help, just before collapsing uniformly one after the other. It looked like a controlled demolition was taking place. Images that I have not forgotten as if my brain kept them stored in an infinite library.
I swore to defend my country, this beautiful land that I was born into. The flights were cancelled and none of us flew to boot camp that day. Nothing went according to plan. Some of the recruits had asked me if I was having second thoughts of enlisting. It seemed that they were afraid. That day was the first time I had seen a plane crash into a structure, humans jump out of buildings, and two towers crumble to rubble on live broadcast. I had sworn in about seven minutes prior to the impact of the first tower and there was no turning back now.
Expectations of what would happen next, then boom! The second twin tower was struck, like lightning abusing a strong massive tree. After its collision, the plane united with that building similar to dust thrown at dirt. My mind was asking itself, “Did a plane full of passengers just vanish into that skyscraper?” Chicago Military Entrance Processing Station was like the silence of a midnight gloomy cemetery. The towers stood at attention while crying out for help, just before collapsing uniformly one after the other. It looked like a controlled demolition was taking place. Images that I have not forgotten as if my brain kept them stored in an infinite library.
I swore to defend my country, this beautiful land that I was born into. The flights were cancelled and none of us flew to boot camp that day. Nothing went according to plan. Some of the recruits had asked me if I was having second thoughts of enlisting. It seemed that they were afraid. That day was the first time I had seen a plane crash into a structure, humans jump out of buildings, and two towers crumble to rubble on live broadcast. I had sworn in about seven minutes prior to the impact of the first tower and there was no turning back now.
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Great discussion today! Please add "Someone to Read Your Drafts" to your syllabus for Oct 23--I handed them out in class today and I'll leave some in my mailbox...
Here's a link to Cliche a day:
And here's today cliche:
Cliché: he's toast
meaning: facing certain defeat (example - be toast)
Rewrite 1: he's month-old biscuit
Rewrite 2: he's burnt bacon
Rewrite 3: he's melted ice
Rewrite 4: he's overdosed on Tobasco
Rewrite 5: he's past his use-by date
Comment: These all relate to food in different states of disaster. What other metaphors might you explore?
I just realized that I never posted for last week, Saturday the 9th. So here are the journals we did for that class and then the ones for today.
Journal #11: Write a Letter to Someone
Journal #12: Journal #14: How To__________This is a two-part journal entry. In the first few minutes, generate a list of things you are an expert on. You may interpret the word "expert" loosely--you are an expert on many things, both serious, funny, concrete and esoteric. Get as many things on the list as possible. Then choose one and go ahead and write a "How To" manual explaining how to do that thing. Write for 10 minutes
Journal #13: Instructions to your Body DoubleOkay, imagine you are going out of town for a week to someplace fabulous. Imagine that you have hired a "body double" to live your life for you while you will be out of town. Write an instructional note to your body double explaining information they might need to know about being "you" for a week (how to deal with mother-in-law, how to avoid ex's phone calls, how to discipline the children, etc.) Write for 10 minutes.
Journal #14: What I Know (and how I know it)Ask yourself: What do I know? You've all been on the planet for however many years, and in this time there are certain things you've come to know or understand. What are they? Make a list or pick one and discuss it. Write for 10 minutes
Here's a link to Cliche a day:
And here's today cliche:
Cliché: he's toast
meaning: facing certain defeat (example - be toast)
Rewrite 1: he's month-old biscuit
Rewrite 2: he's burnt bacon
Rewrite 3: he's melted ice
Rewrite 4: he's overdosed on Tobasco
Rewrite 5: he's past his use-by date
Comment: These all relate to food in different states of disaster. What other metaphors might you explore?
I just realized that I never posted for last week, Saturday the 9th. So here are the journals we did for that class and then the ones for today.
Journal #11: Write a Letter to Someone
Journal #12: Journal #14: How To__________This is a two-part journal entry. In the first few minutes, generate a list of things you are an expert on. You may interpret the word "expert" loosely--you are an expert on many things, both serious, funny, concrete and esoteric. Get as many things on the list as possible. Then choose one and go ahead and write a "How To" manual explaining how to do that thing. Write for 10 minutes
Journal #13: Instructions to your Body DoubleOkay, imagine you are going out of town for a week to someplace fabulous. Imagine that you have hired a "body double" to live your life for you while you will be out of town. Write an instructional note to your body double explaining information they might need to know about being "you" for a week (how to deal with mother-in-law, how to avoid ex's phone calls, how to discipline the children, etc.) Write for 10 minutes.
Journal #14: What I Know (and how I know it)Ask yourself: What do I know? You've all been on the planet for however many years, and in this time there are certain things you've come to know or understand. What are they? Make a list or pick one and discuss it. Write for 10 minutes
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
"Silent Lake" by Joshua Martinez
This story is about a man trying to get away from where he belongs. The man’s name is Trent, and it all began in a small town called Shadow Mountain. The town is nestled in the mountains, overlooking Silent Lake. Shadow Mountain is famous for its ghost stories and the strange deaths that haunt the town. Shadow Mountain was founded in the late eighteen hundreds. The population here is around twenty thousand. There is plenty of outdoor entertainment here in Shadow Mountain. They have camping, rock climbing, or you can take a hike to Silent Lake. Silent Lake is one of the most beautiful lakes in the world. The lake is a dormant volcano. The last time it was active was about sixty-five-million years ago. It is also one of the deepest lakes in the world. The lake has a deep blue color to it, but when the light hits the water at a certain angle, it lights up like the sky above. After the sun has fallen behind the mountains, you can see the fog looming over the lake. Some nights, seeing the fog with the moon reflecting off the water would make me wonder if this place is actually haunted.
Some people, here in town, think Silent Lake is haunted because of the strange deaths that happened in the past. Some legends are to be believed, that Silent Lake harbors a ghost. The story holds that a young woman named Khloe was returning home from a party, years ago. Rather than getting a ride home, she took a short cut through Silent Lake. The narrow pathway took her close by the lake. A recent rain made the path slippery, and Khloe never reached home. They searched for weeks, and never discovered a body. After what had happened, some of the town’s people call Khloe the water spirit.
A few years ago, a woman named Sally was having an affair with Trent. Sally was a beautiful young woman that liked to party all the time. Some nights, driving through town, Trent would glance over to the bar to find her leaving with one or two guys. Most of the town knew that she had engaged in a number of affairs, with a few married men in town. Trent had been married for five years and couldn’t stand his wife. They rented a small apartment here in town, and they never had kids. One day one of the wives busted Sally. Apparently, Sally went to Silent Lake to have sex with Trent. Little did they know that the wife was following them the whole time. That’s why Sally is known as the Silent Lake slut.
As time went on in this small town, people would see less and less of Sally and one day she just disappeared into thin air. They started a search party, and for days, they couldn’t find a body or a clue. The first person they questioned was Trent because of the affair. He had an alibi, so they let him go. After a few weeks, they found a body washed up on the shore, but the body was so decomposed they couldn’t identify it. Some people in town thought that she was murdered by Trent, and others thought it was the water spirit. A few months passed and they confirmed that the body was Sally’s.
A year has passed, and Trent was found dead in his apartment. He left a suicide note saying, “I learned a lesson by cheating on my wife, but this dark cloud from Sally’s death follows me everywhere. I tried to get away from Shadow Mountain, but this is where I belong and this is where I am going to die.” Trent’s guilt became a ghost that haunted him day and night, much like the water spirit that haunts Silent Lake.
Some people, here in town, think Silent Lake is haunted because of the strange deaths that happened in the past. Some legends are to be believed, that Silent Lake harbors a ghost. The story holds that a young woman named Khloe was returning home from a party, years ago. Rather than getting a ride home, she took a short cut through Silent Lake. The narrow pathway took her close by the lake. A recent rain made the path slippery, and Khloe never reached home. They searched for weeks, and never discovered a body. After what had happened, some of the town’s people call Khloe the water spirit.
A few years ago, a woman named Sally was having an affair with Trent. Sally was a beautiful young woman that liked to party all the time. Some nights, driving through town, Trent would glance over to the bar to find her leaving with one or two guys. Most of the town knew that she had engaged in a number of affairs, with a few married men in town. Trent had been married for five years and couldn’t stand his wife. They rented a small apartment here in town, and they never had kids. One day one of the wives busted Sally. Apparently, Sally went to Silent Lake to have sex with Trent. Little did they know that the wife was following them the whole time. That’s why Sally is known as the Silent Lake slut.
As time went on in this small town, people would see less and less of Sally and one day she just disappeared into thin air. They started a search party, and for days, they couldn’t find a body or a clue. The first person they questioned was Trent because of the affair. He had an alibi, so they let him go. After a few weeks, they found a body washed up on the shore, but the body was so decomposed they couldn’t identify it. Some people in town thought that she was murdered by Trent, and others thought it was the water spirit. A few months passed and they confirmed that the body was Sally’s.
A year has passed, and Trent was found dead in his apartment. He left a suicide note saying, “I learned a lesson by cheating on my wife, but this dark cloud from Sally’s death follows me everywhere. I tried to get away from Shadow Mountain, but this is where I belong and this is where I am going to die.” Trent’s guilt became a ghost that haunted him day and night, much like the water spirit that haunts Silent Lake.
Monday, October 11, 2010
Monday, October 11, 2010
Remember: NO CLASS on Wednesday, October 13.
Also, please bring in a newspaper article for our class on Monday the 18th--any article about anything, just NOT an editorial.
Journal #13: Write a letter to someone
Journal #14: How To__________
This is a two-part journal entry. In the first few minutes, generate a list of things you are an expert on. You may interpret the word "expert" loosely--you are an expert on many things, both serious, funny, concrete and esoteric. Get as many things on the list as possible. Then choose one and go ahead and write a "How To" manual explaining how to do that thing. Write for 10 minutes.
Also, please bring in a newspaper article for our class on Monday the 18th--any article about anything, just NOT an editorial.
Journal #13: Write a letter to someone
Journal #14: How To__________
This is a two-part journal entry. In the first few minutes, generate a list of things you are an expert on. You may interpret the word "expert" loosely--you are an expert on many things, both serious, funny, concrete and esoteric. Get as many things on the list as possible. Then choose one and go ahead and write a "How To" manual explaining how to do that thing. Write for 10 minutes.
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Make sure to read Quentin Rice's great essay below!
Due Monday 10/11: Final Narrative Essays with all workshopping/tutoring attached.
Read "Adverbs" in Sin and Syntax
Read "On Dumpster Diving" in Reader for Writers
Wednesday 10/13: NO CLASS
Journal #12: I Remember the First Time I ...
Finish that sentence in your journal. Write for 10 minutes.
Due Monday 10/11: Final Narrative Essays with all workshopping/tutoring attached.
Read "Adverbs" in Sin and Syntax
Read "On Dumpster Diving" in Reader for Writers
Wednesday 10/13: NO CLASS
Journal #12: I Remember the First Time I ...
Finish that sentence in your journal. Write for 10 minutes.
"Nightmare" by Quentin Rice
There’s this dream I had when I was 12 or 13 years old that was really scary at the time. It’s not a reoccurring dream or anything. I only had this dream once and I still remember it to this day and I’m 28 years old now. In this dream I’m in this long corridor that just goes straight for as long as the eye can see. There are windows in this dark infinitely stretching hallway with moonlight shining through them. The floor is wooden and creeks with every step. Apparently I am being chased or followed by some sort of goblin or monster. I guess I’m being chased because I am completely horrified by what’s following me. I am just running the only direction I can run which is straight ahead in this never ending hallway looking for a place to hide. With no turns or rooms or doors to go in I continue to run forward full of fear.
This goblin thing chasing me down the hallway appears to be green I think. I’m not totally sure because I haven’t gotten close enough to see it. I just know I feel threatened by this thing. As the creature approaches closer I become more afraid hearing its rushed breathing and quick steps on the old wooden floor becoming ever so closer to me. In desperation with no place to hide I see a rug on the floor directly in front of me. I lie underneath it and hide right in the middle of the hallway and become this shaking mass on the floor. Good hiding place right? Yeah, I thought it was curtains for me. Trembling under this rug I can hear the goblin approaching closer and closer and closer and then. It steps right over me and continues to walk down this never ending corridor. Wow that actually worked? Was this thing even chasing me or what? Dreams are so strange you know. That’s all I remember man.
This goblin thing chasing me down the hallway appears to be green I think. I’m not totally sure because I haven’t gotten close enough to see it. I just know I feel threatened by this thing. As the creature approaches closer I become more afraid hearing its rushed breathing and quick steps on the old wooden floor becoming ever so closer to me. In desperation with no place to hide I see a rug on the floor directly in front of me. I lie underneath it and hide right in the middle of the hallway and become this shaking mass on the floor. Good hiding place right? Yeah, I thought it was curtains for me. Trembling under this rug I can hear the goblin approaching closer and closer and closer and then. It steps right over me and continues to walk down this never ending corridor. Wow that actually worked? Was this thing even chasing me or what? Dreams are so strange you know. That’s all I remember man.
Monday, October 4, 2010
Monday, October 4, 2010
Don't forget to catch up on all your journals for Wednesday. Also bring three copies of your rough draft for workshopping on Wednesday.
Also there is NO CLASS on Wednesday, October 13. We will read "On Dumpster Diving" and Adverbs for Monday, October 11 instead of the 13, and just scratch "Morning Pages" for now.
Journal #11: A Secret
Write the story of an important secret. You don't have to share this one unless you want!
Essay Contest: Win $3,000!
I thought you might need $3000! Read below:
The National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development (NISOD) is pleased to announce the third annual Community College Week-NISOD Student Essay Contest in honor of Scott Wright. The winning essay is awarded a total of $3,000+ in prizes to be shared with the student author, the outstanding faculty/staff/administrator featured in the essay, and the student's community college.
Knowing you may want to promote this on your campus, you can download a PDF of the contest flyer and find the essay contest guidelines, entry information, a detailed list of prizes, and the online submission form on our website. Click here for all the info you need:
We hope that you will forward the information to other faculty, staff, administrators, and students. We also invite you to post the flyer on your campus. The deadline for the essay submission is November 8, 2010.
If you have any questions, please contact Mia Leggett at (512) 471-4503 or leggettm@mail.utexas.edu. Best of luck to your students!
Also there is NO CLASS on Wednesday, October 13. We will read "On Dumpster Diving" and Adverbs for Monday, October 11 instead of the 13, and just scratch "Morning Pages" for now.
Journal #11: A Secret
Write the story of an important secret. You don't have to share this one unless you want!
Essay Contest: Win $3,000!
I thought you might need $3000! Read below:
The National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development (NISOD) is pleased to announce the third annual Community College Week-NISOD Student Essay Contest in honor of Scott Wright. The winning essay is awarded a total of $3,000+ in prizes to be shared with the student author, the outstanding faculty/staff/administrator featured in the essay, and the student's community college.
Knowing you may want to promote this on your campus, you can download a PDF of the contest flyer and find the essay contest guidelines, entry information, a detailed list of prizes, and the online submission form on our website. Click here for all the info you need:
We hope that you will forward the information to other faculty, staff, administrators, and students. We also invite you to post the flyer on your campus. The deadline for the essay submission is November 8, 2010.
If you have any questions, please contact Mia Leggett at (512) 471-4503 or leggettm@mail.utexas.edu. Best of luck to your students!
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Thanks, Jenny, for letting us workshop your piece!
Don't forget to turn in your workshopping and/or tutoring with your essays next week.
Journal #9: I Remember
Fill in this sentence: I remember the first time I_____________. Write for 10 minutes.
Journal #10: A Secret
Write the story of an important secret. You don't have to share this one unless you want!
Don't forget to turn in your workshopping and/or tutoring with your essays next week.
Journal #9: I Remember
Fill in this sentence: I remember the first time I_____________. Write for 10 minutes.
Journal #10: A Secret
Write the story of an important secret. You don't have to share this one unless you want!
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Journal 10: Fictional Dialogue
Pick a different picture from below. Now do the exercise again where you tell the story taking place in the picture, but this time focus on using dialogue. Let your character speak, and try and capture their voice. Write for 10 minutes.
Pick a different picture from below. Now do the exercise again where you tell the story taking place in the picture, but this time focus on using dialogue. Let your character speak, and try and capture their voice. Write for 10 minutes.
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