Monday, September 27, 2010

Hi guys--again, so sorry about last Wednesday. But we can get back on track with no problem. Basically, combine everything for 9/27 AND 9/29 on your syllabus and we'll do it all on 9/29. So for Wednesday you're reading the handout "The Toughest Indian in the World," you're reading "Verbs" if you haven't already and then we'll discuss "Put Your Shirt on Fabio" IN CLASS, so I'll give it to you on Wednesday in class. And your narrative exercise (explanation in syllabus) is still due Wednesday 9/29 as is in the syllabus. And then we'll be on track again.

Journal #9: Fictional Narrative

Pick one of the pictures below. Imagine that this is a crucial day in the life of this person, that a photographer managed to swoop in and capture the critical event or moment in their lives that was going to change everything. Write about it for 10 minutes.

Saturday, Sept 25, 2010

I added one thing to the syllabus: Read "The Toughest Indian in the World" for Oct 2 as well as the other assignments. I couldn't find a copy of this online, so if you missed class I will leave copies of this handout in my mailbox in Rm 313 to pick up.

Don't forget to bring three copies of your Narrative rough draft with you next week. We'll also workshop Jenny's as a class.

Journal #7: Fictional Narrative

Pick one of the pictures below. Imagine that this is a crucial day in the life of this person, that a photographer managed to swoop in and capture the critical event or moment in their lives that was going to change everything. Write about it for 10 minutes.

Journal #8: 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.

Class Cancelled Wednesday 8/22

Hey Guys--
So sorry to cancel class at the last minute on you--my son is sick and had to stay home from school. So we'll just push everything we were going to do today until Monday and we can look at the schedule on Monday and juggle as needed.

I won't get a chance to remind you or invite you in person, now, but if you want to attend and write up a literary event for extra credit, this Friday I will be hosting and reading at the book release of The Mix Tape at the Mercury Cafe. Hope to see some of you there!

Nancy

Monday, September 20, 2010

I look forward to reading all your descriptive essays! Let's move on to Narrative Writing.

Journal #7: Your Signature Story

Okay, so for this entry I want you to think of a story you've told many times. This could be something funny or sad or whatever that may have happened to you or someone else...whenever you have an audience you like to tell this particular story because it gets a certain type of reaction. This should be a story you've told at least 5 times before. Think about how you've altered the story as you've told it, maybe made it longer here, funnier here, whatever. Each time you've told it, you've tried to improve it...so now write that story, exactly as you tell it, the way you tell it. Write for 10 minutes.

Journal #8: Coming of Age

Think back to a moment or event in childhood that "grew" you up. Maybe you even think of your childhood ending at that point, or maybe you just see it as when you became more adult. Write for at least 10 minutes.

090-026 M/W 11:30 Switching Rooms!

Very important!! If you are in my 11:30 class we are SWITCHING ROOMS (finally!) Meet on Monday in Central Classroom Room 227. (If you are in my 1:00 class, obviously stay where you are).

Saturday, September 18, 2010

I look forward to reading your descriptive essays! In the meantime, feel free to refer to the readings we did in class today for more examples of dialogue formatting for you assignments for next week. See the syllabus for a complete description of the narrative assignment.

Here's another site that might be helpful: Dialogue Punctuation


Journal #5: Your Signature Story

Okay, so for this entry I want you to think of a story you've told many times. This could be something funny or sad or whatever that may have happened to you or someone else...whenever you have an audience you like to tell this particular story because it gets a certain type of reaction. This should be a story you've told at least 5 times before. Think about how you've altered the story as you've told it, maybe made it longer here, funnier here, whatever. Each time you've told it, you've tried to improve it...so now write that story, exactly as you tell it, the way you tell it. Write for 10 minutes.

Journal #6: Coming of Age

Think back to a moment or event in childhood that "grew" you up. Maybe you even think of your childhood ending at that point, or maybe you just see it as when you became more adult. Write for at least 10 minutes.

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Very important!! If you are in my 11:30 class we are SWITCHING ROOMS (finally!) Meet on Monday in Central Classroom Room 227. (If you are in my 1:00 class, obviously stay where you are).

Don't forget to attach your rough drafts with workshopping to your final descriptive essays DUE MONDAY. If you didn't participate in workshopping today, it will be your responsibility to go to the tutors and include their notes with your final to get full credit.

Electronic Link to Salvation by Langston Hughes.

Journal Prompt #6: Your Very First Memory

Think back to the very first memory that you can recall from your life. It might not be a complete memory, that's okay. Describe it with as much detail as possible. Write for 10 minutes.