ASSIGNMENT #4 Dialogue - with a couple of cliches thrown in.

Let's practice writing with dialogue and kill two birds with one stone and throw in some cliches-oops!

A good writer strives to be original. Too often papers that I evaluate are filled with cliches, overused expressions. Usually, students don't realize that they are even using cliches. So this writing exercise is designed to not only make you aware of what a cliche is, but to allow you to purge them from your system forever.

Choose one of the following opening lines to create a new scene in the novel and use at least 8 cliches in your paragraph.

You may want to google cliches to find lists from which you can choose.

Italicize each cliche or change the color so that it's easy for me to see how many you have used.
Use third person point of view and try to maintain the style of the author.

Scenario one: George looked up from shoeing the horse to see the outline of Curley's wife in the doorway of the barn. They were alone.

Scenario two: Slim and George sat down at the bar. Slim put a hand on George's shoulder and stated, "Like I said, George, sometimes a guy's gotta."

If you include dialogue (conversation), remember to indent and start a new paragraph withn each new speaker.

The speaker can be indicated at the beginning, middle, and end of the dialogue. You can also indicate the speaker just by indenting. Use all four methods at least twice each. DO NOT use the word "said."

EXAMPLE

       George looked up from shoeing the horse to see the outline of Curley's wife in the doorway of the barn. They were alone. She whispered, "What's the matter, George? Cat got yer tongue?"

       "What 'bout Curley? 'Spose he walks in," muttered George looking at his feet.

        "Well, "she stated, "all's fair in love and war. I ain't never told anyone this, but I don't love Curley. He's dumber than a sack of hammers."

        "I ain't so sure this is a good idea."

        Curley's wife smiled an ironic smile and asked, "George, are you a man or a mouse?"

ASSIGNMENT #3 Writing With Detail





An effective way to bring the reader into your experience is to use specific detail. Don't rely on our dominant sense - sight. Include detail that describes smells, sounds, tastes, and physical feelings, (not just emotional feelings.)

This is an IMPORTANT exam! You are not at all prepared. What is it like to walk into that room?Bring the reader into that experience in a prargraph of at least 200 words.

A simile and metaphor here and there can be effective - don't over do it.

Focus on your diction.

Include at least one very short sentence for variety.

Make sure your title is interesting.

NO CLICHES!





ASSIGNMENT #2 Grade 12

Your first assignment is to write an article that accomplishes at least one of these purposes:

1. Entertain me
2. Persuade me to do something
3. Teach me something.
4. Present me with a new perspective on a topic.
5. Inspire me.
6. Impress me.
7. Show me your depth of knowledge.

DO NOT WRITE AN ARTICLE THAT PRESENTS COMMON KNOWLEDGE UNLESS YOU WANT A COMMON MARK!

Make me smirk, make me scatch my head in wonderment, make me chortle, or make me weep.
DO NOT MAKE ME YAWN AS I READ YOUR ARTICLE!

Your topic: Grade 12

Good luck

HAND IN A DOUBLE SPACED GOOD COPY AT THE END OF THURSDAY'S CLASS

ASSIGNMENT # 1 User Profile- Who Defines You?



Create a blog site and give the site an interesting, mature and appropriate title. Link to me and make sure I am linked to you.

Now that you have created a blog, compose a user profile that tells me something about you.

Use four characters that define some aspect of who you are. These characters can be real  people, or characters from novels, movies, cartoons, or othe genres.

Explain what these charcters symbolize about your background, accomplishments, activities, future plans, or values.

Your profile must be at least 150 words.  Write this in third person as if you are writing about someone else. Make sure you have an engaging introduction and a clever conclusion.

Consider this an entertaining magazine article, not a job application form! Feel free to add pictures, like a magazine, but remember that you are marked only on what you write.

Be brave, be bold, be brilliant, but don't be bashful or boring.

WELCOME TO BLOGGING - Read before proceeding!

Blog Introduction
Blogs offer students a chance to easily read each others' ideas, as well as draw from internet resources. Many students prefer to write on a computer as it allows for more convenient editing and provides the option of using tools such as spellcheck, grammarcheck and thesaurus.

Please remember the following guidelines for blog use:

1. Everything you write on your blog must be considered PUBLIC. Do not include ANY information or opinions on your blog that you would not be comfortable with anyone else (in or outside the class) reading.

2. Please follow the proper expectations for writing in English 12. It is natural for students to become careless in their writing when working in an internet environment. Do not use Facebook or MSN abbreviations and style. Formal grammar, punctuation, and appropriate word choice must be used at all times.

You will be graded on your blogsite thoughout the year. Part of your mark will be based on having all assignments complete. Part of your mark will be based on your writing skills and the effort and detail that you have put into your work.