EWC4U0
December 1, 2008
Today we tried our hands at writing the Cento (means 'patchwork').
Homework: Make a list of 10 things you think are important enough to write about
right now (think: current events, news, personal, holidays, etc.). Bring your list to
class tomorrow.
November 27, 2008
We continued our study of experimental poetry today by examining typography -- with a focus
on E.E. Cummings's work (the 'Study in Typography' handout is now available on the handouts
page under unit 3).
Homework: Hand in your short story before the W.o.O. closes TOMORROW.
November 26, 2008
We continued our study of experimental poetry today by examining the traits and techniques
of visual poems.
Homework: Hand in your short story before the W.o.O. closes THIS Friday.
November 25, 2008
We began our study of experimental poetry today by trying to find inspiration in other art forms.
See me if you would like an opportunity to listen to the music again and I'll lend you the disc.
We also read and listened to performances of Hugo Ball's sound poetry.
Homework: Hand in your short story before the W.o.O. closes THIS Friday.
November 24, 2008
Groups workshopped the short stories today - the W.o.O. opens tomorrow and will close at the
beginning of class THIS Friday. We also watched an excerpt of David Mamet's film
"The Spanish Prisoner" and listened to and discussed the sound of the language of the film.
Homework: Hand in your story before the W.o.O. closes.
November 21, 2008
We finished the Reading Program Interviews today.
Homework: Come to Monday's class prepared for the
workshop -- that means 2 typed copies of your story plus 2-3 good questions that will help
to focus your group's attention on the needy areas of your story.
Note: marks have been updated to include the interviews for Reading Program 2.
November 18-20, 2008
Reading Program Interviews began today (and will continue all week). Class time is given
to polishing the final version of your story in order to be prepared for Monday's workshop.
Homework: Prepare for your interview. Finish your story.
November 17, 2008
I gave out the rubric for the short story today. We spent most of the class revising the key
sections of our stories to ensure that the proper skills were being demonstrated.
Homework: Finish another draft of your story. Reading Program Interviews begin
TOMORROW.
November 14, 2008
Today was designated as a writing period to put the finishing touches on the next draft
of your story. We also spent a little time reading "best lines".
Homework: Finish the next draft of your story. Remember: the reading program written
material is due Monday, Nov. 17. Interviews will begin on Tuesday.
November 13, 2008
Today we talked about considering the importance of time in writing and
the importance of using a variety of sentence types (a copy of my note is on the handouts
page). We read two short-short stories -- "Continuity of Parks" and "Life Without Drama"
(copies of both these stories are available on the handouts page). We also tried
writing 55-word stories and 6-word stories.
Homework: Finish the next draft of your story. Be prepared to read aloud a key sentence
or passage tomorrow.
NOTE: I've pushed the cut-off date for the reading program to Monday, Nov. 17
(instead of Friday, Nov. 14). Interviews will begin on Tuesday.
November 12, 2008
We spent today writing and revising.
Homework: Finish the next draft of your story.
November 11, 2008
Today we read and discussed Nabakov's story "Signs and Symbols". We also talked about
the importance of finding the right title.
Homework: Finish the 2nd draft of your story.
November 10, 2008
We continued to work on Short Stories today.
Homework: Finish your 2nd draft. Finish your reading program (the W.o.O. opens
tomorrow).
November 7, 2008
Today we spent some time working the Reading Program (you should be finished your sweep
notes and should now be working on your short essay and preparing for your interview).
We also spent some time discussing the importance of effective opening and closing lines
(a handout is available under unit 2).
Homework: Please have the first draft of your story completely written PLUS the
revision of one element (dialogue, description, character development, final paragraph,
etc.) finished for Monday's class.
November 6, 2008
Today we studied John Updike's story "A&P" (a copy is available on the handouts page).
We also spent some time writing our own short stories.
Homework: Aim to have the first draft of your story and ONE revision finished
for Monday's class. Finish your sweep notes for the Short Fiction Reading Program
and begin preparing for your interview and short essay.
Note: Marks have been updated to include your sonnet and first reading program
interview.