For this blog you are responsible for:
a) The paragraph summarizing your research
b)A minimum of one image that relates to your research
c) A link to at least one website that you found informative
BEWARE OF SPOILERS FOR THE NOVEL YOU ARE READING!
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Novel Research
Your job today is to research some background issue that relates to the novel you are reading. You may choose to research the author, or the setting that your novel takes place in (the setting may include location and/or time in history). Focus your research on one key idea and write a paragraph that summarizes the information that you found. Once you have finished your paragraph you need to add at least one key image that relates to your research, and include a link to at least one website that you found interesting. Finally, make sure you are linked to the blogs of all other people who are reading the same novel as you are.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Write a Review
Your blog topic today is to write a review for a book, movie, television series, song, album, video game,website, or for the performance of your favourite sports team this season. Below are some tips on how to approach your review. You are allowed to write a positive or a negative review.
1. Know what a review is. A review is not a recap of a TV episode or the plot of a book. It isn't just listing the different features in a PC game or what songs are on a new CD. Those things might be included in your review, but they are not the main event. Writing critically means you must tell people what is good or bad about your subject matter, and you need to provide specific evidence to back up your opinion.
2. As yourself "what does the reader want to know"? Think of the questions that a reader is likely to ask themselves about a movie, book, or song.
3. Decide on the overall point that you want to get across to the reader. Decide on an overall basic opinion of the product, such as "A hilarious, if overly long movie. Just don't expect anything groundbreaking"...and use this as a frame for your review. Hang everything else off this one idea. How does the movie's acting influence this opinion? Why isn't the plot that groundbreaking?
4. Don't write about yourself; the review is about the band, book, movie, or whatever you're reviewing.
5. Ask yourself, "what makes my review unique?" What is your unique selling point for this particular "product"?
6. Compare to other similar products, but not too much!
7. Be specific. What is unique about the experience of watching this movie, cheering for this team, reading this novel, or listening to this band?
8. Don't be afraid to state the obvious. Your readers might not be as familiar with your subject as you are. Don't be afraid to give a little extra description about things that you already know.
9. Be honest.
1. Know what a review is. A review is not a recap of a TV episode or the plot of a book. It isn't just listing the different features in a PC game or what songs are on a new CD. Those things might be included in your review, but they are not the main event. Writing critically means you must tell people what is good or bad about your subject matter, and you need to provide specific evidence to back up your opinion.
2. As yourself "what does the reader want to know"? Think of the questions that a reader is likely to ask themselves about a movie, book, or song.
3. Decide on the overall point that you want to get across to the reader. Decide on an overall basic opinion of the product, such as "A hilarious, if overly long movie. Just don't expect anything groundbreaking"...and use this as a frame for your review. Hang everything else off this one idea. How does the movie's acting influence this opinion? Why isn't the plot that groundbreaking?
4. Don't write about yourself; the review is about the band, book, movie, or whatever you're reviewing.
5. Ask yourself, "what makes my review unique?" What is your unique selling point for this particular "product"?
6. Compare to other similar products, but not too much!
7. Be specific. What is unique about the experience of watching this movie, cheering for this team, reading this novel, or listening to this band?
8. Don't be afraid to state the obvious. Your readers might not be as familiar with your subject as you are. Don't be afraid to give a little extra description about things that you already know.
9. Be honest.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Synthesis: "The Lottery" & "The Perils of Indifference"
With reference to both "The Lottery" and "The Perils of Indifference," (use direct quotes) demonstrate that terrible violence and inhumanity can be demonstrated by the most "ordinary" citizens. If you wish, you may conclude with a personal reflection on your own abilities to partake in acts resembling the ones mentioned in the story.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Top 3
Today's blog challenge is to choose the top 3 (of anything) and justify your choice. You may choose the top three hockey players of all time, the greatest musicians, the top three reasons to do something...the possibilities are endless. Here is a suggested sequence of events for the blog:
1. Choose your topic
2. Choose the criteria you are using to make your choices, and explain it to the reader. For example, if you are ranking the top three hockey players, how are you choosing to judge them? Points scored? Plus/minus rating? Years in the league? Stanley Cups won?
3. Type your blog out by first explaining the topic you have chosen, and the criteria for your choices. Then state each of your top three choices, and dedicate approximately a paragraph to each one that justifies why it deserves the ranking you gave it. As always, formal language and proper spelling and grammar applies.
1. Choose your topic
2. Choose the criteria you are using to make your choices, and explain it to the reader. For example, if you are ranking the top three hockey players, how are you choosing to judge them? Points scored? Plus/minus rating? Years in the league? Stanley Cups won?
3. Type your blog out by first explaining the topic you have chosen, and the criteria for your choices. Then state each of your top three choices, and dedicate approximately a paragraph to each one that justifies why it deserves the ranking you gave it. As always, formal language and proper spelling and grammar applies.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Superpower
If you could have any superpower in the world, what would it be, and why? Justify why you have chosen your particular gift, and rejected all others. OR You may choose to match any two superheroes together (Superman vs. Spiderman) and justify who would win in a battle. Remember to give EVIDENCE to support your opinion.
Blog Introduction
Blogs offer students a chance to easily read each others' ideas, as well as draw from internet resources. They also provide a different option for written expression. 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. However, in order for these blogs to be effective, proper grammar, punctuation, and appropriate word choice must be used at all times.
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. However, in order for these blogs to be effective, proper grammar, punctuation, and appropriate word choice must be used at all times.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)