Specific Nouns Exercise

As we discussed in class, use all the following nouns in a piece of writing that (at least tries to) makes sense.

Orchid, garlic, sushi, kiwi, persimmon, high heels, diamond, iron.

Have fun! See you in 2010!

I Wish I Lived . . .

Post your piece here! See you in the New Year!

Boredom and Fear

Write, using only description of a person's actions and thoughts, to show a person who is "bored." According to the Encarta Dictionary bored means “tired of and slightly annoyed by a person or situation that is not interesting, exciting, or entertaining.”

Now, do the same for the word “fear.” According to the Encarta Dictionary fear means “an unpleasant feeling of anxiety or apprehension caused by the presence or anticipation of danger.”

Post the results of your writing (edited and improved) on the blog for us to see in class next week. Please also try to use a semicolon once or twice in your writing this week.

More information on the semicolon.

Commas, Commas, Commas

Here's the link: Comma Placement

If you'd like to practice, try writing a short piece that uses all the different kinds of commas discussed on your worksheet (without being boring!)

The Jealous Character

Write, using only description of a person's actions, to show a person who is "jealous." According to Wordsmyth, jealous is "envious of the qualities, possessions, or achievements of another." It can also mean, "doubtful and suspicious of the faithfulness of someone for whom one has affection; fearful of losing the other's affection."

Taking a Walk with a Notebook in Hand

Go to the nearest stationery store. Buy a small, spiral bound notebook with lined pages. Walk to and from the store if you can.

On the way back (or later), closely observe two locations. You might choose a place you like and another that you dislike. Take a good look. Slow down and notice things: maybe that fence needs painting. Or the 30 meter fir tree swaying in the wind. Whatever you see . . .

Write your impressions immediately into your notebook. If you have a digital camera, take a picture of the scene to aid your memory.

Write a brief report on your experience. What did you find? Did you notice anything new? Do you have any ideas you could use in your writing?

A Person You've Noticed: Using the First Person

“Think of a person that you've noticed, but don't know—a drugstore clerk, a bus driver, a politician, a celebrity. Using the first-person, write a two-page scene that describes a moment in the life that you imagine for that person. What is he/she thinking about? What matters to him/her? What doesn't? How does his/her mind work?”—Ali Smith; short story writer from England

Posting Versus Commenting

Hi All,

I noted that Lola and Kay both posted work rather than entering it as a comment. I've duly moved your work into the correct post, so not to worry. Please look at post titles to find the right place to put work so it stays organized and easy to find.

Smelly Story?

Using the work you did in class today (and the ideas we discussed), please submit some "smelly" writing.

Begin with these words: "I remember the smell . . .

Sorry that I sent the wrong file to myself. It will need to wait until Wednesday. Sorry!

A Story Idea?

Present a story idea for discussion. Create a basic dilemma for a character to experience. Choose a genre. Create a basic plot (what happens) and list it in point form.

Writing that Matches Vonnegut's Seven Suggestions

Post short (100-word) excerpts here, please.

"Rain on My Face" Writing

Using the "Lake O'Hara Lodge" piece as a guide, rewrite your in-class work starting from the idea of having rain on your face. Try for at least one longer than your usual sentence and make the sensory details better, too!

Personification Example

As assigned by L in your previous class.

What about Style?

What does style mean to a writer? What makes some writing more stylish?

Be specific and answer in a paragraph (or two or three). We'll discuss more next week.

Characters Interacting with Setting

Name five places your character loves; name five places your character hates. Feel free to choose another student's character or work on your own.

Choose one of the places and have your character interact with that place. Remember that setting includes the social world (the manners and customs of people). For example, a strictly moral or religious person might find the manners of people in a bar unattractive.

Ziggurat Sentences: Part Two

Imitate, as closely as possible, O'Connor's structure but make the writing your own.

Sample One:

“Just . . .” The new girl blushed, then went pale. “Well . . . you know. It’s like I said before.” After that, she put her hands in her lap, became very quiet, and seemed to shrink to half her size.

Sample Two:

He took to wearing a kerchief and giving his lips a hasty wipe after every meal.

Online Notebook: October 15 to 29

This time, make a note of something about the physical world around you. Try for an observation you've never made before.

Online Notebook: October 8 to 15

As always, any observations you make are welcome here. Treat it as a chance to write your thoughts and perhaps to give us something to discuss in class the following week.

Ziggurat Sentences (Copy the Style)

Take the sentences from this week's worksheet and try to do a version of your own. Use the same number of words, the same style, the same general ideas and so on. If, for example, three sentences begin with "They would . . ." do the same. If you wish, use the description to describe your own character from last week's exercise.

Sample One: "His lips were fat and earthworm pink, his eyes were asymmetrical, and his eyebrows were like forests of black wire."

Sample Two: "They would sprinkle his hide with lead. They would pound him with their fists the way flies pound themselves against windows. They would attempt to reason."

Our Characters Meet: What Happens?

Take two (or three if you are daring) characters created by the class and put them together in some kind of situation. Given what you know about the characters, have them act in appropriate ways. Include some dialogue. No set length, but not too long!

Online Notebook for October 1 to 8

If you have any observations, comments, thoughts, place them here.

Create Your Own Character

Using the Episode 2: Characters sheet as a guide, provide a paragraph description.

Online Notebook: September 24 to October 1

Make an observation (or two or three) and put your findings here. Try to engage your senses (not only commenting on what you see, but also on what you touch, hear, smell . . .) when making the observation and try (although this may be hard) to find something that you have not noticed before. Look carefully!

More information arising from our class discussion:

Learn to use the dash: Making the Dash Work for You (worksheet; teacher writing sample)

Learn to use the semicolon: Using the Semicolon (Wisely and Well)

Avoiding Run On Sentences (PowerPoint; clearly explained)

Creating a Setting with Two Opposite Atmospheres

Take one of the following disgusting ingredients:

blood, spit, vomit, urine, feces

Write a scene (setting) that contains one of the ingredients and write it to make us feel disgusted and then write it a second time to make us feel it is acceptable. (50 to 100 words maximum for each)

Class Evaluation

Let me know. Don't worry about hurting my feelings! Be honest (and I hope, constructive) in order to help me make the course better in the future. And, thank you for attending this term and for all your efforts to improve your writing.

Things I Learned in Writing 12 (short essay)

If you'd like to share your piece for your portfolio, here's a place to post it. I will write about things I've learned as your teacher (and as a teacher of writing). Remember that next week's class (June 4) is our last "formal" class. On the 11th your portfolios are due and it's time for us to socialize and have a coffee together!

An Exercise in "Memory" (with eyes closed)

Based on your memory in class today, write about it. Try to include all the details we used in the exercise: sights, sounds, connections, people, dominant features and so on.

What did You Collect?

Describe in as much detail as possible a collection of something you had when you were younger. You may also write about an "anti" collection or someone else's collection if you didn't collect anything yourself. And, of course, I will write about my butterfly collection! See my collected butterflies by clicking on the links! Tiger Swallowtail, Mourning Cloak; Painted Lady

Help! I Need Somebody (Pieces for Comment)

Put your chosen piece (the one you will write the short essay on) here for other students to see and comment on. I will make an effort to comment as well, but encourage you to comment on one or two pieces before next class.

Why Don't You Forget?

"Why won't you forget? List six true sentences that begin with the words 'I'll never forget...' Then use all six of your sentences in a paragraph, poem, or longer descriptive piece."

—Prompt taken from WritingFix.com.

Imitating a Great Writer

Put your sentences that imitate J. M. Coetzee's work here. I include copies of the samples here if you've missed class today.

A. Also there were apes (of whom I will say more later) and birds, birds everywhere: not only flocks of sparrows (or so I called them) that flitted all day chirruping from bush to bush, but on the cliffs above the sea great tribes of gulls and mews and gannets and cormorants, so that the rocks were white with their droppings.

B. In the angle between two of these rocks Cruso had built himself a hut of poles and reeds, the reeds artfully thatched together and woven in and out of the poles with fronds to form roof and walls.

C. For surely, with every day that passes, our memories grow less certain, as even a statue in marble is worn away by rain, till at last we can no longer tell what shape the sculptor’s hand gave it. What memories do you even now preserve of the fatal storm, the prayers of your companions, your terror when the waves engulfed you, your gratitude as you were cast up on the shore, your first stumbling explorations, your fear of savage beasts, the discomforts of those first nights (did you not tell me you slept in a tree?)?

D. He was a kindly man – let me say so now, lest I forget – who deserved a better end.

E. I found it strange that Friday should not understand that firewood was a kind of wood, as pinewood is a kind of wood, or poplarwood; but I let it pass. Not until after we had eaten, when we were sitting watching the stars, as had grown to be our habit, did I speak again.

(all quotes from the novel, Foe, by J. M. Coetzee; 1987)

Hongxin's Piece, "Visiting Laoshan Mountain" Edited

Hi Everyone,

Visiting Laoshan Mountain (edit)

It's also been published at The Pearson Buzz.

The piece is filled with wonderful, personal detail. It uses dialogue effectively and provides us with a unique look at a different way of life. Bravo!

Something that Happened

First, make a list of 20 things that have happened to you this month. Try to find some that are funny, some embarrassing, some happy, some that made you mad. After you make the list, write about one of the incidents.

In your writing use parallel structures, a variety of punctuation (semicolon, dash, colon, parenthesis), at least one sentence of 30 words or more, and engage our senses as much as possible.

Makassia's Story, "Sunrise in Jala" Edited

Here it is:

"Sunrise in Jala"

Fibonacci Poem

Try a Fibonacci poem: the Fibonacci progression is a mathematical formula that starts with 0 and 1 and then builds by adding numbers that are equal to the sum of the previous two numbers. The famous sequence begins as follows: 0-1-1-2-3-5-8.

A Fibonacci poem, or Fib, is a six-line poem (though, rarely, some are longer, and multiple-stanza versions are sometimes seen). Each line contains the same number of syllables as the corresponding digit in the Fibonacci sequence: 0 - 1- 1- 2- 3- 5- 8. (The unspoken first line of each Fib is silence.)

Here’s an example:

Rain

So

Thick this

Summer day

I can barely see

Ginkgo offer small umbrellas

Punctuation Practice (A Long Sentence)

Compare two things you have heard about a place. Write your comparison as a single sentence using all the following punctuation marks: a semicolon, a dash, and parenthesis. Write as many words as you can in the sentence.

A Piece to Publish

This week, post any piece from any time in the course that you would like to see published at The Pearson Buzz.

Dialogue (Patchwork Farm Writing Retreat Prompt)

Write a piece that is entirely dialogue. Write a minimum of ten exchanges, where a single exchange includes one person's speech and another's answer. Here are some possible beginning lines:

You never told me...

Where is the cat?

Can't he ever remember to...

I would like a little respect around here.

And where did you say you were?

To me, a friend is...

Use an extended metaphor. Please write a minimum of five sentences.

To Me, Spring is . . .

This time write two versions using metaphor: one positive and one negative.

Rage, Peace, Loss, Evil

Starting with images brought to mind by one of the abstract words, write what comes to you. You may write fiction, memoir, narrative; whatever suits you.

Marc and Beatrice Edited Stories

From Marc: Accomodador

From Beatrice: Tomorrow

Published Pieces and Edits

Three pieces published this week at The Pearson Buzz: Beatrice's "The Newly-Rich Mushroom"; Makassia's "Lies that Can't be Proven"; Frank's "Not the Biggest Rain Ever."

Edits showing my changes (in Word format):

Beatrice's "The Newly-Rich Mushroom"; Makassia's "Lies that Can't be Proven"; Frank's "Not the Biggest Rain Ever."

To Me, Writing is . . .

Begin this way:

To me, writing is . . .

Use some kind of metaphor to explain yourself.

A Favorite Tree (Patchwork Farm Writing Retreat Prompt)

"Think of a favorite tree, living or gone. Begin writing with a close description of the tree, even if you have to make up the details. Let something happen around the tree." (like a mini story)

In addition, include at least one synechdoche to your writing. To practice further with Zeugma, try to include one type you did not use in last week's piece. Have fun!

Eve's Story, "Outdoor Cat" EDITED

As you know, one student (who wins the lucky draw!) receives a full edit each week. Eve submitted her story, all 1627 words! View my comments, suggestions and corrections here: "Outdoor Cat-edited" BTW, once your name is drawn, it is removed so others have a better chance.

The Zeugma Challenge (Just for Fun)

Try writing a funny story that uses three or more different examples of zeugma. Successful pieces can be published in our "Just for Fun" section at The Pearson Buzz!

The Best Least Favorite Food

Make a list of your favorite foods; now list your least favorite foods. Write beginning with something from the second list as though it were the best food in the world.

Dialogue: Person and an Object

Write a dialogue between a person and an object. We all, sometimes, talk to things (not only people). One example is when a person talks to his or her car, but there are many others . . . Have fun!

A Rainy Day Story (Choose a Suitable Design)

Working from today's handout write a rainy day story. Use all the techniques you know: simile, dialogue, characterization . . . Also, try to do at least one amplification based on the Greek Technique we did in class today. Link to information on amplification.

Things I Cannot Do (Live) Without

Fiction or fact. Have fun writing this one!

New Pieces for The Pearson Buzz

The Pearson Buzz includes a number of different categories for new writing. Choose something you haven't worked on before and put your new piece here when it is ready for us to see.

Most Recent Drafts (any pieces)

Post your most recent drafts here. You may include any piece of writing you have worked on during Writing 12. I encourage you to revisit work from earlier in the term now that you've had a chance to let it "rest" awhile.

Finally, the Final Draft (for publication)

Post your pieces here when they, in your opinion, are ready for publication at The Pearson Buzz.

If your work is published, I will notify you by email! The Cubic Life by Beatrice is published today (March 21).

Edited pieces by Marc and Esther. Esther's piece will be published in this week's Buzz. Marc's needs further work.

Note that I've also put links to your profiles on The Pearson Buzz "Staff Profiles" link. I note that some of you have spelling and capitalization errors on your profiles. You may wish to check and correct these errors as the world can see them now!

"I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to take it anymore!"

In the movie, "Network," a TV personality asks everyone to go to their windows and shout out, "I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to take it anymore!" Here's the link to the scene.

What makes you angry? Write a "rant," a kind of angry prose, about something that angers you. Make it colourful. Show, don't tell. Let your feelings out!

For an article on a subversive (New York Times use of the word) video from Chinese videographers: A Dirty Pun Tweaks China’s Online Censors

Online Journal: Crow, Elbow, Wall, Secret

Use the words--crow, elbow, wall, secret--in a short piece of writing. See you in two weeks!

Third Drafts, Final Drafts, New Drafts?

Post your work here as you make it ready for publication. After your article, please comment on anything that you wish us to comment on or make suggestions about. Also, tell us whether you believe your work is ready for a final edit and, ultimately, publication.

Other students should read drafts and then try to add a helpful idea. Post your comment here before next week's class. I'll demonstrate once someone posts a draft.

Sorry for the delay.

Pieces for Publication: Second Draft (or new first drafts)

Based on feedback from today, post a second draft of your piece. If you haven't yet done a first draft, please put it here as well.

Our Home Town

Put your draft here. Write 300 to 500 words (maximum). Remember to show the special and different things about the place. Use your imagination and the senses as much as you can!

First Drafts: Pieces for Publication

Based on our discussions today, write a first draft of an article to be published eventually at The Pearson Buzz. Post your article here. Article word count should be no more than 500 words in multiple paragraphs. 

Remember that an online article needs a strong opening. You can leave your main idea to the second or third paragraph (called the "nut graf"). Concentrate on attractive prose to draw the reader in!

Phrasal Verbs: Writing a Dialogue

Using four or five different phrasal verbs, write a dialogue between two people. Make it sound as natural as you can. Use the BBC sample given in class as a model. 

Pitch Your Ideas!

Take a look at our online newspaper, The Pearson Buzz, and read some of the stories in the various "Features" categories (see the left side navigation). After you do, come back here and "pitch" (suggest) a story idea that might interest our student readers. State which category would work or suggest a new one if you wish.

BTW, I checked our most recent articles stats and found readers from Vancouver, New Westminster and Coquitlam. We also have regular readers from Riyadh (Saudi Arabia), West Hollywood, Phnom Phen (Cambodia) and Torino (Italy) among many other cities.

Let's make this year's edition the best ever!

Online Notebook: Random Image or Word

This week, go to a favourite magazine (or check one at the supermarket cashier or friend's house) and open it at a random page. The first word or image you notice will form the original idea for your piece. Write no more than 200 words in multiple paragraphs.

Using Paired Idioms

Create a short piece of writing where you use two to three idiom pairs. Try to make their use as natural as possible. Often, such pairs are used during conversation (dialogue) for example. 

The Quietest Thing: Online Notebook for February 5 to 12

What is the quietest thing you heard this week? Note what created the sound, use metaphor or simile if you can. Do not write from memory; instead, use a direct observation of something you notice during the week before next week's class.

Shh!

I used to be _____, but now I am ________

Either write from the first person (as yourself) or from the point of view of a character (either in first person or third person).

Online Journal for January 22 to February 5

Try to make two entries between now and our next class. One entry will be on something that bothers you; another entry will be on something you love. Have a safe "semester break" and see you all in class on the 5th of February. We'll be welcoming new students so it should be fun . . .

Lisa and Eric Fall in Love ("Let Me Hug You Again")

If you like, practice showing by creating a scene where it becomes clear that Lisa and Eric have feelings for each other. How would you show it to us (without telling us too much)?

Why I Write: Short Essay

Put your short essay here. Try to have a first draft here before our first class in the new semester (February 5) so we can see it then.

Online Notebook for January 15 to 22

This week note your observations while shopping. It can be any kind--for food, for clothes, for electronics. Describe one of the shopkeepers and one of the shoppers. If something bothers you when shopping, note that too.

Short Stories (New or Edited)

Some of you have begun to work on stories (new from Mia and Beatrice plans a new story, too). Others have had enough time to "forget" the story and read it with new eyes.


Be sure to read the handout "Don't Be Too Eager to Publish" before you begin work. After you post your story, I will place them on Writeboard.com for you to work on further.

Online Notebook for January 8 to 15

Write about regular activities that take place inside your home. Use the senses in your writing.

Writing about a "First"

Write about a first. It can be about anything you have done (but must be about the first time). A first kiss, a first car, a first date . . .