Friday, January 21, 2011

Why I Write: Edits

I'll edit my demonstration essay as well. See you in February!

Here's an edit (with track changes shown) of my demonstration essay. I tightened it up quite a bit, but am still not satisfied!

Field Work: One Small Thing

Find one small thing near your home. The object should be no bigger than your hand.

Describe the object fully. Give colour, shape, smell details. Imagine how the object came to be at its location. What is its story?

Using Phrasal Verbs

Write a dialogue in the same way as the BBC example where you use four or five phrasal verbs. Use a couple of the "extra" ones we discussed if you can find a way to fit them in. For interest, include more than just dialogue (setting, character's actions and the like)

Thursday, January 13, 2011

Why I Write

Post a short essay on the topic, "Why I Write," at the blog before next week's class. Remember that next week is our "last" class before the semester break. We will begin a new term on February 3 (and welcome some new students I hope).

Length? About 300 words, but do go on longer if you have something to say!

A Snippet of Conversation

Write down a snippet of conversation you've overheard in public. Take a notebook with you when you are out to make it easier to remember the words.

Beginning with the snippet, write something about what you've overheard; imagine the reason for the person saying it or imagine the character of a person who says something like that etc.

Friday, January 07, 2011

Field Work: The Quietest Thing

This week, write about the quietest thing you heard in your home. Describe it fully and use metaphor or simile in your description.

After describing the quietest thing, go on to explain what paying attention to the quietest thing makes you think about or reminds you of.

A "First"

Share your story here. Embellish your original by adding a bit of dialogue, a metaphor, and a sentence fragment (on purpose).