The Pearson Buzz: First Draft of an Article

Time to write something you would like to see published. Put your first draft here before we meet again on Thursday, March 18.

Edits of "I'm Watching an Insect" exercise.

Edits of "Random Magazine Write" exercise.

Field Work: Looking Out a Small Window

Look out a small window. Notice everything you can see. Find something that draws your eye but takes up no more than 1/20th of the view. Begin with that something and write. Try to write a longer piece than you usually do.

I'm Watching an Insect . . .

Start with "I'm watching an insect . . .

Use all (or some) of the verbs from the list in your piece.

gurgle, murmur, hum, stall, kiss, curse, scale, leap, tangle, fondle, flick, fry, kneel, nest, thread, buzz, flip, grasp

Edited Writing (Olympics) in Word Format

Field Work: Magazine Random Write

Open a magazine at a random page. Choose the first word or graphic you see. Begin to write from this point. Concentrate on using a good variety of solid nouns and verbs. Avoid adjectives and unneeded adverbs if you can!

The Olympics!

The sky's the limit! Comment, complain, appreciate. Write a poem. Write an article. Write anything that comes to mind.

Story Ideas for The Pearson Buzz

Put them here as a comment.

Read The Pearson Buzz.

Field Work: A Love Letter

Remember: no love letters to any humans!

Colour Me Red

If you'd like to write with a "red" theme, please put your writing here. Try to incorporate ideas you heard in today's class if you can. Have fun!

Here I Am

Using the sample I've provided, copy the structure as exactly as you can. I'll give you a brief sample as the first comment. Remember that the word limit is 100!

Postcard Stories

Please share a completed version of the postcard story you completed in today's class. I promise to try again for something a bit more interesting! If you want to see the formula (sorry that I forgot to give you the worksheet today), I post it as the first comment.

Field Work: The Quietest Thing

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

Shh!

Reflecting on Writing 12

What have you enjoyed the most? What would you like to do more? What’s the most important thing you’ve learned this term. Why do you think so?

NOTE: I've added links to the right side: Punctuation Tree (click on a mark to learn more) and Punctuating Dialogue (good examples)

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?

Why I Write (Short Essay)

Post your short essay, "Why I Write," here.

Could Elaine please post the information about the TV show on Bravo here for us all to see. Thanks for sharing that!

Field Work: Overheard Conversation

This week, 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.

With the snippet, write something about what you've heard, for example, imagine the reason for the person saying it or imagine the character of a person who says something like that etc.

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 . . .

Field Work

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 also.

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.