Painting Pictures with Words: A Favourite Essay

Choose a favourite essay from the three and briefly explain what it is you like about the writing. Write about 100 words and include at least one direct quoted reference to the essay in your response (keep quote to 10 to 15 words or so)

Painting Pictures with Words: Writing Without Adjectives

Using our handout, "Adjectives to Describe a Character," choose one adjective to illustrate a person's character in a short piece of writing. Do not use that adjective in your writing or comment. In fact, you may not use ANY adjectives; instead, use dialogue, description of setting, description of actions.

Length: 50 to 75 words

Bring a copy to class next Wednesday. Happy Easter!

A Favourite Line, Idea, Image

Without naming the poet, choose a favourite line, idea or image from the list poems presented today. Write no more than 50 words (not including the excerpt chosen).

List Poems

Post your poem here as a comment before class next Wednesday.

Note that the original, "Possibilities," is 39 lines (but only 31 begin with "I prefer"). Your poem should be a minimum of 32 lines (remember that lines and sentences are not the same thing in a poem).

It is possible for you to "bend" the lines a bit to suit your own poem/poetry. Thus, a line like the one about Dickens/Dostoevsky could become: "I prefer Lady Gaga to Michael Buble" or if you'd like to use alliteration you might say, "I prefer Metallica to Madonna." In this way, you still express a preference that characterizes the speaker (most often that will be you).

Also, please remember that some of the lines are parts of a sentence (two lines equal one sentence). This helps to break up the pattern a bit. Be aware of this and do the same, although you may choose to do it in slightly different spots.

Here is a copy of our samples  if you'd like to write your list poem with a sample poem on the split screen view in Word.

A Favourite Stanza of Poetry

Choose a favourite stanza and share it here. Explain why you like it and point out any poetic devices like simile or metaphor or rhyme. Bring a copy to class on Friday.

If you have no personal favourites, try to find one at the links below. Remember to choose something that reflects good practice (as in our top ten list from today).

Weekly Poems at Slate.com

Canadian Poetry Online (list of poets by name with links to poems)

Poetry Daily (a new poem every day)

My Experience with Poetry

Write a 50-word paragraph that refers to your personal experiences with poetry. The experiences do not have to be at school, although they may be if you wish. Be specific please.

We will discuss your comments at the beginning of Wednesday's class.


*Note: Please print a copy to bring to class that day.

Report on Advertising During a Favourite Show

Watch a favourite TV show (including the commercials). Count the number of advertisements shown. What products or services are being sold? What messages are you being given by the ads? Do you or would you use any of these advertised products? Why or why not? Did you see any advertisement twice? Write about your experience in paragraph form. (150 to 200 words)

Here is a link to an English class in 2009 responding to this assignment.

Link to Sir Ken Robinson's Lecture

Here is the link to his lecture, Changing Education Paradigms

Here is the link for the graphic used in the lecture. (note this is a large file and will take time to upload to your computer; save a copy locally if you wish)