Vignettes

As a final project for the year, you will create a book of vignettes. To get ideas, we will read The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros. Here's a great summary of the book.


What is a vignette?
A vignette is a short, descriptive passage that evokes meaning through imagery instead of plot. It could also be described as a prose poem. So a novel and a poem walk into a bar...

Details
10 pieces (cover, contents, 8 vignettes)
typed
50 points - Rubric
Due 5/20

WHAT to write about:
Contents - list of vignette titles from Mango Street
Book Preview - due 5/12 Click here for an example
Read through your Risk Pad. 70+ pages about you. Your experiences, your thoughts, etc.

HOW to write a vignette:
Advice - just things I've noticed, not a formula
Vignettes - writing style in Mango Street
Four Skinny Trees - example from Mango Street
Extra Credit - post a comment/question


Additional links:
Watching the Clock - example created by Mr. Nelson
The Tunnel - a story told in photographs (think of each photograph as a vignette)
What's your interpretation? - Lines from songs (mostly) with figurative language
A Gallery of Broken Hearts - student example

Risks

Writing Journals are now called Risk Pads. Why? I want to encourage you to take risks. Not physical risks (base jumping) or health risks (drugs). I'm talking about personal risks, emotional risks. Don't risk injury. Risk embarrassment, failure, comfort. Write something real. Challenge yourself. Step outside your comfort zone. My risks won't be the same as your risks.

In your risk pad, pages 78-80 will be devoted to risks. I want you to take a risk and write a page about it. What did you do? Why was it a risk for you? What did you get out of it?

In class you will share one of your risks. You'll get up in front of the class and read your page.

Click here for examples

Risk Pads (#71-80) due 5/18
Share Risk in class by 5/20

March Madness 2015

64 poems battle it out for Lone Peak supremacy.

Links:
The book
Drawings

The Results:
Midwest (B5)
South (B6)
West (B7)
East (B8) 

Videos:
Nelly (B5)
Invictus (B6)
Rogue Planets (B7)
The Rider (B8)

Champions:
Rogue Planets (Poem)
Invictus (Video)

My philosophy on poetry:
Introduction to Poetry by Billy Collins

Assignments:
Bracketology
Reading Log
Wreck Your Book

Metaphor Presentation

Assignment: Choose a metaphor for yourself, and then create a presentation for the class.

Any metaphor will work as long as you can explain HOW it helps describe something about you.

Presentation options:

• Poster
• PowerPoint
• Prezi
• Animoto
• Powtoon
• More

Include the following:

• Your name
• Brief introduction
• The metaphor
• Visuals (pictures, videos, drawings, etc.)
• Explanation (how does this metaphor describe you?

Due 3/5
20 points

Multigenre Research Paper

Write a multigenre research paper.

10 pieces:

• Cover page
• Epigraph
• Author's Note
• 6 Genres
• Works Cited

Links:
Assignment sheet
Multigenre Map
Frequently asked questions
Wanted: Multigenre Teacher - example from Mr. Nelson
Citation Resources: Easybib, Citation Machine, MLA Style Guide

Paper due 2/10
50 points

Slam Poetry

Some poetry is meant to be read. Some poetry is meant to be heard.

Click here to watch some poetry videos
Notes about Slam Poetry 
13 Tips for Performing Poetry

Start writing some drafts in your journal (p. 45 & 46). Then read/perform in front of the class.

Due Friday, 1/23

Critical Thinking

What is Critical Thinking?
Critical Thinking - a complicated explanation
Three kinds of thinkers - a simpler explanation
Another video about critical thinking - a college explanation
Yet another video about critical thinking - ProCon.org

Let's Practice:
The Whole Picture (Big Bad Wolf) - multiple perspectives

What Would You Do? (Bike Thief)

The Other Wes Moore
Racism Ends Forever
America in 4 minutes
Old Spice Commercial

Monster (Walter Dean Myers)

Schedule:
12/1- (p. 43)
12/3- (p. 88) Anticipation Guide
12/5- (p. 126)
12/9- (p. 159)
12/11- (p. 200)
12/15- (p. 243)
12/17- (p. 281)
12/19- Jury Duty

*If you miss class, you can check out a book from the writing lab (608)

Links:
Racism Ends Forever - YouTube
Driving While Black - New York Times, Rick Reilly article
Critical Thinking - YouTube
The Whole Picture (Big Bad Wolf) - The Guardian
Am I Suspicious? - Howard University
Beyond Scared Straight (Let Him In)  - A&E
Beyond Scared Straight (Ready to Swing) - A&E
Monster Characters

Position Paper

Assignment: Write a two-page paper taking a clear position on an arguable, researchable topic. 

Checkpoints

1. Choose a topic: 10/29
2. Create a Works Cited page: 11/4
3. Write a thesis statement (+ notes): 11/6
4. Write the intro paragraph: 11/12

Paper due Tue. 11/18 - 30 points

Links: 
Opposing Viewpoints - (password: knights)
Thesis Statement - UVU handout (new!)
Examples of Thesis Statements
Intro Paragraph - hook, background information, significance, thesis
Works Cited - example
Writing a thesis statement - Watch Mr. Nelson figure it out
MLA In-Text Citations - UVU handout
MLA Works Cited - UVU handout
Citation Resources: Easybib, Citation Machine
Feedback - actual feedback I gave to a student on her opening paragraph
Notes/Suggestions - feedback on your opening paragraphs

Little League Argument

Your assignment is to write a paper in which you take a clear position concerning the purpose of little league sports. We will be discussing the incident that occurred a few years ago in the PONY league championship between the Yankees and Red Sox. See the list of articles below:

• Reilly - Sports Illustrated
• Cabrero - KSL
• Garber - ESPN
• Letters to the editor

Although you will be responding to this particular incident, I want you to frame your argument around the larger question: what is the purpose/value of little league sports? Your paper should include at least three reasons that support or defend your position. Your paper should be organized and well developed.

Due 10/14 (completed in class)

Links:
Thesis Examples
Thesis Statement - UVU handout
Help developing a thesis statement
More help developing an academic argument
They Say, I Say - Tips on how to use other opinions to support your own.
Totally like whatever, you know? - Taylor Mali

Speak Final Project

The final project consists of three parts:

• Connect (10 points): One page (typed) connecting your word to other media.
• Art (10 points): Create a piece of art exploring your word.
• Paper (10 points): One page (typed) connecting your word to the book.

30 points

Due: 9/30 (A)

Links:
Speak Final Project - assignment handout
Speak Matrix - Excel document with ideas and page numbers
Examples

More questions? Read the comments below.

Speak

The first book we'll read this year is Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson.

Reading schedule
8/26- p. 3-4 (Log #1)
8/28- p. 4-18 (Log #2)
9/2- p. 18-32 (Log #3)
9/4- p. 32-46 (Log #4)
9/8- p. 49-65 (Log #5)
9/10- p. 65-82 (Log #6, #7)
9/12- p. 82-99 (Log #8, #9)
9/16- p. 100-119 (Log #10, #11, #12)
9/18- p. 120-137 (Reflection)
9/22- p. 141-162
9/24- p. 162-186
9/26- p. 186-198

If you need to, you can check out a book (room 608). 

Additional Links
Speak Final Project - due 9/30
Destiny Words - If you never got yours
Some Days - poem video by Billy Collins
Destiny Word - worksheet due 9/4
Key and Peele -labels are stupid
Holiday Inn Express, White guy at the Apollo- labels are incorrect (sometimes)

Welcome

Welcome to the class blog for Mr. Nelson's English 10 class.

This blog will provide you the following resources:

• Assignments, writing prompts, handouts.
• Valuable links, pictures, articles, etc.
• If you miss class, check the blog to see what you need to make up.

Assignments:

• Return signed disclosure document 
• Take the online survey
• Buy composition book