The Penticton Art Gallery

In response to the art gallery visit, write a blog about your experience.

     Enjoy your writing. A paragraph, when well constructed has an introductory sentence that prepares your author for what's to follow. In the case of this assignment, you will be writing about your trip to the art gallery and about one of the works of art that you wanted to explore in greater depth. If you wish to write whimsically, introduce the paragraph with humour. If your intent is to be interpretive, begin with a thoughtful observation. What's most important, though, is that as you write the paragraph, you develop your ideas so that they flow naturally, from one to the next. Each sentence in the body of your paragraph should serve to develop the interpretation of the art you are writing about. Consider such things as medium, line, colour, texture, setting, theme and relevance. You might write about the frame or even the room that the art is in. You can also consider other student's reaction to the art that you are interpreting. As you come to the conclusion of your paragraph you might consider the larger picture of the importance of art in our community. A comment on your own walk back to the school might be a good way to conclude the essay. Most importantly, though, enjoy the process of creation, for that is what writing really is - creating.

Approximately 200 words.

Please have your post completed by Monday morning.

 Discussion Topics for The Hunger Games

Please respond to each of the topics below, using at least one quotation to support your reply. Focus on how quotations are embedded in the topics to ensure that you follow the same format in each of your replies. Online research the use of square brackets for altering a quotation to better embed it into your writing.

1. How does Katniss feel about the country of Panem? Why does she need to make her face “an indif­ferent mask” (p. 6) and be careful about what she says in public?

2. Research flat and round, static and dynamic characters. Describe the development of Katniss’s relationship with Gale, Prim, Mrs. Everdeen, Peeta and Haymitch. Is Katniss a flat or round character? Is Katniss a static or dynamic character?

3. Why does Katniss say about Peeta, “I feel like I owe him something, and I hate owing people.” (p. 32) How does her early encounter with Peeta affect their relationship after they are chosen as tributes?

4. Why are the “tributes” given stylists and dressed so elaborately for the opening ceremony? Does this ceremony remind you of events in our world, either past or present? Compare those ceremonies in real life to the one in the story.

5. How does the fact that the tributes are always on camera affect their behavior from the time they are chosen? Does it make it easier or harder for them to accept their fate? How are the “career trib­utes” (pp. 94 - 95)different from the others?

6. When Peeta declares his love for Katniss in the interview, does he really mean it or did Haymitch create the “star-crossed lovers” story? What does Haymitch mean when he says, “It’s all a big show. It’s all how you’re perceived.” (p. 135) Why do they need to impress sponsors and what are those sponsors looking for when they are watching the Games?

7. Before the Games start, Peeta tells Katniss, “ . . . I want to die as myself . . . I don’t want them to change me in there. Turn me into some kind of monster that I’m not.” (p. 141) What does this tell you about Peeta? What does he fear more than death? Is he able to stay true to himself during the Games?

The Hunger Games

Respond to one of the following prompts in a paragraph that presents an argument for or against the implied statement.

1. In Panem, just as in our society where violent games are promoteded, the Hunger Games are merely a more serious form of competition.


2. The characters in the novel, The Hunger Games, are essentially both flat and static. Define these terms and explain why you agree or disagree with the statement.


3. Write a letter to Katniss explaining how you feel about her participation in the games.



Add an image related to the novel to your blog.

Effective Presentations

Watch the YouTube presentation about creating effective presentations...

http://blog.duarte.com/2010/01/5-ways-to-make-powerpoint-sing-and-dance/

Creating a Flow Chart

IRP in CSI Style!

When you begin to compose your IRP think like a forensic investigator who is working backward… You are putting the analysis before the crime - the planning before the presentation! (Not to say that your presentation will be a crime!) THINK CSI!

You can begin your IRP with the planning stage. Compose a FLOW CHART that outlines the main parts of your presentation. You can "chunk" your topic into 3 or 4 parts. Include both an introduction and a conclusion. Use the following CSI notes to help you organize your thinking. Use the sample flow chart a s a guide.

C = Claim. Present a short speech where you include these points:

• Introduce yourself: “Good morning fellow students. I am ________________ …”
• State the topic you are presenting: “…and I’d like to present you with _______...”
• Explain your claim: “This is relevant because ___________...”

S = Support. Speak to your audience about your topic. This is the BULK of your presenation. 

§         Show your PowerPoint, Prezi, ComicLife, demonstration, or any other audio/visual aid. The following points you should either explain as the presentation is being given or should be part of the presentation:

1.      Prove why the topic you have chosen is important.

2.      Supply facts, anecdotes and statistics to strengthen your support.

3.      Include pictures, interviews, sound or video clips and tie these together to fully explore the topic you have chosen.

I = Impact. Tell your audience why your topic is relevant to them.

• State why the information you have shared is relevant to your audience.
• Explain how the information you presented might affect your audience.
  
  
• Thank your audience for their attentiveness and ask for questions.

Hyperbole ad infinitum!

Complete the assignment "Identifying Hyperbole" and write a brief satirical observation. Please look at a couple of suggested samples of satirical writing before you begin.

A.  Do a google search for Dave Barry Columns and read one of his satirical passages. Try to identify examples of hyperbole in his satire.

Having read the satire by Dave Barry you should have a clear concept of how hyperbole can lend itself to satire. Please try your hand at writing a satire that meets the following criteria:

1. A leading title
2. A clearly introduced subject
3. A three paragraph structure that develops a complete reflection on the topic
4. two examples of hyperbole (think metaphors and similes - with razor sharp perception, or in the immortal words of Alec, "Like heaven on a plate!")

Check out this brief satire from The Onion before you begin writing.

http://www.theonion.com/articles/health-department-still-not-able-to-really-prove-w,27278/

Possible topics to satirize:
Exams?
Fashion?
Body building?
A favorite movie?
Homelessness can be cool?
High scools prepare students for the real world?


Please be sure to grammar and spell check your work.

Denotations and Connotations?

A. Complete the assignment "Denotation and Connotations".

You should now have a fairly thorough understanding of denotative (literal) writing and connotative (figurative or suggestive) writing.

B. Today you will be writing a passage containing connotation. When writing anything from poetry to persuasive essays, from narratives to informational prose, select words that not only express the dictionary definition of the words, but also imply connotations that will help your audience feel or imagine the impact you wish to impart.

Write a passage on one of the following topics that imparts both denotative as well as connotative ideas.


Check out this brief satire from The Onion before you begin writing! Answer

http://www.theonion.com/articles/health-department-still-not-able-to-really-prove-w,27278/

Possible topics to explore:
Exams?
Fashion?
Body building?
A favorite movie?
The best meal ever?
Homelessness can be cool?
High schools prepare students for the real world?

Your writing should meet the criteria listed:
1. a captivating title
2. three paragraphs
3. three examples of connotative expressions
4. a suitable conclusion

Please be sure to grammar and spell check your work.