9th Grade English

NPR Group Project

Writing Flash Fictions - Practice

Creation of your own Flash Fiction!

Quarter 2

We only used a portion of this presentation.  We looked at slides 63-87. This has background information on Shakespeare, the time he lived and worked, and his poetry; iambic pentameter. 
The above video is great!  We looked at the begining of the video in class. 
The above is an introduction to the Globe Theatre.  The links below highlight some of the plays that are done on the Globe stage. 
Two Shakespeare play and one play from Marlowe. Look at all the costumes, staging, differences in tone and mood between the Shakespeare plays and Marlowe's.  I've never seen these movies - but wow! I sure want to now!
The following link will take you to a website that has every single Shakespearean Sonnet and helpful analysis of each one. They break the poems down line by line and give notes on vocabulary, style, and figurative language.  

http://www.shakespeares-sonnets.com/sonnet/index.php



Links to full texts online

The above button will take you to a site that has the entire play.  
There are no foot notes though - it's just the text. 
The above button will take you to Sparknotes - Translation.  Here they have a side-by-side text, with Shakespeare on the left and a modern translation on the right. This will help when reading on your own if you're having trouble following the action of the story. 

QUARTER 3

The following reading guides are worksheets to help you understand the text as you read.  Many of these questions will be on the act quizzes or the unit exam. These questions do ask for line numbers, and unfortunately, the online sources do not have line numbers.  Also any other in-print version of the text, might have different line numbers than our text (depending on how they are edited).  If you need a book, check one out from the classroom. 
Note: The link below is to a video on YouTube.  It does contain mature language, but it is a great modern style of interpretation which brings up important aspects in the play.  A good way to review the plot, characters, and themes of the story. 

The Essay Worksheets we've used in class

Read before watching the Introduction Video: The following links are about the introduction paragraph.  This will help you with understanding the structure of the paragraph and give you ideas for what type of hook you want to use.  I highly suggest you use the worksheet to complete a rough draft for your paragraphs. 
(Sorry I look nasty in the video - I didn't know it was recording me as I was talking, and I did not want to have to redo the whole recording.)  ;) 
Read before watching the Conclusion Video: The following link will take you to my conclusion video.  This video is a few years old.  My hair looks a little different.  It is also about a different assignment.  The thing is, though, that it still applies to your assignment. 
I go over the structure of a conclusion paragraph, which is the same structure for any kind of essay.  The only thing that's not helpful are the examples I mention.  Ignore the fact that I say I'm out with a sick kid, that I say I'll be in tomorrow for testing, and the cat.  Pay attention to the structure of the paragraph. 

Writing Notes and Helpful Websites

Quarter 4

The above video is a great example of how visuals can enhance the speech. Take a look at how the visuals were emotionally powerful, fitting to the words, and not distracting.  There's graphs, photos, clip art, text; a whole mixture of visuals for the audience to look at.  Also notice that not every word of the speech is on the slide. The text used on the slides just helped to point out the deeper meaning of the speech. 

Also notice how he introduced his quotes.  He cited the original speaker in his sentences.  You need to cite your sources as well within your speech. 

Graphic Novels

Abel, Jessica, and Matt Madden. "What is a Graphic Novel." Drawing Words and 
     Writing Pictures. First Second, n.d. Web. 19 May 2015. <http://dw-wp.com/ 
     resources/what-is-a-graphic-novel/>. 


You will read 1-2 graphic novels (depending on size) in class and fill out the form below.  
Tuesday - Thursday
You will plan out your SHORT memoir on the storyboard sheets given out in class. 
Remember 

-A time from your life
-Where you learned a life lesson
-Something you don't mind sharing
-Must have symbolism or metaphors in artwork
-May have text boxes, text bubbles or thought bubbles
-Can be as many tiles as you need

Graphic Novel art does not just show the action described in the words - it enhances the story.  The art must help the story move along, tell deeper/inner feelings, and/or send messages to the audience. 

Remember: We are doing Graphic Novels (well...short stories really), not Children's Picture Books.