Fourth and Long

It's a great day to be a Cleveland sports fan, and it's always a good day to be a Clevelander.  Because I'm excited about the Browns, Indians, and Ohio State, English 9 will not be writing a blog this week (it certainly has nothing to do with the Monster Paper that you guys are writing).  I'm also excited because fall television is back.  Some of you might be thinking to yourself: "What kind of English teacher watches a ton of TV?"  Well, I do.  I rather enjoy sitcoms (my Seinfeld and How I Met Your Mother examples are endless).  And this got me thinking; What can television and film do that text cannot?  What about the other way?  Guess what?  That was your prompt. 

Remember, you need to write at least 250 words and demonstrate good writing conventions.  Three to four paragraphs will be helpful in doing this.  If I were writing on this prompt, I would start by thinking about films that were based upon books and comparing these.

Another Shortened Week

It seems that we seldom have a full week of school around here!  Some of you probably enjoy that; me, well it depends.  There's not going to be any choice this week (or at least very little).  Let's get into it.

English 11: Why do you suppose that I chose How to Read Literature Like A Professor by Thomas C. Frost this year?  And why is it first?  When thinking about this work, what makes it difficult, but also, what makes it easy?  Are you enjoying this work? Elaborate.

English 10: Literary terms are important - why do you suppose that this is?  How do they benefit us (in this class and beyond)?  What is your favorite literary term?  Why is this?  If you could create a new literary term, what would it be and what would it mean?  What are you thoughts on Regina Brett's article "Words we Hate, Words we Love?" How does this article relate to this topic?

English 9: What is your opinion of Steve Harmon in Walter Dean Myers' Monster?  Use details from the novel to support you (I would think at least three).  Is Steve a reliable narrator?  Is Steve guilty? 

Blogging Along

It's time for your next blog.  I apologize for the delay in putting your prompts up.  This week English 9 will be writing on a different prompt than Everyone else (the three gentlemen in both need only write the English 9 post).  Finally, remember that your posts must be at least 250 words (shoot for at least four good paragraphs), utilize good writing conventions, and demonstrate thought put into the topic.

The English 9 prompt will deal with Monster by Walter Dean Myers.  Prompt: What effect does the style of which the novel is written have on the story-telling?  Steve uses two flashbacks - the first to his school's film club and the second to a scene in a park.  Find out about Stuyvesant High School.  How does this school compare to other schools in New York City? What dos this tell us about Steve?  How does the second flasback affect the story?

For English 10 and 11, you may select any of the following prompts or come up with you own. 
1. Write about something that shocked you within the first three weeks of school.  Why did it do so?
2. What is the best and worst thing so far about this school year?  How are you going to change the worst thing and make it better?
3. Within reason, what is something you really want to do or learn about in English?  Persuade me we should do this.
4. Pick a person from history or literature that you want to have a meal with?  Why did you pick this person and what meal would you have?