Before we start anything today...
Read:
3rd Period:
Since I don't give out reading as optional, and literally one of you responded with a blog post, you're required to read this story. Now the blog post is going to be specifically aimed toward symbolism. You've heard this term before, but in case you've forgotten what it is, I'll tell you.
Symbolism: The use of concrete objects to represent abstract ideas and emotions.
This is similar to allegory, but the two are not the same. Omg, I know, it's complicated. Check this out.
Allegory: A form of extended metaphor in which objects, persons, and actions in a narrative, are equated with the meanings that lie outside the narrative itself.
Okay, in simpler terms, symbolism applies to physical objects representing something that isn't physical. Meanwhile, allegory applies to an entire narrative and all the characters within it having an underlying meaning.
Fairy tales contain a great deal of symbolism, that is, physical objects standing for something other than their physical appearance or definition. Can you find some examples? In The Robber Bridegroom there are several symbols waiting to be unmasked. They're hidden in plain sight, too! Read and look for them, then blog about a symbol of your choice. This is to be done by the end of 3rd period. Beyond that, if it's not done, too bad. Grade missed. You have plenty of time, so work. I expect a full blog post that really explores symbolism in this tale. This assignment is for the exercise of critical reading.
Remember, I've read this tale 1000 times. I know the symbolism, so don't just tell me what you think might be symbolic. Explain why, how, what, etc. Think below the surface. Go one deeper! Now write. Kthx.
4th Period:
You've started writing your long, creative fictions. 4th period is more writing time to continue your stories, revise what you've written, and generally continue the composition part of the writing process. You can revisit last class's blog to see how to begin a story. Today we're going to look at another part of the process: revisiting what you've written and continuing. This will likely spill into Thursday, so here are some tips:
For those of you who've solidly started your stories, now is the chance to do one of two things: 1) write to a decent stopping point and then re-read/edit. 2) stop where you are and re-read/edit. Why would we do any of these things? Writing process, foo. Mr. Craddock has even more tips on his blog, too! Check them out. Here's some stuff to consider:
1) When starting a piece of writing, the first words on the page are sometimes a way of the author getting out the nonsense before actually getting into the meat of the story. Like when someone clears their throat before speaking.
2) Read it out loud to yourself. Or, even better, have someone else read your work aloud. When reading ou own writing, we automatically correct any awkwardness in our own heads, making us sort of blind to the imperfections in our own writing. When someone else reads your writing aloud, everything becomes much more clear. It's weird. Like when Aleah reads my blog posts out loud. I'm like, "Ugh, is that how I really sound?"
3) Look for the unnecessary information and cut it out! In the first stages of writing, we sometimes tend to get overly excited and start going into such gruesome detail that it bogs down the pace of the story. Look for this! remember to choose only the most important pieces of information to include. You have to be disciplined with yourself and your own writing habits. Constantly ask yourself, "Do I need this? Is this important?"
4) Share with each other. I know y'all do this anyway, but take some time to really listen to, read, and critique stories of your peers. When ideas are tough to come by, it's often just a little nudge that's needed from a friend or someone who sees things a smidgen differently. So, never say you're stuck or don't know what to write. Ask the opinion of other people. Do you have to do what they say? Nope. It helps to have ideas coming from other people. Use everything around you, twist it, cut it up, blend it, turn it into your own.
1) When starting a piece of writing, the first words on the page are sometimes a way of the author getting out the nonsense before actually getting into the meat of the story. Like when someone clears their throat before speaking.
2) Read it out loud to yourself. Or, even better, have someone else read your work aloud. When reading ou own writing, we automatically correct any awkwardness in our own heads, making us sort of blind to the imperfections in our own writing. When someone else reads your writing aloud, everything becomes much more clear. It's weird. Like when Aleah reads my blog posts out loud. I'm like, "Ugh, is that how I really sound?"
3) Look for the unnecessary information and cut it out! In the first stages of writing, we sometimes tend to get overly excited and start going into such gruesome detail that it bogs down the pace of the story. Look for this! remember to choose only the most important pieces of information to include. You have to be disciplined with yourself and your own writing habits. Constantly ask yourself, "Do I need this? Is this important?"
4) Share with each other. I know y'all do this anyway, but take some time to really listen to, read, and critique stories of your peers. When ideas are tough to come by, it's often just a little nudge that's needed from a friend or someone who sees things a smidgen differently. So, never say you're stuck or don't know what to write. Ask the opinion of other people. Do you have to do what they say? Nope. It helps to have ideas coming from other people. Use everything around you, twist it, cut it up, blend it, turn it into your own.
Last time I wanted 750 words, by now you should have between 750-1000 revised, polished words. Your story's beginning should, at this point, be developing nicely. By the end of 4th period, this is what I expect.
Homework:
Read Brier Rose and pay close attention to symbolism. Next time we'll be visiting some of the more steamy symbolism in Fairy Tales.
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