Flash Fiction

AGENDA:

 Chris Moore video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fbo2Ae-pj-4

Here it is:
FLASH FICTION:

Write a Flash Fiction story (2-3 double-spaced pages) that PARODIES (makes fun of) an established genre (your choice--Science Fantasy, Horror, Romance, Western, etc.).   Choose this option if you want to try your hand at HUMOR and PARODY.
or

Write a Flash Fiction story that follows the conventions and uses the familiar tropes of a HORROR STORY  (vampires, werewolves, zombies, ghosts, etc.) or a LOVE STORY.

Check out http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flash_fiction

and http://www.flash-fiction-world.com/

Vampires and Parody

 

Morning Reflection:  Jaymee Pride  Mos Def "Mathematics"

EQ:  How does Christopher Moore utilize parody, genre, and conventions in his writing?

DEFINITIONS:

The Inner Workings of Parody

par·o·dy

   ˈpærədi Spelled [par-uh-dee]  IPA noun, plural -dies, verb, -died, -dy·ing.

noun 

1.   a humorous or satirical imitation of a serious piece of literature or writing: his hilarious parody of Hamlet's soliloquy.

2.   the genre of literary composition represented by such imitations.

3.    a burlesque imitation of a musical composition.

4.   any humorous, satirical, or burlesque imitation, as of a person, event, etc.

5.    the use in the 16th century of borrowed material in a musical setting of the Mass (parody Mass).

verb (used with object)

6.   to imitate (a composition, author, etc.) for purposes of ridicule or satire.

7.   to imitate poorly or feebly; travesty.

Source: www.dictionary.com

GENRE: A type or category of literature or film marked by certain shared features or conventions. The three broadest categories of genre include poetry, drama, and fiction. These general genres are often subdivided into more specific genres and subgenres. For instance, precise examples of genres might include murder mysteries, westerns, sonnets, lyric poetry, epics, tragedies, etc. Many bookstores and video stores divide their books or films into genres for the convenience of shoppers seeking a specific category of literature.
CONVENTION: A common feature that has become traditional or expected within a specific genre (category) of literature or film. In Harlequin romances, it is conventional to focus on a male and female character who struggle through misunderstandings and difficulties until they fall in love. In western films of the early twentieth-century, for instance, it has been conventional for protagonists to wear white hats and antagonists to wear black hats. The wandering knight-errant who travels from place to place, seeking adventure while suffering from the effects of hunger and the elements, is a convention in medieval romances. It is a convention for an English sonnet to have fourteen lines with a specific rhyme scheme, abab, cdcd, efef, gg, and so on. The use of a chorus and the unities are dramatic conventions of Greek tragedy, while, the aside, and the soliloquy are conventions in Elizabethan tragedy. Conventions are often referred to as poetic, literary, or dramatic, depending upon whether the convention appears in a poem, short story or novel, or a play.

Source: http://web.cn.edu/kwheeler/index.html

 

 

Mini Writing Exercises

1.      Write a paragraph that describes a monster (whether it be a vampire or another magical being that you know well).  Make sure that this description fits with the conventions of the genre to which the being belongs (i.e.—a vampire might have fangs; a zombie might eat brains, etc.).  Use rich language and adjectives to create a vivid image for your reader.

 

2.     Parody a vampire attack (or a part of one) in a paragraph.  Use the Moore reading as well as the more serious, short readings from class for ideas of conventions you might want to twist.

HMWK: For Monday, read to Ch. 14 

Bloodsucking Fiends

Peer Editing/Bloodsucking Fiends

AGENDA:

1. Share your story with peer editor.

2. Return Mudbound, go down to library for Bloodsucking Fiends

3.HMWK:  Read through Ch. 8 in Bloodsucking Fiends

Christopher Moore on Vampires and Writing

Read and respond with a comment to Christopher Moore interview.  What is your experience with contemporary vampire fiction?  Classical vampire fiction (Dracula)? Have you read Twilight or Anne Rice?
http://www.chrismoore.com/interviews/writing-the-vampire/


Videos:
http://www.watchmojo.com/video/id/8357/

Read first chapter online:
http://www.chrismoore.com/books/bloodsucking-fiends/


http://www.chrismoore.com/interviews/writing-the-vampire/



Watch the following videos and the videos on the video bar.
http://watchmojo.com/index.php?id=8330

http://watchmojo.com/index.php?id=8357 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Bhb744dw18

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/06/22/the-new-vampires-9-possib_n_620202.html#s103541 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tBsNmM3ADp0&feature=related

AGENDA:

MORNING REFLECTION: Ms. Gamzon  Piano Guys "Titanium"


WORK ON SHORT STORIES. 

Mudbound/Short Stories

AGENDA:

Morning Reflection:Zoë
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3PIkV2anqk

DISCUSSION:  Mudbound Questions
Post responses to remaining questions

WRITING:  Work on short stories for Friday

Develop your 3 characters:

Explore your characters' motivations.  Interrogate them.

http://thewritepractice.com/how-to-explore-your-characters-motivations/

Interesting website for character and setting development:

http://www.the-writers-craft.com/creative-writing-worksheets.html

HOMEWORK:
Quiz on Mudbound on Friday

Mudbound Discussion Questions/Continue to work on stories

AGENDA:

MORNING REFLECTION:  Please wait on this until Wednesday (I really want to see your morning reflection)

THINK, PAIR, SHARE DISCUSSION:  With a partner (or small group), discuss Questions 4, 5, 6, and 7
from the previous post  of Mudbound Discussion questions.  Post your responses as comments on this post.
Try (as always) to use text EVIDENCE to back up your CLAIMS.  You should now have comments on questions 1-7 posted!

WRITING: Work on your own Mudbound stories.  First drafts are due on Friday.

HMWK: Continue reading Mudbound for more discussion on Wednesday, 

Mudbound/Stories cont.

AGENDA:

MORNING REFLECTION: Grace

Post comments here.

READING QUIZ on PART I

WORK ON HISTORICAL PADLETS:  How are your padlets coming along?
Please post the link to your padlet for credit on this post today.

CHECK OUT THE LINK TO HILLARY JORDAN'S WEBSITE AND BLOG
HILLARY JORDAN VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oCdJQDxw8yQ

DISCUSSION:  Let's talk about your posts from Tuesday.  Did you post replies for the first 3 discussion questions?

WRITING:  Work on your short stories.

HMWK:  Read Part II (to pg. 212)  for Monday.