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Creative Writing. LITERARY NONFICTION UNIT. VOICE IN WRITING. Introduction: Purpose, Diction, Tone, Syntax. Quick Write: Why do people read/ write? Give as many reasons as possible. Also, generally speaking, why do you read/write?. John Green's Thoughts. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

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Creative Writing

Creative WritingLITERARY NONFICTION UNITIntroduction: Purpose, Diction, Tone, SyntaxVOICE IN WRITINGQuick Write: Why do people read/ write? Give as many reasons as possible. Also, generally speaking, why do you read/write?John Green's Thoughts

Why is a writers PURPOSE important?Situational Practice (Groups)Your little sibling has just snuck into your room (AGAIN) to steal something he/she has no business with (i.e. your iPad).

Establish a clear tone for each of the purposes implied below. Write down these messages.

You decide to present your case to your parental figure, attempting to persuade him/her to your side to effect change (i.e. keep the brat out of your stuff)You talk to your little sibling and want to scare him/her into staying out of your roomYou vent to your friend about the little siblings offensesYou write an essay in English class on sibling rivalry, and choose the example with your sibling as an anecdote for the essayWhat is voice?Definition: The quality of writing that sets the writer apart as a human and not a robot/machine

Components:Word Choice (AKA Diction)Sentence Structure (AKA Syntax)Tone (established by diction as necessitated by purpose)attitude toward topic/ readerEmotions (or lack thereof) how do you affect your reader?

Example of Voice #1Marley was dead, to begin with. There is no doubt whatever about that. The register of his burial was signed by the clergyman, the clerk, the undertaker, and the chief mourner. Scrooge Signed it. And Scrooges name was good upon Change, for anything he chose to put his hand to. Old Marley was as dead as a doornail.

Mind! I dont mean to say that I know, of my own knowledge, what there is particularly dead about a doornail. I might have been inclined, myself, to regard a coffin nail as the deadest piece of ironmongery in the trade. But the wisdom of our ancestors is in the simile; and my unhallowed hands shall not disturb it, or the Countrys done for. You will therefore permit me to repeat, emphatically, that Marley was as dead as a doornail.

Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol

Example of Voice #2First the colors.Then the humans.Thats usually how I see things.Or at least, how I try.***Here is a small fact***You are going to die.I am in all truthfulness attempting to be cheerful about this whole topic, though most people find themselves hindered in believing me, no matter my protestations. Please, trust me. I most definitelycanbe cheerful. I can be amiable. Agreeable. Affable. And thats only the As. Just dont ask me to be nice. Nice has nothing to do with me.***Reaction to the aforementioned fact***Does this worry you? I urge youdont be afraid. Im nothing if not fair.

Markus Zusak, The Book Thief

Example of Voice #3You dont know about me, without you have read a book by the name of The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, but that aint no matter. That book was made by Mr. Mark Twain, and he told the truth, mainly. There was things which he stretched, but mainly he told the truth. That is nothing. I never seen anybody but lied, one time or another, without it was Aunty PollyToms Aunt Polly, she isand Mary, and the Widow Douglas, is all told about in that bookwhich is mostly a true book, with some stretchers, as I said before.

Mark Twain, The Adventures of Huckleberry FinnExample of Voice #4So what I did, I wrote about my brother Allies baseball mitt. It was a very descriptive subject. It really was. My brother Allie had this left-handed elders mitt. He was left-handed. The thing that was descriptive about it, though, was that he had poems written all over the ngers and the pocket and everywhere. In green ink. He wrote them on it so that hed have something to read when he was in the eld and nobody was up at bat. Hes dead now. He got leukemia and died when we were up in Maine, on July 18, 1946. Youd have liked him.

JD Salinger, The Catcher in the RyeExample of Voice #5I don't think that there is a favorite kid in our family. There are three of us and I am the youngest. My brother is the oldest. He is a very good football player and likes his car. My sister is very pretty and mean to boys and she is in the middle. I get straight A's now like my sister and that is why they leave me alone.

My mom cries a lot during TV programs. My dad works a lot and is an honest man. My Aunt Helen used to say that my dad was going to be too proud to have a midlife crisis. It took me until around now to understand what she meant by that because he just turned forty and nothing has changed.

My Aunt Helen was my favorite person in the whole world. She was my mom's sister. She got straight A's when she was a teenager and she used to give me books to read. My father said that the books were a little too old for me, but I liked them so he just shrugged and let me read.

Stephen Chbosky, The Perks of Being a WallflowerLITERARY NONFICTION: CONVEYING THE SELFWhat is Literary Nonfiction?TRUE STORIES, WELL TOLD

In some ways, creative nonction is like jazzits a rich mix of avors, ideas, and techniques, some of which are newly invented and others as old as writing itself. Creative nonction can be an essay, a journal article, a research paper, a memoir, or a poem; it can be personal or not, or it can be all of these.The words creative and nonction describe the form. The word creative refers to the use of literary craft, the techniques ction writers, playwrights, and poets employ to present nonctionfactually accurate prose about real people and eventsin a compelling, vivid, dramatic manner. The goal is to make nonction stories read like ction so that your readers are as enthralled by fact as they are by fantasy. https://www.creativenonfiction.org/aboutExamples of Literary NonfictionEdward Abbey, Desert Solitaire: A Season in the WildernessTruman Capote, In Cold BloodPat Conroy, The Water is WideAnnie Dillard, Pilgrim at Tinker CreekBarbara Ehrenreich, Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in AmericaDavid Sedaris, Me Talk Pretty One DayDanny Wallace, Yes ManRichard Wright, Black Boy

MemoirsPersonal memoirs begin in the late 20th century (1980 onward, for those of you who dont know how to count centuries)

Literary representations of memory (not of history)

[T]he best memoirists allow their life experiences to shed light on a culture, a historical moment, a time, a place, a social problem, a political issue that remains timely. Natalia Rachel SingerPopular MemoirsEat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth GilbertThe Diary of a Young Girl by Anne FrankBossypants by Tina FeyAngelas Ashes by Frank McCourtNight by Elie WieselA Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius by Dave EggersMarley and Me by John GroganA Child Called It by Dave PelzerThe Last Lecture by Randy PauschA Stolen Life by Jaycee DugardA Walk in the Woods by Bill BrysonAuthenticity and StyleWrite the way you talk. Stop trying to impress people.This does not mean you can write poorlyyou still need to think through your writing and revise/edit your drafts. But you want your personality to shine.Be simple and clear.Write honestly. Dont censor yourself.EXAMPLELets look at this example from a memoir and explore how the author is being authentic.

We will try to identify elements of his style, too.Excerpt from Don Millers Blue Like JazzIn Houston, where I grew up, the only change in the weather came in late October when cold is sent down from Canada. Weathermen in Dallas would call weathermen in Houston so people knew to bring their plants in and watch after their dogs. The cold came down the interstate, tall and blue, and made reflections in the mirrored windows of large buildings, moving over the Gulf of Mexico as if to prove that sky holds magnitude over water. In Houston, in October, everybody walks around with a certain energy as if they are going to be elected president the next day, as if they are going to get married.Literary Nonfiction AssignmentFor our unit on literary nonfiction, you will read several examples of memoirs, and then compose your own memoir.

Sure, you could be lame and write a brief memoir about your first day of kindergarten (which you dont even really remember).

But why would you want to do that when you could dig deeply into memories of experiences that shook the foundations of your being? That molded you into the young adult you are now?

Whether you seek to fill the minimum of the assignment or to pull brilliance from your past, here are the details:Your memoir must be at least two pages longConventions should be followed, but can be stretched for creative purposes (i.e. use a sentence fragment for effect). Dont try to excuse bad grammar as creative writing. You wont fool me.First-person narration is a must. Its a memoir, after all.Exercise those literary techniques. Throw in some dialogue, and be creative in your story-telling. Follow your VOICE.Tell the truth! Avoid unnecessary details, but make sure to finish painting the scene for the reader. Have a purpose, and convey your message completely but concisely.Write first, edit later. Dont worry about your grammar while youre getting your ideas on the page. But please, do edit later. Seriously. Do it.

MEMOIR DUE DATESROUGH DRAFTWEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 4

FINAL DRAFTWEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11DIALOGUEDialogueSome vocabulary to knowDialogue= character conversationAn essential part of most short stories and novels. It is always better to show or have happen than to explain or to describe, and dialogue is one way to show and not tell.Dialogue Tags= identify who is speakingExamples of common dialogue tags include:I said Sallie yelledShe said muttered JaniceFred said said MaxMark commentedasked William

Dialogue Rule 1All talking needs to be surrounded by quotation marks (").

"Go to your cupboard - I mean, your bedroom," he wheezed at Harry.

The comma has to go inside the quotation marks.

Dialogue Rule 2Instead of using a period at the end of the speech, use a comma if you are going to tell who is talking.

"Las' time I saw you, you was only a baby," said the giant. "Yeh look a lot like yer dad, but yeh've got yer mum's eyes.

Dialogue Rule 3If you use a question mark, you don't need a comma too.

"What do they think they're doing, keeping a thing like that locked up in a school?" said Ron finally. "If any dog needs exercise, that one does.

Dialogue Rule 4If you use an exclamation mark, you don't need to change to a comma.

"A stone that makes gold and stops you ever dying!" said Harry. "No wonder Snape's after it! Anyone would want it.

Dialogue Rule 5If you have interrupted speech, to let the reader know who is speaking, a comma is needed before the break, and after the speaker's name.

"Professor," Harry gasped, "your bird - I couldn't do anything - he just caught fire

Dialogue Rule 6If someone is thinking about something, but doesn't say it out loud, you can either use quotation marks or not. Either way is acceptable.

Of course, he thought bitterly, Uncle Vernon was talking about the stupid dinner party.

Rowling chose not to use quotations around Harry's thoughts. She could just have easily used them like this...

"Of course," he thought bitterly, "Uncle Vernon was talking about the stupid dinner party.

The Art of Good WritingShow, Dont TellThe Show, Dont Tell TechniqueHelps the reader experience the storyHow?Well-chosen details Theory of omission what you leave out is as important as what you includeSee Hemingways Iceberg PrincipleIf a writer of prose knows enough of what he is writing about he may omit things that he knows and the reader, if the writer is writing truly enough, will have a feeling of those things as strongly as though the writer had stated them. The dignity of movement of an ice-berg is due to only one-eighth of it being above water.VIVID scenesDont do it all the timeit takes more words and time to developExampleTELLSMr. Bobweave was a fat, ungrateful old man.SHOWSMr. Bobweave heaved himself out of the chair. As his feet spread under his apple-like frame and his arthritic knees popped and cracked in objection, he pounded the floor with his cane while cursing that dreadful girl who was late again with his coffee.A Quote to ConsiderGood writers let us see people and ideas in action rather than depend on qualifiers. They give us specifics: strong nouns, precise verbs, actions we can see and hear, reactions we can feel. An apple is big, red, round, crisp, shiny, and juicy. Unless this is a commercial for McIntosh apples, so what? Instead, a writer would try to show something about the apple only if theres something to be shownif a quality of the apple reflects some meaning in the sentence or story. For example: I gobbled the green apples I found in the clearing. Now we have specific: hunger, unripe apples, a forest setting: now the apple beings to have a significance we can understand (Atwell, p. 165).How Can I Show, and Not Tell?Strong diction (word choice)Vivid imagesInferenceMetaphorUnderstatementUnreliable NarratorAmbiguityDialogueTry It Out!Describe a young boy who is waiting in line to go on a ride at an amusement park for the first time in his life. Do not use the words excited, fun, or line.Try It Out!Any suggestions for situations?A WORD OF WARNINGDont ALWAYS show instead of telling. A balance of the two is very important to avoid being too dramatic and wordy. As you read your work, make sure you are choosing the best details to use, and avoid unnecessary words/descriptions.DICTION (AKA WORD CHOICE)DICTION INFORMATIONAn authors diction is the word choices he/she makes to convey a particular tone (attitude)Diction is one part of an authors voice, or personalityDiction is also an important part of Show, Dont Tellthe words you choose to convey the thought can either show or tellTIPS FOR YOUR DICTIONThere are SO MANY WORDS in the English languagechoose the words that best fit your purposes/ desired tone

Some authors spend hours/days/weeks agonizing over a single word choice (particularly in poems)do you care enough about your words? Should you?

Consider how your word selection(s) fit in their position(s) is that the best word for that phrase? That sentence?

Consider also CONNOTATION and DENOTATIONConnotation and DenotationDenotation: the literal, dictionary definition meaning of a wordConnotation: the commonly understood, subjective cultural association of meaning with a word, in addition to the dictionary definitionFor example, we use many different terms for young people. While little one and brat both literally refer to a young person, little one usually has a positive connotation (association), whereas brat typically has a negative connotation. You wouldnt want to compliment a young mother by calling her child a cute little brat. (Child usually has a neutral connotation).Other examples:Stink versus aromaReckless plan versus daring planEasygoing friend versus lazy friendAnswer with arrogance versus answer with confidencePositive, Negative, or Neutral?For the following images, write as many words as possible with POSITIVE, NEGATIVE, and NEUTRAL connotations.

VERBS OVER ADJECTIVESVerbs add power to stories, and can create description more effectively than relying on adjectives (which can clutter writing).

Lets read this blog post by Donald Miller (creative nonfiction writer) to discover moreMcCourt ExcerptMy father shakes his head. Doctor says hell have to take her to examine her and Dad signs a paper. My mother begs for another few minutes with her baby but the doctor says he doesnt have all day. When Dad reaches for Margaret my mother pulls away against the wall. She has the wild look, her black curly hair is damp on her forehead and there is sweat all over her face, her eyes are wide open and her face is shiny with tears, she keeps shaking her head and moaning,Ah, no, ah, no,till Dad eases the baby from her arms. The doctor wraps Margaret completely in a blanket and my mother cries,Oh, Jesus, youll smother her. Jesus, Mary and Joseph, help me. The doctor leaves. My mother turns to the wall and doesnt make a move or sound. The twins are awake, crying with the hunger, but Dad stands in the middle of the room, starting at the ceiling. His face is white and he beats on his thighs with his fists. He comes to the bed, puts his hand on my head. His hand is shaking. Francis, Im going for cigarettes.

DICTION ACTIVITYWrite about an interaction from the book youre reading (or your life), using VERBS to describechoose the most effective words possibleSYNTAX AND FLOWWHY IS SYNTAX IMPORTANT?Syntax= sentence structureLike diction, its important that you vary your syntax to keep your readers engaged.Choose the best possible phrasingPart of your VOICE/STYLETECHNIQUES FOR VARYING SYNTAXReview the sheet of suggestions for varying your syntax.Keep this sheet! You should refer to it throughout the semester.SYNTAX ACTIVITYFollow the directions on the back of your sheet to practice varying your syntax.WRITING EXERCISESCharacter Description ExerciseWrite a page description of your best friend. Consider his/her appearance, personality, hobbies/interests, family life, etc. Try to be as creative as possible and use strong diction/syntax.Group Story ExerciseWithout talking, each group member writes one sentence of a storypass clockwise until time is up.Individual Writing PromptBegin with the line I remember or I dont remember and write for 15 minutes.ORFreewrite about any topic you choose for 15 minutes.SUDDEN FICTION UNITInformation, Plot, ExampleSudden Fiction Introduction

What is it?Says all it can in as few words as it canunder 2,000 wordsMay not include all elements of plotSudden point of attackFreedom/variety within tight boundariesIdeally created in one sittingShould be read like a poemslowly

TechniquesFocus on specific mood, image, character quirk, scene, theme, etc.Events as symbolsUse 1-2 characters in one setting for one conflict and one themebegin conflict in first sentenceAim for the gutthrow an emotional punchElements of Plot: IntroOh yes, the reader says: a couple quarreling in a sidewalk restaurant, a nine-year-old boy stealing a Scripto in Woolworth's, a woman crying in the bathtub. We've seen that before. We know where we are. Don't give us details; we don't need them. What we need is surprise, a quick turning of the wrist toward texture, or wisdom, somethingsuddenlybroken orquicklyrepaired. Yes, we know these people. Now just tell us what they do. (SF. p.229)65ANOTHER QUOTEAccording to Steve Almond, "readers are drawn to stories not because of your dazzling prose, but because they wish to immerse themselves in a world of danger. More precisely, in the heart of a particular character on the brink of emotional tumult... readers don't want typical. They turn to fiction for that particular slice of life when typical blows up or breaks down and gives way to the inherent chaos of the human heart.

This Wont Take But a Minute, HoneyPlot TipsStart in the middleDont use too many charactersDeliberate on the titleMake your last line super importanttwist? Punch line?Write long, then cut shortsculpt it!

Sudden Fiction Example Just Before Recess by James Van PeltGRADEEXPLANATION100EXCELLENT MASTERY90ABOVE AVERAGE80MASTERY LEVEL70 OR BELOWBELOW MASTERYSUDDEN FICTION ASSIGNMENT

For our unit on sudden fiction, you will work to compose a 500-1500 word story that follows the conventions of the genre. Your rough draft is due Wednesday, October 2, and the final draft will be due Friday, October 4.

Your story should include the following components:Dialoguewith the proper punctuationPowerful and concise language (diction) and sentence structure (syntax)Narrative arc (plot) for SFtroubling conflict, Iceberg Principle, etc.Characterizationonly significant details includedProper grammar and mechanicsStrong and effective use of imagery

Your story will be graded based on the above components. It will be graded with our 10 point system:

Sudden Fiction: CharacterizationCharacter and CharacterizationCharacterizationprocess of revealing personality of a characterCharacter- a person in a work (sometimes animals are characters)Ways to reveal character:SpeakingAppearanceInner thoughts and feelingsWhat other characters think/say about the characterActionsTell us directly: cruel, kind, sneaky, etc.Indirect Characterization- (first 5 ways) we have to use our own judgment to decide what a character is like, based on the evidence the writer gives us. Direct characterization- (#6) we dont have to decide; were told71

How does the appearance of each character indicate personality?Protagonist/ AntagonistPROTAGONISTThe character the story revolves around

ANTAGONISTThe character or force that opposes the protagonist

Character (continued)Characters are classified as:Static- one who does not change much Dynamic- character changes as a result of the storys events

Flat- has only one or two traitsRound- like a real person, has many different character traits (usually protagonists)

Motivation- the fears or conflicts that drive a character (ex: vengeance, fear, greed, love, boredom)Motivation plays a role in characterization as wellby analyzing motivation, we can make judgments re: character traitsCharacter Classification

Staticalways meanDynamicchanges

Character Classification

Flatpretty muchjust evilRoundstubborn, tender-hearted, playful, loyal, etc.

Sudden Fiction Example: CharacterizationRead The Bank Robbery and look for elements of characterization.ACTIVITY: CREATE A CHARACTERFill in the Character Development Questionnaire to create your own character.Place your character in a predicament. Start with what might be considered the end of the rising action/ beginning of the climax. Quickly explore and conclude the problem. Aim for about a page of writing.CONFLICT/ CHARACTER PRACTICEREADINGCONFLICT/ CHARACTERSunday in the ParkRead the story in groups of 3-4, and discuss how the author uses characterization to intensify the conflictbe prepared to shareEXERCISECHOOSE ONE CONFLICTCouple stranded on a rural road with a broken-down car

Friend #1 reveals a lie he/she told Friend #2, either purposefully or accidentally

USE YOUR CHARACTER IN THE SITUATIONBE CONCISE!6-WORD DESCRIPTIONSDescribe yourself using only six words.

Examples:Red hair. People expect me feisty. Half Jewish. Half Italian. Totally Stuffed. Miss being blond. People expect less. Yesterday wounded. Today healing. Tomorrow peace.My life is no longer mine.Index Card Writing AssignmentWhat is [happiness]?You can insert another emotional noun here i.e. regret; joy; guilt; anxiety; contentment, etc.Only write on one sideall words must fit!Index Card Writing AssignmentNow, cut unnecessary words from your explanation. Rewrite the prompt with fewer words/ sentences on the back of the card, taking up NO MORE THAN OF THE ORIGINAL SPACE.IMAGERYImageryLanguage that appeals to the senses

Examples of ImageryI sit in a small booth next to Jane, her hip against my hip. Our coats are all bunched up across from us along with Tiny. Her hair is falling in all these big curls on her shoulders, and shes wearing this non-weather appropriate top with thin straps and quite a lot of eye makeup.

I awake to the sound of my alarm clock, blaring rhythmically, and it seems as loud as an air siren, shouting at me with such ferocity that it sort of hurts my feelings. I roll over in bed, and squint through the darkness: Its 5:43 in the morning. My alarm doesnt go off until 6:57. And only then do I realize: That sound is not my alarm clock. It is a car horn, honking, sounding some kind of terrible siren song through the streets of Evanston, a howling warning of doom. SOUL PANCAKE ACTIVITIESChoose 3 of the following to exploreList 5 questions you HATE not having the answers toWhats one thing you learned that BLEW YOUR MIND?Whats the biggest mistake you ever made?What would you say if you had 60 seconds to talk a stranger out of taking his or her life?What is one eye-opening experience every person should have?With your 3 choices, explore them in 3 different waysWrite a journal entry to answer itWrite a poem in responseWrite a list with explanations for the itemsWrite a letter (to a real personyou dont have to give it to him/her)Draw a picture

Be ready to share one/ turn these in with 10 minutes left in class!

Short Story Unit: IntroductionDifferences between Sudden Fiction and Short StoriesSudden Fiction concise, to the point, usually under 1500 or 2000 words, one character focus (not fully developed), starts in beginning of climax

Short Storieslonger than sudden fiction, more space to develop setting, characters, situation, conflict, etc. Usually more than 1500 wordsPlot Triangle Climax Rising Action Falling Action Exposition Resolution Types of ConflictInternal: problem within oneself (person versus self)examples: a major decision, insanity, difficult emotionsExternal: person has a problem with outside force(s)Person v PersonPerson against another personcould be mental, emotional, physical, etc.Person v Society Person against a collective groupcould be oppressive society, etc.Person v Nature Person against natural forcesex: weather, terrain, etc.Person v Supernatural Person versus forces that arent naturalex: God, superheroes, etc.Person v Technology Person against science/technologyex: Terminator, robots, etc.

MOODMoodDefinition: the overall feel/atmosphere of the storyDeveloped with IMAGERY, SETTING, CHARACTER, AND CONFLICT

What are some examples of mood from short stories you have read?MOOD CHOICE BOARDMOODFunnySuspensefulCreepyDepressingJoyfulFearfulHeartbreakingBoredCalmSETTINGCHARACTERAbandoned hospital at nightMountain valley in the fallSchool during the dayInsane asylumCoffee shopDoctors officeThe gymClown12 year old boyRetired coupleDepressed teenagerAlien/ ZombieFake SantaYouInsane doctorBaristaWidowTeacherPOETRYFormPoetry: RhymeDefinition: Repetition of similar sounds in two or more wordsusually at the ends of linesPoetry can rhyme, but it doesnt have to (free verse)Poetry can have specific meter (pattern of stressed/unstressed syllables), but doesnt have toRhyme is tracked by letters

Poem Form: StanzasLine similar to the sentence in proseStanza a collection of lines (similar to the paragraph in prose)Couplet- 2 lines (usually rhymed)Tercet- 3 lines (triplet= 3 ryhmed lines)Quatrain- 4 linesCinquain (or quintain)- 5 linesSestet- 6 linesSeptet- 7 linesOctave (or octet)- 8 lines

Types of PoemsHaiku one tercet 5 syllables, 7 syllables, 5 syllablesLimerickone quintainfunnyaabba Tanka one quintain 5/7/5/7/7 syllablesOttava Rima contains octets rhyming abababccSicilian Octave octets rhyming abababab (10 or 11 syllables each)Spenserian Stanza ababbcbcc mostly iambic pentameter until last line hexameter

ActivityWrite the following:A rhyming coupletA tercet (ABA)A quatrain in a rhyme scheme of your choice (label it)A limerick (cinquain)aabba Either: a sestet, septet, or octave (choose one) with or without set rhyme scheme

SPOKEN WORD POETRYPoems (Videos)http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cXpK27B3qbQhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P0QiFy8dmX0http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8sSfbQk7DxEhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zl6P1ym5WvEVillanelleNineteen linesIt has five stanzas, each of three lines, with a final one of four lines.The first line of the first stanza is repeated as the last line of the second and fourth stanzas.The third line of the first stanza is repeated as the last line of the third and fifth stanzas.These two refrain lines (above) follow each other to become the second-to-last and last lines of the poem.The rhyme scheme is aba. The rhymes are repeated according to the refrains.

The House on the HillEdwin Arlington Robinson

They are all gone away, The house is shut and still, There is nothing more to say.Through broken walls and gray The winds blow bleak and shrill: They are all gone away.

Nor is there one today To speak them good or ill: There is nothing more to say.

Why is it then we stray Around the sunken sill? They are all gone away.And our poor fancy-play For them is wasted skill: There is nothing more to say.There is ruin and decay In the House on the Hill They are all gone away, There is nothing more to say. One ArtElizabeth Bishop The art of losing isn't hard to master;so many things seem filled with the intentto be lost that their loss is no disaster.Lose something every day. Accept the flusterof lost door keys, the hour badly spent.The art of losing isn't hard to master.Then practice losing farther, losing faster:places, and names, and where it was you meantto travel. None of these will bring disaster.I lost my mother's watch. And look! my last, ornext-to-last, of three loved houses went.The art of losing isn't hard to master.I lost two cities, lovely ones. And, vaster,some realms I owned, two rivers, a continent.I miss them, but it wasn't a disaster.Even losing you (the joking voice, a gestureI love) I shan't have lied. It's evidentthe art of losing's not too hard to masterthough it may look like (Write it!) like disaster.SIDEWALK CHALKSIDEWALK CHALK ACTIVITYFind 2 poems/ excerpts from poems to use to INSPIRE and/or ENCOURAGE other studentsRecord the poems on a piece of notebook paperGive Ms. Sho the paper to approve your poems (you may only write what is approved)Prepare to go outside to write the poetry ON THE SIDEWALKS leading to the deckWhile outside:Be SILENTWrite so that students heading to the deck from classrooms can read the wordsWrite BIG enough to read the linesONLY write on sidewalks.

NOTE: IF YOU WRITE ANYTHING UNAPPROVED AND/OR ON ANYTHING OTHER THAN THE SIDEWALK, YOU WILL GET A REFERRAL. DO THE RIGHT THING.One-Act PlaysWhat is a one-act play?One basic idea/theme explored as fully as possible in a limited time frameOne dramatic actionFew charactersOne setNo monologuesDramatize (SHOW) dont tell via narratorTypes of PlaysTragedyDramaMelodramaComedyFantasyAllegoryWhat is our assignment for this unit?Due Friday, December 6!Get in groupsBrainstorm topic/plot outline/ charactersDraft PlayEdit Play and Finalize (min. 5 pages typed)RehearsePerform plays and bring in typed scripts on Friday, Dec 6ExampleLets read The Game to see how one-act plays workCheck out:Plot/ Set PossibilitiesDialogueStage Directions/ ActionsCharacterizationTheme