The PAG - Penticton Art Gallery

In response to the art gallery visit, write a blog about your experience today.

You can comment on the walk to the gallery, the people you saw, the art work in the gallery or your own or your peers' responses to the art that you saw.

The Kite Runner: Writing Assignment

The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini

Essay Composition

Prewriting:     

1. Compose a thesis, a statement that you will set out to prove. Your thesis will be included along with some general statements about the novel in your introductory paragraph. You must hand in your thesis before beginning your essay.(3)

2. Create a web that presents three subtopics, each with a supporting reference (preferably quotations) drawn from the text. The center of your web should contain your thesis statement. This graphic organizer must accompany your final essay. (3)

3. Begin the writing process and develop a five paragraph composition.

Your essay should have a clear introduction, body and conclusion. You may copy your response to your blog or submit a typed copy to the class cyber inbox (X drive, Student Inboxes, Laven, Block 7-8). (6)

Topics:

1.      Amir is a prime example of an anti-hero, according to the post modern definition of that concept. (see your notes)

2.      Foreshadow plays an elemental role in Hosseini’s novel.

3.   The Kite Runner is a relevant commentary on the historical as well as the current conflict in Afghanistan. (external research)

4.   Choose a topic and show how it develops, throughout the novel, into a theme. Topics include war, loyalty, forgiveness, friendship, redemption, sacrifice, race, class, fear and the relationships between father and son.

5.      The kite is a dominant motif (a recurring symbol)  in The Kite Runner. Choose the kite or any other significant motif (slingshot - Haassan/Sorhab; Hitler - Assef; cigarettes - Baba/Rahim Khan…) and show how it is integral to the development of a character in the novel.

                       

6.      The essential conflict of the narrative, The Kite Runner, is man versus self. Discuss how this conflict develops throughout the novel.

7.      “There is a way to be good again.” (Hosseini, 2001, Pg. 1) Simple words often suffice to instigate significant actions. Discuss this statement with regard to the develpoment of the plot and conflict of the novel.

The OVERVIEW - FLOW CHART

The OVERVIEW - FLOW CHART

IRP in CSI Style!

When you begin to compose your IRP think like a forensic investigator who is working backward… You are putting the analysis before the crime - the planning before the presentation! (Not to say that your presentation will be a crime!) THINK CSI!

 

You can begin your IRP with the planning stage. Compose a FLOW CHART that outlines the main parts of your presentation. You can "chunk" your topic into 3 or 4 parts. Include both an introduction and a conclusion. Use the following CSI notes to help you organize your thinking. Use the sample flow chart a s a guide.

C = Claim. Present a short speech where you include these points:

• Introduce yourself: “Good morning fellow students. I am ________________ …”
• State the topic you are presenting: “…and I’d like to present you with _______...”
• Explain your claim: “This is relevant because ___________...”

S = Support. Speak to your audience about your topic. This is the BULK of your presenation. 

§         Show your PowerPoint, Prezi, ComicLife, demonstration, or any other audio/visual aid. The following points you should either explain as the presentation is being given or should be part of the presentation:

1.      Prove why the topic you have chosen is important.

2.      Supply facts, anecdotes and statistics to strengthen your support.

3.      Include pictures, interviews, sound or video clips and tie these together to fully explore the topic you have chosen.

I = Impact. Tell your audience why your topic is relevant to them.

• State why the information you have shared is relevant to your audience.
• Explain how the information you presented might affect your audience.
  
  
• Thank your audience for their attentiveness and ask for questions.

Idiomatic Expression!

Idioms are figurative expressions of language that add imagery to our writing. Imagery helps the reader to imagine sights, sounds, smells, tastes and feelings associated with a character's or author's experience.

Read a passage of Alice In Wonderland that you locate on the Internet. Identify any idioms that you find (limit yourself to three idioms).

Write a response to one of the following prompts and include popular idioms in your writing.

A day in the woods cutting firewood.
Skiing or riding a board at Apex.
Tobogganing up Carmi.
Preparing dinner for your family / friends.
Playing a competitive sport.

Any idea that you can come up with!

Your writing should be a paragraph that contains an introductory sentence, 3 or four sentences that develop your ideas and a clear conclusion.

Hyperbole ad infinitum...

Complete the assignment "Identifying Hyperbole" and write a brief satirical observation. Please look at a couple of suggested samples of satirical writing before you begin.

A.  Do a google search for Dave Barry Columns and read one of his satirical passages. Try to identify examples of hyperbole in his satire.

Having read the satire by Dave Barry you should have a clear concept of how hyperbole can lend itself to satire. Please try your hand at writing a satire that meets the following criteria:

1. A leading title
2. A clearly introduced subject
3. A three paragraph structure that develops a complete reflection on the topic
4. two examples of hyperbole (think metaphors and similes - with razor sharp perception, or in the immortal words of Alec, "Like heaven on a plate!")

Check out this brief satire from The Onion before you begin writing.

http://www.theonion.com/articles/health-department-still-not-able-to-really-prove-w,27278/

Possible topics to satirize:
Exams?
Fashion?
Body building?
A favorite movie?
Homelessness can be cool?
High schools prepare students for the real world?


Please be sure to grammar and spell check your work.

Fiction vs. Non-fiction

Read the article at the Globe and Mail Link Below and comment on what the relative value of both non-fiction and fiction is to the reader of each.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/arts/russell-smith/fiction-or-non-fiction-does-it-matter-any-more/article2322838/

Independent Research Project (IRP)



New Amsterdam 1645



We've talked about the independent research project and you've already had a chance to explore one area of interest in the form of selecting a non-fiction book. Please comment on your topic selection for the IRP and include comments on the following points:



The Southern tip of Manhattan Island today - New Amsterdam has become the greatest city the world has ever known! New York City.

1. What is your topic?

2. Why did you choose this topic?

3. What do you already know about this topic?

4. What ideas do you have regarding the presentation of this topic?

5. How is the book you chose going to help you research this topic? 

6. What kind of preparation do you feel you need to help you with preparing for your presentation?



Russell Shorto writes an amazing tale of the settlement by the Dutch of the colony of New Amsterdam, in his book The Island at the Center of the World.





Please read and comment on at least two of your classmates' Blog posts today! Your comments must be reflective - show that you have read and thought about their posts and comment constructively.