Tues. 10.7.08 Final Draft Travel Stories Due

Today we: handed in our travel stories and reviewed for the vocabulary test on Thursday

I broke the sad news about the theft of my laptop.

Homework:
1. Study!
2. All vocab sheets due Thursday 10/9
3. Laptop letter due Thursday 10/9

IF YOU WERE ABSENT:
1. Turn in your travel story when you return. Make sure it has all the elements (see the Writing Workshop post for a checklist)
2. Get _correct_ answers for the vocab review (ask classmates, me, the internet, dictionary, for help).
3. Schedule a time to make up your vocab test

Thurs. 10.2.08 Writer's Workshop

Today we:
1. Edited and had our papers edited by our peers using the editing sheet.
2. " " the 6 writing traits guide.
3. Went to the computer lab to work on our final drafts.

Homework:
1. Final draft due Tues. 10/7/08 - with writing folder (see below)

Are you ready to turn in your Travel Story?

1. Are ALL of the following stapled in the following order:

a. TOP: Green grading rubric (Travel Story Sheet - 6 writing traits boxes side up)
b. Final Draft
c. Two (2) Peer Editing Sheets - done in class on Thurs. 10/2
d. Peer Editing Sheet - done at home
e. Draft #2
f. LAST: Draft #1

2. Are these IN your binder, IN your bag, ready to bring to school?

3. Is your WRITING FOLDER with your chart and your My Name essay IN your binder, IN your bag, ready to bring to school?

ONLY when you have answered "Yes" to ALL of these questions are you ready to turn in your Travel Story! :)

IF YOU WERE ABSENT:
1. Get a peer editing sheet and a 6 writing traits sheet and have a peer/parent edit your story

Travel Story: State Writing Assessment Rubric

Name:_____________________________________ Date:___Fall 2008________

Assignment:_____Travel Story_________________ Class:_Global Literature___

Mode: Imaginative
Ideas and Content
1 2 3 4 5 6
The writer:
• Shows an identifiable purpose for writing
the piece.
• Has developed character(s)
• Has a specific, developed setting
• Has a clear conflict and resolution
• Has a clear climax

Organization
1 2 3 4 5 6
The writer:
• Has an exposition that sets the scene,
characters, and the conflict
• Has rising action/ suspense
• Has a clear climax that slows down the
action
• Has a clear resolution that relates to the
conflict

Sentence Fluency
1 2 3 4 5 6
The writer:
• Uses sentences that flow and sound natural
when read aloud
• Varies patterns, lengths, and beginnings of
sentences
• Has a control over simple and complex
sentences.
• Uses dialogue which sounds natural

Conventions
1 2 3 4 5 6
The writer:
• Demonstrates control of standard writing
conventions
-punctuation
-spelling
-capitalization
-paragraph breaks
-grammar/usage
* Avoids comma splice
* Uses commas for introductory clauses

Word Choice
1 2 3 4 5 6
The writer:
• Chooses words that work
• Shows, doesn’t simply tell
• Attempts to use colorful language
• Occasionally experiments with language,
and generally avoids clichés.

Voice
1 2 3 4 5 6
The writer:
• Gives the reader a sense of interaction with
the writer
• Demonstrates a commitment to the topic
• Writes in a lively, sincere, or humorous
way when appropriate


Final draft on time: _____/10
Rough draft(s) included: _____/5
Editing sheet(s) included and complete: _____/5
Writing practice sheets included and complete _____/10
Format (font, spacing, length, title,
rubric attached, name, etc.): _____/5
Total writing assessment score _____/30
Total Score Earned: _____/65

Travel Story – Peer Edit Sheet Writer’s Name _______________________
Scale of 1 – 5: 1 = not true; 5 = 100% for sure Editor’s Name _______________________

First Impressions:
1 2 3 4 5 The first sentence has hooked me. I can’t help it; I want to keep reading!

Comments:

1 2 3 4 5




After reading the first paragraph, I have a good sense of:
the __________________________.
(setting, character(s), OR the conflict)

Comments:

1 2 3 4 5
----------------------- After reading the first half of the story, I have a good sense of the conflict. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The conflict is: _______________________________________________.

Comments:

1 2 3 4 5

-----------------------
After reading the first half the story, I am eager to keep reading; I want to
find out what happens next.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The writer has developed rising action and/or suspense using the following
(circle all that apply, and identify them on your peer’s paper):

a. detailed description including metaphors and/or similes
b. sensory details
c. internal dialogue
d. dialogue
e. slow-motion action

Comments:

1 2 3 4 5 I can easily point to the climax of this story. It is:
_____________________________________________

Comments:

1 2 3 4 5
----------------------- The climax is clear ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
because the writer included the following:
a. slow-motion action
b. detailed description including metaphors and/or similes
c. sensory details
d. internal dialogue

Comments:


1 2 3 4 5
At the end of the story, I feel satisfied because the main conflict has been resolved.

Comments:

1 2 3 4 5
----------------------- By the end of the story, I can imagine being in the setting. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The writer has developed the setting using the following (circle all that
apply):
a. detailed description including metaphors and/or similes
b. sensory details
c. internal dialogue

Comments:

1 2 3 4 5
By the end of the story, I feel like I know the character. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The writer has developed the character using the following (circle all that
apply):
a. detailed description including metaphors and/or similes
b. sensory details
c. internal dialogue

Comments:


Fluency and Conventions:

1 2 3 4 5
The writer uses both short and long sentences.
1 2 3 4 5
Sentences rarely begin with the same word or phrase (ex: “I was,” etc.). Sentences structure varies (not always simple subject-verb order).
1 2 3 4 5
Writer uses commas correctly and avoids fragments and run-on sentences
1 2 3 4 5
Writer correctly punctuates dialogue.
1 2 3 4 5
The writer uses correct: • punctuation
• spelling
• capitalization
• paragraph breaks
• grammar/usage

1 2 3 4 5
The writing sounds natural when read out loud.

Tues. 9.30.08 Dialogue and Beginnings

Due Today:
1. Rough draft #1
2. Notes for "Might Be a Little Bit Painful" by Polly Evans
3. Vocabulary for "Might Be..."

Today we:
1. Worked on adding dialogue and beginnings to our stories.
2. Practiced editing using a student example

Homework:
1. Rough Draft #2 WITH dialogue and a _great_ beginning due next class: Thurs. 10.2.08
2. Peer Edit sheet for Draft #1 OR #2 due next class: Thurs. 10.2.08

IF YOU WERE ABSENT:
Make sure to complete the "Dialogue and Beginnings" handout (pasted below)

Travel Writing: Beginnings Name ________________________

Using the travel stories we have read, find one example of each of the 3 types of beginnings listed below. In the space provided, write the first two sentences from the story that has that type of beginning. (6 points)

1. Beginning in the middle of the action Story ___(Adventures of Mega Chicken)____
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________

2. Beginning with an intriguing description Story ___Size of the World________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________

3. Beginning with a statement about the main character Story___Deep Fried Potato Bug________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________

Now, write an effective “hook” and the rest of the beginning paragraph for your travel story. Indicate which beginning technique you are using by circling, here: (Action, Description, or Statement about Character) (6 points)
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________


Travel Writing: Dialogue Name ________________________

Dialogue done well:
“Er…is this your first time doing gua sha?” he asked tentatively in heavily accented English. He laughed anxiously. He had the demeanor of a person confronted with a difficult, potentially embarrassing situation. Something about him suggested that perhaps I shouldn’t be there.
“Yes,” I replied far too confidently.
“Aaahh.” His grin now grew close to a fearful grimace. He clenched and stretched his muscular fingers, then added, “Might be a little bit painful.”
Deep within me, an uneasy suspicion started to stir. And then, before it could develop into full-fledged panic, the masseur rather cautiously picked up a flat brown implement from the tray beside the bed and started to scrape at my back (Evans, “Might Be a Little Bit Painful,” 13)

Imitation (8 points):
Recreate the dialogue, above, using the character and setting from your travel story. Go line by line, substituting details that are relevant to your story and your character.

Here’s a start (already punctuated):
“Er…is this your first time ______________________?” ______ asked ___________ly in heavily accented English. He ___________ed _____________ly. He had the demeanor of ____________________________________________. Something about _________ suggested that perhaps ___________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________.

Now, you add the punctuation, dialogue, and narration (still following the format of the example, above) :
__________ I replied far too _____________ly
__________ His __________now became a _____________________. He ___________ and __________________________________________________________________________, then added, “__________________________________________________________________.
Deep within me, __________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
And then, _____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________

You try it (10 points):
Choose a moment from your travel story to expand with dialogue. The beginning and the moment of climax are good places to “slow down the moment” and add detail using dialogue. Remember to only include meaningful dialogue; it should add new information to the reader’s understanding of the setting, character, or plot.
For this assignment, show your character interacting with someone else, using dialogue written in grammatically correct form. Write at least ten complete sentences

Fri. 9.26.08 Plot

Due Today:
1. Conflict worksheet and paragraph for travel story

Today we:
1. Warm up - spend 10 minutes writing as much of this story as you can:
a. setting = Beijing, China; b. character = middle-aged woman; c. conflict = painful massage; d. result = your choice

2. Reviewed and examined the plot for "The Adventures of Mega Chicken" and filled out the plot worksheet

3. Reviewed vocabulary for and read the story "Might Be a Little Bit Painful" from Polly Evans' book "Fried Eggs with Chopsticks;" took notes on plot

4. Took time to fill in the plot worksheet for our own travel stories.

Homework:
Due Tues. 9/30/08
1. Finish plot diagram for story, if needed
2. Rough draft #1 (2 - 3 pages; typed; double-spaced)
3. Vocabulary for "Might Be..."
4. Notes for "Might Be..."

IF YOU WERE ABSENT:
1. Be sure to do the warm up and turn it in to the late folder. Write a note at the top about why it's late to avoid losing points.
2. Get the plot worksheet (blue) from the extras binder