Writing a Narrative--1st draft due tomorrow

Today we are going to write our own narrative. You will choose the topic based on the following guidelines:

The topic should be about an obstacle you have faced and either overcome or been defeated by. This can be big or small. Think of something you have wanted or a conflict you have faced, how you approached it and what the end result was. You will need to incorporate all of the elements of a narrative in your paper.

*If you honestly cannot think of anything in the world (which I find hard to believe) you can make it up. But in actuality, no one will remember all of the details of an experience--you need to be creative.

Hw: "Getting a Job"

Explain the meaning of each of the following, aphorisms, or wise sayings, that Marguerite's mother used to give her daughter advice, and discuss how each one could apply to your life:
*Nothing beats a trial but a failure
*Life is going to give you just what you put into it
*You ask for what you want, and you pay for what you get

Cause-and-Effect Relationships (lit element section) /Hw Assignment

Notes:
Recognizing cause-and-effect relationships helps you better understand the events the writer relates. A cause is an event or action that directly results in another action or event. An effect is the direct outcome of an event.
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Hw: Give me an example of an event that has happened in your life that was a cause-and-effect relationship. Then, tell me what you think would have happened if that cause were taken away. (10 pts.) For example:

Last year, after lots of begging and pleading, my parents bought me a dog. Now I have a lot of added responsibility. Each morning I have to walk and feed the dog, and then again at night time. If it were not for this dog, I would be able to sleep in on Saturday mornings and not have to be home right away after school.

HW#5: Love Must Not be Forgotten--2 paragraphs 10 pts.

*Do you agree or disagree with the mother that it is better to live on one's own than to rush into marriage? Use examples from the story and real-life in your answer.
*Predict the narrator's future. Will she marry or not and will she be happy with that choice? Explain why you believe this will be true.

Hw #4: Our Culture and Marriage (3 par.=15 pts.)

*Do you think our culture puts pressure on people to get married? Why or why not?
*What do you think shows like "The Bachelor", "The Bachelorette" etc. show about our country's values when it comes to marriage?
*How do you think the characters of Okeke and Qiao Lin would feel about these shows?

Hw #3: Write a Letter

Write a letter as Okeke in response to the letter from Nene. Make sure your letter holds true to Okeke's personality and feelings.

Hw #2: Literary Element and Technique Project-- 50 pts.

Each of you will receive a sheet of paper for one of the literary elements and techniques we reviewed in class yesterday. Your assignment will be:

____--------start copying here____-------
1. Write the word clearly in color on a large sheet of paper or poster board
2. Write the definition of the word clear enough so that it can be seen from a distance
3. Create an image that describes the definition of your word; give an example.
*Use Color
*Draw Pictures
*Cut out photos from magazines or print them out
*Should not be pen or pencil drawings
*Make it memorable for the class

Hw #1: Imagery

Write 1 paragraph using imagery (all 5 senses) to describe 1 of the following-
* A holiday at your house (or a family member's house)
* A sporting event you attended
* A day this summer
* Your first week at McKinley

Notes for "Fish Cheeks" by Amy Tan

Review for elements of a story:
setting- time and place of events
Characters-- individuals who participate in a literary work
antagonist: the character or force the protagonist is working against
protagonist: the central character
plot--series of events
conflict--struggle between opposing forces; the basis of plot
theme--the central idea or message
symbolism--person, place or object that represents something beyond itself
imagery--a description of the 5 senses for the reader
metaphor--makes a comparison between two things that have something in common (no like or as)
point-of-view--the perspective from which the story is being told
1st person--an "I" in the story
3rd person--on the outside looking in