January 14th, 2013

1/14/13

In Class:
Reviewed and discussed syllabus (see separate blog entry) and other class expectations:
    - Each day will begin with a journal prompt and a GMX.
    - Each student will turn in at least one piece every Monday.
    - Thursdays will be ‘workshop’ days. Every student is expected to workshop at least one piece.

Journal--  Respond to the following quotes:
"You can't wait for inspiration. You have to go after it with a club." -Jack London.
"Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration." -Thomas Edison
 
GMX--  Instruction in nouns and sentence subjects.
Bracket all the nouns in the excerpt. Box all the subjects of the sentences.
     Dr. Leon Rappaport studies the fear factor in movies. Humans have always liked to explore their feelings of fear and anxiety, according to Rappaport. Frightening movies allow them to master those emotions and work through them. Other psychologists agree. People like to be scared in the absence of any real danger.

Discussed the nature of inspiration, including the concept of a 'muse' vs. hard work. Author Sherman Alexie on inspiration: 12:59 - 16:03.
"I write one page of masterpiece to ninety-nine pages of s---. I try to put the s--- in the wastebasket." -Ernest Hemingway

Instruction in the genre of lists and techniques.

Exit Ticket: Best/Worst 3 Things About High School.

Homework:
Write a bucket list of at least ten activities/possessions/skills/etc.
Decorate your writing journal.