Journal 11

Due Friday, November 4

Mode: Narrative

Topic: Every day you walk past a certain door. It is always locked. However, this time the door is unlocked and slightly ajar. You decide to walk in. Tell a story about what happens. (Do not end with the "It was all a dream" ending.)

Prewriting: First, decide what the BIG MOMENT is going to be. Draw three circles. These will be the three scenes in your story. Fill in the middle circle with the BIG MOMENT.  In the first circle, tell what what was happening BEFORE the big scene. This begins with a person in a place doing something. In the second circle, tell what is going on DURING the big moment. In the third circle, tell what happens AFTER the big moment. How will things end up? Remember'that the big moment must not occur until the  middle or central scene of the story.

Focus: Include some dialogue in your narrative to bring the story to life. Make sure to indent for each speak and correctly use punctuation and capitalization. You will not receive full credit without at least several sentence of dialogue (conversation). Remember to begin a new paragraph for each new speaker.

Mode: Persuasive

Topic: Write a letter to your parents. Convince your parents of something. For example, convince your parents to raise your allowance, to buy you some particularly expensive item, or to let you go someplace. You can use one of these ideas or think of your own.

Prewriting:  Make a chart  of your topic and opinion, who is your audience, and the three reasons to convince your parents to do what you want them to do. For each reason you want to use in your paper, jot down an examples/facts/anecdotes to explain your point.

Due Date:

Friday, November 19

Mode: Expository

Topic: It is the beginning of a busy and exciting holiday season. Of course, there are other holidays throughout the year such as Fourth of July, Valentines Day, Easter, or Halloween. Pick any one holiday of your choice. Explain the traditions your family has for that holiday and tell what you enjoy about the holiday. You might tell about special preparations for the holiday, decorations, meals or special food, how your family passes the time that day, games or special activities, or the people who get together.

Prewriting: Decide on your topic first. List three details that you will explain. Each detail gets a paragraph, so under each detail, write a sub-list of the information you want to include.

Focus: You still need an interesting introduction and conclusion in any kind of writing. Do not simply copy the same words for your conclusion. Perhaps briefly telling what tradition you want to carry on and why could fit into your ending. One sentence is not usually a solid conclusion.