Drafting Time

Let's use our time in class to talk about essays you've submitted and to draft our descriptive essays, which are due Monday.

Your descriptive essay should focus on concrete language, a 30 second event, start in the middle, and tell a story.

Purpose-  To introduce description and practice on describing things on our own.

1.  Journal-

Oh, say can you see by the dawn’s early light
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight’s last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars thru the perilous fight,
O’er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming?
And the rocket’s red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave?'

Using your thinking skills and with a partner, INTERPRET this and tell me what is happening in the poem-  go line by line and put it into your own words.


2.  SSB, the greatest example of this from all time!

3.  SSB, Another example:  this time you do the description.  Write what you see and hear. (set the context)

4.  What did you see?  Most importantly, what did you hear?

4.5  Is this a good version?  Why or why not?

5.  This is your essay, your way, just like Jimi

6.  My essay plan

7.  Your draft due MONDAY.

MLA format Tutor-shop.

1.  Today we will be making an MLA format template to use for all of our essays.

2.  Trade questions and answer for HW;  keep the questions for your portfolio.

3.  Reading:  two essays.  Please write 5 questions for each essay for another to answer.  Can the be Thinking Skill questions?

Essay 1

Essay 2


For TS questions, use the following words once each:  compare, contrast, analyze, infer, explain.


Example question:  Can you EXPLAIN why I haven't received your essay?  :)

1.  Journal-  Okay.  You should be finished with your essay and it should be ready to submit.  Please grade it using the 6 traits rubric and put your score on top of your essay.

2.  Reading A-  Changing your grade?

3.  Reading B-  Changing your grade?

4.  MLA format check.

5.  Essays submitted.

6.  Reading HW-  Descriptive writing.

Now create 5 questions for another to answer, LOL.

1.  Check MLA format….

2.  Groups and Reading….

Answer these ?’s on the back of each paper you read.

1.   Check mla fomat.

2.   Read and circle any  mistakes you see.

3.   Is there an ending with a message?

4.  Give them a compliment.

5.  Talk to them and help them fix mistakes that you see a lot of.

6.  What should the writer add?

7.  What should the writer take away?

8.  Is it long enough?

9.  Is it too long?

HW-  Complete the essay to turn in on Monday.

HW-  Read this essay-  Descriptive writing and write down 5 questions for the class to answer about the reading.

1.  Attendance-

2.  Drafts in the GB

3.  Journal- 

Did meeting with others about your draft help?  Why or why not?  What can you do if it didn't help?  What could you do to be a better editor for others?

4.  Groups and meetings.

0.  As you read, circle what you think is a mistake.  DON'T Correct it!
1.  Is this interesting?
2.  Does it feel like the writer is thinking about words?
3.  Would you tell this story to another person?
4.  Is there a message in the work?
5.  What's the topic?
6.  Who's the audience?
7.  What's the purpose?
8.  Is it missing anything?
9  Is it too long?
10.  Is it in MLA format?
12.  What would you change?
13.  Give the writer a compliment.


HW-  Finished draft due in class on FRIDAY!

First Workshop Day!

1.  Please put your drafts on your desk for me to check.

2.  TPS, check each other's MLA format-- correct any mistakes.

3.  Journal- 

Are you proud of your essay?  Why or why not?  What could you do better?  What did you do well?  If you were giving yourself a grade for Voice, what would it be?  If you gave yourself a grade for Word choice, what would it be?


4.  Groups and reading.  Model.

On the back of the papers you read, answer the following questions:

Is the essay in MLA format?
Is there a beginning, middle, and end?
Is it broken into paragraphs?
Does it start in the middle of the story?
Is it interesting?
Are there so many grammar mistakes that it is distracting?
Circle any mistakes you see.
Offer one suggestion for improvement.
Offer one compliment.

5.  HW-  Revising and editing the essay for class on Wednesday.

Reading-

1.  Journal-  When did something happen that shocked you, but in a good way?

1.5- MLA format notes.... Deal/Bet?

2.  Using "Storm Country" as a model.  While I read, annotate.  Use: ? * :( and also highlight words you can touch and hold in your hand-- concrete words.

3.  Is this a good essay?  Why?  How is it a narrative?  What does it do that we've discussed in class?


HW-  "Storm Country"  Describe, in a paragraph of at least 15 sentences, how this story differs from "Mother Nature," the story we read in class.

No Class Friday

HW-  Drafts due Monday, in MLA format.

Journal-  What makes a good story?

Let's make a list.


Looking at Fish Cheeks.





Why is it good?

Summarize your plan

Tell your plan to another

(Does your plan add up to a good story?)



Drafts Due Wednesday!