Communication

ASSIGNMENT 8: PROJECT: Advice from an Author

Learning Target (Curricular Competencies):

  • Express and support an opinion with evidence. 
  • Assess and refine texts to improve clarity and impact. 
  • Recognize and appreciate how different forms, formats, structures, and features
    of texts enhance and shape meaning and impact. 

Task:

1. Watch this video featuring Stuart Ross from Cobourg, Ontario.

It has four sections:

  1. The Reading (the author reads their work to you)
  2. The Assignment (a writing exercise for you to do...)
  3. The Recommendation (a book or author that's a favourite)
  4. The Sign-Off (a piece of writing wisdom)

2.  Respond to the video and Ross's reading by doing a one page reflection on his writing, his reading performance, his work, or connections that arise for you as he reads.  This is your personal response.  Should be 150 words.

3. Do the assignment he suggests. He wants you to create an upside-down poem.  But let's put a fun twist on his assignment.  See the assignment explanation below once you've watched the video and done your personal response.

4.  If you want to expand your reading, Ross suggests you read W.A.C. Farrant:  "Sick Pigeon" and "Raw Material"

Here's what you're going to do for this project...COLLABORATE!

1.  Find 9 people and assign them a number (#1-#9).  You are #10. 

2. Then have them write a line of poetry on separate pieces of paper.  Their line of poetry should include a poetic device:  simile, metaphor, personification, alliteration, hyperbole, etc.  You might have to teach them the meaning.

3.  Make sure they write their names beside their line of poetry.  Organize them from 1-10 on a page and Voila!  There is your 10 line upside-down poem.

4.  Then switch all the sentences around to create a different poem.  You can do this many times.

5.  Decide which one you like better and explain why in a clear paragraph.

Submit

1.  Your personal response to the video

2.  Your upside-down poem

3.  Your poem preference explanation

Assessment:  Below you will find the exemplary criteria used to assess the assignment.  

Learning Target: (Exemplary 6/6): Exemplary comprehension of the task and clear accomplishment of the objective. Evidence of authentic collaboration is evident and all parts of the assignments are complete.

Ideas/Content: (Exemplary 6/6): Personal responses are unique, creative, specific and thoughtful.

Organization: (Exemplary 6/6):  Ideas are well-organized and paragraphs include a strong topic sentence, insightful details and an engaging conclusion. 

Written Expression:  (Exemplary (6/6):  Sentence structure and vocabulary are varied, skillfully written, and carefully chosen.  Work has been proofread and there are few or no errors in spelling, capitalization, punctuation, and grammar.  Content contributes to the central idea and makes insightful connections with logical organization.

Submission: 

Use the "2.8 PROJECT - Advice from an Author" link on the main page of this section of the course to upload your assignment to your teacher for marking.