Personal Voice, Themes and Tones

Grade 12

• Discussed the college application process:
• The Common Application: If you haven't started your profile you need to begin NOW. (Unless you are definitely planning on FMCC)
• You need to research colleges to find the ones best for you. You should have a "reach" school, target schools and a safety school.
• You should be visiting the schools on this list, and making sure you document your visits in the the admissions offices.
• I will share some helpful links next week.
• Discussed the college application essay. We will writing 6 or these with the final being the one you will submit.
• Reread intro letter to identify phrases that express "voice". Voice was defined as word choice that causes some kind of emotional reaction in the reader; smile, frown, chuckle, anxiety, etc. The writer's "voice" will reveal the tone (author's attitude toward the subject or audience) and inspire a mood (reader's reaction). In order to for writing to have a "voice", the writing must be as natural as your speaking voice. This takes practice.
• Discussed examples of "voice" in the intro letter.
• Discussed the importance of being a senior. This is a critical transition stage that is to be taken very, very seriously. We will be examining this stage through the lens of the Hero Journey throughout the course of the school year.
• Periods 1 and 7 wrote on the topic of "Innocence" in their in-class journals. An essay by J.T. Jewkes was distributed to all 3 periods. All students are to read, annotate and respond to this in their in-class journals. Be ready for discussion on Monday.
• The first essay of  the school year will be assigned on Monday: "When did  you realize you were no longer a child?"
• Also discussed the content of journal entries. Journal writing should be meaningful. This could include something amusing your dog did. Your life is a story. Write your story down. Common topics include:
• grandparents
• childhood memories
• personal beliefs and opinions
• rants
• worries
• The list is infinite. I will read each entry and take the time to respond if you give me something to respond to. Please write on a variety of topics. Entries about how practice went get old pretty quickly.
• Be aware that I am a mandated reporter. If you write something in journal that leads me to think your health or safety is at risk, I will take it to the guidance office. If you share something of this nature with me, I will assume this is what you want me to do. That's okay.

Grade 10

• Opened with a journal activity: If the current stage of your life is a story, what is the title? Why?
• Shared and discussed some answers.
• Defined "theme" and  "tone" 
•  Theme: a unifying idea that is a recurrent element in literary or artistic work
  Ex: “Never give up.” “Accept what can’t be avoided.” “The need of the one outweighs the need of the many.”
  
  Tone: a literary technique, that is a part of composition, that encompasses the author's attitudes toward the subject and toward the audience. Tone may be formal, informal, intimate, solemn, sad, playful, serious, ironic, condescending, or many other possible attitudes.
• We discussed that the title you chose in the journal activity should point toward the theme of your life "story."
• Directions for the first writing assignment was distributed: *
• Introduction
• Discuss the "biographical" theme and supporting details. What is the theme of your life right now? Why? Themes may center around a conflict (you against _________.), desire (I want _________, but __________ is in the way.), good fortune, friendship, family, etc. If you have difficulty finding a them, please see me for guidance. One way to think about it is to ask yourself, "If my life is a story, what is the title?" The answer will lead you to the theme.
• Discuss your "biographical" tone. What is the primary feeling in your story? Why? Give examples.
• Conclusions: Did you learn anything from this exercise?
  
  OR
  
  Write an actual narrative... the story of this stage of your life. Use language that will imply the tone. Again, think of a title that will point you in the direction of a theme... but don't state the theme directly. Write this from either the first or third person.
• The first draft of this assignment is due on Tuesday. I expect some students will have difficulty with this assignment. Get to me either through email or the FB page with questions. Please remember:
• I WANT TO SEE EFFORT, NOT PERFECTION.