Vary those Sentences!

Why is sentence variety so important?

Sentence variety is important because it is important. It is important so you don't always say the same thing over and over. Sentence variety is important so you don't sound like a broken record. It is boring if you use the same beginnings to sentences and the same sentence structure every time you write. People will just be waiting for that sentence that says something a little different and adds a little zest to your writing. See!

The paragraph above is an example of BAD sentence variety. This is why we should improve that part of our writing - otherwise, what we write becomes mush.

Here are some links to get you thinking! (and writing varied sentences)

And here!

Thesis and Structure

Click here for a PDF about writing thesis statements. This may give you an idea about how to revise the one in your essay if you think it is weak.

Click here for a web site about organization. You can also try this link for a web site on outlining your essay. This will help you to switch where your paragraphs are or where you think they should be. You may even want to move around the sentences in your paragraphs so that they make more sense or flow more smoothly. Think of an outline as a map for your structure.

Essay Writing - Exam Week

Let's get to essay writing! Today we are discussing some fine points of essay writing before I send you all to do it tomorrow. Tomorrow, you will be writing the entire period, refining and reworking your ideas INDEPENDENTLY.

After tomorrow's class, then we can rework what you have written and improve the writing for the final draft.

A few tips:

- Make sure you understand what the question is asking - read it through and reread it so that you answer it properly. There is nothing worse than writing an entire essay answering the question in the wrong way.

- Take your time. Even though sometimes we want to write everything all at once, take your time and really think about how you want to construct your idea. Don't take too much time though because then you will find it is the end of the period and you have nothing written. What ever you have at the end of the period on Tuesday is what you can work with from that point on, so make sure it is something substantial.

- Think. Think. Think. (as Pooh Bear says) Make sure you construct a good idea about what you are writing. Don't write what I expect, write about things that are "surprising" to you or that you think I will find interesting. Don't tell me what I know, tell me what you think.

- Most of all - do your best! That is all you can do, right? Your best may not be a five, but hopefully it is not a 1, but whatever it is, just do it!

Photo assignment

We are going to continue our discussion tomorrow about MEMORIES and the photographs and memories you guys have. Please bring in your pictures and your written down memories of them, so we can discuss them tomorrow.

I love pictures - don't you?

Color Blindness

Click on this and go to this cool web site that simulates color blindness!

Check out what you see. I almost feel like I might be color blind, but then I realize -- I can see all the differences, so that must mean that I am not color blind (duh). Try it out! Are any of you color blind? Do you know anyone who is? What is it like for them?

Reading and Thinking

I want you guys to read and think this weekend (I know - it takes a lot). Think about how what is going on in the novel fits together. We will be writing essays about the novel, so I need you guys to have some thoughts about what to write about when the time comes. We will be doing a practice essay this week, so prepare yourselves.

Make sure you have finished the novel by Tuesday! Also - report to the computer lab on Monday (Burak - you are responsible for getting everyone there).

AFTER POST: Reminder "NO SCHOOL ON MONDAY!" - have as much fun as you can!

PHOTOS

I need those photos! Please bring them in on Monday.

What do you guys think having photos in digital form vs. having photos in print form does for memories?