So Good to Me Diary Writing

Today, we are going to try our hand at writing a diary entry. But in this diary entry, our goal is to truly capture the story and retell it with so much detail that our reader can create an image in his/her head.  We want to climb right into this video and tell our story.

To do this, writers rely on imagery.  They choose their words very carefully in order to appeal to the senses of the reader.  As the reader reads, he or she can imagine the story because the images created help make it seem so much more real!

Consider the language writers use to create powerful imagery:

• What would we see?  Visual imagery pertains to sight and allows the reader to visualize events or places.  We might include words to describe colours, shapes, size, appearance, or levels of darkness.  Examples: colourless, spotted, round, immense, narrow, sheer, handsome, dim, muddy, muscular.

• What would we hear?  Auditory imagery pertains to our sense of sound. Examples: crash, whisper, scream, scrape, chatter.

• What would we touch or feel?  Tactile and kinesthetic imagery pertains to our sensation of touch or movement and action.  Examples: jagged, soft, shaking, trembling, slippery, bumpy, fragile, hot, tender.

• What would we smell?  Imagery related to the sense of smell helps deliver smells to the reader.  Does it make us think of this experience in a positive or negative way?  Examples: sweet, rancid, aroma, whiff, stench, perfumed, damp.

Here is an example of imagery in action:

As the bright, shimmering sun twinkled through my bedroom window, I jumped out of bed.  I couldn't help but notice the trees waving their leaves to say hello as I listened to the birds sing their morning song.  I quickly got dressed and rushed down the cold wooden stairs towards the smell of fresh brewed coffee and towards my best friend.


As you watch the video the first time, make a list of words you could use to create imagery.






After a second viewing, write your diary entry, keeping in mind your goal to include examples of imagery throughout.

(Lesson inspired by http://fabtasticteachingideas.wordpress.com/)

Reading as a Writer

We often talk about Why Writer's Write...and look at the poster we have hanging in our classroom to remind us of many of the varied reasons and purposes writers have for using writing as their medium.  Blogs and online spaces are often used as a medium to report information, tell a story, share feelings, and share experiences!

For example, during the Sochi Olympics, reporters are working around the clock to report the most up-to-date stories about the events as they are taking place.  Reporter Tim Wharnsby of CBC Sports writes this news article titled Carey Price to start for Canada in quarter-final game.

Read this article as a writer. When we read something as a writer, we're looking at the piece through a different lens than we do when we read as a reader.  We're trying to look at the writer's craft and techniques that we can hopefully apply in our own writing. We try to look at some of the choices the writer made and examine the effects those choices have on the reader.  We want to examine the writing closely and try to understand how the piece was put together. We are reading to learn about writing.

Some questions to consider are:

• What do you notice about how Wharnsby organizes the article?  
• What technique did he use to introduce his article?  
• Where did Wharnsby get the ideas for his article?  What kinds of sources would he have used?
• What different types of information are included in the article?  
• Do you notice any writing techniques the author used? (figurative language, playful language, alliteration or other poetic techniques)
• Find a line/phrase that you enjoy.  Quote that line and why it stood out to you.

*Work in partners to discuss and post your answers/thoughts/comments in the comments of this blog post.*

Olympic Spirit: Discussing theme

In movies, novels, short stories, and even short videos, a central idea is usually at the heart of the story.  The theme of a story is sometimes tough to determine because it is something you determine on your own rather than something you can find stated in the text.  The theme is a message about life or human nature that you take away from the story.



Think about the subject of this video and try to expand your thinking into a message about life.

What meaningful themes or life lessons can you pull from this video?  How can you use this message in your own life?



Please add your comments below after viewing the CBC Sports video from Feb. 11, 2014 in Sochi during the men's cross-country sprint semi-final.

Writing Quality Comments

As a blogger, you should also be participating in the commenting process!  Today, you will explore quickwrites of your classmates and leave quality comments.

How do you write a quality comment?

1.  Be constructive...but not hurtful.  Your comments should offer advice but be sure it is phrased in a helpful, not hurtful, way.  It's ok to offer advice or disagree, but bloggers are looking for comments that continue the discussion.  If you can't find a way to express your viewpoint without insulting others, tone down your words until they are respectful or refrain from commenting.

2.  Compliment the writer in a specific way.  Avoid things like, "I like your blog.  Please visit mine."

3.  Stay on topic.  Your comment should be related to the content of the post.

4.  Include a personal connection to what the author has written.

5.  Ask a question.  Or answer a question.

6.  Add to the conversation with meaningful information. Do you have any additional information to add to the post?

7.  Edit your post for clarity.  Your comment is a published piece of writing, even if short!  It should contain proper writing conventions (capitalization, punctuation, correct spelling.)

8.  Try to skim the comments before commenting so that you add to the conversation without repeating something already posted.

9.  Include your name rather than writing anonymously.


And, as the receiver of the comments, REPLY to those that are taking the time to read your writing and consider their thoughts!

Our Inspired Quickwrites

Using either our model poems, "Remembrance" or "First Television", or our visual writing prompts found at writingprompts.tumblr.com, write and publish 2 quickwrites to your blog.  We will have time tomorrow to explore and comment on the various quickwrites your classmates created.  Although our quickwrites are written quickly, they should still be read over and revised and edited for clarity, word choice, and good conventions so that the ideas can be communicated clearly.  Please be sure to include an image of the prompt or poem that inspired your writing!