What it's Like to be a Freshman

As we read the excerpt from Speak in class, we discussed how much of the story was relatable. The author used first person point of view to put us in the head of the narrator and wrote about something everyone has experienced - being a freshman in a high school lunch room on the first day of school.

For this blog post, write about what it's like to be a high school freshman. Employ the narrative techniques listed in the short story assignment to describe your experience so far as a freshman.

Write two paragraphs for this post. In the first paragraph, describe what being a freshman is like. Explain your experience by using narrative techniques such as figurative language, imagery, symbolism, and/or irony. In the second paragraph, tell a brief story of something that has happened to you at school this year. This story should be somewhat representative of the experience of being a freshman. Be sure it's a story that includes conflict!

Due Monday, October 3.

Planning Your Short Story

In a short time you will be working on your first major evaluation assignment for English: writing your own short story! As we read, analyze and discuss short stories in class, you should be planning your story.

For this blog post, write about two ideas you have for a short story. At least one of the two should be based on a real experience. Arguably the most important part of a short story is conflict - what is the conflict in each of your story ideas?

Write two paragraphs for this post. Each paragraph should describe your story idea in detail - including the conflict. Start each paragraph by telling me if this story is based on a real experience of if it's purely imaginary.

Due Monday, September 26.

Introduction to My Blog

Welcome to Honors English! I'm so excited to be your teacher this year. Throughout both semesters, I will post weekly assignments on this blog and you will need to read the assignments and respond to them on your own personal English blog.

The goals for your English blog include:
1. Improve your writing through consistent practice.
2. Develop your writing style and voice by sharing your own personal experiences or opinions and ideas about what we read and discuss in class.

For your first blog post, introduce yourself to your readers. While your main audience will be me (your teacher) other classmates or other literature enthusiasts may be reading your blog periodically. What should your readers know about you? What makes you unique? What do you like to do in your free time? The majority of your blog posts will be responses to the reading we do in class. What type of a reader are you? What types of books do you enjoy? When and where do you like to read? Write at least two paragraphs as an introduction to you, your blog, and yourself as a reader. 

In addition, write one more paragraph about a specific experience that you had this week  - your first week of high school. Tell what happened and how you reacted to this experience.

I hope you enjoy keeping your blog for English. I know I will enjoy reading your posts. Please see me in class or email me if you have any trouble with your personal blog.