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==Check your grades on Home Access Center. Please let me know if there should be any corrections! I'm halfway through commenting. Make sure to read your comments, because sometimes my main comments are also in response to other students' comments.==
 * I'm going to start putting in extra credit for insightful feedback to peers. I probably won't record points if you already have a solid A (unless you email me discussing your need for a higher percent A).

***Don't forget! Use a different text for each of the sentence starters below. I want to see a variety of the texts you enjoyed!
(Due Thursday, 5/12) Now that we are finished analyzing other authors, I would like you to take techniques and strategies you noticed in other texts to write creatively on your own. Let's first consider some of our favorite authors and writing strategies from texts we've read. Please complete the following on YOUR wiki page by 5/12/11. Make sure to include the sentence starter with a quote and explanation. Please see my page for examples. You will be assessed based on your thoughtful explanation of why this text is meaningful to you.


 * My favorite poetic device in literature is...
 * My favorite characterization in literature is...
 * My favorite quote in literature is...
 * My favorite dialogue in literature is...
 * My favorite theme in literature is...

(Due Friday, 5/13) Now play around on your own. Please complete five of the following sentence starters with your own original work. It can be from something you've written previously, but it does not have to be from a completed text. You will be assessed on your ability to use the techniques we've discussed this year, as well as your clear explanation of what you like about your work.


 * A favorite line of my own writing is...
 * My favorite poetic device of my own is...
 * My favorite characterization of my own is...
 * My favorite dialogue of my own is...
 * A setting I would write about is...
 * A conflict I would write about is...
 * A theme I would like to address is...

(Due posted by class time on Tuesday, 5/17) Finally, you will create an original work. Use strategies we discussed concerning other authors' and poets' works. You will be assessed on your effort, originality, and use of techniques/strategies we've discussed this year. Make sure to include a short reflection of what strategies you applied and how.
 * A short story with a complete plot line. It should not be plot driven, but rather, driven by a conflict. There is no length requirement, but make sure that you start with a conflict that is eventually resolved. You should also include each of the five short story elements: plot, setting, character, conflict, and theme.
 * A collection of 5 poems that are at least 10 lines each. You do not necessarily need rhyme or rhythm, but you whould make use of some of the poetic techniques that we have studied this year. Poems should be as concrete as possible to create a sensory experience for your readers.

Poster Sessions, Tuesday, 5/17 and Wednesday, 5/18 - Be creative with your posters! Include selections of your text, illustrations, dialogue captions, key words, inspirations, etc. Include anything that you could discuss in two minutes to a small group. Don't worry about reading your entire text because it will be posted on your page for your classmates to see. Students with ID numbers ending in 1-7 will present on Tuesday; students with ID numbers ending in 8, 9, or 0 will present on Wednesday. Don't miss class; our schedule is tight and this is part of your final grade.