Writers are Robbers

Purposes and audiences-Show an increasing understanding of how to shape texts for different purposes and audiences.

Indicators:
1. constructs texts that show an awareness of purpose and audience through deliberate choice of content, language, and text form
2. conveys and sustains personal voice where appropriate.

Ok...this one is DEAD EASY (sort of). I want a classroom that is swamped, saturated & bombarded with good writing (quality literature?) and I want to be able to display it in such a way that we know its good and why. The thing is...I'm a bit lazy and can't be bothered! So...(because I have a happy bunch of workers who will do it for free!), you're going to do it!!!

Phillip Pullman, author of His Dark Materials trilogy stole his ideas from things he read, saw & heard. If it is all right for him...then its alright for us! 

So, once you have decided on what you think is a 'quality' piece of writing, copy it into a new document. Make the font large enough so that all your writing fits onto ONE A4 PAGE. Then decide on a FONT that SUITS the style of PROSE. (don't forget to write the name of the book and the author-That can be just small)...and Hey Presto! You're finished...sort of.

The next part is to meet with me and tell me why you think this is a good example of quality writing (other than.."Well, they turned it into a book Mr Wood!") ...then...

Write you own version of it! Make enough changes so that you won't get into trouble with the author and publishing company. Sorted!

Our examples

Cullen's stolen Scot Gardner piece

Character Portrait

AO: LANGUAGE FEATURES-Use a range of language features appropriately, showing an increasing understanding of their effects.
INDICATORS:uses a range of oral, written, and visual features to create meaning and effect and to sustain interest & uses a range of vocabulary to communicate precise meaning

Ask yourself some or all of these questions. Close your eyes...think...open eyes and write!

Whats up with the eye and the make up?

This guy just scares me...

An ex-pirate?

Her skin reminds me of an unmade bed!

Useful links

Structure and Language Notes

Adjectives list  Increase your brain power by using words you don't normally use!!!

Describing a person This has a good bank of words you may want to include.
S.O.L.O. rubric

Our examples

Jacks The Weird Dude
Molly's Homeless

Absolute Nonsense!

AO: PURPOSES AND AUDIENCES.Show an increasing understanding of how to shape texts for different purposes and audiences.

INDICATORS: constructs texts that show an awareness of purpose and audience through deliberate choice of content, language, and text form.

This one is simple...don't think, just write. It only needs to be a paragraph long. If you try to think too much about this one,it will start making sense, which is not what you want. It needs to have a 'dream-like' quality to it. 

Thats it!

Useful links

Hannah's nonsense I love the imagery of the sharks sleeping peacefully in the fishbowl

50 word story

AO: PURPOSES AND AUDIENCES.Show an increasing understanding of how to shape texts for different purposes and audiences.INDICATORS: constructs texts that show an awareness of purpose and audience through deliberate choice of content, language, and text form

This activity sounds simple, but it's not. To write a good 50 words story each word must be carefully considered. Because you only have fifty words,each word must 'pull its weight'. 

A good 50 word story will

• have sentences of different lengths (try starting with a very short one, followed by a much longer one)
• not repeat too many words
• have a 'twist' at the end. Kaedyn has a great example of all of this in his story 'The End"

Links

http://fiftywordstories.com/

A memory

AO: IDEAS.Select, develop, and communicate ideas on a range of topics.Indicators:adds or changes details and comments to support ideas, showing thoughtful selection in the process

Think for yourself and talk with your family or friends about a favourite item you outgrew. For example, a favorite piece of clothing, a pairs of shoes, toy, blanket, etc that you eventually have to give away, or just wore out! Jot down some words to:

• describe the item
• explain why is was so special
• describe how you felt/ what you did when the day came that you out grew it. Choose something that you had until recently, it is really important that you remember it clearly so that you can write about it

Use the SOLO rubric below to gauge where you are at with the piece of writing and what you could add.

Links 

S.O.L.O rubric
Structure and Language Notes