Writing in the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Person Narratives!

Hello Students,

This week, I would like to see three posts from you regarding daily life at GLPS. These can either be fact or fiction, and I encourage you to take full creative license with these three assignments.

What I would like you to do is try writing in different narrative styles. Let's look at them.

1st Person - This is the most common narrative, and is the one you do daily in your English Diary. Most people agree that this is the easiest to write.  But is it the most adventurous?


I woke up this morning a little bit late, and had to miss breakfast. I'm really looking forward to lunch!

2nd Person-This one is the rarest, and we usually only see it in RPG video games.  That said, I like it because it kind of sounds like the "little voice in your head" that tells you what you often forget to tell yourself.

You wake up to the harsh sunlight, and realize you've slept in.  Your alarm clock! You forgot to set it.  As you swing your feet out of bed wearily, you also realize that you will have to skip breakfast.  Your stomach will be in constant agony until lunch!

3rd Person-This one is easy - it's the most common mode for fiction, and J.K. Rowling couldn't have pulled off Harry Potter with it.  It allows you, the writer, to act as God in an all-knowing "omniscient" way.  We sometimes say "omniscient narrator," as you can jump around from character to character and get inside their thoughts.

Harry wakes up slowly, rubbing his eyes as they adjust to the sunlight.  His clock! He suddenly recalls that he forgot to set it. "Looks like I'm not eating breakfast..." he mourns regretfully.  "I'm going to be ravenous by noon!"

Which one do you like writing in most, and why?  Experiment with all three during this week.  Again, have some fun, and you can write the truth or make something up (perhaps a GLPS horror story or an adventure involving escape!).  I will be checking in.

Shout Outs!

Check out some good poetry by Yu Bin of Class 22 over at "Writing Holic" ! She choose some philosophical topics and matched them up with excellent pictures and words.  She also explained what her poems were about, which makes them even more interesting.  Please try and follow her lead.

Also, over at Jisue's Blog, Jisue has been busy and writing/posting a lot of stuff from other classes, and not just History, but also two posts from debate! Keep posting everybody!

Kevin in Class 23 has uploaded his speech over at Shrimp Bro. 
I strongly encourage you to do the same, and always try to include pictures.  This is one of the reasons why a blog is so much better than a printed piece of paper! Kevin talks about some interesting coffee if you read towards the end. I hope Starbucks never serves it!

Na Eun in Class 23 wrote a good post about GLPS, hoping to help future students of the camp prepare for the arduous schedule!  The only thing she's missing is pictures, but I hope she'll put some up.  Remember everyone: "A picture speaks a thousand words."  It's a very cliche statement, but in many ways it is true.

Anyways...have a great weekend and keep blogging!  We only have two weeks left and I want to see if the best is yet to come!

Here's a cool video to think about!

Major Assignment: Compare & Contrast Essay - "Out My Window"

Dear Intensive Students,

For the last two weeks of the camp, you will have to focus on your major essay assignment, which is a "compare and contrast essay." After exploring a very unique interactive website, you will compare your life, and the view out your window, to that of someone else from another country.  This is the website:

NFB: HIGHRISE - 360° Interactive

 

There are 14 people in 14 different cities living in 14 different highrise apartments.  Lots to compare and contrast! In class, every student will get to choose one to explore (every student a different selection), and you will then begin navigating and gathering your observations for your essay.  This essay is very "societal" in nature, and you may want to comment on politics, history, culture, ethnicity, economy, health, family, and just about anything and everything else that ties in with community.  Essentially, you are comparing Korean culture and daily life (yours) to that of a different (or maybe not so different) environment. 

Questions you will want to consider:

What do I see when I look out my window? 

How does that compare to the view out ________'s window?

What are the items/features of my home that define culture, family, and well being?

How does Korea's economy, politics, and cultural issues compare to that of (other country)?

What are your impressions after experiencing HIGHRISE? 

 

Most of you probably live in a highrise apartment, and you'll notice Korea is not among the nations chosen for this project.  Pretend you are writing your essay for the producers of this project, so that they might choose Korea (and even your home) as the 15th highrise.

Compare & Contrast Essay

Length: 500 Words

Include: Pictures of your home if possible.  Pictures from the website. (use Crtl Print Screen for a screen capture, and paste the image into Paintbrush or pixlr.com)

I recently gave this very same assignment to my KMLA highschool students, and you can see some of their essays at:

Out Our Windows - KMLA and Beyond

Here is one of the better essays from a KMLA student:

Out My Window: Comparing Mazen's Life With My Own 

You will have to write this essay in-class on paper early in the last week of GLPS.  If you have time, begin exploring, and have fun learning about new people and places.

Class 25 - kick it up a notch!

This is a message to Class 25.  You share the highest class rank at this camp with Class 26, and therefore your blogs should be among the best in quality with the number of posts and good formatting.  I just gave you over one hour to write a couple of Diamante poems and only a few of you did it.  Other classes, such as 26, and even the youngest classes such as 22 and 23, have produced better results.

My message - kick it up a notch!  If you are in the "intensive" program then start writing more "intensively." 

Shout Outs!

 I've read over some of the reflective essays inspired by the film "Spring," and from classes 25 and 26 the best one I read was from Sophia over at JB Holic.  I've used this same writing exercise with KMLA highschool students, and this easily competes with the best of them in terms of structure and tone.   Read it here! She did a great job of formatting the post and making the video smaller as well. 


I've also come across a great viral video essay from Eleanor at her blog.  She did a bit of research on the "Double Rainbow Guy"  and wrote an extensive essay about viral videos.
What impresses me is that while many students just posted videos and wrote as little as possible (some didn't write anything yet), Eleanor dove in and got the job done on her own time.  Good stuff!

I also found an interesting Chain Writing essay that sounded like a professionally written book.  Read about Denying Fariytales and enjoy this creative 1st person narrative that shows a lot of writing style.

Keep up the good writing guys! You are all awesome.  I'm slowly getting around to reading and commenting on everyone's blog with help from Mr. Crawford.

Diamante Poems!

Diamante Poems

Diamante poems are named after "diamonds" for their shape.  They are simple, easy and fun to write, and I'd like to see at least three on your blogs.  This will give you a chance to use your THESAURUS and find some good words to replace simple words.  It will also allow you to play with some creative formatting.  As you can see in the Diamante Poem I wrote below, I made the fonts different colors and even used emoticons and pictures to contrast the opposites. 

Here is how a Diamante Poem is written:

NOUN
ADJECTIVE  ADJECTIVE

ING-VERB   ING-VERB   ING-VERB

NOUN       NOUN      NOUN       NOUN

ING-VERB      ING-VERB     ING-VERB

ADJECTIVE  ADJECTIVE

NOUN

There are a few ways to write them.  They can be about one thing, from start to finish, but it's more fun to start with something and transition towards an opposite - such as HOT & COLD, COMPUTER GAMES & HOMEWORK, or even SISTER & BROTHER.

In the past, I've had students start with CHEESEBURGER and move towards GLOBAL WARMING.  It doesn't have to be an opposite.  As long as it's related and the reader sees the connection, your Diamante Poem will be good.  

Here is an example of what I expect from you guys with the Diamante Poems.  Try to write at least two or three, and creatively make a transition from one subject to the next.  Post pictures to jazz things up a little.  This one, about Red Cards and Green Cards.  These pictures help a lot, and make sure everything is centered . As well, we've made the font as big as possible for more impact.  Let's have some fun with this simple yet very creative style of poetry.  The best ones from each class will get a GREEN CARD!!!!! 

ㅠ,ㅠ
Red Cards

harsh, critical

catching, punishing, crying

P.A., T.A., Teachers, Students

winning, earning, enjoying

positive, proud

Green Cards!
^,^

Blog Checklist!

Hello GLPS Bloggers,


We are almost halfway through the camp, and for the last two weeks of GLPS you are going to be doing a lot more writing now that you've made your blog and know how to use it.


As I've explained before, there will be two blogs chosen as the best from each class, and those students will be eligible for the GLPS Scholarships.  So that means you should be using your blog as much as possible, and making it look as good as possible.


Here is a checklist of things you should try and achieve with your blog:

1-Daily posts about what's going on at GLPS (kind of like your English Diary), complete with

pictures taken from the GLPS website (or your own camera if you have one). 

2-The Chain Writing Essay (with as few errors as possible) complete with a picture that matches the content.

3-A movie, music, or book review (or even one of each!) complete with video or pictures.  At least 200-300 words in length.

4-A discussion and investigation concerning a "viral video," where you post the video and find out some background information.  Some of you have posted videos (many) but haven't written about them.  Remember - a blog is for WRITING.  This should be 200-300 words at least.

5-An S.A.T. style reflective essay written about the short film "Spring."  You should have the video accompanying your essay so people can know what you are writing about. Here's a good example!

6-Your History presentations with pictures.

7-Have left at least 10 comments on 10 other students blogs (and not just "Hello!")

8-Diamante Poems with pictures.

IF you are done with all of that, why not keep writing?  Here are some ideas:

1-An "argumentative essay" based on what you are discussing in Debate Class.

2-A short story!  Try out one of the "Wacky Web Tales" in my links above.

3-Letter to your parents or a friend.

4-A poem about whatever you want to write about.

5-A poll about GLPS, with your opinion on something.

6-Anything you want! Your blog is yours and you should have fun with it.

S.A.T. Style Reflective Essay - "Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter, Spring"

When you get to high school, you'll start to think about what university you want to go to, and where.  If you want to study abroad, especially in America, you'll have to start preparing for the S.A.T., which is a big focus at KMLA.  In addition to Math, Grammar, and Critical Reading, you'll have to write a short essay in a short period of time.  This requires quick thinking, a mastery of essay structure, and the ability to "think outside the box."  Make sure to read the "prompt" carefully, as many people who write these tests make the mistake of answering a question other than that stated.  Usually, these questions are philosophical in nature.

In class, I've asked you to watch the first section "Spring" from the famous Kim Ki Duk film "Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter, Spring."  After viewing, I gave you a paper with the following prompt:

In the film, what lesson do you think the monk is trying to teach his young student? Reflectively relate this learning process to your own personal experience.  



Hopefully you enjoyed this short film, and were inspired to write about it.  I'll ask you to post this same video on your blog, together with a second draft of your essay after you are done. You can cut and paste this html code to put the video on your blog:

<object width="540" height="285"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/f40c3-czsF8?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/f40c3-czsF8?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="540" height="285"></embed></object>

Please title your blog post:
S.A.T. Style Reflective Essay: "Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter, Spring"

Shout Outs: Peppermint Candy, Fantasy World, Sua's Blog, Dreamy Birdy, and a music review of Pink!

I'm seeing a lot of impressive blogs and it's hard to keep up with everything, but I'm trying!  I'd love to give every student a Shout Out!, but for now I'll just give out a few.  If you think you deserve a Shout Out!, leave a comment and tell me why you are awesome.

First of all, a Shout Out! to the Peppermint Blog of Lim Joo Young in Class 26 and Emily in Class 24.  They've been writing regularly and paying close attention to format.  As we all know, formatting is important.  Is everything straight? Does it look good? Is it the right size?  They've spent a lot of time making things look nice, and so should everybody.  If it's easy to read and eye catching, your work will get more attention and fulfill its purpose more effectively.

I'd also like to give a Shout Out! to Sarah in Class 24 for being one of the first students to upload her History Presentation.  Like I said before, try to include your work from other classes on your blog.  The more writing and content the better!  You might even be able to use your blog during your presentation to show pictures or important points.

A big Shout Out! to Sua and her blog! Coincidentally,  Sua of Class 22 has been maintaining a blog at Blogspot for over two years.  That's a long time! I hope most of you follow her example and continue blogging after GLPS.  Stay in touch and keep writing.



Dong Bin in Class 24 has been having a lot of fun with Gadgets.  Too much fun?  Maybe.  But what I do like is his "poll" on "Where would you like to go?"  I said Australia.  Polls are fun, so I encourage you to make one for your blog asking interesting questions.  Maybe you can ask one's related to GLPS.  Have fun and add a few gadgets.  But ask yourself if it's necessary, and if it looks good.  Feeding the fish is fine, but video games are not.  Some "gadgets" are merely advertising and will make your blog look like a messy bedroom.  Think of your blog as a store where you are selling your writing.  Will customers want to buy what you have to sell if they can't find it?

One last Shout Out! for today to Ann of Class 25 for her music review of Pink!  I hope all of you have had a chance to share some thoughts on a favorite book, film, or piece of music by now.  Ann researched and presented a lot of interesting facts about Pink, and even a few pictures. Nice!

If you think you or your friends have done something good, nominate yourself or someone else for a Shout Out! Keep up the good work!

Mr. Crawford is in the house!

Mr. Crawford now has a blog, 

and you can visit him HERE.

Be sure to stop by and say hello!

Viral Videos - Do you have a favorite? Discuss one in your next post...

Hello GLPS Intenstive Writing Students,

So far, your blogs are looking good!  If you don't see your name in the right side column, please leave me a comment below with your Class Number follwed by your Family Name and first name, as follows:  20-Kim Tae Hyun - ilovecookies.blogspot.com

By now, you should have:

-a few posts about GLPS (pop song contest, the first few days here, speech preperations etc.),

-a review of either a movie, music, or book that you like (200-300 words) with a picture or video.  

-the Chain Writing essay (look two posts below for guidelines).

***Your next assignment is to comment on a "Viral Video" and embed it in your blog.  To do that, you have to get the "share code" from Youtube and cut and paste it into the "Edit HTML" section of a new post.  We will talk about this in class.  But start thinking about a video you want to write about, answering the following questions:

-How did this video become popular and go "viral"?
-Why do people enjoy it so much?
-Is it's influence positive or negative? As we all know, some viral videos are not positive.

Here's an example of "The Star Wars Kid":



At first, he was the victim of "cyber bullies," but then this happened and he became positively famous:



Whether it's "Charlie Bite Me" or "Double Rainbow Guy,"  your job is to choose a viral video to research and write about.  Find out some background information and give your opinion about why the video is so popular, and if it can be seen as postive, negative, or even both.


Note to Bloggers: Your job is to post as many things on your blog as possible before the end of the camp, and this includes your speeches, presentations, and essays.  Anything and everything so long as it's quality work and formatted properly.  As well, you should leave comments on other blogs and read the work of other students to create a better network.  Have fun, and keep writing!

Remember, the best blogs (two from every class) will be nominated for awards/scholarships at the end of the camp.  Pay attention to detail, and put in a good effort!

Shout Out: A Good Writing Chain Essay from Class 23

This is a "shout out" to Carrie of Class 23.  She did a good job of proofreading Class 23's collaborative essay "Plastic Surgery Must Be Stopped."  The title is properly capitalized, she uploaded a picture that compliments the content, and she even highlighted key words.  Excellent work Carrie!  Click here to see her work!


Remember students - try to leave comments on each others blogs!