language assignments

Here you'll find most of the hand-written kinds of language assignment guidline thingymabobs. How fun! :)
Click the links below to find out the guidlelines for a specific assignment!
[ click here for language notes! ]

** PLEASE NOTE **
WALT: We Are Learning To...
WILF: What I'm Looking For...

Speeches | 'Smiles' Poetry Questions | Poetry Activity 2/2.5 | Opinion Essay | Biography | Family Member Biography | Autobiography | Hall of Fame Assignment | Disney Character Essay | Construction Article

speeches

WALT:
- write effective speeches based on our opinion essays
- identify the difference in written vs. spoken text
- understanding our audience
- build on argument with supporting evidence

WILF:
your speech should contain:
- voice:
--> confidence
--> projection/volume
--> engaging quality
--> tone
- speech:
--> comfort level
--> memory/knowledge
--> organization
- body:
--> confidence
--> eye contact

OPENING
- anecdote
- statistic
- "either/or"
- 'catch phrases' (repeated)

- 1st argument
- 2nd argument
- concession
- 3rd argument
- conclusion
--> leave them wanting more
--> ask a question
--> repeat catch phrase
--> if/or scenario

DUE: FRIDAY, JUNE 12, 2009 or THE DAY YOU PRESENT YOUR SPEECHES! -- good luck! :)

'smiles' poetry questions

1. What is the poem about?

2. Describe at least 3 different images from the poem.

3. What causes the poet to smile at last?

4. Who (or what) makes you smile? Using words, images, metaphors, colours etc. which help you express your feelings around the object or person. You don't have to be direct or obvious - a little mystery adds to the intrigue of the poem.

DUE: FRIDAY, MAY 29, 2009 AT THE END OF CLASS

Poetry Activity 2 & 2.5

1. What do you think the wall represents, literally and figuratively?

2. What sort of relationship doe the poet have with his neighbour? How do you know? How does the poet describe his neighbour?

3. What does the wall-building represent?

4. What effect does the poem have on you? What does it make you think about and feel?

Using "Mending Wall" and other 'Wall' poems or lyrics create a wall poem of your own. Think about the variety of images a wall can represent, also it's building or taking down.

DUE: FRIDAY, MAY 13, 2009

Opinion Essay

WALT:
- write an opinion essay
- create and develop a thesis
- organize, develop and support our opinion
- offer a concession

WILF:
- thesis -- clear and specific
- opinion -- clear and supported
- Organization (paragraphs)
introduction
body
conclusion
- concession
- persuasive, convincing arguments
- mechanics
- clarity
- effectiveness of arguments

1. INTRODUCTION
5 sentences
general to specific
end with thesis

2/3. SUPPORT (x2)
- two strongest arguments which support thesis
- support with evidence: research, first hand, experiment

4. CONCESSION
- one argument which suspects the opposite point of view
- shows you've considered alternate viewpoints

5. SUPPORT
- refutes concession
- offers reason why concession is flawed

6. CONCLUSION
5 sentences
reverse of introduction
end with generality
restate thesis

DUE: WEEK OF JUNE 1, 2009

biography of someone "known" to you

- famous or noteworthy to you

MORE WILL BE ADDED SOON

family biography assignment

INTERVIEW/BIOGRAPHY OF A FAMILY MEMBER

- conduct an interview using 10 (minimum) questions
- flexible questions
- similar topics to your autobiography
- include marriage(s), family, careers
- remember your audience (talking to a grownup!)

1) introduction of person and connection/choice

2) describe the interview setup, process

3) the biography -->
organized chronologically
significant/important events
life stages
anecdotes
highs/lows
visuals are optional

FAMILY MEMBER BIOGRAPHY DUE NO LATER THAN FRIDAY, APRIL 17, 2009
LIST OF QUESTIONS DUE FRIDAY, APRIL 3, 2009

autobiography assignment

- important moments, events (proudest, happiest...)
- significant events
- people who matter to you
- things that matter to you
- likes/dislikes
- anecdotes (funny stories)
- anything else

THINGS I'M LOOKING FOR...

- cover page
- chronology
- organization
- information
- external source (1)
- visuals...

AUTOBIOGRAPHY DUE MONDAY, APRIL 6, 2009

hall of fame assignment

1.Recognizing Excellence
Should we have places & events which recognizes excellence or should we focus on everyone (or no one) instead? Consider using your own experiences or real life events to support your opinion.

2. Halls of Fame
Find information regarding a hall of fame or similiar place. Focus on the selection process & criteria, as well as information about its construction & location.

disney character essay

[click here for essay writing notes]

essay question:
If you could be a Disney character, who would you be and why?

construction article

1. find an article related ot the construction of the building

2. read the article several times

3. summarize the important pieces of information

THE ARTICLE

-needs to be referenced (not just "Wikipedia" or "Toronto Star")
-must contain information about the construction of one of the buildings
-should be challenging but not impossible to understand
-should not be too long
-must be from reliable source
-must be included with your summary

YOUR SUMMARY

- must be in sentences/paragraph(s)
-should relate directly to information ONLY from the article(s) included
-should SUMMARIZE only important information, not to retell the article
-should NOT contain opinion or personal connections but should be a summary only!
-should be a length that is appropriate to the article length

ARTICLE IS DUE ON FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 2009 WITH ARTICLE(S) ATTACHED

BUILDINGS

- CN Tower

- HHOF (Hockey Hall of Fame)

- AGO (Art Gallery of Ontario)

- ROM (Royal Ontario Museum)

- OSC (Ontario Science Center)

- OCA (Ontario College of Art)

- ACC (Air Canada Center)

- Skydome