Sentence Composing # 2- Unscrambling Sentences to Imitate

The unscrambling of sentence parts helps you to see how those parts connected within the model sentence.  As a result, you will glimpse the mind an author composing a sentence so you can go through a similar process when you compose sentences.

Directions: Unscramble the sentence parts to imitate the model. Then write your own imitation of the model (You are creating your own sentence using the same structure as the model)- Topic Idea: Anglo-Saxons or Old English

1. Model: Dumpster diving is outdoor work, often surprisingly pleasant.

--Lars Eighner, "On Dumpster Diving"

a.sometimes quite costly

b. is recreational activity

c. mall strolling

2. Model: Near the car, idling in front of the mortuary, was a huge Oldsmobile.

--Stephen King, Hearts in Atlantis

a. was a skittering gecko

b. behind the pool

c. zigzagging in back of the cabana

3. Model: Above the field and pastures, the mountains were just becoming visible as the morning fog burned away.

--Charles Frazier, Cold Mountain

a. were just becoming interested

b. when the fire alarm sounded

c. after the cartoons and previews

d. the kids

4. Model: In the shallows, the dark, water-soaked sticks and twigs, smooth and old, were undulating the clusters on the bottom against the clean ribbed sand.

--E.B. White, "Once More to the Lake"

a. sweet and tasty

b. were beckoning to children

c. in their kiddie seats within their mom's grocery carts

d. on that aisle

e. the tempting, brightly colored candies and lifesavers

Anglo-Saxon/Old English Blog

After examining background information about the Anglo-Saxon period and Old English, write a paragraph comparing and contrasting Anglo-Saxon culture and/or Old English language with the culture you live in today.  Are they completely alien of each other or are there interesting similarities?

For further insight into Anglo-Saxon life, go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YuDa3xvt080

This a BBC program about Worst Jobs during the Dark Ages(Anglo-Saxon period).  There are actually six parts, which you can navigate to if you look at the related videos.  Watch at least one of  these videos, and include information you learned in your answer.

Sentence Composing- # 1- Chunking Sentences

As a writer, you may already notice how sentences can be divided into chunks.  Sentences can be divided into subjects, predicates, phrases, and clauses.  Understanding how sentences can be chunks can make a more in-depth reader and a better writer by seeing relationships with in a sentence.

Example: 

She made stuffed pork chops/with applesauce and mashed potatoes/and it tasted/like cardboard

--Frank McCourt, Teacher Man

The family was grouped by the front door/the mother's hands resting/on her children's shoulders

--Ian McEwan, Enduring Love

Practice:

Directions: Copy the model and then copy the sentence that can be divided into chunks that match the chunks in the model

1. Model: Outside, I found a taxi for her.

--Maya Angelou, The Heart of a Woman

a. Slowly, the cat jumped and landed quietly.

b. Nearby, Akeelah had a dictionary in hand.

2. Model: The toppled to one side, crumpled against the railing, dead.

--Robert Ludlum, The Prometheus Deception

a. The car, swerving to avoid the child, hit a guardrail, loudly.

b. The winner jumper from her seat, overwhelmed by the applause, joyous.

3. Model: He turned slowly and stood a moment longer, a faceless silhouette against the light.

--Morris West, The Clowns of God

a. Morris spoke quickly and complained a while longer, a disgruntled customer in the manager's office.

b. Beautifully, Clara sang, winning first place in the contest, her competitors not even close.

Directions: Copy the model and then copy the sentence that imitates it.  Then chunk both into the same sentence parts, using the slash (/) mark

4. Model: It was dark when I got up in the morning, frosty when I followed my breath to school.

--Julia Alvarez, Snow

a. It was early when the bus came by from school, late when it returned the children to their homes.

b. It was a fine car, shiny with chrome and paint and sleek in shape, a red convertible designed to have a retro look from the 1950's.

5. Model: She wore her coarse, straight hair, which was slightly streaked with gray, in a long braided rope across the top of her head.

--Maya Angelou, Wouldn't Take Nothing for My Journey Nowi

a. The played the grueling, championship matches, which were completely unpredictable by forecasters, with an amazing energy from the weakest player to the strongest.

b. The arrangement, beautiful, freshly picked form the garden, smelled of a combination of lilies, sag, and magnolia.

Test

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Quotations Blog

Analyzing literary passages plays a major role in Brit Lit class.  Across the popular culture spectrum, quotations from literature and major thinkers and authors act as synthesizers of the thoughts, beliefs, and values of individuals in a given culture.  For this assignment, you are looking for a quotation that you identify with on a personal level that typifies some of your thoughts, beliefs, and values.

Assignment:

1. Go to www.quoteland.com

2. Search for a quotation using the search criteria they give you.

3.  Find a quotation that you identify with on an ethical, intellectual, moral, or practical level.

4. Type the quotation and author at the top.

5. Analyze what you think the author of the quotation is trying convey through it.

6.  Why do you identify with this quotation?  Give examples of you have lived your life similar to the advice or wisdom within the quotation.