Look To See Me

  For this post, let's focus on words that are frequently used incorrectly when speaking or writing. Add a definition for each word. Write at least one sentence using that word correctly.  effect affect bemused infamous redundant aisle isle advise advice compliment complement Creative writing challenge: Write a very short story (275-400 words) using three of these words correctly. Academic writing challenge: Write a formal paragraph about one isle. Tell the readers something of interest about the isle. Follow standards for an academic paragraph: topic sentence supporting fact supporting fact supporting fact concluding sentence For more writing and grammar tips, see my writing guides (no charge) on my other blog: https://www.looktoseeme.com/blog

Let's move to a creative exercise with this post. Creativity helps strengthen your thought processes and your academic writing. Writing creatively doesn't mean I'm trying to turn you into a published author. That's not the path for everyone; however, you can learn to think outside of the boxes you have created for yourself and stretch the way you approach writing.   Let's review a few things about short story writing:  Avoid information dumps. You don't want to give your readers large chunks of information about the characters or plot all at once. Information can be revealed as the readers needs to know it. You can also use dialogue with main or minor characters to bring in new details.  The story should have a good balance between dialogue and descriptions.  Readers need to experience things with their senses. Tell us details that help readers picture the scene—reveal what the characters see or hear or smell when they enter a new space so the story feels real a...

  Write a short story (between 800 and 2000 words) that shows a strong, positive relationship between two people working on some type of project together. The story can involve two students, two co-workers, or two strangers who meet and become friends when working on this project together. The two people should have something in common and something that is very different from the other. Let readers know how they use their strengths and how they resolve their differences. Stick with the word count assigned.     What’s needed in a short story?  ·        Character development ·        Plot that reader can follow ·        Balance of dialogue and description   Two main characters:   ________________________________   ________________________________     One-sentence plot overview:    _________________________________________________________________...

  Greek Root Vocabulary I   For this assignment, we are going to work with one of the Greek roots:  log, ology  (word/study of/to speak/to study). Define each word and write a sentence using the word after the definition.    ecology  pathology  cardiology  audiology  catalog  chronology  eulogy  monologue  meteorology  sociology  seismology  physiology  Added creative challenge: Write a very short story that uses three of these words correctly.  Added academic option: Write a nonfiction paragraph that gives more information about one of these words. Go into detail about the history of the word and how we use it today.  Second academic option: Write a biographical essay about a person in one of the fields (ex: audiology, meteorology, cardiology, sociology). 

 Let’s start with a reflective paragraph. This type of essay is just what the title says: a reflection on an assigned topic. When you are asked to write a reflective essay, your teachers expect to see personal opinions. What do you think about the assigned topic? What have you experienced related to the question? Even though these are academic essays, you can use personal pronouns when writing this (I, me, my). Read the length for any assignment. This question calls for one paragraph only.  All people learn new things each year. We all change and we grow smarter or wiser or stronger. What are three things you learned about yourself during the last twelve months that you are glad you know now? (Did you find a new favorite author or type of book you like? Did you realize you are really good at math or another subject? Did you learn how to be a good friend to someone new? Did you learn something new about your family or about your hometown?) How did you change this past year? How...

 Greetings! Over the next few weeks, I will be posting vocabulary and writing challenges primarily for high school students, though middle school students who like a challenge can try these assignments as well. These posts will offer you options for both creative and academic writing that will take you through one entire school year if you complete all the writing options. Here are a few things that may be helpful before you explore the other posts as they are released. These writing prompts and assignments will vary. Some writing challenges may seem difficult for certain writers, while others may seem ridiculously easy. Each assignment has a purpose, however. If a student is asked to write a poem one week, that doesn’t mean every student will go on to be a poet. However, practicing a variety of writing styles helps students think through creative options for other assignments and strengthens their overall writing skills.  Why do I offer both creative and academic writing assi...

Right now I am sitting beside an open window listen to the sound of slowly running water outside--a neighbor’s pool has water refilling it, but I can imagine a quiet stream outside my window. There are several birds chirping outside, some talking to each other and some just calling out to the world alone. My children are quietly working on schoolwork--I can hear the sound of the pencils moving across papers and I can hear the rustle of turning pages. Now, as I type, the sound of my fingers hitting the keys adds to the melody of the morning. Some days I like to go to a crowded park or business area and listen. I take a book and pretend to be occupied. I listen to shoes moving past on pavement. I listen to people humming along with their iPods. I listen to people bustling past talking about their joys, their sorrows or their plans for the day. I don’t eavesdrop on entire conversations, but I like to pick up on the rhythm of life moving past me. Take 30 minutes one day this week...