4. Significance of. . .

Let's begin with a review of the expectations set out at the beginning of the year for each blog post:

For blog post #1-3 did you. . .

1. Properly identify the novel you wrote about (you can do this through an image; at the least provide the title and author; an MLA style citation is preferred)?

2. Check that you used proper language conventions (punctuation, spelling, grammar, sentence structure) after you posted each?

3. Organize your response into a coherent paragraph by writing a topic sentence, developing the details fully in the body, and concluding with a closing sentence rather than a list of items?

4. Use the text as support for your ideas by providing a direct quotation from the novel(with proper MLA style citations) ?

5. Make sure that you gave short responses (between 60-100 wds) and answered each of the tasks you were required?

If you did not say yes to all of these go back and edit your first three blog posts and only then proceed with this week's assignment described below.

Here is a sample of a post that contains all of the required elements from Allison's blog#1:

She included a picture of the cover of Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins as well as a proper MLA style bibliographic entry at the top of her blog post.

This novel uses suspense by creating scenes in the story where I question what is going to happen. The main character, Katniss, makes decisions based on instinct and heart by the author making her like this it creates suspense. The author uses suspense with many of the decisions that Katniss makes. "From behind door 3908 comes a sound. Just a tiny whimper. Like something a cowed dog might make to avoid being struck, only too familiar. My eyes meet Gale's for just a moment, but it's long enough for two people who operate the way we do." ( Collins, Mockingjay 46). This line in the novel creates suspense by wondering what or who those sounds are coming from and also wondering what Katniss and Gale are going to do.

THIS WEEK:
In class we have begun to work on figuring out how to describe the significance of elements of fiction we have found in our reading.

This week I want you to identify two significant elements from the book you are currently reading. You may choose an element of setting, a character, an event, a quotation or really anything 'important' in the text thus far.

Use a direct quotation (with a proper citation) to first identify the element in the book.

Then, after you have consulted your significance list, describe how the element you picked is significant, making specific connections between elements of fiction.

Use the supports given to you on the page entitled "Significance Support".

3. Define and Describe a character

Before you begin - make sure you have completed the first two posts AND eight comments on your peers' blog. If you have not completed this work - do not start this assignment.
GET CAUGHT UP!!!

This week you will be spending time with a CHARACTER in your current novel.

As always, begin your blog post by identifying your novel - correctly using the MLA format for citations. Many of you have discovered easybib.com - a great tool for creating correct MLA bibliographic entries.

See an example of a properly formatted MLA citation below:

Collins, Suzanne. Mockingjay. New York: Scholastic, 2010. Print.
(You may also choose to add a visual for the novel using the 'Add Image' icon found on your NEW POST toolbar. Be sure to include a citation for your borrowed image.)

Now begin your third post:

1. Select three words to describe the character in your novel. Define each word, and provide two synonyms and two antonyms for each.

2. Answer the question: How do you know that this character has these qualities? Using direct quotations from the book describe how the author has revealed these character traits. Select one direct quotation for EACH trait. These quotations can either TELL (direct presentation) or SHOW (indirect presentation) that these characteristics exist for your character. Use the synonyms you have come up with to avoid being repetitive in your response.

1.

Comment on a peer's blog posts

If your name is not listed under the Blog On! link list in the right sidebar - please see me with your blog's html address.

Each of you should have TWO blog posts complete as of today. If you do not have this done, it needs to become a priority over the weekend to get caught up!!

________________________________________

This week, instead of creating your own blog post, you will be writing comments on four of your peers' blogs. Everyone will write one comment on each of the two posts written by their classmates this week (4 peers x 2 posts = 8 comments in total).

WHOSE BLOGS?: Select the blogs that belong to the four students whose names are listed BELOW your name on the CLASS BLOGS list found in the sidebar to your right.

HOW DO I DO THIS?: You need to comment on what the person has said in the blog post you are commenting on selected. Read the rules below before proceeding......

Do not be rude.
Do not be sarcastic.
Do not just tell the blogger they are awesome or that it is the best blog post you have ever read. Do not make an inside joke.
Do not insult or otherwise demean the writer.

DO. . .
Genuinely look at what they have said about their books and respond accordingly.

Make an intelligent comment on the book, the topic or the ideas presented by the blogger.

Extend the blogger's thinking by linking their ideas to something else (another text, your personal experiences or the world).

Ask the blogger a question about what they have read or what they have said.

Offer a suggestion for another book they might like based on what they have read and the themes and ideas presented in the blog post.

Give the blogger tips for improvement based upon the expectations for each post (using quotations; checking for punctuation, spelling or sentence structure; adding length through further description or support; organization of elements on the blog).

You may also comment on the style or form of the blog itself (the design of it; the visual elements: colour, organization, font style and size; use of gadgets; readability; title and description etc.).

As a blogger, you should read these comments and respond accordingly to what your peers have posted. Fix what they have suggested, start a dialogue.