Showing posts with label creative writing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label creative writing. Show all posts

3.1.10

Holiday activities.

With the festive season ALMOST over, it only makes sense that now is the time you should be writing and reading a lot especially before Term one begins. It is a good time to tackle the tasks which you need to complete along with any revision which will assist you in 2010. Please remember that my email inbox is always open for work and marking so you should really get sending if you want feedback before lessons resume. I expect at least two written pieces of work by everyone especially if you would like to start 2010 on a good note, if not, well I hope you have a good and very guilty holiday break. Which I know you will have anyways.

20.12.09

Essay Writing: STAR method.

Here is an abbreviated way to revise and remember the basic form of an essay. It is called the 'STAR' method.

S- Statement
T- Textual evidence
A- Analysis
R- Related

Hope this helps!

6.12.09

HSC Study tips for the Summer Holidays.

The Summer Holidays are the longest and perhaps the best time of the year to get productive although it might not feel like it. I mean, how often will you get a good two months or so school free? Other than having a good break and relaxing, this is my best time to get some work done ready for the beginning of 2010. Here are my HSC friendly study tips!

1. Write GOOD essays based on Belonging.
2. Develop your thesis statements.
3. Read the next HSC texts that you will study. Make notes as you go along.
4. Start writing/altering/shortening your study notes. This is good revision.
5. Write a few GOOD creative writing pieces which explore the area of study (AOS) best.

Let me know if you need more holiday study tips! Get working!

30.11.09

Year Nine English Classes for 2010!

If you are a current year eight student, you might be interested in joining our newest English Class program ready in early 2010. Following the astounding success of the year nine 2009 classes, we've decided to extend this warm welcome to the year nine students of 2010 with the introduction of Saturday morning English classes. In these English classes, you will learn in a focused yet fun environment, perfect for discussions and development of new ideas in a more social surrounding. We will explore different genres, texts, writing styles, literature pieces and many more. If you are interested for more information, please feel free to contact me or email me. I will be releasing more information regarding these lessons soon, so please keep your eyes peeled for more updates.

23.11.09

Creative writing competition due soon!

Just a reminder that the creative writing competition piece is due very soon on the 12th of December 2009. Please make sure you have this ready as any last minute entries will be accepted however any late entries will be accepted yet might not qualify in the competition. Keep up the time management and before you all know it, the academic year will be over, so make the most of it. Check the link below for the competition details.


Remember this is a compulsory task to complete! Good luck!

24.10.09

HSC 2009 Paper One: Are you prepared?

Thanks to one of my newly finished year 12 student, I have managed to get a copy of the exam questions which appeared in the 2009 Higher School Certificate in Paper One. The questions are as followed:

1. "Drawing on the ideas in ONE of these quotations, write an imaginative piece that celebrates the ways relationships contribute to a sense of belonging." Stimuli were "Human beings, like plants, grow in the soil of acceptance, not in the atmosphere of rejection" or "When someone prizes us just as we are; he or she confirms our existence."

2. "Understanding nourishes belonging... a lack of understanding prevents it. Demonstrate how your prescribed text and ONE other related text of your own choosing represent this interpretation of belonging."

Would you be ready to answer these?

14.10.09

DVD sale at Target.

I'm just writing to let you all know that the DVD sales at Target are so incredible. The movies are extremely cheap and very good. I managed to pick up more than a few films to watch. Right now, I just love the idea of watching DVDs, making popcorn and snuggling on the couch on balmy mid-week nights. It's definitely my guilty pleasure. For instance, I managed to pick up a fantastic reinterpretation of the Charlotte Bronte classic, Jane Eyre film starring Charlotte Gainsbourg, for just $9. Check out your local Taar-jay store for more fabulous offers.
Some film titles I noticed which are worth getting:
- Paris when it sizzles
- The Da Vinci Code
- Funny Face
- She's the Man
- The Jane Austen book club
- Sabrina
- Jane Eyre
- Pride and Prejudice
And that's just to name a few! Happy watching.
PS: Malina, I picked up Breakfast at Tiffanys at my local Target for just $12.99!

25.9.09

Sydney Writers' Festival: Writers Talk 2009.

If you are interested in either improving your short story writing skills or one day becoming the next Stephanie Meyer and whatnot, the following website may be of interest to you. It is a compilation of interviews from the authors and writers who spoke at the Sydney Writers' Festival and the authors include Isabelle Carmody, Morris Gleitzman, James Roy and Danny Katz. Here, they speak about characters, plots, themes and storylines as well as any other tips and advice for young writers. Check out the interviews as I'm positive it will assist you in your own writing and production of creative stories. There are also archived interviews dating back to 2007. I've made the site address a TinyUrl and you should be able to still access it. Let me know if there have any difficulties. http://tinyurl.com/ycqopgo or alternatively visit www.swf.org.au/news and find the direct link from there. Enjoy and get inspired!

23.9.09

Competition: Win 1 of 3 prizes!

This month's competition is perfect for any aspiring writers or anyone who wishes to practise their creative writing skills. I highly recommend that you all submit something in for a chance to win some fantastic literary prizes including DVD's, novels and other texts and stationary. The task is due on Saturday the 12th of December 2009 no later than 5.30pm. It needs to be presented as a printed document using Times New Roman font in size 12 with page numbers. Pages need to be labelled and bound. Name, contact number, title page and word count must also be submitted.

Task: Create a creative piece revolving around your understanding of life and the origins of humanity. It can be realistic or imaginative. Keep in mind the context, purpose and audience. This does not need to be a short story (if so, 3000-5000 words is sufficient). It can be a series of poetry, a film or television script, a play, documentary, picture book etc.

Good luck!

18.9.09

Teachers Pet: Smiggle slimline pens.

I'm obsessed with the Smiggle slimline pens which come in a large variety of colours to suit anyone's tastes! My favourites are the light blue, pink and silver as they are covetable pieces to fit into any pencilcase or handbag. These make the perfect little presents, all you have to do is grab a ribbon to tie it with and it's done! These pens are such perfect little goodies. Available from the Smiggle website and Smiggle stores for just $4.95.

24.8.09

Join a book club.

If you like reading and talking about books, then why not join one of six weekly literature groups at North Sydney's Stanton Library? What better location for a book club of sorts than a library? Lock horns with like minded book worms on the title that has been chosen by the group in one of the ongoing weekly meet-ups. Visit www.northsydney.nsw.gov.au/ for more details about this literary event.

Website of the Day: www.fanfiction.net

If you are a huge fan of any already established books, films, comics, cartoons etc, you would all love Fanfiction.net. Fanfiction is a site where all fan writers come together and submit stories which they have written along with reading what others have written so that you can spread some literary love around. There is over 1000 titles to choose from and a few hundred thousand (or more) stories to indulge in. Happy reading.

21.8.09

English related things to do in Spring.

1. Read a good classic novel.
2. Write some beautiful poetry.
3. Get lost in your own creative thoughts.
4. Create a collage of visual images which captivate.
5. Watch a BBC classics film or BBC television series.

Related text of the Day.

'Convex and Concave' by M.C. Escher

Word of the Day.

"Perorate"
1. To conclude or sum up a long discourse.
2. To speak or expound at length; to declaim.

14.8.09

Word of the Day.

"Furtive"

1.Done by stealth; surreptitious; secret; as, a furtive look.
2.Expressive of stealth; sly; shifty; sneaky.
3.Stolen; obtained by stealth.
4.Given to stealing; thievish; pilfering.

13.8.09

High School Certificate Trials.

Good luck with your English Higher School Certificate Trials! I am positive that you will all do perfectly. Feel free to email me any essays and creative writing pieces which you have written so that I can provide feedback and critical comments to assist your preparation with the 2009 High School Certificate Exams. My new email is analyse_english@gmail.com Remember to balance study with relaxation and spend your time wisely for a second wasted is a second you will never get back! I look forward to seeing you all soon.