Fitz English 2020 8th Grade Weekly Assignments

Dates: 10/21-10/27

Assignment #1: Comma Rule #4: Commas with Parenthetical Elements Details: Study Rule #4, take all the quizzes, complete the attached worksheet and write a fun and thoughtful metacognition.

Worksheet…

Comma Rule #4 WorksheetCommas with Parenthetical Elements:

Explanation…

“In your own words” describe Comma Rule #4. Include what the comma rules does, and explain the logical purpose for the rule.

Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste natus error sit voluptatem accusantium doloremque laudantium, totam rem aperiam, eaque ipsa quae ab illo

Examples…

Write five full sentences that use Comma Rule #4: Commas with Parenthetical Elements.

1. Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste natus

2. Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste natus

3. Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste natus

4. Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste natus

5. Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste natus

Proofread & Revise…

Add correct punctuation to each of the following sentences…

1. This rule because it is so tricky to understand is the hardest to teach but it is necessary to study learn and practice in your writing.

2. The mower that is in the garage is almost 25 years old.

3. The mower which is in the garage is almost 25 years old.

4. I almost got fooled by the last sentences the ones that use that and which but then I remembered that my teacher explained the difference between the two so now I feel brilliant amazing diligent and capable.

5. The kid in the back with red hair and old workboots is the best poet in the eighth grade, but he is not the best dresser.

Fix ALL the mistakes in this paragraph…

dang. I thought maybe fitz my english teacher would forget this dull and dreary and boring part of the assignment but no he didn”t. Here it is so I guess i’ll do it it. Although this Is a pain I kind of think that it has some

value and maybe it will be worth it maybe in the future because my future is happening now which isn’t a bad thing but I wish I could put it of for ten 20 or more years. Thankfully this paragraph short as it is is pretty easy except for sentences like this Over there there putting on there clothes or this one It doesn’t matter weather the wether is sunny raining or as long as the whether knows that a wether is a castrated ram so don’t screw up that homophone. oK I’m done i think with this

Metacognition…

Now post a fun metacognition that Explores, Assesses, Reflects upon and rethinks your experience with this new rule.

?In eros nunc, scelerisque nec malesuada non, pharetra eu sapien. Sed mauris nibh, lobortis eget mi ac, vehicula bibendum felis. Praesent non dui ac nibh placerat interdum sed quis velit. Morbi quis libero elit. Mauris tortor arcu, varius non dictum ac, hendrerit vel quam. Aenean efficitur nunc vel nulla blandit, sit amet egestas massa ullamcorper. Maecenas tincidunt felis vitae mauris rhoncus scelerisque. Curabitur sit amet sapien nec odio cursus faucibus placerat a leo.

Assignment #2: Rhetoric: Parallel Structure Details: Study the techniques of utilizing Parallel Structure in sentences. Complete the attached exercises.

3. Parallel StructureRepetition for Effect

Parallel Structure (also known as parallelism) employs the repetition of words, word types, and phrases to emphasize and amplify an idea, thought, experience or fact by adding a rhythmic and powerful cadence to prose and poetry (where it is also called “anaphora).

Types of Parallel Structure:

Words: Sometimes a single word repeated a few times can add great effect to a series of thoughts:

For Example… Believe in yourself; believe that you are the master of your fate, and believe that what you are pales beside what you can be.

Word Types: Several adjectives used in a series of words creates a rhythmic and powerful parallel structure

For Example… You are rude, insensitive and selfish, when you could be sweet, kind and giving.

Phrases: In this biblical poem, the use of the phrase “a time to” introduces a series of contrasting realities, quite effectively I might add as this has been a popular poem for several thousand years.

For Example… We need to get started before it is too late; we need to get started sooner than later, so we need to get started now!

Here is a famous example of parallel structure being used in phrases in a biblical poem:

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.

~Ecclesiastes 3

Creating Clarity & Conciseness Parallel structure can also be used to express your ideas in a more concise and compelling way.

For Example…

Original Sentence: Suzie is always willing to help around the house, and she does chores with being asked, while all the time seeming happy to help out. (25 words)

New Sentence: Suzie is always willing to help around the house, to do chores without asking, and to seem happy to help out. (21 words)

Exercise #1 Create five sentences that show the use of single words to create parallel structure. Use the word at least three times in the sentence.

1. Put your text here 2. Put your text here 3. Put your text here 4. Put your text here 5. Put your text here

Exercise #2 Create five sentences that show the use of word types (adjectives, nouns or verbs) to create parallel structure. Use the word type at least three times in the sentence.

Put your text here Put your text here Put your text here Put your text here Put your text here

Exercise #3 Create five sentences that show the use of similar phrases to create parallel structure. Use the phrase at least three times in the sentence.

Put your text here Put your text here

Put your text here Put your text here Put your text here

Exercise #4 Rewrite these sentences by adding parallel structure. Your new sentence should retain the same meaning but be more clear and concise (fewer) words—which is always a good practice as a writer. Bold your parallel structure.

Original Sentence: The mountains in New Hampshire are beautiful because they are big and rocky, and they are majestic, which makes them breathtaking to see. (24 words)

New Sentence: Put your text here. (word count)

Original Sentence: I have always hated to do writing exercises that have no purpose, and that are hard to understand and which take forever to fi nish. (24 Words)

New Sentence: Put your text here. (word count)

Original Sentence: I am the kind person who likes to play outdoors and go for walks in the woods, and I also like to climb big trees. (25 words)

New Sentence: Put your text here. (word count)

Assignment #3: The Power of Friendship Details: Use the A-maker Narrative Plan to write a 300 word (more or less) paragraph or brief essay about the Power of Friendship in your life.

WRITING PROMPT…

Use the A-Maker Narrative Paragraph Plan to write a paragraph about The Power of Friendship in your life—focused on a single unifying, universal and enduring theme introduced in the Broad Theme, Narrow Theme & One/Two Punch. This theme must then be “validated” by a singular personal experience (not a list of experiences) introduced in your Setup described vividly in your Smoking Gun—and, finally, reflected upon in your Head and Heart. In your conclusion: “Open the door. Don’t close it.”

Submit final draft as required.

Do your best to use the Rhetorical Techniques we have studied so far!

For more a more detailed plan on how to write a Design Writing Narrative Paragraph, visit TheCraftedWord.org

Put Your Name Here Put your theme here

Broad ThemeIn seven words or less introduce your theme in a universal way. Do not refer to yourself. One sentence or clause.

Include a reference to your theme

Put your text here

Put Your Name Here

Narrow ThemeIntroduce yourself and how the theme captures a part of your life. One sentence.

Include a reference to your theme

Put your text here

One/Two PunchState how your theme is central to a specific experience in your life—one that can be proven in a single personal experience. One to three sentences

Include a reference to your theme

Put your text here

SetupThe setup prepares the reader for what is coming and gives the “essential details” of the scene or experience you are going to describe.

Who. What. When. Where. Why.

Put your text here

Put your theme herePut Your Name Here

Smoking GunTell your story! Using effective rhetorical techniques and vivid imagery that “engages the senses,” briefl y describe the experience that “proves and validates your theme” 3-5 sentences.

Put your text here

Head & HeartNarrow to Broad…Explain, Explore, & Reflect on how and why the theme is important in your experience and, more broadly, in your life. 3-5 sentences

Include two or three references to your theme

Put your text here

Put your theme herePut Your Name Here

Paragraph FormCopy & paste complete paragraph below if 300 words or less

Title Subtitle

Image

Quote

Suspendisse potenti. Suspendisse enim felis, sollicitudin sed risus ac, porta pretium risus. Vivamus lacinia placerat viverra. Aenean consequat quis lorem eget semper.

Conclude or TransitionRestate the importance of the theme in a new way with a conclusion and/or transition to a new paragraph. 1-2 sentences

Include a reference to your theme

Put your text here

Your Name Assignment Metacognition

In 100 words or less Explore, Explain, Assess and Reflect on your experience completing this assignment.

Put your theme herePut Your Name Here

Sed vel hendrerit velit, id interdum erat. Aenean mattis massa vel libero dictum, vel dictum arcu mollis. Nam blandit ornare justo id molestie. Vivamus facilisis sapien at nulla vulputate, sit amet egestas leo molestie. Duis quam lectus, tristique eget velit vel, consequat malesuada mi. Aliquam sagittis metus sed leo faucibus, ac bibendum justo tristique. Aliquam eget mauris sed libero sollicitudin tincidunt et id magna. Integer molestie faucibus risus sed luctus. Vivamus eu risus vitae felis bibendum pharetra sit amet ut purus. Phasellus purus eros, accumsan a augue eget, tincidunt posuere est. Vestibulum finibus, arcu vel iaculis congue, diam dolor pretium sem, at mattis sapien massa sit amet lacus. Integer aliquam purus vitae ipsum consectetur fringilla ac nec eros. Quisque enim mauris, varius quis tincidunt ac, facilisis nec libero. Curabitur tempus orci a felis pellentesque, eu consectetur metus varius.Suspendisse potenti. Suspendisse enim felis, sollicitudin sed risus ac, porta pretium risus. Vivamus lacinia placerat viverra. Aenean consequat quis lorem eget semper. Sed vel hendrerit velit, id interdum erat. Aenean mattis massa vel libero dictum, vel dictum arcu mollis. Nam blandit ornare justo id molestie. Vivamus facilisis sapien at nulla vulputate, sit amet egestas leo molestie. Duis quam lectus, tristique eget velit vel, consequat malesuada mi. Aliquam sagittis metus sed leo faucibus, ac bibendum justo tristique. Aliquam eget mauris sed libero sollicitudin tincidunt et id magna. Integer molestie faucibus risus sed luctus. Vivamus eu risus vitae felis bibendum pharetra sit amet ut purus. Phasellus purus eros, accumsan a augue eget, tincidunt posuere est. Vestibulum finibus, arcu vel iaculis congue, diam dolor pretium sem, at mattis sapien massa sit amet lacus. Integer aliquam purus vitae ipsum consectetur fringilla ac nec eros.

Essay FormatCreate in five-paragraph essay form if over 300 words.

Title Subtitle

Image

Quote

Introductory Paragraph: Broad Theme/Narrow Theme & One/Two Punch

Vivamus lacinia placerat viverra. Aenean consequat quis lorem eget semper. Sed vel hendrerit velit, id interdum erat. Aenean mattis massa vel libero dictum, vel dictum arcu mollis. Nam blandit ornare justo id molestie. Vivamus facilisis sapien at nulla vulputate, sit amet egestas leo molestie. Duis quam lectus, tristique eget velit vel, consequat malesuada mi.

Body Paragraph #1: Setup

Aenean consequat quis lorem eget semper. Sed vel hendrerit velit, id interdum erat. Aenean mattis massa vel libero dictum, vel dictum arcu mollis. Nam blandit ornare justo id molestie. Vivamus facilisis sapien at nulla vulputate, sit amet egestas leo molestie. Duis quam lectus, tristique eget velit vel, consequat malesuada mi.

Body Paragraph #2: Smoking Gun

Vivamus lacinia placerat viverra. Aenean consequat quis lorem eget semper. Sed vel hendrerit velit, id interdum erat. Aenean mattis massa vel libero dictum, vel dictum arcu mollis. Nam blandit ornare justo id molestie. Vivamus facilisis sapien at nulla vulputate, sit amet egestas leo molestie. Duis quam lectus, tristique eget velit vel, consequat malesuada mi. Aliquam sagittis metus sed leo faucibus, ac bibendum justo tristique. Aliquam eget mauris sed libero sollicitudin tincidunt et id magna. Integer molestie faucibus risus sed luctus. Vivamus eu risus vitae felis bibendum pharetra sit amet ut purus. Phasellus purus eros, accumsan a augue eget, tincidunt posuere est.

Body Paragraph #3: Head & Heart

Vestibulum finibus, arcu vel iaculis congue, diam dolor pretium sem, at mattis sapien massa sit amet lacus. Integer aliquam purus vitae ipsum consectetur fringilla ac nec eros. Quisque enim mauris, varius quis tincidunt ac, facilisis nec libero.

Curabitur tempus orci a felis pellentesque, eu consectetur metus varius. Nam blandit ornare justo id molestie. Vivamus facilisis sapien at nulla vulputate, sit amet egestas leo molestie. Duis quam lectus, tristique eget velit vel, consequat malesuada mi.

Concluding Paragraph: Be brief. Open the door. Don’t close it.

Integer molestie faucibus risus sed luctus. Vivamus eu risus vitae felis bibendum pharetra sit amet ut purus.

Assignment #4: The Sniper Details: Read and Annotate this very short short story. Complete the Active Reading Plan and the A-Maker Literary Reflection Plan. Post paragraph here and to your blog.

Design Writing Active Reading Plan

The Sniper

Five New or Cool Words: Find five new or cool words and use them in sentences.

1. Word: Use the word in a sentence. 2. Word: Use the word in a sentence. 3. Word: Use the word in a sentence. 4. Word: Use the word in a sentence. 5. Word: Use the word in a sentence.

Four Fantastic Phrases: Find four fantastic phrases and use them in sentences. Bold the phrase in each sentence.

1. Phrase: Use the phrase in a sentence. 2. Phrase: Use the phrase in a sentence. 3. Phrase: Use the phrase in a sentence.

4. Phrase: Use the phrase in a sentence.

Three Enduring Themes: Identify and show three one-word, timeless, and “Universal & Enduring Themes in the writing piece, and briefly describe using “Who, What, When, Where, why” and how each theme is used in the writing piece. This is called “Text Reference.”

1. Theme: Identify & Describe here 2. Theme: Identify & Describe here 3. Theme:  Identify & Describe here

Two Quotable Quotes: Copy and cite two quotable quotes that “support and validate” two of your themes. This is called “Text Support.”

1. “Put quote in italics here” ~Source 2. “Put quote in italics here” ~Source One Reading Reflection: Use the Design Writing Literary Reflection Plan to write a 200-300 word reflection on your reading experience.

Design Writing Literary Reflection Paragraph

A-Maker: Level II

I am sure that many of you have been asked to do in-class or summer reading of some sort—and I bet, too, that your teachers will ask you to write something about a book, poem or story—or even just a chapter—that you have read. This Design Writing: Literary Reflection Paragraph Plan can help you write a brief and pithy

Reflection about any piece of literature that is insightful, well-organized, and interesting to you and your readers. Try it. It works!

A Reflection needs to feel and sound like you speaking at your very best, and it needs to be both honest and thoughtful. Being thoughtful means that you are careful and considered and real in your writing. Being honest means being authentic. Genuine praise is enlightening to a reader; false praise reeks of arrogance.

Read the descriptions carefully for each step of the Literary Reflection Paragraph Plan.

Insert your own sentences into the text-box below each step of the Design Writing Plan.

When your completed, copy and paste each section of the plan into a complete paragraph or a five paragraph short essay.

Your completed response should be between somewhere in the range of 300 words. If it is 300 words or less, keep it in paragraph form. If it is more than 300 words, create it in essay form.

Proofread carefully. Edit thoughtfully. Publish beautifully.

Title of Literature Unfiying Theme Name

Broad Theme Without mentioning the piece of literature, write a brief sentence (ten words or less) that tries to capture the attention of your audience by stating the Major Theme of your Paragraph in a Clear, Concise & Compelling fashion.One sentence or clause.

Be sure to include a reference to your theme!

Put your text here

Title of Literature

Narrow Theme Here your Broad Theme narrows down to a specific piece of literature and its effect on you. In one sentence or clause, describe the major effect the writing piece had on YOU.

Be sure to include a reference to your theme!

Put your text here

One/Two Punch Write two or three more sentences or clauses that adds more Specific Detail to your Narrow Theme.

Include one or two references to your theme

Put your text here

Setup & Smoking Gun Tell your story of the story… Add specifi c detail about “how” you planned to read the piece of literature [Setup] and how you actually read the piece of literature [Smoking Gun].

Include multiple references to your theme

Put your text here

Unfiying Theme NameTitle of Literature

Copy & Paste Your Text Here Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Praesent fringilla porta augue nec pellentesque. Sed nec est a justo elementum tristique. Curabitur non rutrum ex. Integer quis tincidunt dolor, sed tristique odio. Pellentesque mattis imperdiet hendrerit. Cras quis eros at erat cursus porttitor vitae sed turpis.

Head & Heart This is the Heart of your Reflection. You can’t be wrong―as long as you are truthful. In this paragraph write honestly, from your Head and Heart, about what your learned from reading and studying this piece of literature.

Include multiple references to your theme

Put your text here

Conclusion or Transition

Was it worth it? In the conclusion, try to honestly capture whether or not your experience has been worth it in the end The conclusion should leave you—and your reader—Pondering this literary experience of yours in a wise, wonderful and informed way

Include one or two references to your theme

Put your text here

Grade: % Assignment Metacognition In 100 words or less Explore, Explain, Assess, Reflect & Rethink your experience and the lessons learned completing this assignment.

Unfiying Theme NameTitle of Literature

Here is an example of an excellent literary reflection!

This paragraph is 365 words. Note the multiple references to the unifying theme

Nothing worthwhile comes without challengesThe Call of the Wild challenged me to read more deeply, dig more deeply and think more deeply about the themes and purpose of this brief, yet compelling, story. Reading The Call of the Wild challenged me to read in a more active and engaged way than I have ever read before; the difficult and obscure vocabulary forced me to rethink and revisit the themes of the plot in thoughtful ways, and, by the end of the story, I realized that the challenge of reading a true classic was worth it in the end. I started reading The Call of the Wild as just a book to be read—a difficult assignment that had no choice button do what was expected of me. The expectations to highlight new vocabulary words and to find “enduring themes” and add annotations to these themes made for slow and challenging reading; however, after a couple of chapters, I got into the flow. I figured out how to manage my reading time. I accepted that I was”studying” a work of classic literature and not simply reading a book for pleasure. I did the difficult work; I accepted the challenge, and all of the difficulties were worth it in the end. I researched themes to look for while reading, and, much to my surprise, I found those themes woven into the whole book: Buck showed me that there is a primordial beast within me and that there is a primordial beast somewhere within all of us—not just in a sled dog in the harsh and unforgiving Yukon some150 years ago. That beast is our true calling in life. I learned that every life is full of challenges, and, like Buck, I need to adapt to these challenges, accept these challenges, and only then can I overcome these challenges. Several weeks ago, you might have heard me screaming in frustration: “Stay away from this absurdly challenging and confusing book,” but now that it is done, and my work is done, I will say just as loudly: “Accept the challenge and read The Call of the Wild.” It will be worth it in the end.

Here it is in essay form, which is probably better and easier to read for this piece.

Nothing worthwhile comes without challengesThe Call of the Wild challenged me to read more deeply, dig more deeply and think more deeply about the themes and purpose of this brief, yet compelling, story. Reading The Call of the Wild challenged me to read in a more active and engaged way than I have ever read before; the difficult and obscure vocabulary forced me to rethink and revisit the themes of the plot in thoughtful ways, and, by the end of the story, I realized that the challenge of reading a true classic was worth it in the end.

I started reading The Call of the Wild as just a book to be read—a difficult assignment that had no choice button do what was expected of me. The expectations to highlight new vocabulary words and to find “enduring themes” and add annotations to these themes made for slow and challenging reading; however, after a couple of chapters, I got into the flow. I figured out how to manage my reading time. I accepted that I was”studying” a work of classic literature and not simply reading a book for pleasure. I did the difficult work; I accepted the challenge, and all of the difficulties were worth it in the end. I researched themes to look for while reading, and, much to my surprise, I found those themes woven into the whole book:

Buck showed me that there is a primordial beast within me and that there is a primordial beast somewhere within all of us—not just in a sled dog in the harsh and unforgiving Yukon some150 years ago. That beast is our true calling in life. I learned that every life is full of challenges, and, like Buck, I need to adapt to these challenges, accept these challenges, and only then can I overcome these challenges. Several weeks ago, you might have heard me screaming in frustration: “Stay away from this absurdly challenging and confusing book,” but now that it is done, and my work is done, I will say just as loudly: “Accept the challenge and read The Call of the Wild.”

It will be worth it in the end.