Writing+Prompts


 * A Girl Like Me (The Doll Test)** 1) Describe something that you are self conscious about and explain the role in which the media and society in general has affected this particular thing you are self conscious about? 2) When i turn on the tv/look at magazines, i feel like......... []

1) Consider the author's tone, word choice, and voice used to narrate the clip. What techniques does Michael Moore use to imply his personal bias on the topic? __1a) Is it fair to only portray one side?__ __2) Where were you on 9/11? How did it affect your life?__ []
 * __Farenheit 9/11__**

__**Painting Analysis**__ __Prompts:__ __Do you have a retreat or a special place you always find yourself going to when you want to be by yourself?__ __Who is the little girl in the painting? What's her name? Why is she there? Where is she going? Tell her story.__

1. What would you like your epitaph to say? 2. Who is someone that you’ve lost- or whom you fear losing? What would you write about them if you could write their epitaph? Why?
 * Epitaphs** [] []

__**Only the Good Die Young**__ __[]__ __1) What do you think Billy Joel is saying? Do you agree or disagree with what he is saying? Why or why not?__ __2) Write a response to the song as Virginia.__

__**Weird, Wonderful, and Yet Still Illegible**__ @http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2012/03/21/weird-and-wonderful-yet-still-illegible/ __Prompt Questions:__ __1.. What effect does font have on what we read or write? Does it change the mood or feeling of the piece?__ 2. Write your freewrite using a "font" you created or using a different writing style than you are used to.

__**Wish You Were Here**__ __[]__ Think about the suggested prompts while listening to the song: What thing(s) do you identify as truly individual about you, or that you do without any__outside influence/pressure? __Lyrics:__ So, so you think you can tell, Heaven from Hell, Blue skies from pain. Can you tell a green field from a cold steel rail? A smile from a veil? Do you think you can tell? And did they get you to trade your heroes for ghosts? Hot ashes for trees? Hot air for a cool breeze? Cold comfort for change? Did you exchange a walk-on part in the war for a lead role in a cage? How I wish, how I wish you were here. We're just two lost souls swimming in a fish bowl, year after year, Running over the same old ground. What have we found? The same old fears. Wish you were here.
 * 1) What thing(s) do you identify as truly individual about you, or that you do without __any__outside influence/pressure?
 * 2) Write about a time that you tried to do something “against the grain” or without support of your family/friends. Was it worth the risk?
 * 3) What big change would you make in your life if you weren’t SCARED?

Prompts: 1. Describe your experience of being read to in another language. How did you make sense of the text? Did it help you to relate to English Language Learners and others alike? 2. Write your own short story using the pictures as your guide.
 * Japanese Short Story**

1. What does this symbolize or mean to you ? 2. I am glad to be an American because…….. 3. I believe being an American means.........
 * American Flag Picture**

**The Boy in the Air** by Lyn Elliot [] 1. I think this video takes an interesting view on advertising and media literacy. Do you think advertisers have a moral obligation to represent their products honestly, or should they be able to “manipulate” their viewers just to make as much money as possible? Do you think we, as consumers, are sufficiently media literate to see through some of the advertising “tricks?” 2. Write an advertisement selling you as a person. What are your “functions?” Why should people “buy” you? What makes you unique?

"**14,000 things to be happy about" - Barbara Ann Kipfer** What truly makes you happy? 1. Compose a list of all the things you can think of that make you happy. Your list can include: Quotes, Mottos, Word Pictures, Memories, Places, Thoughts, Celebrations, Wishes, etc. 2. Something in life that really makes me happy is...........

**A song about a friend** by Vladimir Vysotsky If your friend just became a man, Not a friend, not a foe,- just so, If you really can't tell from the start, If he's strong in his heart,- To the peaks take this man - don't fret! Do not leave him alone, on his own, Let him share the same view with you - Then you'll know if he's true. If the guy on the peak got weak, If he lost all his care - got scared, Took a step on the frost - got lost, Tripped and screamed in exhaust,- Then the one you held close is false, Do not bother to yell - expel,- We can't take such aboard, and in short We don't sing of his sort. If the guy didn't whine nor pine, He was dull and upset, but went, When you slipped from the cliff, He heaved, holding you in his grip; If he walked right along, seemed strong, On the top stood like he belonged,- Then, whenever the chances are slim You can count on him! Prompts: 1. When I was a child I learned.../When I was a child I was told...But then I found out.. 2. How do you know that you can count on your friend? Give examples of your friend's deeds which proved he could be counted on.

[] 1. Imagine you were a victtim of Hurricane Katrina as it was taking place. Write what thoughts might be going through your head. Where are your priorities, the welfare of your family? Finding Shelter? Self preservation? 2. Write your reaction to the song? 3. The song repeats the lyrics "Seems like we don't even care", how do those words resonate with you?
 * Minority Report**

[] 1. Write a letter to yourself about all the adventures and dreams you want to accomplish in life. 2a. Would you regret if you didn't accomplish all of your adventures and dreams? Why or why not? 2b. Write about what you will miss when you pass away.
 * UP - Character Development**

[] 1-A. What are some things that you are skeptical about, things that you question, hesitate on, or doubt? Why do you feel skeptical about these things and what has led you into this neither black nor white, BUT grey area, this unknown? You can either choose to make a list of things or focus on a few. 1-B. Try changing the lyrics to make the song about yourself, instead of Bill Nye. 2. A thought experiment: Become the devil’s advocate. Challenge your view on something. Write about anything: girls/guys and/or love, religious beliefs, your future etc., but be sure to ask a lot of “What ifs…” Challenge your thoughts and try to see whatever it is you are writing about from a different angle
 * Earth to Aliens**

Notes: Supposedly the song is about Bill Nye "The Science Guy" and there is this juxtaposition of science and faith, known and unknown, and kind of this fear vs. love, or fear of love, in Bill's case. If we want our students to look at text from different angles and trust their instinct and feel confident their own words, I think it's important to not just focus on text this way, but life in general. This mentor text is designed to try to get students to think for themselves and to think deeply about the world around them, but more importantly, to try to figure things out for themselves. I've been reading Craig Thompson's graphic novel "Blankets" and I just finished John Green's "Looking for Alaska." Both works deal with a lot of life's BIG questions, but sometimes in a very subtle tone, and I'd recommend both to be in your classroom libraries.