LA #2 Accidental Story

(This story was complied by the LA #2 class's descriptive writing pieces. The following is a combination of the first lines of each of their stories.)

Listen. Silence. There is for me a place of peace far off and distant from all others. As you slowly walk up the paved hill you turn right into the shady, dark, gravel driveway. The fountain has the clearest water I’ve ever seen. The cabin sits on the top of a hill, last in the line of four cabins. A small lion-like figure scuttles into my view. Duncan was a reddish-orange rough collie with a white mane, a long, narrow nose, and an almost fox-like tail with its white tip and black stripes. My once-a-week guitar lesson is beginning to unfold. The music rings through the large room making a gentle and calming sound. The strings feel soft, smooth, to allow fingers to glide over them quickly. Peanut butter from the cabinet, jelly from the fridge, bread from the bread drawer. When I eat a piece of chocolate, I step into a new and yummy world. Ahh, the great American pastime.

LA #1 Accidental Story

Snorkeling is always calm. Simply quiet. Everywhere there were sights, sounds and smells. Right as I was walking up to the stadium I could smell smoke. The remnants of new car smell fought its way up my nose as my head swung back to face my sister. It’s warm in Asia now, the red leaves, the bamboo thistling together in warm, autumn breeze. The wind whispers in my ears. I watched my sister run around the house loudly as she bangs her heels on the hard wood floor. She grins from ear to ear. A sweet lullaby of an owl’s hoot fills the air on a dark, dank night. The glow of the candles sends flickering shadows around the room. I have three dogs, but only one favorite. I look at the sauce-covered ribz that don’t even look like ribz because of all the sauce. The cloud-shaped silver sign read, “Star Clipper.” A gust of mixed dust and wind blows into my face as I open the wooden, red, dull door. It’s big, not by width, but by length. Gus is my Siamese cat. You must be dreaming.

The Giver--Apple and Jonas Draw

We each have our own perception of what Jonas look like. From what you've read so far, and what you can infer, draw a picture of Jonas based on those facts.

We know he has different eyes, right?
And that he wears a tunic? Yes?

Find a picture online or draw a picture of your perception of Jonas. Also, portray him with the apple. What does the apple look like? What is his relation to it? Why did it "change?"

Be descriptive and detailed! And reallllllly think about what went on with the apple. What does it mean for him and his abilities?

The Giver: Chapters 3-5 (Pages 20-39)

Do in LA #1 notebook!
These questions have a few parts, so make sure to answer thoroughly. Completely! Wholly!

1) Describe what happened with the apple on page 24 and 25. What do you think was going on?

2) What is the significance of the name Gabriel? Do some research!

3) At the end of Chapter 4, Jonas and Larissa have a discussion about someone being released.
What do you think is on the other side of that door? Why do you think children aren't allowed to see the release? Why did Larissa "hoot" and sarcastically say "Right!" when Jonas said he wanted to mention a change to the committee? What do you think is going on?

4) What are "Stirrings?" What is happening to Jonas?
Why do you think they're so looked down upon?
What is the treatment for these "Stirrings?"

I think it's weird that the parents have treatment for the stirrings. On a deeper, more logistical level, what does this mean? Really think about it!

The Giver-Chapters 1 & 2

1) Name three instances that allude to something being a bit different or weird or "off" in Jonas's world.

2) There are a few words that are capitalized that aren't usually capitalized...name 3, and what do you think they symbolize? Why did the author choose to capitalize them?

3) What age group is Jonas a member of? And what ceremony is coming up?

The Giver, by Lois Lowry

Descriptive Piece Final Draft Checklist

Requirements/Checklist for Descriptive Piece FINAL DRAFT
DUE MONDAY OCTOBER 11

• Double-spaced
• 12 point face
• Four paragraphs (I won't read more than 6!)
• Times or Time New Roman font
• Correctly indented and margined
• Name and date and class in UPPER RIGHT HAND CORNER
• Stapled (if more than one page)

In addition to spelling, grammar and overall quality, I will be grading on the things above. Just follow the directions!

peace out.

For WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 6TH

#1 Turn in typed draft, DOUBLE-SPACED, with corrections from today's revising exercise.

#2 Find the definitions to these words! All words use in literature!

-Allegory
-Allusion
-Diction
-Foreshadow
-Tone
-Protagonist
-Antagonist
-Motif