Mt. Nebo Writing Class: Writing(History Week, usually Eureka Week)

Writing

1. Read Chapter 5 or to page 218 in "The Princess Bride."

2. Write this paragraph from the book in your best handwriting in your notebooks.

The year that Buttercup was born, the most beautiful woman in the world
was a French scullery maid named Annette. Annette worked in Paris for the Duke and Duchess de Guiche, and it did not escape the Duke’s notice that someone extraordinary was polishing the pewter. The Duke’s notice did not escape the notice of the Duchess either, who was not very beautiful and not very rich, but plenty smart. The Duchess set about studying Annette and shortly found her adversary’s tragic flaw.

Chocolate.

Armed now, the Duchess set to work. The Palace de Guiche turned into a candy castle. Everywhere you looked, bonbons. There were piles of chocolate-covered mints in the drawing rooms, baskets of chocolate-covered nougats in the parlors.

(Chapter 1, The Bride)

Note the possessives (showing ownership or possession by adding an apostrophe s): Duke’s, adversary’s

Alliteration (repeating of initial sounds) is used: “polishing the pewter.” Chocolate-covered is hyphenated.

3. Do 2 more pages in your handwriting books.

4. Poetry

This week we are going to do texting couplets. WHAT IS THAT? Don't worry, it's going to be fun!

First, I want you to look up these terms and write down the definitions.

Rhythm

Rhyme

Rhyme Scheme

Juxtaposition

Syllable

Couplet

Now, I know you all know what a rhyme is, in fact I bet you all know what most of these words mean. Now you are going to put them together. Your couplets that you create will be 7 syllables with emphasis being in different places. You need to create a rhythm (or beat) for your couplets. Here is an example: Texting CoupletDude, do you remember this? If you don’t, you’ll be remiss.

One of the most common example of a couplet is "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star." Notice how each line has 7 syllables. Most of the emphasis is on the last word of each line. The rhyme scheme uses AABB. The rhythm flows evenly and has a catchy beat.

Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star

How I wonder what you are.

Up above the world so high,

like a diamond in the sky.

Your assignment is to create a series of text messages that are formatted in rhyming couplets (see the example in the link). This text message exchange must be inspired by an image. You can take a photograph, draw an illustration, cut out a picture from a magazine or other source, print one off of the internet, or use an old picture you already have. Make sure all content is school appropriate.

Before you begin, answer the following questions.

Look at the example. Label the rhyme scheme. Then, write it below.
How would you describe the rhythm in the example texts? Consider the number of syllables per line as well as the juxtaposition of strong and weak syllables.
Your texting couplets need to have a consistent rhyme scheme. Write down some possible options to start brainstorming possibilities.
Your texting couplets also need to have a loose rhythm. What will you do to establish a “beat” in your poem?
Think about the picture or illustration you would like to use as inspiration for your texting couplets poem. What are some ideas you could try?
Pick one of the phone pictures to print and write your texting couplets. OR do some actual texting couplets with a friend. Take a screen shot of it. Bring it to class to share.