How important is it to you that you find a career that you are passionate about? Read the article ""Why Dream Jobs Don't Come True" and watch Paul Potts' performance on "Britain Has Talent" (he was the original Susan Boyle). I am no fan of opera but the message is pretty clear: don't settle for a job that doesn't make you happy, especially if you have interests or talents that lie somewhere else. How can you NOT cheer for this guy? I read a quote one time (couldn't tell you who wrote it), and it said: "Do What You Love, The Rest Comes". Imagine yourself spending eight hours a day, for 30-40 years of your life doing something that you aren't interested in, or even worse...that makes you miserable. One thing I did notice in the newspaper article though, is that two main reasons why people don't end up in their dream job are lack of job availability, and lack of education. The truth is, if you want a job that inspires you and gives you the lifestyle that you want, you just might have to work your butt off a little to get yourself qualified! Think about some of the careers that you want (and the daily life that you want), and then start taking the steps to get yourself there. Don't back down because it might require a lot of education or training. It is worth it to invest in a career path that you will love.
On a side note: My first choices in career were: Vancouver Canucks player (age 2), Firefighter (age 4).
So here is your task for your very last blog post (!!!!)
1) Do you believe it is important to be passionate about your job? Think about adults you know well, and how they feel about their jobs.
2) What are you going to do with the rest of your life (career wise) and how are you going to get there? (Yes, it is certainly ok if you don't have concrete plans, but at least write about a possible path you could take).
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Creative Pursuits
You have a choice of two tasks for today's blog:
Your first option is to work on descriptive writing, specifically using as much imagery as possible. First, you must find a picture on the internet. Find something that you can translate into words (something with movement or colour or emotion) and then describe it in AS MUCH DETAIL as you can. Don't just describe what you see. Fill in the gaps and add tastes, sounds, and textures. Imagine that the reader does not have the picture in front of them, and yet you must make them feel as if they are in that photo. When you are finished, please look at at least 2 other classmates' blogs, and comment on them. See the link in the sidebar for an example of an excellent blog post on this topic.
Your second option is to create a random piece of creative writing. In the sidebar are links to two websites with hundreds of creative writing prompts. Choose one of them, and start writing. Of course, if this is too restrictive, you may write on a topic of your choice.
Your first option is to work on descriptive writing, specifically using as much imagery as possible. First, you must find a picture on the internet. Find something that you can translate into words (something with movement or colour or emotion) and then describe it in AS MUCH DETAIL as you can. Don't just describe what you see. Fill in the gaps and add tastes, sounds, and textures. Imagine that the reader does not have the picture in front of them, and yet you must make them feel as if they are in that photo. When you are finished, please look at at least 2 other classmates' blogs, and comment on them. See the link in the sidebar for an example of an excellent blog post on this topic.
Your second option is to create a random piece of creative writing. In the sidebar are links to two websites with hundreds of creative writing prompts. Choose one of them, and start writing. Of course, if this is too restrictive, you may write on a topic of your choice.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Novel Synthesis
Your assignment today is to write a synthesis piece that combines your novel and a secondary text. You need to find a common idea between the two and discuss how EACH piece of text reflects that issue. You only need to give direct quotes from the 2nd text, but you must make specific references to your novel. Your opening sentences will outline the connection that you are focusing on.To find the secondary piece of text for your novel, you need to go to the English 12 webpage, and click on "Lit Circles" and then on your novel title.
Friday, May 1, 2009
Review
Your blog topic today is to write a review for a book, movie, television series, song, album, video game,website, or for the performance of your favourite sports team this season. Below are some tips on how to approach your review. You are allowed to write a positive or a negative review.
1. Know what a review is. A review is not a recap of a TV episode or the plot of a book. It isn't just listing the different features in a PC game or what songs are on a new CD. Those things might be included in your review, but they are not the main event. Writing critically means you must tell people what is good or bad about your subject matter, and you need to provide specific evidence to back up your opinion.
2. As yourself "what does the reader want to know"? Think of the questions that a reader is likely to ask themselves about a movie, book, or song.
3. Decide on the overall point that you want to get across to the reader. Decide on an overall basic opinion of the product, such as "A hilarious, if overly long movie. Just don't expect anything groundbreaking"...and use this as a frame for your review. Hang everything else off this one idea. How does the movie's acting influence this opinion? Why isn't the plot that groundbreaking?
4. Don't write about yourself; the review is about the band, book, movie, or whatever you're reviewing.
5. Ask yourself, "what makes my review unique?" What is your unique selling point for this particular "product"?
6. Compare to other similar products, but not too much!
7. Be specific. What is unique about the experience of watching this movie, cheering for this team, reading this novel, or listening to this band?
8. Don't be afraid to state the obvious. Your readers might not be as familiar with your subject as you are. Don't be afraid to give a little extra description about things that you already know.
9. Be honest.
1. Know what a review is. A review is not a recap of a TV episode or the plot of a book. It isn't just listing the different features in a PC game or what songs are on a new CD. Those things might be included in your review, but they are not the main event. Writing critically means you must tell people what is good or bad about your subject matter, and you need to provide specific evidence to back up your opinion.
2. As yourself "what does the reader want to know"? Think of the questions that a reader is likely to ask themselves about a movie, book, or song.
3. Decide on the overall point that you want to get across to the reader. Decide on an overall basic opinion of the product, such as "A hilarious, if overly long movie. Just don't expect anything groundbreaking"...and use this as a frame for your review. Hang everything else off this one idea. How does the movie's acting influence this opinion? Why isn't the plot that groundbreaking?
4. Don't write about yourself; the review is about the band, book, movie, or whatever you're reviewing.
5. Ask yourself, "what makes my review unique?" What is your unique selling point for this particular "product"?
6. Compare to other similar products, but not too much!
7. Be specific. What is unique about the experience of watching this movie, cheering for this team, reading this novel, or listening to this band?
8. Don't be afraid to state the obvious. Your readers might not be as familiar with your subject as you are. Don't be afraid to give a little extra description about things that you already know.
9. Be honest.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Novel Research
Your job today is to research some background issue that relates to the novel you are reading. You may choose to research the author, or the setting that your novel takes place in (the setting may include location and/or time in history). Focus your research on one key idea and write a paragraph that summarizes the information that you found. Once you have finished your paragraph you need to add at least one key image that relates to your research, and include a link to at least one website that you found interesting. Finally, make sure you are linked to the blogs of all other people who are reading the same novel as you are.
For the blog you are responsible for:
a) The paragraph summarizing your research
b) A minimum of one image that relates to your research
c) A link to at least one website that you found informative.
BEWARE OF SPOILERS FOR THE NOVEL YOU ARE READING!
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
"The Lottery" & "The Perils of Indifference"
With reference to both "The Lottery" and "The Perils of Indifference," (use direct quotes) demonstrate that terrible violence and inhumanity can be demonstrated by the most "ordinary" citizens. If you wish, you may conclude with a personal reflection on your own abilities to partake in acts resembling the ones mentioned in the story.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Top 3
Today's blog challenge is to choose the top 3 (of anything) and justify your choice. You may choose the top three hockey players of all time, the greatest musicians, the top three reasons to do something...the possibilities are endless. Here is a suggested sequence of events for the blog:
1. Choose your topic
2. Choose the criteria you are using to make your choices, and explain it to the reader. For example, if you are ranking the top three hockey players, how are you choosing to judge them? Points scored? Plus/minus rating? Years in the league? Stanley Cups won?
3. Type your blog out by first explaining the topic you have chosen, and the criteria for your choices. Then state each of your top three choices, and dedicate approximately a paragraph to each one that justifies why it deserves the ranking you gave it.
As always, formal language and proper spelling and grammar applies.
1. Choose your topic
2. Choose the criteria you are using to make your choices, and explain it to the reader. For example, if you are ranking the top three hockey players, how are you choosing to judge them? Points scored? Plus/minus rating? Years in the league? Stanley Cups won?
3. Type your blog out by first explaining the topic you have chosen, and the criteria for your choices. Then state each of your top three choices, and dedicate approximately a paragraph to each one that justifies why it deserves the ranking you gave it.
As always, formal language and proper spelling and grammar applies.
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