Process
Write at least 15 original pieces from different genres, and edit and revise them to make them "perfect." Here are some suggestions for work to include; some of these genres you have already completed, but for others you will need to write something new.
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Prose options
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Poetry options
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Online Resources
You must use at least 3 of the following websites to assist you. Not all of them will help you with your project. Skim through the descriptions beside each link to decide if that link helps you.
Book reviews This college site gives the steps in writing a book review.
Concrete poem creator Although slightly childish, this site walks you through a simplified process of creating a concrete poem.
Concrete poetry This page gives a definition of concrete poetry, as well as links to classic examples of it.
Concrete poetry This article offers some pretty interesting historical examples of concrete poetry. This is a form you might really enjoy!
Descriptive paragraphs This site lists some great ideas to think about when writing a descriptive paragraph, plus it offers two examples.
Dream poem Learn how to write a "dream poem"--a collection of dreamy images.
Informal essays This page briefly offers good ideas for writing an informal essay--personal writing that connects you with your reader. This is a good "jumping-off" place to find an idea for an informal essay.
Limericks This fun site walks you through the process of writing a limerick, which is a witty, humorous form of poetry popularized by Englishman Edward Lear in the 19th century.
Prewriting process This college website offers some simple ideas for beginning the writing process--the process of "invention."
Prose writing tips This website is a good resource for improving your prose writing skills, such as in writing essays and stories. "Paragraph Level" provides a good foundation for writing. "Essay and Research Level" gives guidelines for all different kinds of essays and short stories. Explore what interests you!
Scholastic "poetry engine" This site is a little childish, but it does explain free verse, cinquain, limericks, and haiku. It will help you through the process of writing some of these poems. It's not going to help you to write a really good poem, but it could get your creative juices flowing.
Sound poems This site provides instructions for writing a simple kind of poetry based on the sounds we hear and associate with a particular topic.
Writer's block This college website offers some basic suggestions for overcoming "writer's block."
Writing mysteries Famous author Joan Lowery Nixon takes you through the steps of writing a good mystery.
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Organize
Organize your writing on your website. All prose items should be placed on individual sub-pages under the main prose page, and you need to create a link to each sub-page from the main prose page. Please follow the same process for all of your poetry.
Illustrate
Add interesting illustrations and design elements to your website. Avoid clutter, but make your pages appealing. As someone "surfs" your site, he should want to read what you have written, because it is laid out on the page so attractively. There should be no illustrations that do not relate to your theme or to one of your pieces.
Your images should not be blurred. Find images that are the correct size so that you do not have to stretch them. Better yet, create your own images! One site that makes creating an illustration very simple and fun is www.wordle.net. Some of the illustrations on our class website were created with this program.
This video will help you with transferring a wordle to an image format you can use on your website. Wordle video -- how to create a "word cloud" quickly and easily!
Three helpful sites for finding images that are not restricted by copyright are Pics4Learning, Wikimedia Commons, and American Memory. If you create your own illustrations, I can help you scan them into the computer so that you have digital images to import into your document.
Refine and Polish
Your website should have a theme--something that reflects your interests and passions, something that says "you!" Your home page should introduce you and your theme in an interesting way.
If there are social networking buttons in your header, they must take the reader to your Facebook, Pinterest, or Twitter pages. If you do not have social networking accounts, then simply delete the social networking buttons.
When you have completed your website, please submit to your "publisher" (your teacher!) with an email announcement that you have completed your task. Mission accomplished!
ntipton@bobjonesacademy.net