Weekly Winter Workshops Preparations

WORKSHOP #2 LARRY'S WORKSHOP PREPARATIONS

Hello Fellow Workshop Leaders

Gabriella asked that I give an example of how I will create manage my workshop, for those who have no experience in workshops. So, here is how I will proceed.

~~I will first create a group in my port. – A group is created under “Writing,” where items, images, and forums are created. In the group, I will have myself and the five members of the workshop. The name of the group will simply be “Meter Made Easy Group.”

~~Next I will create a forum in my port. In the body of the forum, I will explain a little bit about the class and give a very brief explanation of what each day's lesson will involve for the week-long workshop. The name of the forum will probably be "Meter Made Easy Workshop"

~~I will use the “Post A Message” part of the forum to post each day's lesson, on the given date. The title of the post will be “Lesson One,” “Lesson Two,” etc. In this post, I will give the lesson and assignments. (Don't overload your class – remember they only have 24 hours to complete this assignment – keep it as simple as possible.)

~~In the “Post A Message” section, I will allow the workshop members to post questions about the lesson or to interact with one another. However, I will ask that they send their assignments to me in an email. This keeps the assignment personal for those who may fear posting for all to see. (I will explain this in the body of the workshop forum.) Always be respectful of the workshop members.

~~When you receive an assignment, give feedback. Remember, they are here to learn.

Here is an example of my lesson postings:

Lesson One:

I will explain pure (syllabic meter), giving the students links to where they may learn more about syllabic meter. I will keep it very simple. Don't overload your student the first lesson especially.

I will show them, by going to www.dictionary.com, how to break down works into syllables and explain the importance of checking syllable counts. For instance, some people pronounce the word 'family' with two syllable 'fam-ly' when it actually has three syllables 'fam-i-ly.'

As an assignment, I will give them about 5 lines of poetry and have them break the lines down into syllables.

Lesson Two

I will introduce them to a very simple syllable-count poetry form from Bianca's “Poetry Forms.” I will give them an example of this form and show the specific syllable breakdown in the example. I will also introduce them to Bianca's Writing.com book “Poetry Forms” which contains many syllable-count poetry forms.

As an assignment, I will have them write a poem the form I introduced – a short poetry form. I will give them a prompt or topic for the poem, but will tell them they do have to use that topic/prompt. It is merely to provide inspiration. (I will specific that they can create an item in their port with this poem if they so desire.)

Lesson Three

I will take pure syllable meter one step further and show them how much difference using syllable count make in the rhythm of traditional rhyming poetry.

I will give examples of a traditional rhyming poem (only one stanza – remember stay as simple as possible). I will first give an example of a stanza without syllabic meter and then rewrite the stanza with syllabic meter, so they can see and hear the difference. Here, I will also explain the importance of reading poetry aloud for rhythm and sound of a poem.

As an assignment, I will ask them to create on stanza of poetry (4 lines) using syllable counts.

Lesson Four

I will introduce, in simple layman's terminology, iambic meter. I will give them poems to read that are written in iambic meter, for this is the best way, I believe, to begin understanding iambic meter.

I will explain stressed and unstressed syllables.

As an assignment, I will introduce a poem written in iambic meter and have them break it down into syllables, paying attention to the sound of the stressed and unstressed syllables as they do.

Lesson Five

Here, I will introduce them to some poetry forms that require iambic meter. I will give them a few more poems written in iambic meter. (I believe this is how iambic meter is best learned.)

As an assignment, I will have them write two lines of poetry, using iambic pentameter – iambic meter with ten syllables per line.

Lesson Six

I will introduce trochaic meter, which is essentially the opposite of iambic meter. I will give them examples of poems written in trochaic meter, showing the specific breakdown in one stanza of one of the poems.

As an assignment, I will introduce a poem written in trochaic meter and have them do the syllable breakdown for one stanza, paying attention to the difference in the sound of stressed and unstressed. (Yes, some of this is repetitive, but this is how I learned to use iambic and trochaic meter I will also have them write two lines of poetry using trochaic meter.

Lesson Seven

Lastly, I will introduce anapestic meter, which is little different from iambic and trochaic meter. I will show them one of the most common forms for anapestic – the limerick. (There is a form of limericks that is more serious poetry than the typical 'funny' limericks.) I will show the breakdown of the anapestic meter.

As a final assignment, I will ask the members to write a poem of their choice using either iambic, trochaic, or anapestic meter and ask that they send me a copy of the poem upon its completion.

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SHISHAD'S PREPARATIONS

First of all I want to thank you for joining this workshop.

I will be running this workshop for one week only- February 17-24. It will begin and end on Sundays. As for the time schedule; I think that 11:00 A.M. EST (WDC) time would be flexible enough for different time zones for the workshop to begin on Sunday, February 17th. Then the workshop will end at 8:00 P.M EST on February 24

I think that we will have fun exploring some good narrative poetry.

Narrative poetry is poetry that tells a story. It is probably the oldest genre of
poetry.

If you like writing your poems as "storytelling" then this is the workshop for you. I
will put emphasis on my own form of poetic storytelling. I like to add humor in many of
my narrative poems.

If you like telling your stories in rhyme, we will be doing that here, also.

I am leading this workshop for beginning and intermediate poets for one week only.

When writing narrative poetry the best place to start is with your own life experience.
Maybe you have many moments in life that will be captured in this workshop.

However, we won't be writing epic poems. Just moments in time using these elements of narrative poetry~

1. Character
2. Setting
3. Conflict
4. Plot

You will be putting together poems telling of a series of events, but I can teach you how to do it with a flair!

We will begin our first day of workshop by looking at either famous authors narrative poems or by going over good narratives of authors on WDC. Perhaps we can do both.

During the days that follow you will be writing your own narrative poems and receiving feedback from each other.

I have set up our own forum so we will be able to keep communications flowing. Of course you may email me personally also.

You will find the forum here:

ID: 1377770 (Rated: E)
Title: Forum for Narrative Poetry Workshop
Description: This is a place for Shi's Narrative Poetry Workshop members to gather.
By: ShiShad (37)


Hopefully I can help you create some of your favorite poems!


THERE WILL BE A BREAKDOWN OF READING, ASSIGNMENTS, AND REVIEWING.

I WILL BE USING THE FORUM FOR POSTING ASSIGNMENTS. YOUR COMPLETED WORK CAN BE POSTED THERE ALSO~ OR IF YOU WISH~ EMAILED DIRECTLY TO ME. YOU WILL HAVE THE OPTION TO CHOOSE WHICH EVER YOU FEEL COMFORTABLE WITH.


So lets get started~~~

Check5 DAY 1. SUNDAY- FEBRUARY 17th. (ASSIGNMENT)

Narrative Poetry is a poem that tells a series of events using poetic devices such as rhythm, rhyme, compact language, and attention to sound. In other words , a narrative poem tells a story, but it does it with flair! Many of the same elements that are found in a short story are also found in a narrative poem. Here are some elements of Narrative Poetry that are important:

character
setting
conflict
plot

Many narrative poems contain some kind of moral lesson or social or political viewpoint.

Narrative Poetry consists of Epics, Ballads and Idylls. Because of the short length in time of this workshop, we will not be covering the Epic or the Ballad, which are both popular forms of narrative poetry, but much too long for discussion in this workshop.

Note:The epic is a lengthy, revered narrative poem, ordinarily concerning a serious subject containing details of heroic deeds and events significant to a culture or nation.

Note: The ballad is a narrative poem with stanzas of two or four lines and sometimes, a refrain. They are written in straight-forward verse, seldom with detail, but always with graphic simplicity and force. Ballads are generally written in ballad meter, i.e., alternating lines of iambic tetrameter and iambic trimeter, with the last words of the second and fourth lines rhyming.

I would like to concentrate instead on the shorter- Idylls.

An idyll or idyl is a short poem, descriptive of rustic life, written in the style of Theocritus's short pastoral poems, the Idylls. Later imitators included the Roman poets Virgil and Catullus, Italian poet Leopardi, and the English poet Alfred, Lord Tennyson.

1. READ THIS EXAMPLE:

* William Wordsworth, "The Solitary Reaper"

William Wordsworth. 1770–1850

The Solitary Reaper

BEHOLD her, single in the field,
Yon solitary Highland Lass!
Reaping and singing by herself;
Stop here, or gently pass!
Alone she cuts and binds the grain,
And sings a melancholy strain;
O listen! for the Vale profound
Is overflowing with the sound.

No Nightingale did ever chaunt
More welcome notes to weary bands
Of travellers in some shady haunt,
Among Arabian sands:
A voice so thrilling ne'er was heard
In spring-time from the Cuckoo-bird,
Breaking the silence of the seas
Among the farthest Hebrides.

Will no one tell me what she sings?—
Perhaps the plaintive numbers flow
For old, unhappy, far-off things,
And battles long ago:
Or is it some more humble lay,
Familiar matter of to-day?
Some natural sorrow, loss, or pain,
That has been, and may be again?

Whate'er the theme, the Maiden sang
As if her song could have no ending;
I saw her singing at her work,
And o'er the sickle bending;—
I listen'd, motionless and still;
And, as I mounted up the hill,
The music in my heart I bore,
Long after it was heard no more.
~

Narrative poetry tells a story revealed by a progression unique to itself. There is a rising action, a climax and a falling action.

2. ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS: As best you can

(1). Who is the main character in the poem?

(2). What do you know about the speaker in the poem?

(3). What character traits does each of the characters have? What evidence in the poem shows this?

(4). What is the setting of the poem? (time and place)

(5). What types of conflicts occur in the poem?

(6). What is the mood of the poem?

(7). Tell what happens in the beginning, middle, and end of the poem.

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Check4 DAY 2. MONDAY-FEBRUARY 18th. (DISCUSSION)

We will be using the Forum:
ID: 1377770 (Rated: E)
Title: Forum for Narrative Poetry Workshop
Description: This is a place for Shi's Narrative Poetry Workshop members to gather
today to discuss your answers about the assigned poem. I will be answering any questions that you may have also.

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Check3 DAY 3. TUESDAY-FEBRUARY 19th. (ASSIGNMENT)

Today I am asking that each of you write a narrative poem based on your own personal experience or experiences. You may use the Idyll form as I have shown here, or you can choose to combine which ever forms you like. The poetic forms have changed over time and become more free. A narrative poem can be written in free verse, also. Poems in traditional verse forms are melodious and rhythmical, while free verse offers a kind of freedom of expression which may be more suitable for your theme. Traditional narrative verse forms are a popular medium for dramatic and humorous subjects.

EXAMPLE:
ID: 1272596 (Rated: E)
Title: A Wild Goose Chase
Description: A poem about a goose chasing me at the lake.
By: ShiShad

You may want to choose experiences that you have captured in a photograph. Or maybe you can remember a funny moment in life from a special occasion like a birthday or a moment with a grandparent that is very memorable.

Remember these are only moments in time--not the whole event! A poem(unless you are writing an epic poem) captures snapshots, not a lenghy academy award winning movie!

Think of 5 different "snapshot" experiences that you might be able to write a narrative poem about.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Then get together sensory details about that experience. The best way I find to do this is through clustering the ideas.

Remember you don't have to use all the ideas in your poem, but don't leave any holes in your poem that might prevent the reader from connecting to your poem.

Now that you have all your images, choose the characters for your poem. What is he or she like? Who will be the speaker of your poem?

Next step, just like when writing a short story is to determine what the conflict is. What are the inner and outer conflicts in the event or events that you have chosen? How is that conflict resolved?

Identify the plot in your poem by creating a plot line...rising action...climax...falling action.

Then craft the lines of your poem. If it doesn't come all together in the first draft, don't worry. Narrative poetry always takes a few drafts to get the spirit of the poem on the page correctly.

Narration:

1. Identify the point of the narrative conflict

2. Develope only those details that advance the narrative point

3. Organize the narrative sequence:
a.chronologically
b.flashback
c.flashforward

4. Make narrative easy to follow

5. Make narrative vigorous and immediate
a.description
b.active verbs
c.dialog

6. Keep verb tense and point of view consistent
a.present, past, future tenses
b.first, second, third person

Remember to make your title one that adds to the meaning of your poem. Adding some extra flair there doesn't hurt either!

Good luck and most important have fun creating!Bigsmile

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Check1 DAY 4. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20th. (DISCUSSION)

I will be giving feedback today to those members who have posted or emailed me their poems written for yesterday's assignment. It is important that you choose to review and comment on each others work. To do this you must post your poem in the forum.

Don't be shy. You have by now used the Public Review for feedback, so feedback is
nothing new I'm certain!

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Check2 DAY 5. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 21st. (ASSIGNMENT)

Today I will ask that you write a narrative poem using the photo I have chosen here as a PROMPT.

Photo for Poem Prompt [#1387039] Photo for Poem Prompt


I feel that by now you have learned enough that you will be able to turn this prompt into an exciting tale of adventure!

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Check3 DAY 6. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 22nd. (DISCUSSION}

I will be giving feedback today to those members who have posted or emailed me their poems written for yesterday's assignment. It is important that you choose to review and comment on each others work. To do this you must post your poem in the forum.

The forum is there for your invited talk also. Feel free to ask questions and seek advise by using it.

If you have any questions or need help with something please feel free to email me if you choose.

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Check4 DAY 7. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 23 rd. (READING AND POSSIBLE ASSIGNMENT)

Today we will be looking at my particular form of narrative poetry that I have used in this work:

ID: 1270944 (Rated: E)
Title: Where Mighty Rivers Flow
Description: A poem about mighty rivers, placed First in~ Poetry's Prism Contest~ Week 109.
By: ShiShad

Here I have chosen to use a visual aid for my somewhat lengthy narrative poem. I believe that the formating I chose here highlights the "flowing of the Mighty Rivers", and adds to the telling of the tale.

I like to add significance to the Indian names of the rivers by using italics as you can see also.

I think that using the Indian names in sequence like I have done adds to the "sound" of the narrative and gives it a sort of "Mystical Theme".

I have also added a clip art photo to the poem to give it extra appeal.

Note1 If we have the time to work it in today I would like for you to write a narrative poem using a visual aid (or aids) of your choosing for flair!


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Check5 DAY 8. SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 24 th. (Discussion)

Oh wow, I can't believe it; one whole week has gone by already!
I hope that all of you have had as much fun as I have!

Note1 Today we will be going over the feedback for yesterday's assignment (if time allowed that).

Before the workshop closes at 8:00 P.M. EST (WDC) time I will be giving out certificates to those of you who have stayed with me all week and finished the course.

I hope that you will be able to incorporate what you have learned in this workshop into creating some of your very favorite poems.

Who knows -perhaps you will be able to create "your masterpiece"!

I'm sure that I will be saying goodbye in a heartfelt manner. I will wait until the day approaches then do just that!Heart

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,WORKSHOP PREPARATIONS
Ladyoz
KICK THE PLOT HABIT
LEVEL: Beginners/Intermediate *
DATES: Sunday, February 24 to Sunday, March 2, 2008

* This workshop assumes that you have written before and that you understand at least the basics of writing a story. This is not a class for raw beginners who have never written anything at all.

Do you find yourself coming up with story ideas all the time, but getting nowhere with fleshing them out? Keep tripping over the plot? Too often, plot gets in the way of telling a story. Too many otherwise good stories are strangled by the strictures of plot. This one-week workshop will show you how to simply tell a story by asking a series of questions about the characters and their situation. Participants will be given a story title and theme to use for this exercise, and will be encouraged to build a story around a series of questions. This is an easy class suited to beginner or intermediate writers in any genre.

The aim of this workshop is not to create great works of literature, but to learn a simple way to tell a story from start to finish. This workshop will give as much as it gets. In other words, the more actively you participate in this forum, the more you are likely to glean from the class.

Access to each lesson will be provided at the appropriate time.

INSTRUCTIONS

According to the welcome message you received when you were added to this group, you should now have a Static Item in your port entitled, "(title will be given to students only)".

Your Static Item and this forum will be your worksheets for the entire workshop. By the end of this project you should have a 2,000 (or more!) word short story Bigsmile

1. Post the link to your project and ALL questions and feedback IN THIS FORUM ONLY.

2. According to the rules set by the Rising Stars workshop administration, you must each read one another's progress DAILY. There won't be a time or date for "final submissions" after each lesson because your progress will be monitored through this forum in an ongoing process. Participation by the group in this forum is essential in order to maximize motivation and inspiration through interaction, input and feedback for each participant.

Remember - your feedback for each other's work must be posted IN THIS FORUM ONLY - please don't rate and review each other's story items until the class is finished.

Star Star Star

LESSON PLAN

This workshop comprises four lessons, which are briefly described below. During this workshop you will write a short story according to predetermined criteria, which will be provided in Lesson 1.

Lesson 1 - DAY 1: THE QUESTIONS

You'll be provided with a list of questions to get the juices flowing. You'll also be offered a simple plot suggestion, which you may or may not use.

Remember to check the forum regularly -- read one another's posts and post feedback on everyone's stories. Feedback must be posted here, not in the other students' story items.

Lesson 2 - DAY 2-3: EXPANDING THE ANSWERS

This will show you what to do with the answers you come up with for the questions, how to start developing your story.

Remember to check the forum regularly -- read one another's posts and post feedback on everyone's stories. Feedback must be posted here, not in the other students' story items.

Lesson 3 - DAY 4-5: THE MIDDLE AND END

With more questions and answers, you'll fill up your short story and end it according to the final question posed in Lesson 1.

Remember to check the forum regularly -- read one another's posts and post feedback on everyone's stories. Feedback must be posted here, not in the other students' story items.

Lesson 4 - DAY 6-7: REVISE AND POLISH

You will have these two days to repair, revise and polish your story in preparation for the final review.

Remember to check the forum regularly -- read one another's posts and post feedback on everyone's stories. Feedback must be posted here, not in the other students' story items.

DAY 8: FINAL SUBMISSION (Sunday, March 2)

Lessons 2 through 4 each allow two days to progress your story. You'll be asked to write at least 500 words per day, and by the time you've finished this workshop you should have a completed story of 2,000 words or more. Sound impossible? Not at all! We'll do it together as a group Smile

Your finished story must be posted by midnight EST on Sunday March 2, which is the close of the day for WDC. Your stories will receive their final official review from me during the subsequent few days.

When you've successfully completed this workshop you'll receive a personalized certificate (a graphic image) that you can use as a sig if you like, or you can post it in your story item Smile

REGISTRANTS