Jacob:
I hope you’re enjoying the holiday.
About extra credit in LA: I would be happy to treat anything you compose as extra credit, realizing that the point value would be determined by the depth/detail given to the writing. I suggest that you consider practicing/experimenting with basic and advanced forms, such as:
= dialogue with description, focusing on word careful word choice (varying your choice of words, looking for more precise words, probably referring to a thesaurus, you can find these on-line, too); for a fun variation, you might try twisting a plot: taking a story we know well, and twisting it, updating it, creating a parody, or a spoof
= practice of basic story forms: beginning (introducing us to setting, characters, and plot), middle (developing the plot/conflict, heightening the dramatic tension), end (resolving the plot/conflict)
= practicing this basic form:
intro/opening (stating a thesis) -> three details/arguments (each in its own paragraph, leading with a topic sentence) -> closing/conclusion (restating your thesis, and concluding the paper)
= another form which we’ve not used thus far this year is giving instructions, following a list of simple steps: how to find the least common denominator, how to make homemade cupcakes, how to make and keep friends, etc.
Of course, it’s important that you have fun, or make it entertaining for yourself, while still practicing skills.
