Some ideas for the creative aspect O Scrapbook

Some ideas for the creative aspect O Scrapbook: O Google “scrapbook ideas” O Create a Pinterest account or if you’re techy, do a collage on Publisher, and email it to me O Visual depiction of important aspects of the story O Prologue: O What happened in Weed (before Of Mice and Men began)? O Alternative ending or extra chapter O Journal entries

Writing Workshop #1 Organizing your arguments and your research

Start with the central “yes/no” question, and take a stand

Your Editorial O Think of it as a debate O What will be the central idea of your debate? O “Reading makes people more caring and sympathetic” O What arguments can you make to support your ideas? O What proof can you find to support your arguments?

But wait!!! O Make sure you consider counterarguments!!! O Considering the other side shows you did your homework, and that you’re prepared for any « yeah, buts » O It also allows you to refute the other with a stronger argument

Ask yourself: O What do I know? O What do I need to know?

What I know

Of Mice and Men should be banned from high school English classes O Unnecessary foul language O Depicts different forms of discrimination that serve to dehumanize those touched: 1. Ableism 2. Misogyny 3. Racism O A violent ending (murder) I got this from the source text

1. Ableism (elaboration) O Lennie depicted as a freakishly large yet stereotypical child-man, referred to as a “crazy bastard” (4), a “crazy fool” (9), a “dum-dum” (78) whom George used to obtain work. O Lennie portrayed as childlike, and as unable to control his impulses or use reason, needing George to take care of, and control, him O Ex. When he crushes Curley’s hand, and accidentally kills the puppy, and Curley’s wife

2. Misogyny (elaboration) O The only female character is dehumanized O Referred to as a “bitch”, a “piece of jail bait”, and a “rat-trap” (32) O Not given a name other than Curley’s wife O Looked upon as a threat to the men on the ranch since she is perceived as the cause of men’s loss of control

3. Racism (elaboration) O The only Black character is referred to as a “nigger” (78) and “the negro stable buck” (66) O Curley’s unnamed wife reminds him that, even though she is lesser than men, she is still superior to a Black man; O Being a coloured man in the 1930 s, he is very far down on the social hierarchy.

Key words/phrases

What do I need to know? Do research to strengthen your position, and add support to your arguments

Research: Ableism O Ableism in 1930 s O Mental Retardation in 1930 s O Historical perception of mentally challenged

A person with disabilities O “regarded as subhuman […] especially those labeled ‘mentally retarded’”(288) O historically perceived as a “Menace to Society”, “Object of Dread”, “Object of Pity”, “Diseased Organism”, “Object of Ridicule” http: //www 33. homepage. villanova. edu/edw ard. fierros/ableism. A. pdf

Research ideas O Foul language or profanity in literature O Effects on teens O Profanity in media O Misogyny O Women 1930 s O Sexism 1930 s O Modern misogyny O Racism 1930 s O California 1930 s racism O Racist slurs O Violence in literature

Your research O Be picky with your resources – don’t just settle!

Support Your Perspective • Appeal to the audience’s reason – Use statistics and reputable studies O Cite experts on the topic O Do they back up what you say? O Do they refute the other side? owl. english. purdue. edu

Cite Sources with Some Clout O Which source would a reader find more credible? O The New York Times O http: //www. myopinion. com O Which person would a reader be more likely to believe? O Joe Smith from Fort Wayne, IN O Dr. Susan Worth, Prof. of Criminology at Purdue University owl. english. purdue. edu

Establish Credibility O Cite credible sources O Cite sources correctly and thoroughly O Use professional language (and design) O Edit out all errors owl. english. purdue. edu

Cite Sources Ethically Don’t misrepresent a quote or leave out important information. Misquote: “Crime rates were down by 2002, ” according to Dr. Smith. Actual quote: “Crime rates were down by 2002, but steadily began climbing again a year later, ” said Dr. Smith. owl. english. purdue. edu

Tomorrow O Considering your counterarguments O How might someone disagree with you, or discount your arguments? O Using transitions to help your ideas flow O Words to avoid in your writing