Writing Challenge

Hi Guys, it is time to wake up the writer in you!


Here is this weekend challenge: Write an essay, a short story or a poem that deals with the following idea

Post it as a comment, and wait for the results. Make sure you proofread it and check it. I will read them and publish those that have content and aesthetics.

Remember

"Never Give up"

There is a big BONUS !!

Get Ready Guys, Final Exams are at the Turn of the Corner!

LAY, More Than Three Little, More Than Just a Simple Word

Definition for lay taken  from Dictionary.com

lay
[ley]
-v.t.
1. to put or place in a horizontal position or position of rest; set down: to lay a book on a desk.
2. to knock or beat down, as from an erect position; strike or throw to the ground: One punch laid him low.
3. to put or place in a particular position: The dog laid its ears back.
4. to cause to be in a particular state or condition: Their motives were laid bare.
5. to set, place, or apply (often fol. by to or on): to lay hands on a child.
6. to dispose or place in proper position or in an orderly fashion: to lay bricks.
7. to place on, along, or under a surface: to lay a pipeline.
8. to establish as a basis; set up: to lay the foundations for further negotiations.
9. to present or submit for notice or consideration: I laid my case before the commission.
10. to present, bring forward, or make, as a claim or charge.
11. to impute, attribute, or ascribe: to lay blame on the inspector.
12. to bury: They laid him in the old churchyard.
13. to bring forth and deposit (an egg or eggs).

  

(Letter of Persuasion/Tribute to the Accused

d)

Introduction

You already took a virtual tour of 17th century Salem and learnt about the events that led up to the witch trials of 1692. You toured Salem Village, where you visited the homes of the accused witches and the graves in which they were eventually buried. Toward the end of your tour you read about the events that led up to the trials.

The Task

Take your notes on the information you found and use it to write a letter or create another original piece of work about Salem and the witch trials.

The Process: Exploring the Web, Creating a Product

You may want to go back to Salem  and as you visit, record your responses to the following questions:

·         How would you describe the area of Salem, Massachusetts in the 17th century?

·         Who were the accused--their genders, their occupations, their ages, their status in the community?

·         Of what were they accused?

·         In the trial, what evidence was presented?

Be sure you have enough responses to the questions above to complete one of the following assignments:

Letter to the governor of Salem
Imagine you are a citizen of Salem, 1692. Write a letter to the governor demanding that the witch trials end. Use evidence from the web tour and your reading of The Crucible to support your demand. Be sure to argue against others who would like to see the trials continue. Of course, you may wish to plea for a continuance of the trials. If so, be persuasive.
 

A graphic tribute to the accused witches
Using your knowledge about the characters in the play and what you have learned from your tour, create a tribute to the accused. The Witch Trials Memorial is an example. Create your own tribute. You may wish to create a poster, a presentation or a web site.
 

A work of your design that reflects your knowledge of Salem and the witch trials
Using your knowledge about the play and what you have learned from your tour, create a work that responds to the question: "What contributed to the events of 1692?"

Performance Standards

The persuasive letter to the governor must:

·         structure ideas and arguments in a sustained and logical fashion

·         use specific rhetorical devices to support assertions 

·         clarify and defend positions with precise and relevant evidence

·         address readers' concerns, counterclaims, biases, and/or expectations

The tribute to the witches or the work of your own design must:

·         Show your position regarding the accused or the topic chosen.

·         Refer to specific events and characters.

·         Appeal to the eye.

·         Appeal to the emotions.

Due date for this project Monday, February 21st

Reading The Crucible: What happened in Salem? Is there such a thing as witch hunting nowadays?

 According to the Merriam Webster dictionary  witch hunt  may be defined as a searching out for persecution of persons accused of witchcraft  or : the searching out and deliberate harassment of those (as political opponents) with unpopular views .

 A witch hunt occurs any time a group of people persecutes another group unfairly, usually blaming that group for larger problems. Examples of “witch hunts” during the 20th century might be the Holocaust or  the McCarthy trials:

Understanding the historical facts will give you a clear view and perspective to better understand the book and open your eyes to any form of modern day witch hunt.

During class you will watch a video about Puritan life in America. To help you complete your search please follow these links


New England Puritans
 The Salem Witchcraf Trials 1692
Life in Salem 1692
The Story of the Witch Hunt
The People Behind the Trials
Experience The Trials
http://www.salemweb.com/memorial/
Salem Village Interactive Map



The Crucible was inspired by a 20th centurywitch hunt known as the Mcarthy Trials. Do you believe there are witchunts in our days? pick at least one and write a complete essay about it ,comparing and contrasting it to the Crucible and the Salem witch trials.
You MUST post  this essay as a comment to this Post. Due date for this writing (2.2) project is February 16.