Writing Prompt: Happy Birthday Lewis Carroll

We have to shout-out a Happy Birthday wish to Lewis Carroll, the author of Alice in Wonderland.

Writing Prompt:  Pick one of the quotes found below and write a response/reaction.  Make sure to write in complete sentences.  Your response should include three to five sentences.

Quotes by Lewis Carroll

“One of the deep secrets of life is that all that is really worth the doing is what we do for others.” 
― Lewis Carroll

“Do you think I've gone round the bend?"
"I'm afraid so. You're mad, bonkers, completely off your head. But I'll tell you a secret. All the best people are.” 
― Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland

“Begin at the beginning," the King said, very gravely, "and go on till you come to the end: then stop.”
― Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland

“I can't go back to yesterday because I was a different person then. ” 
― Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland

“But I don’t want to go among mad people," Alice remarked.
"Oh, you can’t help that," said the Cat: "we’re all mad here. I’m mad. You’re mad."
"How do you know I’m mad?" said Alice.
"You must be," said the Cat, or you wouldn’t have come here.” 
― Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland

“She generally gave herself very good advice, (though she very seldom followed it).” 
― Lewis Carroll, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland & Through the Looking-Glass

“Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?"
"That depends a good deal on where you want to get to."
"I don't much care where –"
"Then it doesn't matter which way you go.” 
― Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland

“If I had a world of my own, everything would be nonsense. Nothing would be what it is, because everything would be what it isn't. And contrary wise, what is, it wouldn't be. And what it wouldn't be, it would. You see?” 
― Lewis Carroll, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland & Through the Looking-Glass

Do you have a favorite Lewis Carroll quote?  If you do, please feel free to share.  We love to here from our readership!

Happy Writing!

The Writing Whisperer

Believe In Truth, Beauty, Freedom, Love, and the Power of the Written Word!

Writing Prompt: Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho

Note: The Writing Whisperer is used as part of the classroom instruction for Mrs. White's Adavance/Gifted English Students

Modified Writing Prompt Lesson courtesy of Film English

"Hitchcock’s Psycho is a masterpiece, one of the best trailers I’ve ever seen. In the trailer, which is a masterpiece, Hitchcock takes us on a tour of the film set of Psycho. Students practise speaking about films, listening, film vocabulary and word order." Film English

Step 1

2 minute Brainstorm: List as many film genres as possible.

Answer the following questions:

Which film genres do you like most?
Are there any genres you can’t stand?
What’s your favourite film of all-time?

Step 2

2 minute Brainstorm: List famous film directors.

Note: Include the director of Psycho, Vertigo and Birds on
your list.

Step 3

What do you know about Hitchcock’s films and life? If you
don't know anything use the mosaic below:

Using the mosaic: Try and deduce as many facts about
Hitchcock's films as you can.




Step 5

Psycho: what do you know about the film.

Step 6

Watch a trailer of the film Psycho. Then,see if you
can unjumblethese 8 sentences.

Psycho trailer jumbled sentences from Kieran Donaghy

Step 7

Here are the correct sentences:

1. The motel is in a quiet location and looks peaceful.
True


2. The woman was first seen in a window on the second floor.
True


3. The second murder took place at the bottom of the stairs.
False


4. The woman’s room is still beautifully preserved.
True


5. None of the woman’s clothes are in the wardrobe.
False


6. The son’s favourite room was his bedroom. False


7. Hitchcock goes to cabin number one. True


8. An important clue was found in the wash-basin. False


Step 8

Now watch the trailer again, and see if the sentences 
are true or false.



Step 9

Ask students to discuss the questions about the trailer.

Psycho Trailer Discussion Questions

Now, go read "Lamb to Slaughter" by Rold Dalh, which Hitchcock
used as an episode on Alfred Hitchcock Presents.

Modified Writing Prompt Lesson courtesy of Film English

Happy Writing!

The Writing Whisperer

Believe In Truth, Beauty, Freedom, Love, and the Power of the Written Word!

Writing Prompt: Validation Lesson

Note:  The Writing Whisperer is used as part of the classroom instruction for CWhite's Adavance/Gifted English Students 

Writing Prompt Lesson courtesy of Film English

If using this in the classroom follow the steps below.  

Note:  If you are completing the writing prompt portion and NOT the lesson skip down to Step 7

Step 1

In groups of two, please take the next 3 minutes to write as many positive adjectives to describe a person as you can.  After 3 minutes are up, we will share feedback from the whole class.

Step 2

Class Question:  Do you know different ways of paying compliments?  Examples of compliments will be shared

Step 3

Call on a student(s) to pay a compliment to a student in the class using one of the following methods:

to be + adjective.
For example, “Maria, you’re so thoughtful”

Have got + adjective + noun.
For example, “Xavi, you’ve got a great sense of humour.”

Verbs eg. suit, match, flatter
For example, “Anna, that dress really suits   you.”

Step 4

Combine pairs so that you have groups of 4 students and give them the worksheet:  paying compliments worksheet.  Students are expected to write down compliments about the other students in their group using the 3 different constructions. When each group member is finished writing compliments they should read them out loud to the other members of the group.

Step 5
Tell Students the following:  Now, you are going to watch a short film in which you will hear a lot of compliments. Use a second copy of the compliments worksheet:  paying compliments worksheet to put the compliments you hear into the correct category on the worksheet.

Step 6
Watch the Video


Validation from grzegor on Vimeo.

Step 7

Respond to the following questions:

1. Did you enjoy the film?
2. How did the film make you feel?
3. Does saying nice things to people make a difference?
4. Does the film have a message/Theme?

Final Writing Piece:  Write a story describing what you saw and heard in the film using as many adjectives as possible to describe the story, people and situations

Again, Writing Prompt Lesson courtesy of Film English.

Happy Writing!

The Writing Whisperer

Believe In Truth, Beauty, Freedom, Love, and the Power of the Written Word!

Happy New Year: 2013

Happy New Year: 2013

“Be at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and
 let every new year find you a better man.” ― Benjamin Franklin

Happy Writing!

The Writing Whisperer

Believe In Truth, Beauty, Freedom, Love, and the Power of the Written Word!