9-18 & 9-19 2006 Begin with the beginning

Lesson:
Collected "Grand Tour" and "Writing History"
Beginnings-
Looked at examples of beginnings in class

Beginning #1
Start in the middle of the action and/or dialogue
Example:
Lola gripped Adam’s hand during another one of Adam’s midnight back spasms.
“Oh man,” he said, squeezing his fingers, pumping his legs under the covers.
Lola thought of Mary, giving birth in a manger. Her own baby was due any minute.
“Oh Lord,” said Adam. He turned from her and slammed his free hand down on the bed. “Bloody Hell.”

Beginning #2
Start with a description

Because my father fixed everything with a soldering iron, the inside of our house looked like a dental nightmare. The fillings were numberless, blobs of silver applied to the toaster, to the washing machine--lines of stuff binding cracks in mother’s white walls. All of it stood for decay, for the cruel games of bacteria.

Beginnings #3
Start with a statement

Trevor never could find happiness, though he looked for it around every corner. His eyes had a shifty little bend to them, as if he were always checking for the next thing coming along. Maybe if he had paid attention to the passing moments themselves, he would not have missed the happiness tripping by almost daily, as she did on her way to work.

If absent, look at what these beginnings accomplish.

Then, practice using the "Taking the Leap" assignement on the homework page.

HMWK: "Taking the Leap"
Vocab Day 3 & 4
Both assignments can be found at: http://ihslitassignments2006.blogspot.com/

Projects: Need travel book in class for next time.