Bell Ringer 9-11

1. Bell Ringer 9-11 • Please get ready for your Chapters 1-3 Reading Quiz.

2. Reading Quiz Chs. 1-3 • Where did Holden go to school? • What was Holden’s brother D.B. doing at the time? • What did Holden leave on the subway? • What was the only class that Holden passed during the grading period? • What did Mr. Spencer read to Holden? • What kind of hat did Holden buy in New York?

3. English III • EQ: How do Salinger’s choices about structure, narration, and character impact the theme of The Catcher in the Rye? • Agenda • Bell Ringer – Reading Quiz #1 • Agenda/EQ • Mrs. Hockenberry’s Blog • Class Summary • “Phony” Journal Entry • Brainstorming • Free Writing • Homework: Chapters 4-6

4. “Phony” Journal entry • Identify some of the things about your own society that you think are “phony.” • Fake, insincere, dishonest, hypocritical • Holden often applies this word to people who try too hard to fit in or people who try too hard to pose as a member of a certain group. • Make a list with a partner • Don’t worry about writing a response yet, just try to come up with potential ideas.

5. “Phony” Journal Entry • Identify some of the things about your own society that you think are “phony.” • Use stories from your own life to support your ideas. • Use your own voice – informal, personal tone. • Pay attention to grammar and punctuation – they are there for a reason. • When you talk about a new topic, form a new paragraph. • Remember that your writing still has to be school appropriate. • At least 1 page (hand written in your journal)

6. Bell Ringer 9/11 • What are the three parts of a comedic sketch? • Beginning • Middle • End • What should you pay close attention to for each part?

7. Creative Writing • EQ: How should comedic sketches be structured and formatted? • Agenda • Bell Ringer/Discussion • Agenda/EQ • Humorous Structure Notes • Skit ideas?

8. Joke Structure • Set-ups and Punchlines • State a fact or opinion then give it a comedic twist • Statement of fact • NASA announced that the Mars Rover found possible signs of life on Mars today. . . • Punchline • A homeless Martian tried to squeegee its windshield • I had French toast this morning. . .Well, actually it was just regular toast – but it had a really snotty attitude. • You might be a redneck if. . .

9. Joke Structure • Tag • Adding an extra joke or two after the punch line to keep the laughter going. • Turns that original punch line into a setup and usually catches the audience completely off-guard • Can be used to show how your character relates to the punch line • I’m convinced that my car is possessed by the devil. The other day, I parked it, went into the store for a couple of minutes, and when I came back out – mysteriously, the words “wash me” had appeared on it. • Tag: So I abandoned it. I’m not driving home in some haunted voodoo car. • Adds an extra joke AND tells the audience something about your character.

10. Joke Structure • The Element of Surprise • Distract the audience, make them think they know what you’re going to say, then add an extreme comedic twist. • Be careful not to use this element of surprise too much or the audience won’t trust you anymore. • Tension and Release • Control the audience by making them as uncomfortable as possible by creating tension, then release that tension with a joke just at the right time.

11. Joke Structure • Three is the Magic Number • When you make a laundry list of items, the third item is the punch line. • It’s the minimum number needed to set up and break a pattern – build to a climax • I’ve always had a great memory. Probably my earliest memory is from when I was a baby. I can even remember my christening like it was yesterday: lots of people, the noise – Queen Elizabeth hitting me over the head with a champagne bottle. • The first two items on the list reinforce or “prove” the statement of fact at the beginning, and the third item on the list is the twist. • Sometimes the best way to get a laugh is to violate the rule of three.

12. Joke Structure • The instructions for the Holy Hand Grenade of Antioch: • And the Lord spake, saying, “First shalt thou take out the Holy Pin. Then shalt thou count to three, no more, no less. Three shall be the number thou shalt count, and the number of the counting shall be three. Four shalt thou not count, neither count thou two, excepting that thou then proceed to three. Five is right out. Once the number three, being the third number, be reached, then lobbest thou thy Holy Hand Grenade of Antioch toward thy foe, who, being naughty in my sight, shall snuff it. • The audience thinks the joke is coming at three, but three is just the beginning.

13. Joke Structure • Funny Sounds • Hard K & the letter P • Vomit, throw-up, puke • A robin walks into a bar or A duck walks into a bar • Killjoy, kumquat, kiwi, hockey puck, Krusty the Klown, hiccup • Double Consonants • Pepperoni, wobble, tummy, bossy, bratty • Oreo or Nutter Butter • Does this tuna fish smell bad? Or Does this tuna fish smell funny? • If you have a choice, use these sounds. • Always search for the perfect word that sells the joke.

14. Joke Structure • Use a dictionary or a thesaurus • Read your jokes aloud • Expect to have to revise your jokes • Write your pacing into jokes using ellipses