Portfolio of Writings

1. Portfolio of Writings Kristina Sims

2. Table of Contents • Slide 1: Cover Page • Slide 2: Table of Contents • Slide 3: Language Awareness • Slide 4: Because the Form of Words Matter • Slide 5: Reflection on Slide 4 • Slide 6: Varieties of English • Slide 7: Reflection on Slide 6 • Slide 8: Ruining a Poem • Slide 9: Reflection on Slide 8

3. Overview • The activity titled “Language Awareness” got me thinking about my own thinking and abilities concerning writing. I was surprised by the activity titled “Because the Form of Words Matter.” I was surprised at how easy it was to relate prose to poetry. The activity “Varieties of English,” I believe students will enjoy translating into dialects of the time, whether slang, dialect, or text. The activity “Ruining a Poem” was interesting because the Appalachian dialect was the original form and the standard English version was ‘ruining’ the meaning of the original poem.

4. Language Awareness • If language were a web, I would consider myself a fly rather than a spider. The practice of writing professional combinations of words takes time and thinking for me. Some can just sit down and write freely and perfectly, not me. Sometimes words just do not come to me when I am explaining a concept, an idea, or my own thinking to other people. However, I believe that with practice I will get better and maybe later be able to consider myself a spider, that is, if language were a web.

5. Because the Form of Words Matter Honey Roasted Peanuts They have a sweet, salty taste with the crunch of a peanut; they are slow cooked to perfection in a honey and sugar mixture. Good source of vitamins, minerals and calories. Too many will surely pack on, but a nice and healthy choice for in-between meals. Prose Poetry Honey Roasted Peanuts O Peanuts, thou art sweet! The mid-day snack That boosts energy The noon hour Has found a fulfilling snack Of a sweet, salty, crunchy mixture And for the consumer Does thy appetite satisfy.

6. Reflection • I believe the main difference in prose and poetry is the placement of words and the removal of small, less significant words. Poetry can be descriptive and powerful without specific words for placement, location, or other petty description words. Usually shorter, less moving words can be removed from prose to create poetry. I believe the more interesting and effective piece would be the poetry piece. It is more memorable and elegant. Poetry can emphasize certain words so that they do not mingle with the rest of the words in the sentence. The prose and poetry versions differ, obviously, but the poetry version seems to place more prominence on the most important descriptive words and less on the amount of words used to describe the object. • I believe students would like to do this. It would show them that poetry and prose, talking, have a lot in common. It could make students more comfortable with writing poetry and highlight the use of a thesaurus. The thesaurus’s use is to say the same thing but differently so it doesn’t sound the same. Students can experiment with this and expand their selection to a fruit, a household appliance, a cereal, a color, or an animal. Collages can be used to accompany student work.

7. Varieties of English • Original: “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.” • Standard English: “Do not lie to your neighbor.” • Text Messaging: B k3wl wit ur peeps, dbh or a dbag 2 urneighbro.

8. Reflection • The original was translated and written into English for the King James Version of the Bible. The time it was written relates directly to the dialect/speech of the time. I believe the original still has the most meaning and impact using words. It implies that an action is committed against a person. • The standard English translation states, very simply though, the same thing with less emotion. To do something against someone, to me, implies a crime. To do something to someone is less of a crime and more of simply an action. • The text message version is more reflective of the times; the time of now with rappers, popularity of crime and the more common uses of words with sexual connotations and sometimes hidden sexual meanings. ‘Kids’ of today want to be like celebrities and pop culture figures. Lingo of today reflects trying to be like these celebrities and pop culture figures. • To conclude, I believe the audience and intended audience plays a lot in the writing and actions of advertisements, conversations, and the use of formal and informal communication.

9. Ruining a Poem Appalachian Dialect I’ndraink byers Byer don’t brang no teers ‘less yu’n dun drainkpaistyurfeers Th’ moyudraink Th’ moyu’lldraink Cattywompuswawk ‘n nearabouthittin’ deers. Translation I can drink beer Beer doesn’t make you cry Unless you drink too much The more you drink The more you will drink Walking crooked and almost hitting a deer.

10. Reflection • The more effective piece is the Appalachian Dialect version. It had more feeling and impact. This version is more interesting and also more fun to write. It shows more history and heritage of the Appalachian area. • One drawback may be that in a rural school, some students will either get offended or enjoy writing how they talk at home with family.

11. Picture Sources • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Spider_web_with_dew_drops03.jpg • http://www.clker.com/clipart-7130.html • http://toefllearning.blogfa.com/ • http://edwardsfreeman.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=63