Extra credit opportunity from Mike Lohre

EXTRA CREDIT: THANKSGIVING, CITIZENSHIP AND POETRY

 If you wish to gain up to 4% increase in your overall grade by way of extra credit, you must complete 2 of these three small thinking and writing projects, and you must do the creative poem as one project:

 

◦Project I: Write a letter of thanks to someone who is deserving of it.  This person may not be in your family and may not be a current friend.  This should be a letter that when you think back on your life is probably overdue.  It will be a letter of appreciation and thanks to someone from your past who you know personally and who you think deserves it.  In this letter, give specific evidence of how this person influenced you, and how it has had a positive impact on your life.  300 words minimum (about a typed page or more, in other words).  Bring this letter to me in a envelope that is addressed to the person and has postage, but do not seal it.  I will read the letter and then mail it for you.

◦Project II: Write a letter of criticism and activism to a local or state representative, or party/government leader.  Voice your opinion on an issue you feel strongly about and that you think is not currently being handled well or addressed at all.  Give evidence for why you think change is necessary not only for yourself, but also for others affected by this issue.  Bring this letter to me in an envelope that is correctly addressed and has postage, but do not seal it.

◦Project III:. Write a 14 to 22 line poem called My Declaration of Independence. It must have at least two stanzas.  It does not have to rhyme but it has to use at least two metaphors (similes are fine).  Post your poem to our blog. You will also record yourself reading the poem and post it to our blog. This work will all be due by our last class on Tuesday, Dec. 3 to get the extra credit.

◦Performance: You will introduce either the poem and/or one of your two letters in class on the last day of class, and share them out loud with the class.  This is so you remember that much good writing is ultimately social and can have a social purpose.