23 Ways to Fake Your Weight

In Blackboard, under the folder "Contemporary Representations of Women" there is an article that has been scanned from Cosmopolitan called "23 Ways to Fake Your Weight".

Your homework is to read the article and write a paragraph that explores the way women are represented in this article.

Remember to include a topic sentence, use evidence and explore your answer in detail.

This is due by Thursday morning.

Women in "Gold Digger"

Based on our discussion of Kanye West's song "Gold Digger" in class on Friday morning, you need to write a paragraph that answers the following question:

How are women represented in this song, consider both the lyrics and the film clip?

Media Montage

With a partner, put together a PowerPoint presentation that demonstrates how you believe women are generally presented in the media.

In your presentation, combine pictures, words, phrases and, if possible, sound and video to help put your case across.

You and your partner will be presenting your PowerPoint to the class and explaining why you made certain choices.

The aim is to make your presentation as detailed as possible. You should also aim to provide specific insight as to how you personally view the way women are treated/represented by the media.

As you progress through your PowerPoint, you may wish to include representations throughout history (not just contemporary media). You should also try to broaden your focus and include representations that are not just taken from the gossip columns. Look at the news, books, film, the music industry, the business world, etc.

Once you are happy with your PowerPoint, the two of you should write a brief overview that you can deliver to the class, explaining what the focus of your presentation is and why you selected certain images, etc and what representation you believe they display. While we often aren't able to provide personal opinions in English tasks, this is one ocassion where you are able to express how you feel personally about what is being depicted. You may also like to develop some questions for your audience that encourage them to think about specific images, etc that you have included in your presentation.

Image taken from: http://api.ning.com/files/RvNMbea-tXnlase3mQ6hytQcAaKm1nXXe7kDygDOA*hSHlN8E8VFXeGDAbJQdv-dPR7OLOKL0i2oJDgEescY797Ui4lhaDPL/NewMedia.jpg on 14/07/10

Interestingly, when I did a Google images search on "women in the media" this was the second image to appear!

P.S. Please remember to 'Follow' our class blog so that I can provide you all with publishing privileges :)

Letters to the Editor

Image taken from: http://blogs.courant.com/rick_green/newspaper-press-thumb-283x424.jpg on 17/05/10

Following the news of Tom's death, Mr Underwood includes an editorial/eulogy in The Maycomb Tribune in response to the trial. His remarks are quite scathing and would most likely have caused considerable talk amongst the citizens of Maycomb County.



Choose two of the characters listed below and write a letter to the editor, sharing your views on the way the trial was conducted, the jury's findings and the death of Tom Robinson. Aim to use supporting evidence from the text in your response - this may involve direct quotes or references to characters and/or plot.



Characters you may choose from are:



Miss Maudie Atkinson

Dolphus Raymond

Reverend Sykes

Aunt Alexandra

Mr Cunningham

Miss Stephanie Crawford

Bob Ewell

Link Deas

Reflection on Atticus

Image taken from: http://9.media.tumblr.com/pU1p3ehaPo9heoyl7eF2Hu42o1_400.jpg on 17/05/10

Think hypothetically about the way that the plot in To Kill A Mockingbird is constructed and how the story would change if Atticus was not involved in the trial of Tom Robinson?



Consider the following questions and provide some scenarios or thoughts on these aspects of the plot and how they might develop without Atticus' influence:



Do you think that Tom would be given the same type of treatment?

Do you think that the trial would have followed the same type of course?

Do you think that Mayella and Bob Ewell would have been treated differently in the court room?

Do you think the trial would have gone ahead? (Think about the lead up to the trial and how Atticus has to sit in front of the jail during the night)

If the trial did go ahead, do you think that the jury would have taken so long to make its decision?

Do you think the people in Maycomb County would have payed so much attention to the trial if Atticus was not defending Tom?

Character Profiles and Quote Banks

For each of the important characters in the novel, To Kill A Mockingbird, you should take the time to make notes on the following things:

1. What role do they play in the novel?
2. How are they linked to other characters?
3. What key scenes are they involved in?
4. How do they contribute to our understanding of the themes of the book?
5. General description of age, gender, personality, appearance, etc.
6. How do they view the other characters in the book?
7. How do others view them?

As you consider these elements, use quotes to reinforce your evaluations. This way, your character profile also become quote banks that will be useful in the lead up to your oral. For each quote that you use, indicate what page it is from, who says it (if relevant) and take the time to explain the significance of the quote.

Short Story Planning

Image taken from: http://www.inclusive-solutions.com/images/lightbulb_idea%5B1%5D.jpg on 5/05/10

As you are beginning to consider how you wish to approach the short story task, I would suggest utilising the following 5 step process:

1. Brainstorm as many ideas as possible - keeping in mind that your story must involve a hero who challenges the social/cultural values, attitudes, beliefs, etc. Write down whatever comes to mind. You can always narrow your ideas later.

2. Narrow your brainstorm to three (3) central ideas. For each of these ideas, write a statement explaining how your story involves a hero who challenges the values, attitudes, beliefs, etc of his/her/its society or culture.

3. Choose a final idea from your shortlist. Choose the one that you feel most comfortable developing a story around.

4. Create a detailed character profile for your hero character. You need to have a clear picture in your own mind about this character in order to create an effective story.

5. Plot your storyline. This will work as your plan as you are writing. Consider the elements of the short story genre, e.g. orientation, obstacle, climax, resolution, etc.

There are documents on Blackboard that can help you in your preparation. Also, ensure that you run your ideas past me before you start writing if you have any concerns.