National Council of Teachers of English Contest

Entries are being accepted now for the 2014 NORMAN MAILER HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE WRITING AWARDS!

Four student writing awards will be presented this year on behalf of the Norman Mailer Center and Writers Colony and the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) to full-time students attending high school or two- and four-year colleges.

All entrants may submit works of creative nonfiction; college students may also submit works of poetry. Learn about entrance requirements and guidelines for each of these awards on the NCTE website.

Prizes include cash awards of $2,500 and $5,000, and winners receive travel and lodging to attend the Colony's prestigious annual National Award Ceremony in Fall 2014.

** Submissions are due April 30, 2014, noon CST. **
 
ENTRIES ARE ACCEPTED ONLINE ONLY at the four award submission sites listed below:

 - High School Creative Nonfiction Writing Award Competition
 - Community College Creative Nonfiction Writing Award Competition
 - Four-Year College Creative Nonfiction Writing Award Competition
 - College Poetry Award

Or go to the NCTE website to enter.

Questions? nmw@ncte.org.

NCTE: Shaping Literacy for Tomorrow . . . Today

Finding Vivian Maier

The 1/2 hour special on Jay's Chicago episode is here.

Vivian Maier | Courtesy of The Jeffrey Goldstein Collection

Syllabus for March 10

Monday

In class journal on an art form you would like to explore (this should be one you have never tried, know nothing about, but would enjoy exploring). Discussion of "Shapinsky's Karma" HW: Begin reading about your chosen art form.

Tuesday

A classroom in search of an art-form. Today we will explore in greater depth the art form that you find interesting. HW: Write an annotated bibliography, 3-5 sources, on your art form / artist that you have selected.

Wednesday

Brief discussion on the annotated art bibliography. Then reading the essay, "Singing Like Yma Sumac," and working on essay question number one, due in class on Friday. HW: Drafting the essay about a subject familiar to you, unfamiliar to the audience. If needed, revise and reprint your annotated bibliography on your art form.

Thursday

In the Library? Check the door to see. HW: Come to class prepared to have your essay workshopped. Remember: print one sided, name in top right, no staples.

Friday

Workshop of 2-3 essays on the well-known but novel. Remember, everyone will have another piece workshopped by the end of second semester. HW: Select ONE work by your artist and write a thorough analysis of it. Include the commentary of other experts, and your views as well. Use MLA format. On Monday, bring your copy of Sophocles' Oedipus Cycle. We will start reading that on Monday.

Style Manual

Here's the link to edit / make corrections to your Frank Deford style sheet. It is now in MS Excel format:

Go here.

Syllabus for Week of March 3

Monday

Collecting of copycat revisions, and sorting into the memoir excerpt and analysis of chosen memoir. Reflecting on lessons from winner of Oscar for best adapted screenplay, John Ridley's 12 Years a Slave. Journal entry on another art form. HW: No homework.

Tuesday

Small group analysis of the Short Takes essays , "Who's Watching: Reality TV and Sports," and another essay by Frank Deford, discussing his flow and structure questions. . HW: Read another essay by Deford, and bring in one rule for a Deford Style Manual, which we will write in class tomorrow.

Wednesday

Writing our style manual for Frank Deford. HW: Reading the first half of "Shapinsky's Karma," an essay about painting. 

Thursday

Small group analysis of the Short Takes essay , "Playing House," and discussing tone (in contrast to Deford) and the subject material. HW: Read the second half of Shapinsky's Karma, as we will discuss the essay tomorrow. 

Friday

Discussion of "Shapinsky's Karma" by Lawrence Weschler. HW: Practice your chosen art form. I will discuss expectations for this exercise in class. Due Monday.

Syllabus for Week of February 24

Monday

No school for Presidents' Day. HW: Finish your written analysis of the author's style and the memoir that you read independently. Your analysis and the excerpt is due Wednesday. I will need both an electronic and a hard copy in class on the 19th.

Tuesday

Small group analysis of the Short Takes essay, "Crippled by their Culture," and discussing the OTIS questions. . HW: Copycat essay due tomorrow.

Wednesday

Small group workshopping your copycat essays. Writers should have copies of their essay for others to take notes on, and should give their copies back to the writers once done. HW: Revision of the copycat essay, due Monday. Tonight, write the story of the guy in the Singer cartoon. You are limited to the space surrounding the cartoon. 

Thursday

Today we will finish the workshop on the copycat essays. Time permitting, we will write a journal entry: describe a friend, and will also look at the essay, "What Are Friends For," by Marion Wink. 

Friday

Supposing that we are done with both our copycat workshop and the friends essay discussion, we will meet down in the 2nd floor rotunda, to brainstorm letters to the Board about the conceptual designs for a new New Trier. HW: Finish revising the copycat essay. Finish a first draft of a letter to the Board of Education.

Syllabus for Week of February 17

Monday

No school for Presidents' Day. HW: Finish your written analysis of the author's style and the memoir that you read independently. Your analysis and the excerpt is due Wednesday. I will need both an electronic and a hard copy in class on the 19th.

Tuesday

No school on account of the district wide institute day. HW: See Monday.

Wednesday

Staple your memoir analysis and excerpt, and share in small group, reflecting on process.  The idea box, and generating ideas for that (due in box tomorrow).   Short takes discussion on last two essays read, "I Was a Member of the Kung-Fu Crew" and "The Handicap of Definition," and choosing one to write for class on Friday. HW: Short takes essay due at start of class on Friday.

Thursday

Installing the object essay that we wrote first semester. HW: The copycat essay will be due this Wednesday.. Remember that the subject matter is open, and doesn't matter as much as emulating your author's style. This is an exercise in writing, not writing a fine essay, per se.

Friday

Discussion #2, short takes essay.  As we did with the first discussion we will take volunteers to read their essay. HW:

Syllabus for Week of February 10

Monday

xxx HW: xxx

Tuesday

xxx HW: xxx

Wednesday

Meeting in lab 224 to finish the memoir review, stylistic analysis, the memoir excerpt, and the copy-cat essay.  HW: Finishing the memoir assignments.

Thursday

Meeting in lab 224 to finish the memoir review, stylistic analysis, the memoir excerpt. The pix OCR software should have been pushed out to ipad users. We will begin using that software to scan your memoir excerpts. HW: The memoir assignment--not the copycat essay--will be due this coming Wednesday.

Friday

Meeting in lab 224 to finish the memoir review, stylistic analysis, the memoir excerpt, and the copy-cat essay.

Syllabus for Weeks January 27 - February 3

Last Week (Thursday & Friday)

Besides reviewing grades and the results from portfolios, we wrote our first writer's notebook entry for the semester, entitled, "Witness," in which students described something he observed or experienced, but without inserting themselves as narrator in the work. We also read the essay "Chocolate Equals Love" and discussed the content and writer's style. For homework over the weekend, writer's wrote a short essay describing a favorite snack food.

Monday, February 3

Discussion of your food essays written in response to essay question #1 from the Short Takes essay, "Chocolate Equals Love" on page 105. HW: Identify an ideal passage that would work as a "short takes"-like selection from your memoir. 

Tuesday, February 4

Writers' workshop. If we don't get to Maddy's in class today, we will start with it on Wednesday. HW: Reading and preparing for David, Ryan and Charlie's autobiographies. All this week, you should be reading and finishing your memoir. You will want to finish it by next Friday. 

Wednesday, February 5

Analysis of Jack Hitt's essay, "Toxic Dreams: A California Town Finds Meaning in an Acid Pit." We will brainstorm for both stylistic convention and content, and then write a long in-class journal, answering the question, "What can we say about Hitt as a writer, and about 'Toxic Dreams' as an essay." This is a practice exercise for the content and stylistic reviews on your memoir that you will work on tomorrow.  HW: Working on this week's journal entries in your writer's notebooks. 

Thursday, February 6

In the library to research what's been written about your author and the memoir you've read independently. HW: Begin drafting your review of the memoir, and your analysis of your writer's technique. 

Friday, December 7

Meeting in lab 377-N to work on writing both your review of the memoir and your stylistic analysis. Also, bring clean copies of your selected text. It may well be that we can OCR that copy in the lab. HW: Complete the memoir assignment. Remember, it should have three components a) review of entire memoir; b) review of author's stylistic technique; c) selected text from your memoir. 

Readings for Tuesday Night

The pdf of the next four essays are here. Please print and read for class tomorrow.

Syllabus for Week 15, December 2 2013

Monday, December 2

Today we will have our practice workshop day. Instead of using a student work, we will read a chapter from the memoir I'm reading independently, That's That. Some ground rules to remember: Do not share other student's work with anyone outside of workshop. Keep notes on your hard copy, as those notes are handed to the writer at workshop's end. Remember that you will read a selection from your work prior to discussion, and that you will have the opportunity to ask your questions at the end of discussion. And remember that the quality and usefulness of the workshop is dependent upon your contribution: your questions and observations should be both constructive and critical. HW: Read Jake, Jack and Maddy's writer's autobiographies for class tomorrow. 

Tuesday, December 3

Writers' workshop. If we don't get to Maddy's in class today, we will start with it on Wednesday. HW: Reading and preparing for David, Ryan and Charlie's autobiographies. All this week, you should be reading and finishing your memoir. You will want to finish it by next Friday. 

Wednesday, December 4

Writers' workshop. HW: Reading and preparing for Elizabeth, Ellen, and Derek's autobiographies.

Thursday, December 5

Writers' workshop. HW: Reading and preparing for Tom, Noah, and Emma's autobiographies.

Friday, December 6

Writers' workshop. HW: Reading and preparing for Sally, Zoe, and Amanda's autobiographies. 

Syllabus for Week 13 & 14, November 18 & 25

Monday, November 18

Finishing the film Throw Mama from the Train.  HW: I will need to conduct writing conferences

Tuesday, November 19

Discussing the results from your weekend journal, about rude behavior. HW: No homework.

Wednesday, November 20

Today we will read Michael Lewis' "Jonathan Lebed's Extracurricular Activites," from the collection The New Kings of Non-fiction. While reading, I will want you to look at a) who the author uses dialogue, b) how the author organizes the work, c) how the author imbues journalistic style with the narrator's tone. HW: Complete a revision of your writer's autobiography for class on Monday. Finish reading the essay for Monday as well.

___________________________________________________
 

Monday, November 25

Today we will begin in-class meetings about the writer's autobiography. While we are doing that, the class is going to watch a classic writing film, Throw Mama from the Train. HW: Reading your chosen memoir. Tomorrow you will report to class on where you are in the book (what % is finished/left to read).

Tuesday, November 26

The casting of lots for which essays will be discussed when. Over the next two weeks, we will discuss at least 2-3 essays per day. We will start with the author reading a representative passage and starting point of his/her choosing (no more than 1/2 a page). From there, we will begin discussing the interpretive questions the class had while reading. We will discuss constructively, but critically, looking at both what's done well and what needs improvement. Also, we will read a chapter from my memoir, "Free State," from Colin Broderick's That's That.  HW: Reading your memoir over break.

Syllabus for week 12, November 11 2013

Monday, November 11

Veterans Day. Today we will take a break from creative non-fiction to look at poetry, specifically Randall Jarrett's "Death of a Ball Turret Gunner," and discuss the similarities between the poet's technique and what we've been studying in class. HW: Read another poem, "Here Bullet," by Brian Turner, located here (you will have to scroll down to read the poem).

Tuesday, November 12

Discussing the results from your weekend journal, about rude behavior. HW: No homework.

Wednesday, November 13

Today we will read "A Black Fan of Country Music Finally Tells All." Rather than writing out the OTIS answers, we will discuss them in small group. Subsequently, we will answer journal question 1 on our writers' notebooks. HW: Read "Bananas for Rent'" and answer the the OTIS (Organization and Ideas, Technique and Style) questions on page 92. 

Thursday, November 14

Today we will begin in-class meetings about the writer's autobiography. While we are doing that, the class is going to watch a classic writing film, Throw Mama from the Train. HW: Revising your essays.

Friday, November 15

Today we will begin in-class meetings about the writer's autobiography. While we are doing that, the class is going to watch a classic writing film, Throw Mama from the Train. HW: Revising your essays.

Syllabus for Week 11: November 4 2013

Monday, November 4

Finishing our discussion of the 1989 Art Institute flag display debacle. We will look at two additional essays on the event, including one New York Times journalism piece and a Chicago Reader satirical piece. Writer's notebook entry on your response to the political cartoon on the flag and surveillance cameras. HW: Read "Time to Look and Listen" and answer the OTIS questions, due Tuesday. 

Tuesday, November 5

Starting with a writer's notebook entry: If you could be a musical instrument, which would you be, and why? A song? A musician or musical group? A note? Reading the introduction to chapter 3 in short takes, "On Using Example." HW: Make sure you have your chosen memoir in class tomorrow.

Wednesday, November 6

Reading your chosen memoir while I meet with students to review your writer's autobiography. HW: Create a timeline for your reading of the memoir. You will want to finish the book by the start of Winter Break. Read "Sweatin' for Nothin'" and answer the the OTIS (Organization and Ideas, Technique and Style) questions on page 77. 

Thursday, November 7

What are the metaphors for North Shore exercises in live lived in futility? What are the metaphors for North Shore exercises of life lived purposefully? Choose one, and develop in a writer's notebook entry. Discussion of "Sweatin' for Nothin'" HW: Read Silverman's "Have Fun" and answer the OTIS questions.

Friday, November 8

Writer's notebook entry: What has been your parent's best advice? Develop a story that illustrates it. Discussion of "Have Fun." HW: Read "Stop Ordering Me Around" and complete journal assignment #1 on Saturday and Sunday. 

Syllabus for Week 10: October 28, 2013

During week nine, we met in computer lab 224 to conduct college essay conferences and to work on upcoming college essay deadlines. Friday, we attended LitFest the entire day.  Thus, no syllabus is posted for last week.

Monday, October 28

Writer's notebook entry: Write about either a hypothetical or an actually planned gap year. Discussion of LitFest. Reading "Learning, then College" from Short Takes, and discussing the writer's technique (is the ending effective or snarky?). HW: None

Tuesday, October 29

Writer's notebook entry: Describe a memorable person. We will finish discussion of yesterday's narrative, and today will read "A Foul Trick to Play on a Tractor." HW: Tomorrow we will finish our discussion of Blackhawk's "memoir." Be prepared to discuss that on Wednesday.

Wednesday, October 30

Writer's notebook entry: Describe your life-long conflict in terms of how it has defined you as a person. Discussion of Blackhawk. How does he approach his memoir? HW: Bring in questions about your writer's autobiography assignment, as we will discuss that tomorrow.

Thursday, October 31

Writer's Notebook on what scares you, and discussion of writer's autobiography assignment. Then reading a scary story! We will read the first chapter of Stephen King's novel It. HW: Bring the memoir that you will be reading independently to class tomorrow. 

Friday, November 1

Reading and discussion selection from Short Takes. HW: Finishing revision of the writer's autobiography essay. 

Syllabus for Week 8, October 14 2013

Monday, October 14

No school for Columbus Day. HW: Read through and including page 50 of The Life of Black Hawk. 

Tuesday, October 15

Discussion of Black Hawk's narrative. What about his narrative strikes you as singular? What tone does he seek to create? Which parts of his narrative are most memorable, and why? We will start class with a writer's notebook entry about a moment in the story you connected with, and later in class an entry about his narrative style, and what struck you as interesting or important. HW: Finish reading the narrative for class on Thursday. Remember to: a) circle vocabulary, and b) annotate for stylistic / narrative techniques. 

Wednesday, October 9

No class on account of PSAT and PLAN tests. 

Thursday, October 10

Writer's Notebook: Write a narrative (with clarity) about a memory that you barely recall (create detail). Final discussion of Black Hawk. HW: Reading short takes narrative and answering the S/T and I/O questions, due Monday. 

Friday, October 11

The Writer's Autobiography assignment. Overview of the actual essay, and drafting.  HW: Sketch out a working structure for the essay, and begin brainstorming material for the essay, due one week from this Monday, October 28.

Syllabus for Week 6, September 30 2013

Monday, September 30

Collect draft of the college essay. Discuss the Writer's Notebooks What have you been noticing/writing about for your weekly assignments? Post-it note analysis of Suarez' "El Hoyo": How does he create place? HW: I will collect Writers' Notebooks on Friday. Be certain to have labeled your entries, and flag the one entry you want me to respond to. This week, I would like you to begin reading the memoirs you are interested in--just the first chapter or 20 pages or so--to determine which of these books you will commit to reading. You will have to own a copy of the book two weeks from today.

Tuesday, October 1

Today, we will discuss neighborhood as a sense of place. We'll listen to a selection of a TAL episode about neighborhoods. We will then begin a Writer's Notebook entry: Describe a place of importance. Small group reading of your object journals. HW: Type your object description and bring it to class on Thursday. 

Wednesday, October 2

In lab 224 to revise your object essays. What tone do you want to establish? What is the mood of your essay?  HW: Take a break. Work on college applications, essays, if you must.

Thursday, October 3

Writer's Notebook entry: How did you learn to write? What do you remember about becoming a writer?HW: Revising the object essay, and bring in a clean, 8.5"x11" sheet for "publishing" your work. 

Friday, October 4

Turn in your Writers' Notebooks. Be certain to flag (with a post-it note) the entry you want me to respond to. Introduction to the writer's autobiography assignment. HW: You should be ordering your memoir so that you can have it one week for today. Some great sources for books include: Market Fresh Books in Evanston on Church, Howard Books in Evanston on Maple, Half Price Books on Touhy...

Memoir Selections

Kindly post the memoir titles, authors, and reason(s) for interest in the book, as a comment to this post. Do remember to include your first name and last initial only. 

And do take the time to write a bit about what interests you: the author's style, a topical interest, similar books that you or an acquaintance as read. For example, here's the one I am reading:

Broderick, Colin. That's That

This is Broderick's second memoir. His first explores coming to America from Ireland, working as a carpenter in New York, and struggling with drug addiction. I enjoy his tight prose and vivid imagery, something he seems to have developed in this memoir, which is about growing up in Northern Ireland during the 1970s and the time of The Troubles.  

Syllabus for week 5, September 24, 2013

Monday, September 23

No class today on account of late start. HW: Working on your college essay, due one week from today.

Tuesday, September 24

Writer's Notebook entry: Begin today's entry with, "I remember..." and write from there. Today we will finish our discussion of  "The Bridge" and we will also read "Tommy" together in class.  HW: Complete the Organization and Ideas, and Technique and Style questions in Short Takes, page 31.

Wednesday, September 25

Bring in your stylistic observation on a post-it note, and add it to the essay board. After collecting the homework, we will read "You'll Love the Way We Fly" together and discuss the essay.  HW: Complete a Writer's Notebook entry on Essay topic #1 on page 35. Spend 20 minutes writing in your journal. Work on college essay. 

Thursday, September 26

Today we will meet in the library to hear Mrs. Immel speaking on memoir as a form, and possible choices for your independent reading assignment. You will want to have a memoir selected within two weeks. 

Friday, September 20

Today we will complete a descriptive writing exercise that requires you to observe and describe an artifact--it must be an inanimate object--for 25 minutes. HW: Draft of college essay is due on Monday. Read "El Hoyo" for class on Monday and complete the O/I and T/S questions. 

Introduction for homework, 9/18

Here's an electronic copy of the introduction: here.