Opinion Piece #8 ~ Requiem for Beauty or Beast?

Pic by G.W. aka P.A. ~ Cover of a book I read over the Easter holidays.
It closes with the words:
For there is another darkness coming. See those clouds out there? They bring the storm, the battering rain and the wind. But the storm is also a nurturing thing, a thing that allows the land and the people to grow again. We all have to stand in the rain, however long it lasts.~
(Sonia Helbig wrote a fascinating review of the book in March 2008.)
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But this post is not about the book.
These words are just an introduction to tantalise your thoughts as you view the video called The Future of Publishing.~
Opinion Piece #8 ~ Requiem for Beauty or Beast?~

A. In any form you choose:
What do you think?
Do books have a future?

B. There is some interesting information behind this video.
(a) PenguinGroup USA — March 09, 2010 — This video was prepared by the UK branch of Dorling Kindersley Books and produced by Khaki Films (http://www.thekhakigroup.com/). Originally meant solely for a DK sales conference, the video was such a hit internally that it is now being shared externally.
(b) jibyollee ~ Shameless copy of the original video called 'Lost Generation'. So the future of publishing is stealing an original content? Thanks, Penguin.

C. Here is Lost Generation:
D. Does the added information modify your opinion? Explain.
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How To #2 - How to Master Descriptive Writing

How To #2 - How to Master Descriptive Writing
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Essentially, a descriptive piece of writing uses words in fresh ways!
There is an element of surprise.
But avoid over-using descriptive words in one paragraph!
Overkill is cumbersome, even nauseating!
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Here are some examples of descriptive expressions from
The Great Fire – Shirley Hazzard – (Winner of the Miles Franklin Award), Virago 2003

p.4 climate of family life

p.14 the fallen scraps of war
A crumpled linen man, a crumpled cast of a man.

p.19 the day dying in the wet window.

p.20 the gramophone bawling.

p.22 crystal morning

p.24 shabby darkness

p.65 Peter Exley looked down the green mountain to the town scribbled along the shore:

p.66 The July air was a blanket, summer weight.

p.67 The mirror, unreflecting, was like the draped pelt of some desiccated leopard.

p.104 oblique view of the sea

p.109 Indoor light was shrouded by elderly curtains.

p.114 the long orange afternoon

p.118 Only when the Equator had been crossed did he feel safe. There was Colombo now, and Bombay, Aden, Port Said: all the sacred places of pilgrimage, the stations of the Australian cross.

p.120 The Hong Kong evening, its air like broth, was charged with Asia’s unapologetic smells.

p.123 His father had, at most, tinkered with the parental role, taking it up sporadically like a neglected hobby and allowing it to lapse.

p.127 The wind that shook the car was fierce enough to be blowing islands along a steel horizon, as clouds across rough water.

p.131 They ordered cheese omelettes and disinfected salads, which came with brittle, noisy triangles of toast.

p.136 The city appeared to sway on its own silt.

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How To #1 - An Approach to Annotation and Analysis of a Newspaper Article

Pic by G.W. aka P.A.
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How to #1 ~ An Approach to Annotation and Analysis of a Newspaper Article
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When evaluating a newspaper article, it is important to ask questions and highlight evidence.

1. Who or what organization is the creator of the article?
2. What is the context of the article? e.g. cultural/political or is it a public issue? AND what type of article is it to suit the context? Editorial? Feature article? Opinion piece?
3. What newspaper published this article and when? (This will impact on style! e.g. "Herald Sun" = tabloid and "The Age" = broadsheet + often weekend articles are longer than weekly ones.)
4. What attention-getting/PERSUASIVE techniques are used? AND Are they effective?
5. Is the language formal or informal? Name examples. Does the language suit the purpose?
6. Is the language simple or complex? Everyday language or metaphorical, descriptive language? Name examples.
7. Is the article structured? Complex? Confusing? Gathers momentum or loses direction?
8. Are graphics included AND do they enhance or detract from the article?
9. Does the article represent a "small" sphere of interest or is it informative to an audience on a larger scale? Explain and describe what audience would connect with this article and why.
10. Is the article tasteful or distasteful? Name examples.
11. Does the article offer insights into the future or is it a passing piece of information? Explain.
12. What belief systems or points of view are presented, or, (just as important), not presented in the message? Explain.
13. How will different people/different age groups interpret the message?
14. What is the purpose of the message? Is it clear? challenging?
15. What is the tone? Does it change? When and why?

16. Is the article conclusive or would you expect that there may be a follow-up article? What are the cues for your answer?

17. Does the article have historical, political, economic or social value? Explain.

18. Is the article a reliable resource for its topic? Why or why not?
19. Media messages use specific language and strategies unique to the media industry. Do you recognise common features? e.g. short paragraphs and sentences.

20. Discuss the title of the article. Hidden or double meanings? Paradox? Satiric? Metaphor? Cliche? Evasive? Suits the article?

AND FINALLY

To evaluate its success, consider the strengths and weaknesses of the article!

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Creative Sport #2 + Weave a Picture from the Picture #4 ~ Ummm...Boating?

Pic by G.W. aka P.A. ~ In the last days of summer warmth, a boating challenge was held at Dromana beach, Mornington Peninsula
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Creative Sport #2 +
Weave a Picture from the Picture #4 ~ Ummm...Boating?Now that the Easter holidays are here, there is more time to write!
And it's raining today! Great time for writing!
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Your challenge is to write a descriptive, lively, unusual story about what is happening here in
ONE SENTENCE!
Yes! ONE SENTENCE!
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Pic by G.W. aka P.A. ~ Here is another view of this momentous event!
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News Alert! Write4Fun ~ Poetry + Short Stories + Art Competitions

Country: Australia
Start Date: 8th February 2010
Closing Date: 31st March 2010
This year - there is no theme!!
Entrants are encouraged to let their imaginations run wild and get their creative juices flowing to write on ANY TOPIC and in ANY STYLE.
Students from ALL GRADES are welcome to enter - Kindergarten to Grade 12.
One talented writer in each division (poetry & short story) will receive $1000 as First Prize (with $500 going to the winning school and $500 to the student) PLUS the choice of either a Nintendo Wii, a Sony Digital Camera, an Apple iPod Nano or a Nintendo DS.
We will also be awarding one Second Prize in each division of $250 and one Third Prize of $150. There will be 15 Finalists in each division who will each receive $20.

For more details + online entry form, click on the Writers' banner!

Status: Open
Country: Australia
Start Date: 5th March 2010
Closing Date: 7th May 2010
Entrants are encouraged to let their creativity run wild as artwork can be in the form of a painting, drawing, photograph, collage, charcoal art or computer designed original art (please no 3 dimensional pieces).
There is no theme to the competition this year so entrants can choose to create their masterpiece as they please!
The First prize is AUD$1000.00 to be divided AUD$500.00 to the school and AUD$500.00 to the winning student plus their choice of either an 8GB Apple Ipod Nano & $100 music voucher or Nintendo Wii + game or Nintendo DS LITE + 3 games, or a Sony Digital Camera + 1GB memory card, and a complimentary book and plaque. The winning piece will be displayed on the front cover of the 2010 art edition.
There is one Second prize of AUD$300.00 + complimentary book and art pencil set.
There is one Third prize of AUD$200.00 + complimentary book and art pencil set and 15 finalist prizes of $25.

For more details + online entry form, click on the Artists' banner!

News Alert! Hexapod Haiku Challenge!

Pic by G.W. aka P.A. ~ Delightful creepy crawlie on my verandah in the Dromana Hills, Mornington Peninsula
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hexapod haiku -
short poems that celebrate
most Arthropoda

North Carolina State University is hosting the Hexapod Haiku Challenge. (Check out the link for details!) They also "definitely accept minor departures from traditional haiku "rules" (i.e., the 5-7-5 onji composition). We'd also love to see more haiga (a haiku that is accompanied by an image) and senryu (short poem about human and/or, in this case, insect foibles) though they will be judged as haiku equivalents."
What's a hexapod?
The word Hexapoda refers to all insects and their six-legged arthropod relatives (springtails, diplurans, and proturans). We're calling this contest the Hexapod Haiku Challenge only for alliterative purposes. We would love to have haiku that feature any familiar arthropod associated with the field of entomology, including those arthropods without six legs (e.g., spiders, millipedes, centipedes, and scorpions).

Haikus should be submitted by 11:59pm, March 20th either...
1. as an email to ncsuinsects@gmail.com OR
2. as tweets (be sure to start each tweet with @ncsuinsects #HexapodHaiku) OR
3. as 3x5 cards (one per haiku; cards will not be returned) mailed to the following address:Hexapod HaikuNCSU Insect Museum
Department of Entomology
North Carolina State University
Box 7613Raleigh, NC 27695

History Waves #2 + Opinion Piece #7 ~ The Hobbit Connection

Pic by G.W. aka P.A. ~ A window on other worlds at Melbourne Museum
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How a hobbit is rewriting the history of the human race is an article written on 22nd February, 2010 Guardian UK in the Archaeology Daily News.
Here is the introduction:
The discovery of the bones of tiny primitive people on an Indonesian island six years ago stunned scientists. Now, further research suggests that the little apemen, not Homo erectus, were the first to leave Africa and colonise other parts of the world, reports Robin McKie...~
Click on the link above and read the whole article.~
Try ONE of the following:
* Create a possible scenario explaining the origins of these "little people" and how they managed to be at Flores. (Try to be both creative and logical.)
OR
* Write an opinion piece exploring the historical value of the hobbits.~

NEWS ALERT! Dorothea Mackellar Poetry Competition 2010

Junior Secondary (Years 7 – 9)
Winner: $500 and trophy
Runner-up: $300 and trophy

Senior Secondary (Years 10 – 12)
Winner: $500 and trophy
Runner-up: $300 and trophy

Schools’ Award
For schools whose entries demonstrate a high overall standard.
Winner: $1000 and trophy
Runner-up: $700 and trophy

A National Presentation Ceremony will be held in Gunnedah, north-west NSW on Friday 3rd September 2010.

The entry fee is $15.00 per school which includes GST.
Payment must accompany entries which must all be submitted in a single envelope.
Entries must be posted on or before 2 June 2008.

Judging will take place in
July/August enabling announcements regarding the winning entries to be made during
Literacy and Numeracy Week 1-7 September 2008.

PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR GOOD COPY/TYPED ENTRIES TO MS ADAMS
Dorothea Mackellar Poetry Awards
PO Box 113, Gunnedah NSW 2380 Tel (02) 6742 1200

Welcome to Year 10 Boys 2010

Pic by G.W. aka P.A. ~ 2010 Swimming Carnival at Frankston
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A feast of stimuli awaits you here to feed your creative spirit!

Try an analysis!

Try an opinion piece!

Dare to write in a style you have never tried!

For starters ~ What about a haiku?
5 syllables
7 syllables
5 syllables

e.g. The swimmer's challenge
Long lanes fears and deep waters
Barrier breakdown
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NOTE: Once you make a first comment here, I can link to your blog on the sidebar!
That way there is a permanent link to your blog from this base!
ENJOY!

Opinion Piece #6 ~ The Carnival Is Over

Dead Can Dance video "The Carnival Is Over" directed by Ondrej Rudavsky.
[From "Dead Can Dance" box set 1981-1998 ].
The original song was taken from "Into the Labyrinth" album.
Ondrej Rudavsky Biography + Dead Can Dance Biography
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Opinion Piece #6 ~ The Carnival Is Over~
Answer any or ALL of the following:
1. What is your interpretation of this video?
2. Is this just a visual and aural experience or does it have meaning?
3. Connections with Cirque du Soleil?~
LYRICS FOR THE CARNIVAL IS OVER
Outside
The storm clouds gathering,
Moved silently along the dusty boulevard.
Where flowers turning crane their fragile necks
So they can in turn
Reach up and kiss the sky.
They are driven by a strange desire
Unseen by the human eye
Someone is calling.
I remember when you held my hand
In the park we would play when the circus came to town.
Look! Over here.
Outside
The circus gathering
Moved silently along the rainswept boulevard.
The procession moved on the shouting is over
The fabulous freaks are leaving town.
They are driven by a strange desire
Unseen by the human eye.
The carnival is over
We sat and watched
As the moon rose again
For the very first time.
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Opinion Piece #5 ~ Christmas is in a rut

Pic by G.W. aka P.A. ~ 2009 (red background on walls) and 2008 Christmas decoration outside the Dromana Hub Shopping Centre, Mornington Peninsula.
These dolphin images grace the entrance and outside walls of the shopping centre. Each is decorated in the same way.
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Opinion Piece #5 ~ Christmas is in a rut. Do you agree?


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Weave a Picture from the Picture #3 ~ Wireless?

Pic by G.W. aka P.A. ~ Distant view of Dromana pier reaching into Port Phillip Bay.
The shot is taken from my verandah.
I tried to work around intrusive wires.
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Weave a Picture from the Picture #3 ~ Wireless?
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Create your choice of writing in response to the paradox of the title and any other small features you notice in the photo.~

History Waves #1 ~ The Ghost and the Darkness

This film is based on a true story.
In 1896 Irishman Lt. Col. John Paterson, a construction engineer from the British Army, was sent to East Africa to build a railway trestle bridge across the Tsavo River (in today's Kenya) for the British East African Railway. (This would help to expand the empire a little more.) During the construction of the bridge, two lions would enter the workers' camp to kill. The locals name them 'The Ghost' and 'The Darkness'. It is believed that from 35 to 130 people were killed by the two lions in nine months. The claims are varied.
NOTE:
1. Lt. Col. Patterson owned the skins and skulls of the two Tsavo man-eaters. In 1924, Patterson sold them to the Field Museum in Chicago for $5,000.
2. The title of the book is 'The Man-Eaters of Tsavo', and is one of two books Colonel Patterson wrote. The second book, 'In the Grip of the Nyika: Further Adventures in British East Africa' was published in 1909. The latter never became very popular, and is long out of print.
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Mix writing styles* A little history and song lyrics?
* Poem and a letter?~

Opinion Piece #4 ~ Wildlife are becoming too urbanised

Pic by G.W. aka P.A. ~ Magpie on my verandah railing in the Dromana Hills, Mornington Peninsula
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Opinion Piece #4 ~ Wildlife are becoming too urbanised.
They are losing their wild spirit.
Do you agree?~

Rock-a-Quote #1 ~ from "The Men in Black"

Rock-a-Quote #1 ~ from The Men in Black ~ Release Date: 11th. September 1997 (Australia)~ Quite an auspicious date!
Tagline: Protecting the earth from the scum of the universe...
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Zed: "You'll dress only in attire specially sanctioned by MiB special services. You'll conform to the identity we give you, eat where we tell you, live where we tell you. From now on you'll have no identifying marks of any kind. You'll not stand out in any way. Your entire image is crafted to leave no lasting memory with anyone you encounter. You're a rumor, recognizable only as deja vu and dismissed just as quickly. You don't exist; you were never even born. Anonymity is your name. Silence your native tongue. You're no longer part of the System. You're above the System. Over it. Beyond it. We're "them." We're "they." We are the Men in Black."~

1. Write a story based on this idea

OR

2. Comment on the advantages and disadvantages of being A Man in Black.~

Weave a Picture from the Picture #2 ~ Locked in Time Passing

Pic by G.W. aka P.A. ~ Old clock towering over Caulfield Racecourse, Melbourne
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Weave a Picture from the Picture #2 ~ Locked in Time Passing
Create your choice of writing in response to the paradox of the title and any other small features you notice in the photo.
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