Day 9
Thurs. Feb. 4
English lesson: Identifying specific areas to improve
Share aphorisms
Discuss “Uncle Pat”
Share “Mwiko” endings: intro to symbolism
Homework
➤ English: Identify an area and think about “input”
Last time I asked you think of specific situations in which you’d like to be able to communicate better in English, or specific topics you’d like to be able to talk more confidently and precisely about.
Before our next meeting, please:
Decide on one of these topics or situations and ask yourself: Where you could learn new words and phrases that would help you express yourself more clearly in that situation, or about that topic?
Start mentally “rehearsing” what you might imagine yourself saying in this situation or about this topic. As you do so, notice specific situations where you know you have something to express but don’t know how to say it in English. Note those down and come ready to share those questions in class.
➤ Write more aphorisms
Think of a person (someone you know) who might be a good topic for your Character essay. Write at least 3 original aphorisms that capture this perhaps value system or way of seeing the world. Write more than 3 if you can.
As you write them, try making some aphorisms entirely abstract; trying making some entirely concrete; in some try mixing abstract and concrete. Try to make your aphorisms sound good.
➤ Read “Mazie” or “The Man Who Eats”
Pick the essay that interests you most and read all of it.
As you read, find at least one example of each of these things:
Physical description of a character’s appearance
A list of concrete objects
An anecdote about a character (something they once did)
A description of a character’s habits (something they always or often do or did)
An aphorism / statement of that character’s worldview and values
Something another character says about that character
A description of the character acting in a scene (physical action)
Quotation or dialogue that captures a character’s voice
