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We are continuing to read Secret Path and work on our double entry journal. I will be collecting these at the end of the period to see if you’re on track.

Marshall McLuhan once famously said “the medium is the message,” but what does that actually mean? It means that the message–the idea being communicated–is different depending on the medium being used to communicate the message. So what does this mean for a story? How is a story different when told as a graphic novel rather than a traditional novel? How is it different if told using song? How is it different if told using animation?

You will be looking at a graphic novel in this activity, but before you do that, it might be helpful for you to understand the background and context of this graphic novel. Watch the following video:

Chanie “Charlie” Wenjack (born 19 January 1954), died on October 23, 1966 near Redditt, ON. He was an Anishinaabe boy from Ontario who ran away from his residential school near Kenora at age 12, and subsequently died from hunger and exposure to the harsh weather. His death in 1966 sparked national attention and the first inquest into the treatment of Indigenous children in Canadian residential schools.

In October 2016, Tragically Hip frontman, Gord Downie, released The Secret Path, a multimedia project that includes an album, graphic novel (illustrations by Jeff Lemire) and animated film (aired by the CBC on 23 October) based on Wenjack’s story. Proceeds from the project will be donated to The Gord Downie Secret Path Fund for Truth and Reconciliation through The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation at the University of Manitoba.

Graphic Novels

Using the term “graphic novel” can be a bit misleading in a way, because as a medium, graphic novels or comics are a lot closer to film than they are to novels. As Scott McCloud illustrates,

Comics are very close to animation. However, the sequential images of animation occupy the same space whereas the sequential images of comics occupy different spaces. Space is very important when it comes to conveying the passage of time in comics. Small spaces usually signify small amounts of time, whereas large spaces signify larger amounts of time.

Codes and Conventions of Comics

Now let’s take a closer look at the codes and conventions of comics.

Reading a Graphic Novel

As you read Secret Path, think about how these codes and conventions help to create meaning, and consider how the experience of reading a graphic novel compares to reading a traditional novel.

Code: A system of signs which create meaning. (e.g., motion lines, close-ups, dominating images, periphery images)

Convention: An accepted way of doing things. (e.g., using balloon shapes for speech)

Panels

• these contain the comics art

• a sequence of panels can show one or more characters/pieces of action moving through time, or can show a number of characters/pieces of action at one point in time

• the nature of panel borders (smooth, jagged, bold or none) can also provide meaning

Gutters

• these are the spaces between panels

• changes of character, scene, time and point of view can occur in these spaces

• as the reader moves across the gutter he/she must relate one panel to the next (this is called the act of “closure”)

Speech/Thought Balloons

• these are the spaces for the characters’ spoken words or thoughts

• their shape, style and colour can convey meaning

• balloons are not always used

Motion lines

• these convey speed, length and direction of the action

Text

• can provide narration, speech, thoughts or sounds (through onomatopoeia)

• the font size, style, colour and capitalization can all convey meaning

Image

• colour, style shading, perspective can all convey information and mood

Silent reading

Take up “Liking is for Cowards”

Choose the corner that represents your favourite season and go to the corresponding corner.

1) 

2) 

3) 

4) 

 

For tomorrow please bring a blanket and a doll or stuffed animal that was special to you as a child.

Peer editing today: ENG3U Essay peer edit

Liking Is for Cowards due tomorrow.

That’s all!

Your Digital Footprint

The term “digital footprint” refers to the magnitude of your presence online. It’s almost impossible these days to completely avoid leaving a digital footprint. If you use email, have ever been in the newspaper, or placed an ad on a site like Kijiji, you have a digital footprint even if you don’t have a Facebook profile or an Instagram account. How big is your digital footprint?

 

How do you feel about the magnitude of your digital footprint? The ways in which we leave a footprint online creates a media message about who we are. How well do you think your digital footprint represents who you feel you really are?

 

Is Social Media Positive or Negative?

Social media is almost an inescapable part of modern life. Some argue that it is a positive force in our lives because it allows us to maintain connections, while others suggest it has created a culture of narcissism and leads to bullying. Consider the following essay by American author, Jonathan Franzen. It is adapted from a speech Franzen originally gave at a college commencement ceremony. As you read, make it a goal to really focus on your reading. Eliminate any other distractions, such as alerts on your phone or other windows open on your computer. Pause after each paragraph and ask a question of the text or make a connection.

Liking Is for Cowards

Answer the questions that follow the essay on a separate sheet of paper. Use evidence (quotation, summary, and or paraphrase).

Please remember to bring a rough draft of your essay for tomorrow for peer editing. No rough draft, no marks for peer editing.

Final work period for the essay (not including our peer editing session next Tuesday).

In order to get marks for peer editing you MUST have a rough draft ready for Tuesday.

Please remember the assessment criteria for your essay:

I will know I am successful when I can….

• have an effective introduction that includes a clearly stated thesis
• use logos, pathos, and ethos effectively to persuade/convince my reader
• avoid obvious errors in logic that would allow a reader to poke holes in my thesis
• follow all six of Orwell’s rules:
  • don’t use pretentious diction/jargon
  • never use a long word when a short one will do
  • never use the passive when you can use the active
  • never use a metaphor you’re used to seeing
  • if it’s possible to cut a word out–do it
  • break a rule if following these rules makes your writing sound awful
• express my ideas concisely
• support my ideas with sufficient evidence
• use MLA format (citations, indenting paragraphs, double spacing, etc.)
• include citations if necessary (if I used a quotation or referenced a fact or idea that is not my own)
• include properly formatted Works Cited if I used citations
• demonstrate the difference between an essay of argument or a persuasive essay
• use correct spelling, grammar, and punctuation
• express my ideas in well-developed paragraphs: state, illustrate, explain
• have an effective conclusion that restates the thesis (and if the essay is persuasive, prompts readers to change their thinking)

Essay work period in 301. Essays are due by the end of next week. Please have a rough draft ready for Tuesday for peer editing.

Yesterday I had you completing an assignment on how to/when to paraphrase, summarize, and quote. I only got assignments from a few people. I know that some of you were at the student voice conference but I also got a note from our supply teacher saying that some of you were distracted and talking to each other.

I realize that it’s possible that you weren’t aware that I wanted it submitted before the end of the period, but that’s not an excuse to waste time. This was an assignment that required some thought but you had more than enough time to complete this assignment and do work on your essays.

We have a lab period today for you to work on your essays and I had planned on giving you more in class time but right now I’m planning on cancelling any future work periods for this unless I see a dramatic change today.

The paraphrase, summary, quote assignment needs to be submitted today. Please use your time wisely and remember to consult the assessment criteria as you work on your essay.

Good morning everyone!

We’ll start with silent reading today and then move on to a reminder about comment moderation on your blogs.

Next we will discuss one of Orwell’s rules that some people were a little unclear about: never use passive voice when you can use active:

 

Here’s an illustration of why you should avoid passive voice in your writing if you can.

 

What is Plagiarism?

Here’s where things get tricky. Different institutions have slightly different definitions of plagiarism:

 Definition #1

 Definition #2

 Definition #3

 

These definitions are all similar but there are subtle differences between each one. In the first example, the definition uses the word “deliberately.” This might lead you to believe that if you accidentally commit an act of plagiarism by forgetting to cite a source, or if you didn’t know a source needed to be cited, you’re not guilty of plagiarism; however, the third example adds a stipulation that it’s plagiarism if the person “ought reasonably to have known.” So you’re still on the hook even if you didn’t mean to do it.

The first example also mentions the idea of common knowledge. You do not have to cite something that is common knowledge. So what constitutes common knowledge? The Online Writing Lab (OWL) at Purdue University explains that something can be considered common knowledge if “you find the same information undocumented in at least five credible sources. Additionally, it might be common knowledge if you think the information you’re presenting is something your readers will already know, or something that a person could easily find in general reference sources.”

Academic Citation

One way to ensure you avoid accidental plagiarism is making sure you cite all your sources properly. Not only do you prevent unintentional plagiarism, you establish your own credibility as a responsible and ethical writer and researcher.

In English, instructors usually require students to use the Modern Language Association style guide, often simply referred to as MLA. However, different disciplines use other style guides such as APA or Chicago. Therefore, it’s not particularly helpful or necessary to memorize how to cite different sources using a specific style guide. What is useful, is knowing how to access and use a variety of different style guides.

The Most Common Style Guides

Style Guide	Discipline Examples	Resources
Modern Languages Association (MLA)	English literature, art	Online Writing Lab at Purdue University
American Psychological Association (APA)	psychology, education	The American Psychological Association
The Chicago Manual of Style (CMS)	history, science	The Chicago Manual of Style

 

You’ll notice that there is some overlap. Ultimately, your instructor will decide which style guide he or she wants you to use so if in doubt, ask.

When to Paraphrase, Summarize, and Quote

Paraphrases, summaries, and quotations are used to support—not replace—your own ideas.

The following examples all come from Williams College: Citing and Documenting online student resource.

You should use a quotation when specific words, or a phrase are essential to support the point you are making.

 Direct Quotation Example

Summaries are helpful when you want to condense a large amount of information. You still need to put it in your own words. Focus on the details that help support your point and omit the ones that don’t.

 Summary Example

Paraphrasing is a good idea when all of the ideas are important, but you don’t want to use a quotation and you want the language to sound like the rest of your essay. Paraphrasing can be tricky because you want to ensure that you capture all the key ideas, while still sounding like yourself. A good tip is to read the passage, cover it up, and then try to write the paraphrase in your own words without looking at it. Don’t just use a thesaurus to look up synonyms. It’s also important that you don’t change the meaning from what the author originally wrote. When you paraphrase, sometimes you need to use more words than the author because you need to explain complex concepts and ideas in a more understandable way.

 Paraphrase Example

 

 External Video

 

What does it mean to “cite” a source?

When you cite a source, you are giving credit to the person who created that source. Ideally, you want to make sure that the person reading your work can find the exact same source you used. In fact, sometimes the reader may want to know more, and actually find the source to read more about the area of research. This requires you to provide quite a bit of detailed information in a standardized format so that whenever anyone reads your work, or when you read theirs, there is a clear way of recognizing when others’ work is cited. Now, you don’t want that information to distract your reader from the points you’re trying to make so you usually cite your source in two ways:

1. In the body of your paper, immediately after the quotation or idea you borrowed, using a shorter form of a citation. In English, you will usually use a parenthetical citation.
2. At the end of your paper on a new page, using a longer, more detailed citation. In English, this is usually in a Works Cited page

When should you cite a source?

Any time you are using a quotation, fact, idea, or phrase that you didn’t come up with yourself, and that isn’t common knowledge, cite it.

 Resources

1. Purdue Online Writing Lab’s Is It Plagiarism Yet?
2. The University of Toronto’s How Not to Plagiarize
3. William’s College’s Citing and Documenting guide.

Citation Tools

There are a number of tools available online to help you cite your sources correctly; however, you will still need to refer to a style guide to confirm that the tool cited your source using the proper style.

 Resources

1. Bibme
2. Citation Machine
3. EasyBib is free for MLA formatting but you have to pay to use other style guides.

 

 

Hi folks,

I have the lab booked for you today. So when you head up there, please log in to Google Classroom and download a copy of the file I posted under the outline assignment.

Fill put the template with as much detail as possible and submit it by the end of the period whether it’s done or not.