Homer - Outlining

[Laurie]

Hi,

I'm new to CW this year, and am struggling with the outlining. I appreciate your patience, as I've asked questions earlier on the same topic.

We just completed week 5 and the whole process of dividing into scenes and completing the component sheet for each scene is taking considerable time. Now that we are beginning week 6, I want to be sure I understand how they are to outline. My questions is; after they have completed the scene division and Theon's Components for each scene, are they then to complete another outline as shown in the Writing Projects section which summarizes the various component sheets?

I. Introduction
II. Body
Scene I
Person
Action
Place
Time
Manner
Cause
Scene II
Scene II
III. Conclusion

The Teacher Help in the Older Beginners book for week 6 has a combined scene Component chart. Can they do something like this rather than completing a component sheet for each scene? If not, when do we streamline this process, or do they always do the component sheet for each scene, and from those create an outline?

My kids are 14 & 12. It took hours for us the first time using the expanded component sheet by scene. They wanted to put yes/no answers down, rather than making summary statements that included their answers. Any advice here?

Is it really possible to get a writing project done per week with 1.5 hours per day? I'm struggling. I've considered having them do the Day 1 work for each project, but only completely rewrite certain narratives. This would allow us to keep moving with the other skills for each day and week, and not get held down to complete the writing section. What are your thoughts on this?

Thanks so much for your feedback!
Laurie

[greengables]

Laurie, I don't have my students do another outline like you show there at this point. By the time we get to making outlines, Theon's definitely can be streamlined.

Don't make the Theon's thing too involved. Some things in the table can be combined - time, cause, and manner in particular. I do have my students make note of all characters in the new scene (but they really only to analyze them if they haven't done it in a previous scene, or if something new is revealed about the character), and make sure they write a short synopsis of the action in the scene. Beyond that, they can just list what changes in each scene.

Once you have done this, these scene analyses can function as the outline.

Also, remember that not every sub-question can or will be answered.

We did not do Theon's tables for each scene to keep the IG a reasonable length. The information we provide is more general to help you get started.