Omelas Seminar

Starter 14

1. In your writing, what literary device are you best at?  Write a 2-4 sentence example that shows your grasp of this device.
2. In your writing, what literary device do you need to work on most?  Why is this device difficult for you?

Creative Writing Exercise

1. Going to write 2-3 paragraphs
2. For each paragraph, spend about 15 minutes writing
3. Use a different picture/topic for inspiration in each one
4. Have a different tone and setting in each paragraph
5. Play with some literary devices (metaphor, simile, alliteration, climax, etc.), take some risks!
6. Email or turn into the mailbox when done

Omelas Seminar: Main Questions

1. What role does this idea of happiness play in this story?
2. Line 33: "The trouble is we have a bad habit, encouraged by pedants and sophisticates, of considering happiness as something rather stupid."  Do you agree that we have this bad habit?  Why/why not?
3. Why does the author think we can't describe happiness in our society (line 37)?
4. What role does the child in the closet play in their society?
5. Is it more moral to stay in Omelas, or to walk away?  Why?
6. What's the difference between the people who walk away and the people who stay in Omelas?
7. Is this story a metaphor for our own society?  Does our culture have its own (metaphorical) small child in a broom closet?

HWK: None, unless you want to get a head start on your seminar reflection.  :)  Prompts are the same as last time.  Reaction, Detailed Response, Connection, and Questions.