2021 Festival Archive

EXTRA CREDIT ASSIGNMENTS

This is a list of potential assignments for instructors to give to students who attend the Literary Arts Festival.  If you are student attending the festival, you may wish to check with your instructor to see if they are offering extra credit.

 

 

Extra Credit: Response to Reyna Grande’s Keynote Address and/or “Memoir Writing Panel” (choose one)

• (For those who read her book) Write a letter to Ms. Grande expressing your feelings about her memoir and asking her one question.
• Listen to the keynote address and attend the Memoir Writing Panel. In one page, report on your activities and how they informed your perspective on the memoir and/or writing.
• Begin your own memoir.  Describe how the Memoir Writing Panel informed your own writing.

 

Extra Credit: “Speculative Fiction Workshop” Response

In the workshop, author L.S. Johnson explores the “what if” question at the heart of so many science fiction and speculative fiction works. Using what you learned at the workshop, pose your own original “what if” question that you think could make for an interesting story. Write something that responds to your question, either as an attempt to answer the question, or as a way to begin to explore the question in story form (minimum one page).

 

Extra Credit: “Art and Craft and Business of Screenwriting” and/or “Screenplay Outline Workshop” Response

If you have written or are interested in writing a screenplay, attend one or both of Paul Guay’s sessions. Using what you learned, revise or begin your own screenplay outline. Submit a page of your outline along with a half-page describing how the session(s) informed your outline.

 

Extra Credit: “The Evolution of Filipino-American Literature” Response

In her session, Patty Enrado discusses themes commonly found in the works of Filipino-American writers. What themes stood out to you and why? What did you find especially interesting or informative in her presentation? (minimum one page)

 

Extra Credit: “Why Black Voices Matter: A Perspective” Response

In her session, Regina Louise shares her perspective on why Black voices matter. What were your biggest takeaways from her session? Can you connect what she shared with things you’ve seen and are seeing in the world around you? (one-page minimum)

 

Extra Credit: “Tri-Valley Poets Laureate Panel” Response

Attend the Tri-Valley Poets Laureate Panel and then write about your experience. If you write poetry yourself, what is something you found to be especially inspiring, interesting, or insightful? If you do not write poetry, what did you learn about poetry? In addition to answering these questions, write your own poem and submit it here (a short one is fine!).

 

Extra Credit: “Novel Writing Workshop Response”

In her workshop, Mary-Rose Hayes describes the process of moving from an idea to a novel. In a response to the workshop (minimum one page), write about what was most surprising or unexpected about the novel-writing process that she described. If nothing was surprising, write about what you consider to be most helpful. Additionally, note any connections between what she discussed in the workshop and stories you’ve read.

 

Extra Credit: “Self-Publishing Panel” Response

So now you know a little more about self-publishing! If you are hoping to self-publish something someday, what information or advice did you find most helpful? What was something you didn’t know before attending the workshop? Finally, describe the general process you hope to use to self-publish your work. (one-page minimum)

 

Extra Credit: “Poetry Slam Workshop” Response

After attending the Poetry Slam Workshop, write (or revise) your own slam poem and submit it here in writing or as a video. Additionally, submit a half page describing how the workshop informed your poem(s).

 

Extra Credit: Poetry Slam

Attend the LPC Poetry Slam and write about your experience. If this is your first time attending a poetry slam, what did you find most interesting or surprising? If this isn’t your first time, talk about what set this one apart, as well as what it shared with other slams you’ve attended. Additionally, which poem(s) did you enjoy the most and why?

 

For extra extra credit (!), write and share your own poem at the slam.