PHOTO ASSIGNMENT
This assignment is designed to help prepare you for the first composition
and to be used in class activities during the first few weeks. It
will be turned in on the day of the first composition, when it will be
graded for completeness, complexity, and signs of progress/ability to self-correct.
You should try to challenge yourself and write difficult sentences so that
you can get early feedback on problem areas. In other words, on this assignment,
the goal is not to avoid making mistakes, but rather to find out what you
can and cannot do so that you won't make mistakes later. Instead
of starting at 100 and taking off points for each mistake, we'll be starting
at 0 and giving points for things done well.
1. Choose a photo of a person. It should be someone whom none
of your classmates will recognize. You should not appear in the photo.
Paste the photo securely to a sheet of paper. (If you don't want
to damage the original, use a photocopy.)
2. Decide whether you want to tell the truth about this person
or make up a story. At the end of the assignment, you'll read some
or all of your sentences to the class and they'll guess whether you were
telling the truth or not.
3. On the back of the paper, write the assignments listed below.
Each sentence must be a minimum of 8 words. Leave plenty of extra
space between sentences; you will be correcting and changing them later.
Due Friday, Sept. 7
* One sentence describing the person's personality
* One sentence describing the person's physical appearance (something
that's not obvious from the photo!)
* One sentence about how the person is different in the photo from
how s/he normally is (e.g. "Bob is very excited in this picture, but normally
he's a very laid-back type of guy.")
Focus on correct use of ser and estar. Use each verb at least
twice in this section. Pay attention to agreement-- are you describing
a man or a woman?
Due Monday, Sept. 10
Compare this person to yourself or to a well-known person who is somehow
relevant. Include:
* A comparison of equality ("as _____ as someone" or "as much/as many
______ as someone")
* A comparison of inequality (more ___ than, less ____ than)
* A superlative (the most/least _______ of some group)
Due Wednesday, Sept. 12
* Tell what someone else wants, expects, or orders this person to do.
* "React" to one of the items of information you've already mentioned.
(You don't have to use exactly the same words, just the same information.
For example, if you said "Bob is as rich as Bill Gates but not as selfish"
for Monday's assignment, your reaction can be "I think it's nice that he
shares his wealth.")
* Write a recommendation for this person. Use a verb other than
"recomendar."
Due Friday, Sept. 14
* One sentence using imperfect
* One sentence using preterit
* One sentence using both preterit and imperfect
Due Monday, Sept. 17
* One sentence using present perfect indicative
* One sentence using present perfect subjunctive. (This will
probably be a "reaction" to one of the 4 previous sentence)
Due Wednesday, Sept. 19
* One sentence about things the person in the photo likes
* One sentence about things that bother this person
* One sentence telling what you yourself like and dislike about this
person