The Canterbury Tales The Canterbury Tales Writing Writing Project Project

Choose a group of two or three to Choose a group of two or three to work withwork with

–Choose wisely as you will be receiving a Choose wisely as you will be receiving a “group participation” grade from which points “group participation” grade from which points will be deducted each day if your group is not will be deducted each day if your group is not on task. on task.

Everyone in the group must have a Everyone in the group must have a copy of the work generated each copy of the work generated each day .day .

Prewriting stagePrewriting stage

List six pilgrims who will go on a List six pilgrims who will go on a journey to some medieval location.journey to some medieval location.

Complete the “Complete the “KingdomalityKingdomality” ” webquestwebquest for some medieval profession ideas.for some medieval profession ideas.

Describe them in detail:Describe them in detail: What do they look like?What do they look like? How do they act?How do they act? What are their jobs?What are their jobs?

Narrator:Narrator:

Decide which pilgrim will be your Decide which pilgrim will be your narrator. narrator.

OR…OR… Choose another type of narrator.Choose another type of narrator.

– A pilgrim not listed as one of your sixA pilgrim not listed as one of your six– An omniscient narratorAn omniscient narrator

FrameworkFrameworkSetting and purposeSetting and purpose

of your Projectof your Project

What medieval setting will you use? What medieval setting will you use? Where are they all going? (jousting Where are they all going? (jousting tournament, coronation, beheading, tournament, coronation, beheading, etc.)etc.)

What is the purpose of the journey?What is the purpose of the journey? Why are these people telling stories? Why are these people telling stories?

(to pass the time, win a prize)(to pass the time, win a prize)

Prewriting conference grade:Prewriting conference grade:

As a group, conference with me. As a group, conference with me. Everyone needs a copy!Everyone needs a copy!

– Be sure to label all of the parts Be sure to label all of the parts Six pilgrims well describedSix pilgrims well described A narratorA narrator Your frameworkYour framework

– due by the end of the period on due by the end of the period on Friday, 12/5 Friday, 12/5

First draft stage First draft stage

Write a prologue to introduce your Write a prologue to introduce your pilgrims and framework story.pilgrims and framework story.

– Use rhymed couplets of iambic Use rhymed couplets of iambic pentameter (5 stressed syllables per pentameter (5 stressed syllables per line)line)

– Devote at least eight lines to each Devote at least eight lines to each character for a total of 48 lines character for a total of 48 lines minimum.minimum.

– Devote at least 26 (or more) lines to Devote at least 26 (or more) lines to your framework. This can come before your framework. This can come before your character descriptions, after your your character descriptions, after your character descriptions, or divided up character descriptions, or divided up before AND after your character before AND after your character descriptions.descriptions.

Iambic Pentameter Iambic Pentameter

Rhythm-iambic pentameter Rhythm-iambic pentameter (five primary stresses) (five primary stresses) Must have ten syllables per lineMust have ten syllables per line

Rhyme—rhymed couplets (2 rhymed lines)Rhyme—rhymed couplets (2 rhymed lines) Punctuate them appropriately—most couplets are Punctuate them appropriately—most couplets are

complete sentencescomplete sentences half rhyme is okayhalf rhyme is okay

Group conference after you have 12 lines written.Group conference after you have 12 lines written.Every member of the group needs a copy.Every member of the group needs a copy.

Example from “The Miller’s Tale”Some time ago there was a rich old codgerWho lived in Oxford and who took a lodger.The fellow was a carpenter by trade,His lodger a poor student who had madeSome studies in the arts, but all his fancyTurned to astrology and geomancy.

Syllable chartSyllable chart

When your entire “Prologue” is When your entire “Prologue” is written:written:

Complete ONE syllable chart for the group to Complete ONE syllable chart for the group to guarantee that you have ten syllables per line.guarantee that you have ten syllables per line.

Your “Prologue” will have a minimum of 74 Your “Prologue” will have a minimum of 74 lines…lines…

– 8 lines of description per pilgrim (48)8 lines of description per pilgrim (48)– 26 lines of your framework/background story26 lines of your framework/background story

Turn in on December 18 to your teacher.Turn in on December 18 to your teacher.

Final DraftFinal Draft

Type in a poetry format—Type in a poetry format— Line by lineLine by line Centered on the page Centered on the page Capitalize the first word of each line even if it is not Capitalize the first word of each line even if it is not

the beginning of a sentence.the beginning of a sentence. Punctuate perfectly.Punctuate perfectly. Proofread!!!!!Proofread!!!!! Submit your final draft to turnitin.com Submit your final draft to turnitin.com

By 7:30 a.m. on 12/18 By 7:30 a.m. on 12/18 Follow your teacher’s directions. Follow your teacher’s directions.

The ___________TalesThe ___________Talesby Name, Name, and Nameby Name, Name, and Name

Minimum 74 rhymed linesProperly punctuated

First word of every line capitalizedDouble spaced and centered on the page

Professions italicized, highlighted or bold-facedIncludes framework, characters

Should also transition into the tale if you are including one for extra credit

The General PrologueThe General Prologue

The _____’s TaleThe _____’s TaleUp to +10 points extra credit

Minimum 50 rhymed linesProperly punctuated

First word of every line capitalizedDouble spaced and centered on the page

Moral should be exactly stated in last two lines