Memoir Writing
and A BRONX TALE
BEFORE THE FILM
STEP 1: The Neighborhood Map
Use these two links to add the information from (a) through (g) below to your notebook. Follow the directions for each task; each of these items will go on ONE map, drawn in your NOTEBOOK.
The Bronx and the Boroughs
(Second Link is Coming Soon!)
(a) Draw a map of New York's 5 boroughs in your notebook. Use a two page layout for the map because you will add some writing as well. (A two-page layout means you open your notebook flat,and the spiral will be in the center.
(b) Label the Bronx, and each of the other boroughs. Include the boundary lines.
(c) Include the river; label it.
(d) Indicate with a star, the corner at which the story takes place: Belmont and E 187th St. HINT: It's near Fordham University.
(e) Pick three historical highlights to explore and label them on the map.
(f) Write information about each of the tourist spots you chose in "e". Record this information in the margin of your drawing.
(g) Mark any other landmarks, addresses, or boundaries with a symbol or label. These additional items should be points of interest or anything else that will make the map easy to interpret later.
Use these two links to add the information from (a) through (g) below to your notebook. Follow the directions for each task; each of these items will go on ONE map, drawn in your NOTEBOOK.
The Bronx and the Boroughs
(Second Link is Coming Soon!)
(a) Draw a map of New York's 5 boroughs in your notebook. Use a two page layout for the map because you will add some writing as well. (A two-page layout means you open your notebook flat,and the spiral will be in the center.
(b) Label the Bronx, and each of the other boroughs. Include the boundary lines.
(c) Include the river; label it.
(d) Indicate with a star, the corner at which the story takes place: Belmont and E 187th St. HINT: It's near Fordham University.
(e) Pick three historical highlights to explore and label them on the map.
(f) Write information about each of the tourist spots you chose in "e". Record this information in the margin of your drawing.
(g) Mark any other landmarks, addresses, or boundaries with a symbol or label. These additional items should be points of interest or anything else that will make the map easy to interpret later.
STEP 2: The Bronx in the 1960s
The BRONX BOARD collects images of old neighborhoods and block landmarks that capture people's memories of living there. Your challenge is to write descriptively enough that a person could envision the scene you have chosen. Re-create in words what the photographer was observing when s/he took the picture. Complete this challenge by doing tfollowing:
(a) Choose two photographs that capture the range of neighborhood life in the the Bronx in the 1960s and carefully sketch them in your notebook.
(b) Under each sketch write the details your observe in the picture. Describe the people, the scene, the little details you believe are essential to creating a certain feeling or message. This should be a short paragraph that captures some "thing" about the neighborhood, the era, or the people.
(c) Lastly, under each sketch and written description, explain what about the photograph appealed to you?
The BRONX BOARD collects images of old neighborhoods and block landmarks that capture people's memories of living there. Your challenge is to write descriptively enough that a person could envision the scene you have chosen. Re-create in words what the photographer was observing when s/he took the picture. Complete this challenge by doing tfollowing:
(a) Choose two photographs that capture the range of neighborhood life in the the Bronx in the 1960s and carefully sketch them in your notebook.
(b) Under each sketch write the details your observe in the picture. Describe the people, the scene, the little details you believe are essential to creating a certain feeling or message. This should be a short paragraph that captures some "thing" about the neighborhood, the era, or the people.
(c) Lastly, under each sketch and written description, explain what about the photograph appealed to you?
AFTER THE FILM
Topic 1: Research Sonny's Influence (10 pts)
Sonny said he read Machiavelli while he was in "the joint." Your challenge is to look through information about this Italian philosopher and decide how he was so influential in creating Sonny's politics of power and leadership. Follow the directions for (a) through (d).
(a) Scan information in "Biography." Explain two connections between the character of Sonny, events in the film, and Niccolo Machiavelli's story and reputation.
(b) Scan information in "Analyzing Power." Explain two connections between the character of Sonny, events in the film, and Niccolo Machiavelli's story and reputation.
(c) Scan information in "Power, Virtu, and Fortune." Explain two connections between the character of Sonny, events in the film, and Niccolo Machiavelli's story and reputation.
(d) Scan information in "Morality, Religion, and Politics." Explain two connections between the character of Sonny, events in the film, and Niccolo Machiavelli's story and reputation.
Sonny said he read Machiavelli while he was in "the joint." Your challenge is to look through information about this Italian philosopher and decide how he was so influential in creating Sonny's politics of power and leadership. Follow the directions for (a) through (d).
(a) Scan information in "Biography." Explain two connections between the character of Sonny, events in the film, and Niccolo Machiavelli's story and reputation.
(b) Scan information in "Analyzing Power." Explain two connections between the character of Sonny, events in the film, and Niccolo Machiavelli's story and reputation.
(c) Scan information in "Power, Virtu, and Fortune." Explain two connections between the character of Sonny, events in the film, and Niccolo Machiavelli's story and reputation.
(d) Scan information in "Morality, Religion, and Politics." Explain two connections between the character of Sonny, events in the film, and Niccolo Machiavelli's story and reputation.
Topic 2: Research How Chazz Palminteri Came to Write A Bronx Tale (10 pts)
Use the following links to collect 10-15 essential and interesting pieces of information about how Palminteri came to write his stage play and screen play. He has an interesting story, so be sure to access each link for a variety of information. You may also consider listening to audio clip interviews, but keep in mind your time limit.
Skyrocket to Stardom
Movie Tough Guy
A Bronx Tale Tour
A Tale of Toughness
Use the following links to collect 10-15 essential and interesting pieces of information about how Palminteri came to write his stage play and screen play. He has an interesting story, so be sure to access each link for a variety of information. You may also consider listening to audio clip interviews, but keep in mind your time limit.
Skyrocket to Stardom
Movie Tough Guy
A Bronx Tale Tour
A Tale of Toughness
JUST FOR FUN
If you have finished your research choice (choose from Topic 1 or Topic 2), see how well you remember the film. Try your memory and eye for detail at this online Bronx Tale Trivia Quiz. Take the quiz (no time limit), submit your answers, check your score and discover the correct responses.
25-23 correct? You should be loved and feared.
22-20 correct? Yer still welcome at the Chez Bippy.
19-17 correct? Whadda you, a friend of Mush?
16-14 correct? Hey JINX, go stand in the bathroom!
13 or fewer correct? Fahgettaboudit.
If you have finished your research choice (choose from Topic 1 or Topic 2), see how well you remember the film. Try your memory and eye for detail at this online Bronx Tale Trivia Quiz. Take the quiz (no time limit), submit your answers, check your score and discover the correct responses.
25-23 correct? You should be loved and feared.
22-20 correct? Yer still welcome at the Chez Bippy.
19-17 correct? Whadda you, a friend of Mush?
16-14 correct? Hey JINX, go stand in the bathroom!
13 or fewer correct? Fahgettaboudit.
Topic 3: Analysis
You have recalled your own memories through neighborhood map and trigger word exercises. You have also drawn a map of the Bronx neighborhood, researched Palminteri's personal experience and how he turned it into a form or memoir, and you have taken notes on the elements of CNF and memoirs. Then you watched it all come together in the film A Bronx Tale. Your challenge in this step is to pull it all together to analyze and evaluate how the film fulfills the elements of memoir writing. Follow the guidelines in each step below.
(a) First, let's review the characteristics and function of a memoir. Using the two links provided, answer questions (1) through (4).
The Memoir
Writing Memoirs
1. Record the definition and characteristics of the memoir form (5 pts)
2. Read two sample openings (from Digging and White, Black, Jewish) of a memoir and describe how they fit the details you've listed for the genre. (10 pts)
3. Make a list of 7-10 of the BEST POINTERS on how to write a
memoir or what makes for a good memoir. (5 pts)
(b) Now, apply the information in #1 to the film. Evaluate how Palminteri fulfills each element of memoir writing by naming its equivalent in the film. That means you should end up evaluating about 5 different aspects naming how Palminteri does them in his story. (10 pts)
You have recalled your own memories through neighborhood map and trigger word exercises. You have also drawn a map of the Bronx neighborhood, researched Palminteri's personal experience and how he turned it into a form or memoir, and you have taken notes on the elements of CNF and memoirs. Then you watched it all come together in the film A Bronx Tale. Your challenge in this step is to pull it all together to analyze and evaluate how the film fulfills the elements of memoir writing. Follow the guidelines in each step below.
(a) First, let's review the characteristics and function of a memoir. Using the two links provided, answer questions (1) through (4).
The Memoir
Writing Memoirs
1. Record the definition and characteristics of the memoir form (5 pts)
2. Read two sample openings (from Digging and White, Black, Jewish) of a memoir and describe how they fit the details you've listed for the genre. (10 pts)
3. Make a list of 7-10 of the BEST POINTERS on how to write a
memoir or what makes for a good memoir. (5 pts)
(b) Now, apply the information in #1 to the film. Evaluate how Palminteri fulfills each element of memoir writing by naming its equivalent in the film. That means you should end up evaluating about 5 different aspects naming how Palminteri does them in his story. (10 pts)
IMAGE CREDITS
Father and son still from the film http://www.collegenowlive.com/IMAGES/ImagesPEARL/A-Bronx-Taleweb.jpg
Bronx Tale Poster http://images.broadwayworld.com/upload/40178/BRONX-TALE-ART.JPG
Bronx Postcard http://www.library.fordham.edu/postcards/rosehill/greetings-bronx.jpg
Men and motorbike http://pellegrinlowend.com/bronxhend17.jpg
Machiavelli http://www.historyguide.org/intellect/machiavelli.html
Chaz Palminteri http://blogs.amctv.com/shootout/Chazz_Palminteri_560x330_MSDBRTA_EC013_H.JPG
Magnifying Glass http://bloggingwoolf.files.wordpress.com/2008/12/magnifying-glass.jpg
Neighborhood Map http://petsocietyaddicts.blogspot.com/2009/02/pet-society-neighborhood-map.html
Bronx Tale Movie Poster http://www.intraffik.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/a_bronx_tale1.jpg
Bronx Tale Poster http://images.broadwayworld.com/upload/40178/BRONX-TALE-ART.JPG
Bronx Postcard http://www.library.fordham.edu/postcards/rosehill/greetings-bronx.jpg
Men and motorbike http://pellegrinlowend.com/bronxhend17.jpg
Machiavelli http://www.historyguide.org/intellect/machiavelli.html
Chaz Palminteri http://blogs.amctv.com/shootout/Chazz_Palminteri_560x330_MSDBRTA_EC013_H.JPG
Magnifying Glass http://bloggingwoolf.files.wordpress.com/2008/12/magnifying-glass.jpg
Neighborhood Map http://petsocietyaddicts.blogspot.com/2009/02/pet-society-neighborhood-map.html
Bronx Tale Movie Poster http://www.intraffik.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/a_bronx_tale1.jpg