Creative Writing--So Simple Even You Can Do It! (Probably), Monday, Period 4

[doesdoctorstuff]

"So, cliches," Navaan said once class began. "They're pretty much language that's been beaten dead as a door nail. Some folks may tell you to avoid 'em like the plague and think outside of the box when it comes to writing out your own prose, but those folks are dead wrong! They explain everything you want them to, and they're so easy, like stealing candy from a baby! Also, if anybody needs tips on how to do that, talk to me after class." Her baby-candy-theft habits had gotten a work out at the Astrotorium. "People talk about going for the low-hanging fruit like it's a bad thing. What, do you wanna spend all day on a ladder reaching for the scary ones way up high? You can be a kid in the candy store when it comes to choosing words and descriptions--also, if anybody needs tips on how to rob a candy store, also see me after class."

Your teacher was a wealth of knowledge, folks.

"We've already talked about finding the best words to describe something, but that's just the tip of the iceberg! Leaning on cliches means you can focus more on the other bits of writing you wanna do! You only live once, do you really wanna make sure every phrase you use is till the bitter end? When push comes to shove, you can let your prose rest on the cliche's laurels and focus your attention on the important stuff, like writing hot sex and drinking heavily while you brood about the next chapter. Rely on cliches, kids, and soon your books will be selling like hotcakes!"

Wealth. Of. Knowledge.

Introduction to Paleobiology - Monday, 1st Period

[itsananomaly]

“Good morning,” Cutter began that day’s lecture, “this week we’re going to be looking at paleovirology,” he explained, “paleovirology is the study of viruses that existed in the past but are extinct and they cannot leave behind physical fossils,”

“This is where we use indirect evidence to reconstruct the past, viruses can cause their host to evolve and that this evolution leaves signatures that can be found and interpreted in present day, “ he nodded over at Connor with a smile for him to continue the lecture.

Connor was glad to be back at class after having a few weeks off. He smiled at Cutter as he stood up and faced the class as he continued the lecture. “Have you ever wondered why a different strain of flu virus comes around every year? Or how some viruses can become drug-resistant? The short answer to these questions is that viruses evolve. That is, the "gene pool" of a virus population can change over time. In some cases, the viruses in a population—such as all the flu viruses in a geographical region, or all the different ‘mutated’ particles in a patient's body—may evolve by natural selection.”

Connor glanced at his notes and then continued. “Not only do viruses evolve, but they also tend to evolve faster than their hosts, such as humans. That makes virus evolution an important topic—not just for biologists who study viruses, but also for doctors, nurses, and public health workers, as well as anyone who might be exposed to a virus. And of course this means, all of us! What we can deduce from the DNA and fossils of animals we find can help us understand how viruses evolved millions of years ago and how that can help us better fight viruses today.” Connor looked at Cutter and gave a small nod as he wrapped up his section.

“For the rest of the class, I’d like you to fill out your worksheets and as always myself and Mr. Temple will be around to answer any questions you may have,” Cutter said as he finished handing out the worksheets on the topic.

Learn to have fun! Monday, 3rd period

[intheeyeofthebeholding]

When the students arrived, they would find a note on the door:

Migraines are not fun. Your assignment for today is not to have one.

Let's Plan A Heist! [Monday, 2nd Period]

[jedigrammarians]

Today the classroom had a big board set up in it. A big plain board.

"Today we're going to be covering one of the most important parts of making a heist plan," Aphra said. "Visualising it."

Because there was something about a big board with a plan up on it that made a criminal conspiracy feel real.

"Now you don't necessarily need to physically make this sort of thing," Isabela added. In fact it was evidence and probably not the best thing to keep around. "But it's a good way to see where you might still have holes in the plan that need taking care of."

Not that either of your teachers had ever had any of those.

"So we have The Board, and various supplies to map out our plan on it." Including quite a lot of red string. "Let's get to it."