We will have a great time this summer, learning fast, and working to become rich, famous and likable. Don’t miss class. Ever. You get 5 percent credit for your warm body sitting in the seat. You’ll participate, so that won’t be a problem.

Each day, I’ll post what we did under the page called “assignments.” What we’ll do tomorrow is already there. Don’t freak. You don’t have to do anything on the first day of class except show up with a notebook and a pen.

See you tomorrow.

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Tweet a G-rated photo of yourself on spring break. Copy @roxdill and use the class hashtag: #manship2010. Let us know what you’re doing. The deadline is noon, Sunday, April 16.

All stories are about a main character who has a problem, a purpose, a dilemma, or a dragon to slay.

A good feature story answers ONE question. If you answer too many of them, your story will be watered down and uninteresting. It will also be like hugging octopus. How do you get your arms wrapped around something so broad?

Keep it narrow. Remember the Christmas tree. It has one purpose: to bring beauty, color and life with ornaments, lights and tinsel. It’s not where we hang our car keys, our breakfast, or our dirty socks.

Wednesday is Midterm Writing Extravaganza Day. Bring your textbook, AP Stylebook, grammar/AP resources, and a checklist for yourself.

Here’s a checklist if you need one. You will write three inverted pyramid stories during our two-hour class time. Students usually do well on this one because they are hyper-focused.