Have a Wonderful Holiday Break!

You are almost done with the first half of your senior year! Can you believe how quickly the time has passed? I just wanted to take a minute and let all of you know that I have really enjoyed working with you for the first two marking periods and expect great things in the second two! I hope the coming weeks will make you feel prepared for your life's journey whatever it may be! Enjoy your break!
Mrs. C

Notes on Foil

def. -- a character who provides a striking contrast to another character. By using a foil, a writer can call attention to certain traits possessed by a main character of simply enhance a character by contrast.

Who would be a foil for Macbeth? Give textual examples for each character to support your answer.

Things to Study or Have for Your Macbeth Test on Monday

Soliloquies/asides
Adjectives to describe Lady MB and MB throughout the play
The witches’ prophecies Act I
The effect of Lady MB on Macbeth
Double-entry journals for specific quotes
Macbeth’s hallucination/murder of Duncan
Tragic flaw--- AMBITION
Verbal and Dramatic Irony
Chart on the 2nd of the witches’ prophecies
Foreshadowing
Characteristics of tragic hero/tragedy
Cause/Effect chart

Final Homework Responses Macbeth--- 25 pts. PLEASE ANSWER COMPLETELY!

1. Were you surprised with the outcome of events for Macbeth? Why or why not? Support your answer.
2. Do you think Macbeth's downfall is more a result of his actions or fate? Is he a victim or villain? Support your answer.
3. What do you believe is Macbeth's tragic flaw (character flaw that causes all of his problems)? Support your answer with textual examples.
4. Look at your definition of tragic hero and explain how Macbeth fills the criteria of one. Support your answer.
5. What aspects of Macbeth make it relevant to readers and audiences today? Support your answer.

Themes in Macbeth

Theme--the central idea conveyed by a work of literature (not the subject--what it is generally about). It is more a general perception about life or human nature.

Some themes in Macbeth:
*ambition
*impulses and desires
*fate and our efforts to control it
*appearance vs. reality
*loyalty
*the supernatural
*violation of the natural order
*reason and mental stability
*marriage

Homework #4 Macbeth--10 pts

How would you describe the attitude towards the supernatural in the play?
(Things to think about in your answer)--possible

*Is it taken seriously?
*Think of the tone and the diction of the witches?
*How about the 3 witches compared to Hecate?
*Look at your chart from class: Are they being straightforward? Meaning, does the supernatural help humans or does it confuse and trick them?
*Would audiences today take the witches more or less/as seriously as they did then?

Extra Credit: Look at your notes from day 1 Macbeth--why is it thought that Shakespeare added this element of the supernatural to the play?

Here is today's chart of the witches' predictions, etc.

Hw #3 Macbeth-- 10 pts.

Hw: *Explain any similarities you see between the characters in Macbeth, and the characters in “The Pardoner’s Tale” and/or A Simple Plan. Think about how and if they changed, their conflicts, actions, etc..Please give examples to support your answers.

*What dramatic irony do you remember from either "The Pardoner's Tale" or A Simple Plan and what effect did it have on the audience?

Verbal and Dramatic Irony

Verbal irony--the effect achieved when a speaker says that opposite of what he or she means

Dramatic irony--the effect achieved when the audience has information that a character(s) doesn't have.

While reading ACT III, Scene i, we will stop and assess the following line as both:

Line 27, Act 3: "Fail not our feast"

Verbal irony?:

Dramatic irony?:

Comic Relief

def.---a humorous scene, incident, or speech that is included in serious drama to provide a break from emotional intensity. Because it breaks the tension, it allows the audience to think about the plot events before, and prepare for emotional events after. The sharp contrasts provided by comic relief intensify the themes of the work.

With a partner......we will do some script writing---each person needs a script!

1. Decide between the two of you--who will be Macbeth, who will play Lady Macbeth.
2. Rewrite Act I, Scene 7 in modern English: Macbeth's soliloquy and the argument between the two of them that follows.
3. Make sure you hit all the main points of each passage
*In the soliloquy--Macbeth's pros and cons
*In the argument--what are Lady Macbeth's arguments for him to do it, what are his to not

Hw #2: Macbeth's Soliloquy

"I have no spur to prick the sides of my intent, but only vaulting ambition, which o'erleaps(overleaps) itself and fall on the other."--Macbeth (Act I, Scene 7, lines 25-28)

1)Put this sentence into your own words.(What is he trying to say?)
2)Why is it important for the audience to know this is a soliloquy? What if it were not?
3)Based on this quote, what can you predict MAY happen in Act II and WHY?

Characterization/Homework #1 Monday 11/21--- 20 pts.

In plays, characters are defined by their appearance, actions, and words. Examine Lady Macbeth:
1. What seems to motivate her?
2. Does Shakespeare describe her with a traditional feminine role/ideas/behavior?
3. How would the play be different if she did not exist or know about her husband's plans?
4. Do you think her way of pushing Macbeth to do something he may not have done otherwise is something that is common or uncommon of husbands and wives?

Notes for soliloquy and aside---please copy!

soliloquy--a speech in which a character speaks his/her thoughts aloud. Usually the character is on the stage alone, but others may be there (ignored temporarily). The purpose is to reveal his/her inner thoughts, feelings, emotions, plans, etc..to the audience NOT the other characters.

aside- a remark spoken in an undertone by a character either to the audience or another character--traditional convention is only heard by the audience. They can be used to express characters' feelings, opinions, and reactions so they function as a method of characterization.---CAN CAUSE DRAMATIC IRONY (we know things the other characters do not!)

Tragedy Notes for Macbeth

This is a link to the character map from the board.

tragedy--presents the downfall of a dignified character who is involved in historically or socially significant events. This fall is usually caused by a flaw in his character.

tragic hero--the main character, dignified who has a downfall based mainly on a poor character trait. He/she evokes both pity and fear in readers because the audience realizes the struggles faced by him are necessary parts of human life.

tragic flaw--whatever is wrong with his character that causes his destruction--usually leads to an error in judgment.

MacBeth Notes--Please Copy in your Notes

The title character is based on a historical Macbeth, a king of 11th century Scotland who seized the monarchy after killing his predecessor, Duncan I. The play was written to please King James I, Of Scotland, who was a chief sponsor of Shakespeare's acting company. The desire to please the king may be why Shakespeare adds the prominence of witchcraft in the play, as the king was quite interested in it, as it was a popular belief at the time.

Final Movie Questions--things to think about for the movie review

1. Why does the FBI want to meet with Jacob and Hank?
2. What does the FBI agent want them to do the next day?
3. Why is Sarah suspicious of FBI agent Baxter? Who does she think he is?
4. What is Sarah's plan for meeting the FBI agent? (what does she want Hank to do?)
5. What is Sarah's speech to Hank about? How does she reveal her inner feelings about their life?
6. Do you think she felt this way before the $, or only after?
7. Why does Sarah call the FBI and ask for agent Neil Baxter?
8. What is ironic about the fact that the man says, "You're not the cold-blooded type, are you Mr. Mitchell?"
9. Why does Jacob want Hank to kill him?
10. The couple thought the money was "unmarked" and untraceable. What really happened?
10. What is the symbolic about the burning of the money?
11. What does the final scene of their childhood home symbolize?
12. What do you think happens after the movie ends? To the Mitchell's marriage? To the town? Hank?
13. How could the moral of "The Pardoner's Tale"--"radix malorum est cupiditas" or "money is the root of all evil apply to this film?

Simple Plan Questions #2

1. How does Jacob attempt to break the initial agreement?
2. What discovery does Sarah make at the library?
3. How does Lou attempt to break the initial agreement?
4. How does Lou attempt to blackmail Hank?
5. What is the new agreement that Hank and Lou come to regarding the money?
6. What does Sarah want Hank to do regarding Lou and the blackmail?
7. Do you think Hank is being truthful when he tells Jacob he will help him get the farm back? Why or why not?
8. What change do you notice in the character of Sarah?
9. How does Hank's plan of setting up Lou go terribly wrong? What does he do to solve his new problem with the law?
10. How does the title a "Simple Plan" take on a new meaning at this point?

A Simple Plan Movie Review--Notes to Take Day #1

A Simple Plan (1998), Director Sam Raimi
Hank--Bill Paxton
Lou--Brent Briscoe
Sarah--Bridget Fonda
Jacob--Billy Bob Thornton

1. Describe the main character Hank. Does his life seem happy?
2. What is the relationship like between he and his wife? His brother Jacob? Lou?
3. What discovery is made in the field? Why may Jacob and Lou feel it is their discovery?
4. What is the plan that they make? What promise?
5. How does Hank's wife initially react to this discovery? Later?
6. What shocking action does Jacob perform? Hank?

How to write a critical review--for a film--25 pts. Due by Friday 11/18

1. Watch the movie--take notes as you watch
2. Give your opinion- This is important as the reviewer can express the elements of the movie they enjoyed or disliked. However, as in all good journalism, the reviewer should also give impartial details, and allow the reader to make their own mind over an issue the reader liked or disliked.
3. Who is your audience?
Ensure you report on the factors that matter to your likely audience
4. Give an outline
Basic facts-- don't give away essential details such as the end or any surprises.
5. Actors
If the movie contains actors, as most do, detail who is starring in the movie and how well you think they acted.
6. Structure
Did the movie follow a regular predictable story line?
7. Compare/Contrast to the text--how does it compare to Chaucer's Pardoner's Tale

Marking Period 1 grades

The following assignments have been given this marking period:

1. Homework assignments (see blog) (10%)

Vocab sentences 1 and 2
Beowulf homework 1-4
Final response
Points to ponder
rough draft to the college essay

2. essays (30 %)

College essay
Beowulf essay
*critical review Chaucer (next week)

3. Quizzes (50%)
4 quizzes, last of which will be Mon. on W.O.B Tale

Radix Malorum est Cupiditas

cupidity--n--strong desire, especially for possessions or money; greed
avarice--n--excessive desire for wealth; greed
------------------------------------

1.What saying does this image represent---don't say it out loud!!!
2. Do you agree with this saying? Why or why not? Explain your answer in A PARAGRAPH using any examples that you can think of. (at least one)

quotes from the pardoner that show his true intentions:
"My exclusive purpose is to win..not castigate their sin."----he likes sinners because he can make money off of them
"they can go blackberrying for all I care"---he doesn't care about what happens to their souls
"I make my living from avarice"--makes money off of greedy people--like himself!
"I mean to have wool, cheese, and wheat..agape.."-doesn't care who it is; he will steal from a poor child or widow with starving children
"I've drunk a draft of corn-ripe ale..."---he is drinking, which may be why he is admitting all of this

Excerpt: “The Pardoner’s Tale”
1. What do the three tavern-goers hear as they drink?
2. Give an example of personification from page 147.
3. Of what did the man die?
4. What vow do the three men make? Is it possible to fulfill? Why or why not?
5. What trade does the old man say no one has yet been willing to make with him?
6. What lesson does the old man try to teach the younger men?
7. Of what do the young men accuse the old man?
8. The gold under the tree foreshadows something. What do you think it foretells?
9. What is their plan for getting the gold?
10. What plan do the two watching the gold make?
11. Who is the Fiend (an allusion—not someone in the tales)?
12. How is Death tricking all three of the men?
13. How do the three of them die?
14. How does this tale prove the Biblical proverb of “reaping what you sow?”

Notes on Allusion/ Purpose in WOB Tale--copy in your notes

Here is the chart with the knight's arguments and old woman's retort

an allusion--is a figure of speech that makes a reference to, or representation of, people, places, events, literary work, myths, or works of art, either directly or by implication... "a brief reference, explicit or indirect, to a person, place or event, or to another literary work or passage". It is left to the reader or hearer to make the connection.

*The allusions are used to answer the knight's concerns about the old woman

The Wife of Bath's story has two possible purposes to consider:
1. sermon--about class, poverty, beauty, gender roles
2. fairy-tale--is it sad dreaminess of a middle-aged lady, or tale of female control (feminist)?

Notes for the " Wife of Bath's Tale"

Chivalry--code of ideal male behavior (esp. knights)--loyalty, faith, honor, courtesy
Medieval Romance--adventure tale, noble heroes, gallant love, chivalry, daring deeds
(in our story he breaks this code!)

Wife of Bath Summary (from her Prologue)
*has been married 5 times since age 12
*first 3 husbands were "good" because they were old, rich, and submissive
*She laughs about accusing them of things she knows they didn't do
*She would tease her husbands and not give happiness in bed without a promise of money
*She admits to using her verbal and sexual power to control men
*One husband was young and abusive, but she got him to reform and was always making it up to her

Canterbury Tales Overview--A Story-Telling Contest

----Please copy in your notes---

In the Prologue to The Canterbury Tales Geoffrey Chaucer introduces the speaker of the poem as a man named Chaucer, who is traveling from London with a group of strangers on a PILGRIMAGE to Canterbury, to the shrine of Saint Thomas à Becket. After a brief description of the setting and the introductions of the pilgrims, the Host, who owns the inn that they gather at, suggests that they should each tell two stories while walking--one on the way to Canterbury and one on the way back, to pass the time more quickly. He offers the person telling the best story a free supper at the tavern when they return.

Anticipation Questions for "The Wife of Bath's Tale"

Answer #1-4 NOW---no need to copy the question
Copy #5-7 and answer for HOMEWORK!

Answer NOW:--to hand in today
1. What do you think the punishment for rape should be?
2. Do you agree or disagree--a promise should never be broken. Why?
3. What is more important in a relationship--faithfulness or physical attraction--why?
4. What do women want most in a relationship? What about men want most most?
------Copy for HW:
5. Do the wealthy live above the law? Explain and give any examples you know of.
6. Does the social class a person comes from make a difference in their character? Explain.
7. What is the most important factor in a happy marriage?

Last day of essay work!---final copy due no later than next fri. Oct. 28th

1. Read worst student essay in the world and make corrections
2. Split-up into: "haves" and "have-nots"
3. The "haves" will be peer-editing, while the "have-nots" will be defending their poor use of time and decision making skills
4. We will look at the self-edit together: this will be done on the rough draft not the final copy! When you turn in the essay put all the pieces together: notes, drafts, the whole shebang!
5. Pieces to include are as follows:
Chart (5 pts)
Web (5 pts)
Outline (5 pts)
Drafting step (5 pts)
Peer/self editing sheet (5 pts each)
Rough draft (20 pts)
Final copy (50 pts)(if you email it to me please attach a note to your stack of papers telling me this)

Beowulf Comic Strip Assignment--Ebony V. per 2

Beowulf Essay---Characteristics of an Archetypal Epic Hero

*****Here is the chart you were asking for today****

Instructions: You will:
*Write a 5 to 10 paragraph essay
*Organize your essay properly
*Follow the steps I show you in the writing process: Brainstorming, outlining, creating a web, drafting, and editing. (You will receive points for all of these steps)
*Use a minimum of 4 vocabulary words correctly in your essay
*turn in a senior-level final copy
--------------------------------------
Writing Prompt:
Write an essay explaining how Beowulf demonstrates the characteristics of an epic hero (in the notes). Choose 3 to 5 characteristics. Give specific examples from the 3 battle scenes (Grendel, Grendel's mother, the dragon), and/or The Death of Beowulf.
------------------------------------------------
Our schedule for this assignment will be as follows (depending how much we finish, each step may not be finished in one day):
Day 1: Going over the assignment, brainstorming (5 pts)
Day 2: Epic Hero Web (5 pts) --finding adjectives
Day 3: Outlining (5 pts)--citation review
Day 4: Drafting (5 pts)---Hw: write the rough draft (20 pts)
Day 5: Self-edit (5 pts)
Day 6: Peer-edit (5 pts) Hw: Final Copy (50 pts.)

Spirit Week Photos

hr 307 in Orange and Black

Hw: Final Beowulf Response 20 pts.

Almost every high school senior anywhere reads Beowulf, including myself. So,:

1. Why do you think it is a story that everyone should read at least once? What major point should you get out of this?

2. Ten years from now, if someone mentions Beowulf to you, what do you think you will remember about it? Any particular scene?

3. From reading this story, what have you learned about what these people value--meaning--why was a character such as Beowulf someone people admired? Why do people enjoy heroic stories still?

4. Which ending of the story did you prefer and why? Why do you think the movie studio found it necessary to change the ending so that Beowulf killed the dragon in a more dramatic fashion?

Just some points to ponder.....

Now that the baseball season is over (well, for the Yankees anyway), I have more free time at night to ponder some points and wondered what your opinions were on the following thoughts:

1. If a hero exemplifies the qualities a culture finds important or valuable, do villains or monsters then portray those qualities we look down on, or just serve as tangible examples of what we fear? What makes you believe this?

2. Can a hero be a hero without a villain? Are the lines between the two ever blurred? Is this subjective rather than objective? Explain.

3. Are monsters scarier or less scary (more or less dangerous)when they are visible? This doesn't necessarily mean physical in shape, but many of you wrote about things such as terrorism, AIDS, etc. that are sometimes hard to put a finger on.

Hw #4 Beowulf-- 20 pts.

1. Were you surprised at the end of today's reading? Why or why not? (5)

2. Beowulf is able to defeat evil in the form of Grendel and Grendel's mother, but he loses his life to the dragon. What theme does this suggest about the struggle between good and evil? Give me a real-life example that displays this concept. (5)

3. Today in class we talked about qualities of a hero: do you think we got it right or were we being unrealistic? Do heroes exist today, or for that matter,did they ever exist outside of fiction? Do heroes in stories/movies just make us feel better about reality? Think of some celebrities and athletes/personal heroes that were seen as heroes and were eventually unmasked to be nothing of the sort. (10)

Notes on "fame"

(In lines 485-487, 490-492 speak of Beowulf's longing for fame)

Fame was vitally important to a warrior because of its practical rewards such as wealth and the loyalty of both kinspeople (your people) and other tribes. However, fame had an added importance in cultures whose religion offered no hope for an afterlife. Then it was only through fame that one could achieve immortality. Therefore, the hero depends on the poet to keep his memory alive--so these people held important positions in royal courts. (I guess in a way you could think of them like Anglo-Saxon paparazzi)

Quiz extra credit

For those people who wanted extra credit on their quiz...I've determined that the only thing I can think of to do is the following:
1. Sorry, I know it's boring and am unsure of how helpful it is, but write vocab word and definition ten times each for missed words.
2. For missed part 2 questions, answer each question as if each were a small hw assignment-- meaning---2-3 paragraphs. You may and should use your notes and the web to complete the responses. They need to be good responses for credit.

If you do not want to do these things you apparently don't want credit back badly enough. All rewrites must be accompanied by the original quiz (stapled). Due Tuesday 10/11.

Practice Sentences #3

1. The monster went back to her _________ to sleep.
2. The man had to pay ____________ for the damage he did to the building.
3. The enemy's ______________ was not successful and they lost another fight.
4. There is no _______________ for a parent grieving the loss of his/her child.
5. He was the most ______________ person I ever met and I never wanted to see him ever again.

solace loathsome lair reparations reprisal purge lament

Hw #3- Beowulf (20 pts)

In today's society we have our own kinds of "monsters" that threaten our safety or way of life (does not necessarily have to be a "being" or living thing). (1)Who or what are today's monsters and what threats do they pose.(2) Are there any heroes fighting battles with these monsters or are they left to freely attack the people? (3)Is this a battle that can be won--or will there always be a "Grendel's mother" waiting to take the place of the other or lesser evil? Explain your answer please. (think a minimum of 2 complete paragraphs if you want full credit)

Vocab #2 Beowulf ---please define each word in your notebook and hand in sentences

11. murky (adj)
12. pilgrimage (n)
13. loathsome (adj)
14. host (n)---large number; multitude
15. livid (ADJ)
16. lair (n)
17. reparation (n)
18. reprisal (n)
19. solace (n)
20. reproach (n)

(note: some of the definitions of these words are already in your packet for Beowulf)

Practice sentences #2

1. The ___________ caused by the accident resulted in the use of crutches.
2. The _____________ killer caused a reign of terror in the county.
3. The puppy sat ________ in the corner when he heard the thunder.
4. ___________ in pain, the man found a way to crawl to the phone and dial for help.
5. Pull the hair ___________ before attempting to put it in a braid.

cowering taut affliction infamous writhing talon gorge

Beowulf Hw# 2 (hw #1 is below the study guide questions on an earlier post)

2. What do you think has caused Grendel's apparent hatred towards human beings and his relentless attacking of them? (Please don't say because I guess he doesn't like them. Be specific. Think about:
*his relatives and ancestors
*his actions and attitudes
*what he may represent
*the reaction of the Danish warriors

Vocabulary practice-- fill in the blank with the correct word

1. Do not _________ when we go the buffet; you always eat too much.
2. The bird's ________ snatched the worm from the ground.
3. Bulimia is an eating disorder in which someone will binge and then ________.
4. There should be no _________ for summer, fall is also a wonderful time of year.
5. You should _________ your senior year because it will go by all too quickly.

purge relish talon gorge lament affliction

Study Guide Questions Part 1 for Beowulf/ Hw#1

1. Who were Grendel's earliest ancestors? How did he come to exist? 19-29
2. What is meant by "the beginning might not be the end" ? 49
3. What does the phrase "hell-forged hands" suggest about Grendel? 64
4. What does Grendel's inability to know God's love suggest about him? 84
5. Why is it so important for Beowulf to kill Grendel without weapons? 172-74
6. What service did Hrothgar perform for Beowulf's father? 191-206
7. Why might Grendel be trying to run from Beowulf? 278-89
8. Why can't weapons hurt Grendel? 322-26
9. Why does Beowulf hang Grendel's arm from the rafters? 355-58
10. What role do poets seem to play in Beowulf's society?

Hw: Why do you think Beowulf offers to help a tribe other than his own despite the danger? Can you think of a similar situation or real-life person/event with same intentions and/or motivation? --10 pts.

Answers:
Please email me if you were absent and need the answers to the study guide questions. However, I recommend you click on the link for the Beowulf text to the left, read and answer them yourself.

Vocabulary terms for Beowulf--look up definitions and write example sentences (20 pts.)

1. affliction (n.)
2. cowering (v.)
3. gorge (v.)
4. infamous (adj.)
5. lament (n.)
6. purge (v.)
7. relish (v.)
8. taut (adj.)
9. writhing (v.)
10. talon (n.)

Reading sample college essays

Here are a few samples

The College Essay--Assignment (First draft due Monday 9/19th)

Your task: Write an essay of roughly 500 words in which you tell about a significant experience or experiences from your life that show a quality or multiple qualities that would make you a valuable addition to a college or the deserving recipient of a scholarship.

Step 1: Brainstorm
*Read some examples to get the idea.
*Use the idea generator to get ideas.
*Look for patterns in your web. Group similar ideas and events together.
*Still stuck? See me or ask your group for ideas.

Step 2: Draft
*Use narration to show rather than tell. A narrative essay tells a short and vivid story. Omit the introduction, and write 1 or 2 paragraphs that grab and engage the reader's attention and explain what it reveals about you.
*The conclusion should be brief--nail down the meaning of the events described.

Step 3: Revise
*Have someone in your group read it and tell you what he/she thinks. Ask them if they can guess the qualities you are trying to convey--Did they get it right?
*Note: Spelling and grammar errors and fuzzy narration will make your essay memorable--in a bad way.

Welcome Seniors-- Class of 2012!

I hope you had a WONDERFUL summer and are ready to buckle down and prepare for what will be a very exciting and important year of your life. We definitely have a lot of work to do: writing college letters, taking college placement tests, and for some of us choosing where we want to go and what we want to do. Our main goal, is to get you on track to the destination of your choice: college, work, military.
Please finish the following two tasks by Friday:

1. Open a Google Docs Account

Directions for setting up a Google Account for: Blogger and Google Docs, etc.
*Go to Google
*sign in if you have an account
*If you "Don't have a Google Account?" Create an account now
*type in your primary email address (if you don't have one, see me)
*create a password for yourself (something easy to remember)
*accept terms
*Your account is not active until you go into the email account you provided and open the email from Google verifying your address

*this cannot be done at school because of email restrictions---if you have no access to the internet outside of school, see me.


I need you to have an active Google Account by Friday or the beginning of next week at the latest. This is how I prefer to get your work.

2. Post a message to me on the blog page

Directions for posting a message:

*At the bottom of my post it says "Comments"
*Click on it and type your message in the box (Hi Mrs. C!, Nice to meet you etc.)
*Please identify yourself in the post with your initials and class period
*If you are not signed in, sign into your Google Account and click "Publish your comment"

***Note: for responses, it is best to type in Microsoft Word and copy and paste into the post, because there is not a spelling/grammar check available.

Final Compare/Contrast Essay

Compare/Contrast Essay: Due Friday June10th 50 pts. -----Please attach this sheet to your essay for grading
Write a compare/contrast essay about something that has changed in approximately the last four years (your time at McKinley). It can be a thing or a person, experience, the world, feelings etc. It should be something of significance to you, but not necessarily something groundbreaking. This essay:
• Has no length requirement
• Should be of FINAL COPY, SENIOR-LEVEL QUALITY
• Should be written in one of the formats given in your notes for compare/contrast
• Should show the “show don’t tell” philosophy of writing
Will be graded using the following rubric:
FINAL COPY, SENIOR-LEVEL QUALITY (10) ____
Uses good spelling/grammar (10) ____
Utilizes a comp/contrast organizational pattern (10) ____
“Shows” by use of example writing (10) _____
Content: compares and contrasts 2 things with equal attention (10) ____

Assignments for "Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night" by Dylan Thomas

Before you begin, read the notes on the poetic form: the villanelle

Your Assignment:
First, Listen to the audio clip of Dylan Thomas (the author) reading this poem

Then,Answer the questions below:
(I have included a link for a glossary of literary terms if you need it)

1. What repeated phrases and words did you hear and write down?
2. What emotions do you think the poet conveys as he is reading the poem?
3. What did you notice about this poem's form?
4. What are the effects of the repetition on the poem's mood or tone?
5. Why do you think Thomas turned to the villanelle form instead of the traditional elegy ("To an Athlete Dying Young" is an elegy)?
6. Can you identify stages of loss throughout Thomas' villanelle?

***7. Compare and contrast this author's view of death with that of A.E. Housman in "To an Athlete Dying Young". Which one do you agree with and why?

Assignments for "To An Athlete Dying Young" by A.E. Housman

(An online version of this poem is available as a link on the left)
"To an Athlete Dying Young", by A. E. Housman, allows the reader to view an early death as an escape from seeing your life's glory slowly fade away and become forgotten, instead of something that is to be mourned.

*Answer and post these questions with a partner. Since there will be 2 of you, I expect you to talk it out and produce quality answers. Remember, identify yourself using your initials and class period. Also, make sure you type in Word and spell/grammar check before you post please.

Interpret and explain the significance of the following lines:
1."shoulder-high, we bring you home" (6) (see the 2 photos above)
2."And early though the laurel grows/ It withers quicker than the rose."(11-12)
3."Now you will not swell the rout/ Of lads that wore their honors out,/ Runners whom renown outran/ And the name died before the man." (17-20)

What literary element is being used in the following lines and what is its purpose?:
4."Eyes the shady night has shut" (13) and "After earth as stopped the ears" (16).

Answer the questions below as thoroughly as you can using evidence from the poem to support your answers whenever possible:
5. In the lines:"The time you won your town the race/ We chaired you through the market-place;/ Man and boy stood cheering by,/ And home we brought you shoulder-high" the speaker talks about the athlete as if he is still alive? (this is called apostrophe) Why do you think this is?

6. In your opinion, when Housman calls him a "smart man" (9), does he mean that the young athlete killed himself? Or does he simply mean that he died of an illness, an accident, a crime, or war?

7. Is Housman right? Are those who accomplish a great deal and die at a young age remembered? Or is it those who live a long life of accomplishment that remain in our/the public's memories?
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If you finish, read the article link to left "Remembering Len Bias" and complete the following response based on his life and early death:
1. Who was he and what happened to him?
2. How can his life and death be related to the Houseman poem, "To An Athlete Dying Young"? Do you think this is the type of person the author was writing about?

Assignments for "My Last Duchess"

Dramatic Monologue--Glenn Everett argues that Browning's dramatic monologues contain three "requirements" (from his essay, available on Victorian Web):

1.The reader shares the part of the "listener" or audience.
2.The speaker uses a case-making, argumentative tone.
3."We complete the dramatic scene from within, by means of inference and imagination." Everett argues that as the listener, we participate in the drama by imagining that we are present, and by inferring what the speaker really did. Rarely, however, do we have conclusive proof.
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Today's objectives (what you will do today):
First: Read the Study Guide for "My Last Duchess" by Robert Browning (stop after you read the section labeled Ambiguity and Irony)

Next: Answer the following questions as comments on this post (a good suggestion would be to type your comments in Word so you can spell/grammar check and then cut and paste. Use only your initials and class period to identify yourself).

Questions:
1.The Duke spends most of his energy talking about the late Duchess and her image. What effect does the painting have (or not have) on him as he views it?
2. Looking at the definition of Browning's dramatic monologues above, explain why "My Last Duchess" qualifies as such (meaning, does it fit this criteria? why?).
**Be sure to use specific examples from the poem in your answers. You should have the poem in hand and there is also an online link to the left if you prefer.

Grading Rubric for the Research Paper

rubric

Getting Started: Help on outlines and format

Here are a few helpful sites to get you started writing your paper:

RESEARCH PAPER FORMAT: A STUDENT GUIDE

BASIC OUTLINE FOR ARGUMENT/PERSUASION

Steps: Writing the Research Paper

Objectives:
1. To learn how to correctly and effectively research and write a persuasive research paper

Assignment:
Make sure you choose a topic that can be ARGUED. (NOT FACTUAL)
You must have a defined and limited thesis:
For example: The Great Depression---No! This is too general and it is informational.
The Great Depression changed the social welfare system for the better.--this is good.

Procedure:
You will complete source cards and notes in the library each day
You will complete an outline, a draft with a working thesis and works cited page
You will complete a revised, final copy complete with correct MLA format

Assessment:Your grade will be configured in the following way:
1. The Research Process
Day One--Choose topic, post topic to the blog, complete 1 source and notes
Day Two--min. 2 additional sources and notes completed
Day Three-- min 2 additional sources and notes completed
Day Four-- min 2 additional sources and notes completed (min. 7 total)
Day Five-- outline complete, works cited page complete

2. Pre-writing/Drafting Steps
An outline with revised thesis statement
A rough copy of the paper
A rough works cited page

3. The Research Paper: *YOUR PAPER MUST INCLUDE:
4-5 typed pages
A minimum of 7 different reputable resources (bibliography)
A minimum of 5 correct in-text citations
A Works Cited page
Correct MLA format

See the rubric below for final paper grading:

research ideas/databases

First, Choose your topic:
some research topic ideas

another site with topic ideas

When you have chosen your topic, post it to the blog page (below--click on comments and choose anonymous unless you have a Google account)

Open up a Word document or Google document and begin taking notes (cut and paste sources and need notes)

BPS Databases

Darcy's pride

Mrs. Gardiner says Darcy is more obstinate than "prideful"?
--What is the definition of obstinate?
--Explain how her comments are true?

Homework: Mary's statements

In the script, Mary states:

1. the loss of virtue in a female is irretrievable
2. a woman's reputation is no less brittle than it is beautiful

Hw:
1. What do these two statements mean?
2. What do they say about male/female roles at the time period?
3. Do you think this is still true today or an outdated concept?

Homework--Letter

Epistolary novel--Strictly speaking, an epistolary novel is a novel whose story is told through a series of letters. In a novel otherwise told in third person, letters allow the reader to hear the characters' voices more intimately. They also give an impression of immediacy and authenticity.

Hw: Write a letter (as Elizabeth) to Darcy explaining why you turned down his proposal. Or, write a letter as Wickham to Darcy explaining what happened to the money you have received from him and that you want more (and why you should have it).

Vocabulary sentences

For homework, you should have the following complete:

On pages 16 and 20 in the P and P packet (if you lost it, print one out. a link is available in the sidebar), there are 14 vocabulary words. Write 14 sentences (one for each word)using the word in regards to the novel. For example:

Pompous---Most of the people in Meryton believed Darcy was pompous after the first ball at Netherfield.

Also, in the packet you should complete pages: 12, 17, 18, 19, 24 and 28.
Read through Ch. 30.

We will perform our skits in class tomorrow.

Class Discussion

For a quiz grade, we will have a class discussion on Vol. 1 of the novel. You will need to write down 2 good questions you have about the reading. You will grade yourself using the following rubric:

Being Prepared:
Questions (2):
Being a Good Listener:
Participation:

What type of characterization is being used? (using adjectives)

We will fill out the following chart on Mr. Collins (Ch.15) and then you will fill out the same for Wickham for homework.

Characterization chart:
Types: (Can be more than 1)
N: narrator’s direct comments CSTA: character’s speech, thoughts, and actions
PD: physical description OSTA: the speech, thoughts, and actions, of other characters

Characterization of Mr. Collins
adjective definition textual example pg. # type

Characterization---write down a question about the reading so far

Remember the 4 types of characterization: (Complete the following for Elizabeth Ch. 1-12)
Physical description: pgs:

Author’s direct comments: pgs.:

Character’s speech/thoughts/actions: pgs:


The speech/thoughts/actions/ of other characters (towards this character): pgs:


**What is the author’s tone (attitude towards this character so far?) How can you tell?

Read through Ch. 12--

By this time you should have chosen your character and completed one double-entry journal about him or her. Read the section in the P and P packet about "Introducing the novel" (borrow a friend's to see what we underlined as especially important in class), and answer the questions on pages 14 and 15.

Hw #2 Pride and Prejudice--Read through Ch. 6

Hw Question #2 Pride and Prej.
Define the words: pride (2 meanings) and prejudice. Using these definitions, give an example (real-life) of each (3). Using examples from the text, explain which definition of the word pride best describes Mr. Darcy? Elizabeth? Are either/both characters prejudice in any way? Describe the reasoning behind these feelings? (historical, personal, economical)

Pride and Prejudice HW #1

--It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a large fortune, must be in want of a wife.

The novel Pride and Prejudice begins with one of the most famous first sentences in all novels. What does this sentence mean? What is the view of marriage that it suggests? Is it a concept that is outdated or still true today? Would you agree or disagree? Do you think this opinion is dependent on your sex? Give examples in your answers if possible.

(Make sure you answer all parts of the question and explain your answers thoroughly if you want full credit)

Day 1: What Did I Miss?

What have I missed during the first half of your senior year? Seriously, please let me know...I am interested. I want to get a better idea of what has been going on with you now that you know what has been going on with me. This can include any information that you feel relevant, but I hope it will include some of the following: what has been going on in this class (not bashing the teacher please), your personal life, your journey on the way to graduation, your classwork/grades, life in this-- what looks like a war zone--building. This is not a formal paper, but I hope it will have some sort of order or organization. Thanks. Looking forward to a good 2nd half of the year with you.