School Notes

Please read “The Lottery” and be [prepared to discuss your thoughts on the story and its themes.

Here is the link:

http://www.jeanloupbenet.com/lottery.pdf

Character Analysis:

Do’s
Ask questions about motivation. Develop answers to the question: “What motivates this character?” Why is Torvald so concerned with honor?

Focus on key moments. (You don’t need to write about every scene or every choice.)

Organize based upon importance…

Outline based upon key events / themes / character traits.

What lessons can the reader learn?
Are these good lessons?

Don’ts:

Don’t summarize excessively.
Don’t simply retell the story.

Don’t feel the need to analyze the character in chronological order.

Eng 102 – Final Exam / Presentation

Students will be able to use their creative and critical thinking skills during this unique exam. There are several options from which to choose:

A) Perform a monologue or scene from one of the plays we discussed this semester:
• Trifles
• Hamlet
• A Doll’s House
• The Importance of Being Earnest
• Death of a Salesman
• Fences

B) Perform a new scene (inspired by one of the above plays) which takes place before, during, or after the drama. This scene may be a parody, or it may be a serious attempt to show the characters in a new situation.

C) For students not interested in performing, write a new scene which takes place before, during, or after the play’s events. The scene should be at least 3 pages long. (I will provide a script sample.)

After performing or submitting their written work, students should be prepared to orally answer some of the following questions:

• What is the character’s motivation during the scene?
• Why does the character behave that way?
• Why does the character make certain choices?
• Is there any symbolism in this scene? What is its significance?
• What themes are being conveyed? How are the themes delivered to the audience?

Eng 1A – Research Paper

John Stossel, an investigative reporter and staunch libertarian, claims that many of our society’s commonly held beliefs are false.

Stossel analyzes a wide range of issues, anything from frivolous lawsuits to flawed government policies.

As stated in class, his book Myths, Lies and Downright Stupidity is compelling. But how reliable are Stossel’s arguments?

Conducting your own research, select a specific claim (or a group of claims) from a chapter of Stossel’s book. To the best of your ability, verify whether or not Stossel’s statements are factual, fallacious, or somewhere in between.

Secondary Sources:
In addition to quotes from the Stossel’s book, students should incorporate material from at least four other sources.

Provide a Works Cited page – MLA format.

Length: 7 – 10 pages

Due: June 15th

Organize a Poetry Analysis:

TONE: Emotional impact of the writing style.
Most college papers = Tone is academic.

EVIDENCE: Examples from the text… Biographic examples. Examples of the poem’s theme in real life.

Introduction:
Hook the reader. (Get reader’s attention.)
Topic overview. (What will we be exploring?)
DO NOT BECOME A TOUR GUIDE!
Thesis Statement:
Bio connections, themes, symbolism.

The poems of Sylvia Plath are poignant simply because they are backed up by the emotional power of her suicide.

Robert Frost’s poems insightfully explore the poet’s love of nature and life’s inevitable tragedies.

Body paragraphs:
Poem by poem? (Explication)
 Denotation / Connotation
 Metaphors / Similes
 Biographic connections
 Symbolism / Theme
 Rhyme Scheme / Meter

Organize by Ideas…
Robert Frost –
City experiences (negative and Positive)
Higher power vs. Non-religion (Design)
Negative experiences in nature
Postive experiences in nature
“Poem Title”
Lyrical Ballads – Book Title

Literary Analysis:

August: Osage County

Choose one of the following:

A) Focusing on one or more characters from August: Osage County, analyze the ways in which the character(s) changes (or remains static). What motivates the character to change? What can readers learn from the character’s transformation – or from a character’s refusal/failure to change?

B) Compare / contrast two characters from the play – or compare/contrast one character from the play and one character from another source (novel, short story, play, film). In your analysis, consider some of the following: character development (flat vs. well-rounded), motivation, choices, reactions, emotional growth (or lack thereof). It is up to the student to create a focused thesis statement. (Tip: Develop a specific opinion based upon your compare/contrast analysis.)

C) Identify and evaluate the messages / themes of August: Osage County. Argue whether or not readers can any valuable “life lessons” from Tracy Letts’ play.

D) How realistic is the portrayal of the Weston family? Do their values and their behavior reflect “real life” families of today? What should the readers / audience members learn from this play?

Length: +1200 Words

Include quotes from your primary source and at least two secondary sources.

Note: The secondary sources might be critical reviews, literature, internet articles, research information, scholarly journals, or interviews from “experts” in a relevant field. (For example, if you are analyzing the “dysfunctional” qualities of the Westons, you might interview a family therapist.)

Include an MLA Works Cited page.

Peer Review / First Draft: May 4th
Due: May 13th

Eng 102 – Poetry Analysis

Choose one of the following essay prompts:
A)
Choose a specific author (preferably from the textbook – however you may touch base with me if there is another poet you would like to analyze). Analyze 2 (or more) poems, paying particular attention to theme, denotation, connotation, biographic connections (if applicable) and possible use of symbolism.
B)
Choose 3 (or more) poems that share a particular subject or topic – the more specific the better. (For example: 3 poems about songbirds.) Analyze the different themes/messages conveyed about the subject and the method in which they are conveyed.
Length: +1500 Words

Due: April 28th

Students will create an argument essay that either:
A) Identifies a problem and proposes a solution.
or

B) Defends the status quo against a proposed change.

Explore one of the following topics:
• The Influence of the Media
• Issues in Public Education

Of course, each of the above topics is quite vague – and that’s part of the fun. The topics will be further analyzed during our readings and discussions. Students may wish to respond to a particular article found in the McGraw Hill Reader, but they are also encouraged (and required) to explore other sources.

Determine your audience:
Don’t think of your reader as “the teacher.” Imagine that your reader is a wider audience, a group of readers. Who do you want to reach? Who do you want to challenge? Consider whether your essay is intended to be read by opponents or neutral individuals.
After you determine your audience, then consider the strategy of your paper.

Do you want to write a classic argument – in which the goal is to win?
Or do you want to write a Rogerian argument – in which the goal is to build bridges and seek beneficial compromises?
IMPORTANT:
Incorporate at least four outside sources and a works cited page. (MLA format).
Length: +1500 words

First Peer Review: April 6th
Second Peer Review: April 13th
Final Draft Due: April 15th

Choose four of the following questions. Write a 1-2 paragraph response.

1) In “A Good Man Is Hard to Find,” analyze the behavior of the Grandmother character. What do her final moments signify? Does the Misfit or the Grandmother have an epiphany?

2) Describe the writing style of Virginia Woolf’s “A New Dress.” What impact does the style have upon the reader?

3) Identify and evaluate the central theme of Anton Chekhov’s “In Exile.”

4) Analyze the climax and resolution of “Uncle Ben’s Choice.”

5) Evaluate William Faulkner’s use of setting and/or “point of view” in “A Rose for Emily.”

6) Analyze the various conflicts in Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s “The Yellow Wallpaper.” Does she overcome her antagonist(s)? Or do they overcome her?

7) Using symbolism, what might the characters in “A Very Old Man With Enormous Wings” represent.

Write a critical review of “A Hunger Artist.”

9) Compare and contrast Maggie and Dee from Alice Walker’s “Everyday Use.”

Mar. 2nd: Descriptive Writing
Workshop: Compare / Contrast

Mar. 4th: McGraw p. 3- 11 (Reading Critically)
McGraw p. 30 – 61 (Writing Process)

Mar. 9th: McGraw p.62 – 67 & 86 – 91 (Essays on Communication)
McGraw p. 109 – 116 (Arguments)
Workshop: Introductions and Thesis Statements

Mar. 11th: McGraw p. 117 – 132 (Writing Arguments)
McGraw p. 145 – 159 (Death Penalty and Animal Rights Essays)
Workshop: Developing Body Paragraphs and Conclusions

Mar. 16th: Peer Review / Bring in a draft of your Response Essay
McGraw p. 178 – 205 (Research and MLA Citation)

Mar. 18th: Response Essay Due
Workshop: Rogerian and Classic Arguments

Mar. 23rd: Discuss Handout (TBA)
McGraw p. 287 – 298 (Education Essays)

Mar. 25th: McGraw p. 351 – 377 (Gender Roles in Society)
Workshop: Proposal Arguments & Defending the Status Quo

Mar. 30th: McGraw p.447 – 463 (Government and Justice)

April 1st: McGraw p. 471 – 477 (American Dream Essay)

April 6th: Peer Review / Bring in draft of your Argument Essay
Workshop: Process Analysis

April 8th: In – Class Essay

April 13th: Argument Essay Due
McGraw p. 507 – 525 (Business Ethics and Economy Essays)

April 15th: McGraw p. 526 – 555 (Business Ethics and Economy Essays)
Workshop: Poetry Explication

April 20th: McGraw p. 602 – 625 (Media and Pop Culture)
Workshop: Analyzing a text with biographical context

April 22nd: Oral Presentations (Day One)

April 27th: Oral Presentations (Day Two)

April 29th: Oral Presentation (Day Three)
Peer Review / Bring in draft of your Literature Analysis Essay

May 4th: McGraw p. 626 – 637 (Literature and the Arts)
Workshop: Division / Classification

May 6th: Literature Analysis Due
Watch Documentary: Sicko (Directed by Michael Moore)

May 11th: Discuss Sicko
McGraw p. 728 – 751 & 760 – 778 (Medical Issues)

May 13th: Discuss Lies, Myths… (pages TBA)
Workshop: Cause and Effect

May 18th: Discuss Lies, Myths… (pages TBA)
Workshop: Incorporating Interview Material

May 20th: Discuss Lies, Myths… (pages TBA)

May 25th: McGraw p. 887 – 906 (Science and Technology Essays)

May 27th: Discuss Lies, Myths… (pages TBA)
Workshop: Responding to your Research

June 1st: McGraw p. 809 – 822 (Environment Issues)

June 3rd: Discuss final chapters of Lies, Myths…

June 8th: Peer Review / Bring in draft of Research Essay

June 10th: Research Essay Due
Prepare for Final

June 15th: Final In Class Essay