Here are a couple of lists-- just in case you have bee away for a long time-- of books to choose from to read for this last unit. Also linked is the assignment/scrapbook you will create to capture your reading experience-- lots of demos in class of alternative ways to journal, too!
Mrs.E
American Cannon
English Cannon
Literary Scrapbook
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
Revise the Hamlet Essay and Read from the Cannon
We had a lot of discussion in class about what the requirements for the "Critical Lens" essay on Hamlet should look like. The goal is a typical, college freshan-style essay (and genius):
3 page minimum
12 point font: TNR or default Apple font
1" margins
Textual evidence for every point you make--and LOTS of discussion about EXACTLY how this quotation/paraphrase means what you say it means.
Citations in this style: (2.4.122-24) (act.verse.line-s)
Academic tone: don't ask questions of your reader (Why does Hamlet delay?), just tell them, "Hamlet delays because he is a man of thought and debate, discussion and depression, and not the man of of action the ghost wants him to be." Don't talk to your reader (most people don't think this way, but I think") or refer to yourself with the personal pronoun "I", as a general rule. Be confident with your ideas and fluent in your use of words and sentence structures.
CONCLUSIONS: The hardest part of any essay-- they should explain why everything you just said is important-- they should wrap up your thoughts in such a way that your reader is still thinking about what you said for a while-- the amazing conclusion you write at the end of your first draft is sometimes a better thesis statement than the one you wrote in your first draft-- now that you REALLY understand what you mean-- because you just wrote out what you mean and proved it from the text--consider using your concluding idea AS your thesis as you revise before a second draft.
3 page minimum
12 point font: TNR or default Apple font
1" margins
Textual evidence for every point you make--and LOTS of discussion about EXACTLY how this quotation/paraphrase means what you say it means.
Citations in this style: (2.4.122-24) (act.verse.line-s)
Academic tone: don't ask questions of your reader (Why does Hamlet delay?), just tell them, "Hamlet delays because he is a man of thought and debate, discussion and depression, and not the man of of action the ghost wants him to be." Don't talk to your reader (most people don't think this way, but I think") or refer to yourself with the personal pronoun "I", as a general rule. Be confident with your ideas and fluent in your use of words and sentence structures.
CONCLUSIONS: The hardest part of any essay-- they should explain why everything you just said is important-- they should wrap up your thoughts in such a way that your reader is still thinking about what you said for a while-- the amazing conclusion you write at the end of your first draft is sometimes a better thesis statement than the one you wrote in your first draft-- now that you REALLY understand what you mean-- because you just wrote out what you mean and proved it from the text--consider using your concluding idea AS your thesis as you revise before a second draft.
Friday, May 17, 2013
Critical School Essay on Hamlet
Essays were due today-- Monday is last call.
We are really enjoying R and G are dead in the film version-- we will discuss absurdity later--yes!
The last unit for this class will be a self-chosen text from the cannon-- and you will create your own "scrapbook" in reaction-- as well as a college-level paper on it--getting close to the end! I will bring in some texts next week.
Mrs. E
We are really enjoying R and G are dead in the film version-- we will discuss absurdity later--yes!
The last unit for this class will be a self-chosen text from the cannon-- and you will create your own "scrapbook" in reaction-- as well as a college-level paper on it--getting close to the end! I will bring in some texts next week.
Mrs. E
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
AP Testing almost here
If you have had to do other things-- make sure you see me next week to finish the Hamlet final.
Check in with me to get a glossary help page, another practice test ( if you want it), and as much helpful advice as you can stand!
Test: Thursday
Party with Poetry and Fairy tales--FRIDAY
Check in with me to get a glossary help page, another practice test ( if you want it), and as much helpful advice as you can stand!
Test: Thursday
Party with Poetry and Fairy tales--FRIDAY
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
Practice, Practice!
If you have missed class-- here is a link to a site where you can acces practice tests:
http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/members/exam/exam_information/2002.html
Please take at least one complete timed multiple choice test and write at least two of the timed essays: one poetry and one prose-- we will write on the open topic later this week after we finish with Hamlet.
Monday: We took a full MC practice test--
HW: finish Act IV of Hamlet
Tuesday: We discussed poetry and free response essay prompts from 2012 test:
reviewed parts and functions of the sonnet--please review this if you were absent-- also talked about "speech acts" in poetry.
Wednesday: We will focus on Hamlet:
Assignment for Act IV (we will do in class)
Thursday: Read Act V
Essay/Final Test on Hamlet: Monday, May 6th
May 7 and 8: Review Major Works Data Sheets and Literary Terms
May 9th: AP TEST!
May 10th: Poetry Party to Celebrate! Cinderella is invited!
http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/members/exam/exam_information/2002.html
Please take at least one complete timed multiple choice test and write at least two of the timed essays: one poetry and one prose-- we will write on the open topic later this week after we finish with Hamlet.
Monday: We took a full MC practice test--
HW: finish Act IV of Hamlet
Tuesday: We discussed poetry and free response essay prompts from 2012 test:
reviewed parts and functions of the sonnet--please review this if you were absent-- also talked about "speech acts" in poetry.
Wednesday: We will focus on Hamlet:
Assignment for Act IV (we will do in class)
Thursday: Read Act V
Essay/Final Test on Hamlet: Monday, May 6th
May 7 and 8: Review Major Works Data Sheets and Literary Terms
May 9th: AP TEST!
May 10th: Poetry Party to Celebrate! Cinderella is invited!
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
Preparation for the test to come--Get ready!
Here is what we were up to this week:
Monday: we dissected a prompt form the 2009 version of the AP test, read the poem, and found the things that the prompt might have suggested were there (allusion/figures of speech/tone) and then wrote our own first paragraph and THEN read A LOT of student samples. Then we graded those prompts and decided which was the best--by our own criteria.
Tuesday: We re-read our favorite student essays: W and WW, and decided if the opening paragraphs did three things:
1- Named the nature of the COMPLEX reaction of the speaker
2- Mentioned the author and speaker and led into the techniques we would highlight in our essay.
3- Was well written
the we read more essays--along with their actual grade and comments from the grading staff
Then we dissected the prompt for the second (prose) essay and read it--notating at will! Then we made note of the techniques mentioned in the prompt that we had noticed on our first reading: Fig. of speech/personification/details of description/imagery. We the wrote a first paragraph of our essay about this piece.
Wednesday: This period is devoted to writing the essay in answer to the second prompt (prose) from the 2009 exam.
Thursday: We will research/look-up/ make study guides for the Literary Terms vocabulary that we need to master for the test. Helps are available in class-- and we also have the power of the internet! Make a study guide/flash cards/notecards/poems/essays ANYTHING that will help you remember the meaning of the terms that you did not include in your first semester glossary. Online Glossary
Friday: We will read "problem" essays from the second prompt in 2009: essays that are the borderline, according to the judges. We want to locate the key differences that might make our own essays unquestionable when we take the test.
HOMEWORK: Read the fourth act of Hamlet by Monday. We will probably get some time in class to help with this, but don't count on it. Reading helps: eat Ham-let sandwiches--wonder at Claudius formations in the blue sky, Grit you teeth and think of Gertrude, and BE. It is always better than the alternative. By the way: my favorite speech in a play full of amazing speeches comes in Act V. Still-- find your favorite speech from Act IV and be prepared to talk about it on Monday.
Monday: we dissected a prompt form the 2009 version of the AP test, read the poem, and found the things that the prompt might have suggested were there (allusion/figures of speech/tone) and then wrote our own first paragraph and THEN read A LOT of student samples. Then we graded those prompts and decided which was the best--by our own criteria.
Tuesday: We re-read our favorite student essays: W and WW, and decided if the opening paragraphs did three things:
1- Named the nature of the COMPLEX reaction of the speaker
2- Mentioned the author and speaker and led into the techniques we would highlight in our essay.
3- Was well written
the we read more essays--along with their actual grade and comments from the grading staff
Then we dissected the prompt for the second (prose) essay and read it--notating at will! Then we made note of the techniques mentioned in the prompt that we had noticed on our first reading: Fig. of speech/personification/details of description/imagery. We the wrote a first paragraph of our essay about this piece.
Wednesday: This period is devoted to writing the essay in answer to the second prompt (prose) from the 2009 exam.
Thursday: We will research/look-up/ make study guides for the Literary Terms vocabulary that we need to master for the test. Helps are available in class-- and we also have the power of the internet! Make a study guide/flash cards/notecards/poems/essays ANYTHING that will help you remember the meaning of the terms that you did not include in your first semester glossary. Online Glossary
Friday: We will read "problem" essays from the second prompt in 2009: essays that are the borderline, according to the judges. We want to locate the key differences that might make our own essays unquestionable when we take the test.
HOMEWORK: Read the fourth act of Hamlet by Monday. We will probably get some time in class to help with this, but don't count on it. Reading helps: eat Ham-let sandwiches--wonder at Claudius formations in the blue sky, Grit you teeth and think of Gertrude, and BE. It is always better than the alternative. By the way: my favorite speech in a play full of amazing speeches comes in Act V. Still-- find your favorite speech from Act IV and be prepared to talk about it on Monday.
Monday, April 22, 2013
Missing Essay Prompt
Official Prompt for Apocalypse Now and Heart of Darkness Essay:
Choose one theme topic* that you see as common to both works and write an essay that discusses how each work explores that theme and what you believe the author/director was trying to say about that theme.
* theme topics are things like love/greed/war/imperialism/power/the nature of man, etc.
Choose one theme topic* that you see as common to both works and write an essay that discusses how each work explores that theme and what you believe the author/director was trying to say about that theme.
* theme topics are things like love/greed/war/imperialism/power/the nature of man, etc.
Thursday, April 18, 2013
Out of the Darkness and Back to Denmark!
Is there an anagram in there somewhere?
Anyway--
1- The last post has the essay topic for the film--please bring a Full Draft (FIRST OR SECOND--JUST MAKE SURE IT IS NOT SO RE-WORKED THAT YOU CAN'T BEAR TO REVISE--FOR REVISION IS OUR LIFE!)-- ready for revision--on Monday--PLEASE DOUBLE SPACE!
2- Here is an update on the dates we are working with so far. We MUST finish Hamlet by the end of the month and we MUST learn/review literary terms.
VITAL LINK: Here are the other things we are up to:
How to Have a Great Weekend:
Read some Hamlet as you munch a ham sandwich?
Look up to the clouds and think: "Cloudius-----Claudius!"
Grind some coffee and grit your teeth over Gertrude's bad judgement?
Be true to thine ownself--
Be neither a borrower nor a lender--
Pretend to be mad and betray a couple former frien----NO! That's going too far!
Anyway--
1- The last post has the essay topic for the film--please bring a Full Draft (FIRST OR SECOND--JUST MAKE SURE IT IS NOT SO RE-WORKED THAT YOU CAN'T BEAR TO REVISE--FOR REVISION IS OUR LIFE!)-- ready for revision--on Monday--PLEASE DOUBLE SPACE!
2- Here is an update on the dates we are working with so far. We MUST finish Hamlet by the end of the month and we MUST learn/review literary terms.
VITAL LINK: Here are the other things we are up to:
How to Have a Great Weekend:
Read some Hamlet as you munch a ham sandwich?
Look up to the clouds and think: "Cloudius-----Claudius!"
Grind some coffee and grit your teeth over Gertrude's bad judgement?
Be true to thine ownself--
Be neither a borrower nor a lender--
Pretend to be mad and betray a couple former frien----NO! That's going too far!
Remember that it is always better to be than not to be--there is no question. Enjoy and I will see you on Monday.
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
Here is the essay topic for the movie
Please write the essay and bring a complete draft to class on Monday, April 22nd.:
Double spaced, TNR, 1-inch margins--thanks!
Double spaced, TNR, 1-inch margins--thanks!
Tuesday, April 9, 2013
Moving ON!
We have a full schedule this week-- here is a link to the timetable we discussed on Monday:
April 8-12
April 8-12
Thursday, April 4, 2013
Hamlet, Hamlet, He's Our Man! If He Can't Do it....?
Home stretch towards the AP exam and the end of your high school careers--amazing days!
Here's what we are up to this week:
Document of Agendas/video links
We also discussed viewing the film, Apocalyspe Now and relating it to our study of Heart of Darkness--the book from which the film was adapted. Here is a link to a permission slip for you (over 18) or your parents (under 18) to sign.
Here's what we are up to this week:
Document of Agendas/video links
We also discussed viewing the film, Apocalyspe Now and relating it to our study of Heart of Darkness--the book from which the film was adapted. Here is a link to a permission slip for you (over 18) or your parents (under 18) to sign.
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Almost Break Time!
We are done with Heart of Darkness, at least for now. If we have a chance, we will view Apocalypse Now in class. The final write for Heart of Darkness is a paper providing a critical analysis of the text from YOUR CHOICE among the critical schools. Please be sure your paper addresses the questions that your particular school would ask of the text-- a paragraph or two for each question is a guide-- but don't forget that your thesis can "overlap" several schools of thought.
Our latest dance card is all filled by the Bard-- an epic rhumba with the bestest rhymer of all timer-- a samba with the sonnet master-- a trip the light fantastic night in ghostly, rotten Denmark--Hamlet!
Here are some documents of introduction and assignment:
Chain of Being
C of B artistic interpretation
Elizabethan Universe
Cartoonish Seven Deadly Sins (also known as "mortal" sins--the kind that endanger your immortal soul)
Word Study
Reading Log
Chapter One Quiz-- USE THIS AS A STUDY GUIDE--WRITE ON IT.
READING SCHEDULE:
March 19-20, Act I, scene 1
March 20-21, Act I, scenes 2-3
March 21-22, Act I, scene 4-5
Over Spring Break: Write one Reading Log Entry (three types) for the whole of ACT I
Our latest dance card is all filled by the Bard-- an epic rhumba with the bestest rhymer of all timer-- a samba with the sonnet master-- a trip the light fantastic night in ghostly, rotten Denmark--Hamlet!
Here are some documents of introduction and assignment:
Chain of Being
C of B artistic interpretation
Elizabethan Universe
Cartoonish Seven Deadly Sins (also known as "mortal" sins--the kind that endanger your immortal soul)
Word Study
Reading Log
Chapter One Quiz-- USE THIS AS A STUDY GUIDE--WRITE ON IT.
READING SCHEDULE:
March 19-20, Act I, scene 1
March 20-21, Act I, scenes 2-3
March 21-22, Act I, scene 4-5
Over Spring Break: Write one Reading Log Entry (three types) for the whole of ACT I
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
Notice three significant points
As you read and analyze Mr. Achebe's speech, please write down three significant points that he makes and come to class prepared to discuss them in relationship to our other studies of Conrad's work: Heart of Darkness.
Monday, March 11, 2013
King Leopold's Soliloquy
Please read this little pamphlet by Mark Twain: Satire is the name of the game, and how else could we listen to such a man rant on about why he does what he does? The drawings and photos are amazing to look at, too. You can download it for free or read it on your computer via Google Books. We will discuss in class, of course!
Link to Google Books version
If the link doesn't work, you can download the pamphlet itself on Google Books-- the original text was donated by the library at Harvard University-- for use on your device or computer.
Link to Google Books version
If the link doesn't work, you can download the pamphlet itself on Google Books-- the original text was donated by the library at Harvard University-- for use on your device or computer.
Friday, March 8, 2013
The Horror! The Horror!
Man, it was almost like we were reading Frankenstein again! The monster is not just traipsing about in the Alps this time, but it is in me, and you , and Europe, and all who journey back into pre-civilizational [sic] primordial muck and ooze will find a "self" of violence and greed and ego unmitigated!
Meanwhile, back in Europe, in that "Whited Sepulchre* of a city, the intended must be protected from the truth. Hmmmmmm.. Why must we let her continue to worship a false idol? Even Kurtz is horrified when he faces the truth about who he really is, and yet the intended imagines he is wonderful and that, "I knew him best!" (91) when she does not know anything but the best press. Why protect the people in Europe from the degradation of imperialism--it is degrading to all parties, the subjugation of others
*biblical reference to hypocrisy (Matthew 23:27): the Pharisees were said to be clean and proper on the outside, but with hearts/souls full of death and decay and useless relics--like a white-washed tomb.
ASSIGNMENT: Here is a link to an article written by an African man who was a scholar/professor here in the U.S. He gives us a differing view of Conrad's work. Please read this and come to class Tuesday, March 12th prepared to discuss it.
An Image of Africa, by Chinua Achebe
REMINDER: Friday, March 8th we took a reading test over the whole of Heart of Darkness. Please be sure to make this up on Monday if you were absent
Essays on The Accountant: Due Wednesday, March 13th.
Meanwhile, back in Europe, in that "Whited Sepulchre* of a city, the intended must be protected from the truth. Hmmmmmm.. Why must we let her continue to worship a false idol? Even Kurtz is horrified when he faces the truth about who he really is, and yet the intended imagines he is wonderful and that, "I knew him best!" (91) when she does not know anything but the best press. Why protect the people in Europe from the degradation of imperialism--it is degrading to all parties, the subjugation of others
*biblical reference to hypocrisy (Matthew 23:27): the Pharisees were said to be clean and proper on the outside, but with hearts/souls full of death and decay and useless relics--like a white-washed tomb.
ASSIGNMENT: Here is a link to an article written by an African man who was a scholar/professor here in the U.S. He gives us a differing view of Conrad's work. Please read this and come to class Tuesday, March 12th prepared to discuss it.
An Image of Africa, by Chinua Achebe
REMINDER: Friday, March 8th we took a reading test over the whole of Heart of Darkness. Please be sure to make this up on Monday if you were absent
Essays on The Accountant: Due Wednesday, March 13th.
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Thinking about "non-bricks," portraits of symbolic ladies and getting to Kurtz
Continue to read and take notes according to the tasks on the bookmark. Everyone, at least from the conversations I overhear, seems to understand the work quite well, so far.
Today: we filled out a graphic organizer and had a group discussion about the "Brick Maker" character. We will finish it tomorrow.
Keep reading and rolling UP the river:
M/C and Matching type Test on entire book: Friday, March 8th
Today: we filled out a graphic organizer and had a group discussion about the "Brick Maker" character. We will finish it tomorrow.
Keep reading and rolling UP the river:
M/C and Matching type Test on entire book: Friday, March 8th
Thursday, February 28, 2013
The Week in Review
This week we went over the first part (Part One) of Heart of Darkness--making sure wee filled out the journey tracking journal (see previous posts for BOOKMARK and Beginning assignment).
We also:
Studied "The White Man's Burden" by Kipling and a parody of it POETRY ASSIGNMENT W-TH
Wrote a fine draft of an essay in class: ACCOUNTANT ESSAY PROMPT: T-TH
Reviewed and edited each other's essays: Friday, March 1st
We also:
Studied "The White Man's Burden" by Kipling and a parody of it POETRY ASSIGNMENT W-TH
Wrote a fine draft of an essay in class: ACCOUNTANT ESSAY PROMPT: T-TH
Reviewed and edited each other's essays: Friday, March 1st
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Here we go!
Please make sure and hand in your mapping of the "Good and Evil" article as well as your comments on "The Hollow Men."
As we read-- we will take notes in the following ways:
Review what impressionist writers are up to
Follow the hints and tasks on the bookmark as you keep a READER'S JOURNAL
Keep a detailed Journal of the beginning of the Journey!
As we read-- we will take notes in the following ways:
Review what impressionist writers are up to
Follow the hints and tasks on the bookmark as you keep a READER'S JOURNAL
Keep a detailed Journal of the beginning of the Journey!
Friday, February 15, 2013
Neitzsche and Nihilism-- Yikes!
Well, we mapped out that old argument about good and evil and discussed it-- it is digested, at least through the first of how ever many stomachs scholars have-- I believe cows have only four chambers of digestion--
Here is the essay to read and the map to create: Good and Evil Revisited, by Frederich Nietzsche
We are working up to reading Heart of Darkness by getting our first impressoin about impressionists. Here is a link to some excellent information: Impressionist Writers
Here is a link to a really wonderful presentation on the impressionists in general-- the artists and how/why it all got to be about "impressions" rather than "objective reality."
For the break, we will be reading "Hollow Men" by T.S. Eliot and digesting a few quotes of his own.: Hollow Men and commentary chart
Be sure to smell some flowers and eat something sweet as we proceed into these dark waters--its not a pretty picture, I'm afraid.
Happy Weekend!
Here is the essay to read and the map to create: Good and Evil Revisited, by Frederich Nietzsche
We are working up to reading Heart of Darkness by getting our first impressoin about impressionists. Here is a link to some excellent information: Impressionist Writers
Here is a link to a really wonderful presentation on the impressionists in general-- the artists and how/why it all got to be about "impressions" rather than "objective reality."
For the break, we will be reading "Hollow Men" by T.S. Eliot and digesting a few quotes of his own.: Hollow Men and commentary chart
Be sure to smell some flowers and eat something sweet as we proceed into these dark waters--its not a pretty picture, I'm afraid.
Happy Weekend!
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
New Schools of Criticism: Shut the Doll House!
We went over two more critical lenses: Marxist and Freudian (psychoanalytical). We will talk about structural criticism in general, as well as Archetypal criticism, before we hit the deconstructionists-- who are hard to understand and that's okay--it's their point really, that we can't possibly understand--- exactly.
Today we took the final on A Doll's House-- come see me if you were absent
Next Up: Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad
Please buy a copy and have it for Tuesday, Feb. 19th
OR:
This text is $0.99 to download on Amazon-- try one of our Kindle readers (see Ms. Beazizo) or download the FREE Kindle reader app on your ipod or ipad or mac or pc or blackberry or droid-- great time to experiment with the technology for only a buck.
Today we took the final on A Doll's House-- come see me if you were absent
Next Up: Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad
Please buy a copy and have it for Tuesday, Feb. 19th
OR:
This text is $0.99 to download on Amazon-- try one of our Kindle readers (see Ms. Beazizo) or download the FREE Kindle reader app on your ipod or ipad or mac or pc or blackberry or droid-- great time to experiment with the technology for only a buck.
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