English 12 22-23
January 19th, 2023
I’m not here again, sadly. I have graded all of your final essays here at home in bed and am pleasantly surprised. I will return them in the AM so you can see the rubric / score. If you have ANYTHING else to submit that’s late, now is the time to complete it. Final grades are going out tomorrow after class.
I promised that we would go over the literacy 12 exam. This will still happen. You will just complete the exam today as a practice and we will go over everything tomorrow in class for our final day of the semester.
Here are the instructions:
- On your device, click this link:
- Select “Form A”
- Start the test. Get used to the formatting – how the test is structured, the buttons etc. The next button is on the right bottom corner.
- Do the multiple choice
- Do the graphic organizer / written response, but save your written work on a separate document
- PART B – you made it!
- Do the multiple choice questions
- Make a choice for the written theme response that fits your ideas.
- When you get to the written response, save your work to a separate document.
- Finish self reflection if you want
- Check your answers.
After you finish the test, make sure to ask three questions about the process for me to answer tomorrow. We will also go over your written responses in class.
And I’ll show you your final grades tomorrow.
January 17th & 18th, 2023
So today, (17th) you are working on the rough draft, checking with me for everything you have questions about, and making a good outline. I have connected a peer review sheet to this blog so that you can get some good feedback from your peers.
Peer Review 3PP Essay Structure
Tomorrow (18th) you will be doing the in class write that’s due at the end of class. I will not be there. You will have a TOC. Because of time constraints, I cannot allow rewrites or late submissions. If you don’t hand it in, then you will receive a 0. Make sure, wherever you are to get it in on time. I’ll be grading it from home.
I’ll be back on Thursday for this:
https://curriculum.gov.bc.ca/provincial/grade-12-literacy-assessment
January 16th, 2023
The week will be quite busy. I’d like for you to start working on the final question as soon as you can. Here is the final, updated structure / outline for you:
Purdy Literary Analysis Step 2.0 Frankenstein
And here are a few of my best examples for you to base your ideas on:
This is Joyce Cao:
ENG12 – Frankenstein Literary Analysis
And Saba Anmar:
Gooddraft_Frankenstein_Anmar – Copy
So for about 45 minutes or so, I’d like to talk about these questions in class:
1. Throughout the novel, Frankenstein refers to his creation as a dæmon. According to the
ancient Greeks, a dæmon is a mystical being that is neither human nor god but
somewhere in between. In popular fiction, the term describes an animal that is the
manifestation of a person’s soul, often showcasing the person’s dark side. Using these
definitions, how has Victor’s language influenced your perception of his creature? Has
his negative language regarding his creation influenced your perception of Victor?
2. What does it mean to be a monster? Who is the real monster in Frankenstein? Is Victor,
the well-intentioned yet troubled scientist, a monster? Or is his creation the monster? Are
they both monsters in their own ways?
3. Frankenstein is often used as an example of ethical vs. non-ethical scientific/medical
procedure. Do you think that the way that Victor created his creature was ethical? Nonethical? Should Victor have made his creature at all? Explain.
4. What is the role of fate in the novel? Victor Frankenstein regularly bemoans that fate
contributes to the outcome of his experiences. Is fate really involved, or is Victor
avoiding taking the blame for his own actions? To what extent are we responsible for our
own lives and actions?
5. Nature vs. Nurture is an important theme throughout Frankenstein. With the case of
Victor’s creature, he does not teach it or raise it but abandons it to figure out life on its
own. If Victor had raised the creature, how do you think it would have turned out? Would
it have still become a vindictive creature because it is its nature to be so? Or would it
have maybe followed in Victor’s footsteps to seek learning opportunities (since it is in
fact quite intelligent) because Victor nurtured it that way?
6. Who is the real protagonist in Frankenstein? Is it Victor Frankenstein, who is also the
namesake of the novel? Or is it Frankenstein’s creature? Could Walton be the protagonist
since the story is told through him?
7. How would the story and its meaning differ if we never got the creature’s side of the
story?
8. Contrary to popular belief, Frankenstein is not the full title of Mary Shelley’s 200-yearold novel. It is actually titled, Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus. Prometheus
was Greek Titan known for his intelligence. He also reportedly created man from clay,
then stole fire from the gods and gave it to humans enabling civilization. Why do you
think the title only partially survived over the years? What is the significance of the title
to the novel? How does it change your perception of Frankenstein?
9. How do Hollywood, pop culture, and Frankenstein’s many incarnations play a role in
your previous perceptions of the novel? What wasn’t in the story that you thought would
be because of your preconceptions? What is the novel that surprised you? How are the
characters different in modern adaptations, both physically and personality-wise?
10. Gender roles are an underlying theme throughout the book. Most of the women are
domestic, often taking care of the children of the family and waiting for their betrothed to
return home. How would the story be different if Elizabeth Lavenza, Victor
Frankenstein’s love, created the monster instead? Might she have been a better role
model, maybe even maternal, towards her creature, as she is towards Victor’s siblings?
11. Science was rapidly changing in the 1800s, and it continues to further advance today. For
many readers, Shelley’s novel serves as a warning of science gone awry and the
irreversible outcomes of well-intentioned experiments. What are some scientific
inventions/experiments that are happening right now that could lead to monstrous results?
January 13th, 2023
Ok, this is the final day for journals. They’re due tonight at Midnight! I’ll be looking over them this weekend. Please turn them into teams.
Monday-Wednesday : final literary analysis.
Here is the updated version of the Frankenstein Literary Analysis paper.
Purdy Literary Analysis Step 2.0 Frankenstein
Let’s revisit the whole idea of coming up with a good idea base for your paper. I made my honors kids do different points for the papers you read. (You do annotated bibliographies – so there’s not much difference)
Here are a few of my favorites from that time:
Sunderji_A Psychoanalytical Points
January 12th, 2023
June 1st: Day 13: Aftermath Part II: Chapter 23-24
Questions:
- After watching his female companion torn to bits, the creature makes an eloquent defense and vows Victor will “repent of the injuries (he) inflicts.” Is the creature justified in his feelings? Why or why not? What is Shelley’s purpose in his defense?
- After hearing of Clerval’s murder, Victor falls ill once again. In agony, he wonders, “Why did I not die?” What would your answer be? Is there a reason for his continued anguish?
- For Victor and his father, what purpose would a quick marriage to Elizabeth serve? Discuss the impact on Elizabeth. What role does she continue to play? Does her death alter or perpetuate that role?
- Discuss the irony in Victor’s statement to the magistrate: “Man, how ignorant art thou in thy pride of wisdom!”
- What is the motivation behind Victor’s vow to find and destroy his creature? Has he learned any lessons?
January 11th, 2023
This is your task today:
Aftermath Part 2:
Close reading on passage from Chapters IV-V. I will post one:
January 10th, 2023
Make sure to finish your close reading quote journals. Here is where you should be today:
AFTERMATH part 1:
Book reading-
Part 3: Chapters I-III
Questions:
|
1. Is the creature’s demand for a female companion a valid request? Examine the pros and cons of Victor’s compliance. Consider evidence provided by both Victor and the creature. 2. To what famous Romantic symbol is Shelley alluding when she has Victor think, “Could I enter into a festival with this deadly weight yet hanging round my neck and bowing me to the ground?” 3. What is Victor’s greatest fear as he leaves for England? Describe the irony in his decision to continue. 4. What evidence suggests Victor feels responsibility for the murders? What evidence illustrates that he still blames the creature? 5. How is Victor’s view of the Scottish Orkneys a reflection of his emotional state? |
January 9th, 2023
I’ll go over the questions with you about 15 minutes into class.
Read Chapter VIII-IX – this is to the end of part 2.
This will be your 4th close reading.
January 6th, 2023
Quote analysis #3 – Volunteers?
For today: Chapters VI-VII
- What imagery does Shelley employ when the character describes his “awakening?” What does his reaction remind you of?
- How does the change in narration to the creature’s point of view affect the reading of the novel? Do you feel sympathy for the creature when he is rejected by humanity?
- What crucial role in the creature’s development is played by the DeLacey family?
January 5th, 2023
So for tomorrow, (Thursday) you will be doing a close analysis of the creature’s story part 1.
This, in your texts, is Part 2, chapters III-V.
Here is a detailed answer key for what we discussed today (Thanks Nicholas!)
Who is at fault for William’s death? Is anyone other than the murderer responsible for
what happened?
– Victor is responsible for what happened. He was responsible for letting his creating roam free
and he did not attempt to re-capture/contain it.
– “Negligence is abuse”
– If it was not for Victor’s childish-like level of responsibility, William would have not been
killed by his creation and Justine would not have been condemned to death.
– Since Victor’s creation was just born into the world, it was Victor’s responsibility to teach his
scientific experiment the values of human life and ethical/moral boundaries
– Metaphorically, the creation represents a baby. If a baby were to commit a crime, it is entirely
possible that society/the jury would blame the parents of the baby for the sub-optimal attempt
to teach the child the ethical responsibilities of humans.
– However, if a child is old enough, we start condemning these children for their wrongful
actions, as they had already been given the chance to learn these ethical standpoints (and also
their consequences of failure to abide by these)
– Since the creation was just born into life, he is a baby and therefore the parent (Victor) needs to
take the responsibility of his creation’s sins it committed.
– Ignorance in society: superficiality
– Because of monster being shunned from society, the monster shows superficial norms
– If the monster is considered human, then he should be responsible for his autonomous
decisions. However, if it is considered a creature, then it is not responsible
2. How might Justine’s trial have differed in today’s court system? – Today’s court system is more complicated, yet more egalitarian (just). – The trial would have lasted longer, since it would need to include important aspects such as concrete evidence, alibies, and a fact-checking. – The jury plays a very important role, since all the members must agree on one conclusion based on the evidence. If not, it is declared a “hung jury” and the case is declared a mistrial. The trial recommences until the accused is condemned or acquitted. This could have possibly saved Justine’s life due to the questionable circumstances of the murder. As of chapter eight, we know for a fact that William was killed by the Creation, and not Justine (and she had no reason to). – The current court system is very unbiased, making it very easy for one to be truthfully judged without any outside factors contributing to the final decision. – Now: Innocent until proven guilty – Then: Guilty and then proven innocent – Back then, court trials were severely biased towards sex/religion, women like Justine and religious individuals were unfavored – Trials were extremely skewed in favor of the rich, those higher on the hierarchy (although this still happens today somewhat)
3. How does Victor’s guilt affect his health? What is Shelley’s purpose in this recurring plot device? – Every time Victor feels guilty about Justine’s death, he begins to feel phycological ill mentally, physically, and emotionally – “I was seized by remorse and the sense of guilt, which hurried me away to a hell of intense tortures, such as no language can describe” (71) – Victor is suffering more from the death of William than the accused themselves. He is self-critical, conscientious, and an empath. This is because he knows that Justine is innocent, that she was dead, and that he was alive when he was the primary perpetrator. – His mind is being tortured as if he were guilty – “When I perceived that the popular voice, and the countenances of the judges, had already condemned my unhappy victim, I rushed out of the court in agony. The tortures of the accused did not equal mine; she was sustained by innocence, but the fangs of remorse tore my bosom, and would not forego their hold” (65). – “Sleep fled from my eyes; I wandered like an evil spirit, for I had committed deeds of mischief beyond description horrible, and more, much more, (I persuaded myself) – He has lost his self-worth, and his sense to life. Life has no meaning to him anymore. He is “wandering around like an evil spirit”, with no sense of direction of where to go. – The purpose of Shelley’s decision for Victor’s guilt to be a recurring plot device is to show us the downfall of Victor’s gentry. Shelley uses Victor’s loss of self-worth and guilt to illustrate his turning point in his fortune. – Victor’s life shifts from a prosperous standpoint to a detrimental valley, and alongside it, the chance that Victor can recover from the traumatic events that he has allowed to pass, diminishes. His fate is ultimately set in stone.
4. How is Victor’s reaction toward the Valley of Chamounix a departure from his previous views of nature? – Victor uses an abundance of imagery appealing to the five senses – Below: the following highlighted passage contains Victor’s use of imagery while describing nature.
– At the end of the passage, Victor poses the question of why humanity must boast of their ability to intelligently respond to emotions and aesthetic influences. – Victor uses imagery to accurately describe the scene surrounding him. – Victor’s description of his surrounding theme is weird, since he continues to hold a more pessimistic point of view while describing the surrounding nature in a manner that can only be considered positive. – “The ascent is precipitous, but the path is cut into continual and short windings, which enable you to surmount the perpendicularity of the mountain. It is a scene terrifically desolate. In a thousand spots the traces of the winter avalanche may be perceived, where trees lie broken and strewed on the ground; some entirely destroyed, others bent, leaning upon the jut- ting rocks of the mountain, or transversely upon other trees. The path, as you ascend higher, is intersected by ravines of snow, down which stones continually roll from above; one of them is particularly dangerous, as the slightest sound, such as even speaking in a loud voice, produces a concus- sion of air sufficient to draw destruction upon the head of the speaker. The pines are not tall or luxuriant, but they are sombre, and add an air of severity to the scene. I looked on the valley beneath; vast mists were rising from the rivers which ran through it, and curling in thick wreaths around the opposite mountains, whose summits were hid in the uniform clouds while rain poured from the dark sky, and added to the melancholy impres- sion I received from the objects around me. Alas! why does man boast of sensibilities superior to those apparent in the brute; it only renders them more necessary beings. If our impulses were confined to hunger, thirst, and desire, we might be nearly free; but now we are moved by every wind that blows, and a chance word or scene that that wind may convey to us.” (78) – He has a pessimistic point of view. While admiring nature, he starts to question the very desires of man. – In the highlighted text above, Victor questions why humankind boasts of themselves on aspects that they succeed more at than others. He then answers himself that this in return makes the vaunter more self-confident and more “necessary beings” in the world. – This comes back to the self-righteous theme of his project of creating the monster. Early on, it was solely a passion project or a pastime to take his mind off things, but it soon became a way for him to leave his mark on the world before he leaves it. In his mind, he is doing humanity a favor by bringing the undead back to life, and everybody could benefit from his invention. – He is extremely inexplicit in his claims, but he insists that boasting and the sense of self-importance is simultaneously the most treacherous trait of mankind and the only way of surviving in the world. – He continues to claim that if mankind’s sole impulses were confined to hunger, thirst and desire, we may be less indifferent to each other. – He claims that because we boast and hyperbolize so often about our positive traits which we are proud of, we are sensitive to every fact that is revealed to us. “We are moved by every wind that blows, and a chance word or scene that that wind may convey to us.” – This is an enormous departure from his earlier viewpoint, as he was unable to recognize this while working on the project. Only when he finished his creation, did he realize that his project was entirely self-righteous and benefitted nobody except himself – This boasting, and the sense of self-importance, is Victor’s hubris, his hamartia which eventually leads to his downfall. He was ultimately able to recognize this but it was already too late for him to alter the consequences of his actions. – This pessimistic, hopeless, and shameful tone and atmosphere is found throughout his narration ever since the deaths of Justine and William – It seems like Victor is extremely sensible to death. It is the only thing that makes him reflect. He was scarred from the death of his mother, and the sole reason he loved Elizabeth was because she also had these feminine, motherly attributes similar to his mother. – “You don’t appreciate it until it is taken away from you”
January 4th, 2023
I’d like for a few of you to be volunteers for the quote analysis, so that others get a good idea of what I’m looking for. Then you have the rest of the class to work on chapters 9-10. We’ll go over the questions tomorrow.
| Consequences: Chapters 9-10
Questions: 1. Who is at fault for William’s death? Is anyone other than the murderer responsible for what happened? 2. How might Justine’s trial have differed in today’s court system? 3. How does Victor’s guilt affect his health? What is Shelley’s purpose in this recurring plot device? 4. How is Victor’s reaction toward the Valley of Chamounix a departure from his previous views of nature?
|
January 3rd, 2023
May 20th: Day 6: Consequences: Chapter 6-8 – we’ll talk about it all tomorrow.
Quote Journals Part 2 – I’ve put the info on the blog so you remember:
- First Impressions:
- What is the first thing you notice about the passage?
- What is the second thing?
- Do the two things you noticed complement each other? Or contradict each other?
- What mood does the passage create in you as a reader? Why?
- Vocabulary and Diction:
- Which words do you notice first? Why did they stand out from the others?
- How do the important words relate to one another?
- Does a phrase here appear elsewhere in the story or poem?
- Do any words seem oddly used to you? Why? Is that a result of archaic language? Or deliberate weirdness?
- Do any words have double meanings? Triple meanings? What are all the possible ways to read it?
- Look up any unfamiliar words. For a pre-20th century text, look in the Oxford English Dictionary for possible outdated meanings. Look up very common words as well since they often have several possible meanings?
- Discerning Patterns:Does an image here remind you of an image elsewhere in the book?
- How does this pattern fit into the pattern of the book as a whole?
- How could this passage symbolize something in the entire work? Could this passage serve as a microcosm, a little picture, of what’s taking place in the whole narrative or poem?
- What is the sentence rhythm like? Short and choppy? Long and flowing? Does it build on itself or stay at an even pace? How does that structure relate to the content?
- Look at the punctuation. Is there anything unusual about it? What about capitalization?
- Is there any repetition within the passage? What words are repeated? Why are they repeated?
- How many types of writing are in the passage? (e.g., narration, description, argument, dialogue, rhymed or alliterative poetry inserted into the prose passage, etc.)
- Can you identify paradoxes in the author’s thought or subject?
- What is left out or silenced? What would you expect the author to say that the author seems to have avoided or ignored? What could the author have done differently—and what’s the effect of the current choice?
- Point of View and Characterization:
- How does the passage make us react or think about any characters or events within the narrative?
- Are there colors, sounds, physical description that appeals to the senses? Does this imagery form a pattern? Why might the author have chosen that color, sound or physical description? Is it symbolic? Foreshadowing?
- Who speaks in the passage? To whom does he or she speak? Does the narrator have partial or omniscient viewpoint? How does that viewpoint help or hinder the reader’s comprehension?
- Symbolism, Schemes, Tropes:
- Are there metaphors, similes, figures of speech? What kinds? Why might the author have chosen them?
- Is there one controlling metaphor? If not, how many different metaphors are there, and in what order do they occur? How might that be significant? Consult the “Schemes and Tropes” section of the Course Packet or on the class website under “Rhetoric” and see if any of these rhetorical tools appear in the writing.
- Importance (the most vital part of the exercise):
- Why is it important for the reader to know what you have just analyzed and explained? How does the passage you have chosen help us understand the story, poem, or play more completely?
December 16th, 2022
So this has absolutely no literary merit except for the legacy that Mary Shelley left the world in her wake of creating the Frankenstein Monster. When we think of Frankenstein, we think of this essential movie – and those of you that have read the first volume – has absolutely no relation to the book whatsoever.
It’s also THE quintessential late night Halloween film – I really think that you’ll get a kick out if it.
Finish the annotation #2 in your quote journals on chapters 5-8 so you don’t bring things home over the break.
December 15th, 2022
WE will have a brief discussion on the chapter 4 questions:
1. Victor’s obsession with natural science results in two years passing with no visits home. How would you evaluate his character at this point?
2. Describe the shift in tone when Victor says, “Learn from me, if not by my precepts, at least by my example, how dangerous is the acquirement of knowledge and how much happier the man is who believes his native town to be the world, than he who aspires to become greater than his nature will allow.”
3. During his summer experiment, Victor admits “his eyes were insensible to the charms of nature.” What role might nature (or the lack of it) play for Victor?
4. What message might Victor be missing when he dreams that his kiss turns Elizabeth into a corpse?
Now you just keep continuing with the chapter 5 -8 section of the journals. Pick a quote from one of these chapters for your second analysis. There are no questions.
December 13th / 14th, 2022
Please continue working as you have so far.
| Creation of the Monster: Chapter 4
Questions: 1. Victor’s obsession with natural science results in two years passing with no visits home. How would you evaluate his character at this point? 2. Describe the shift in tone when Victor says, “Learn from me, if not by my precepts, at least by my example, how dangerous is the acquirement of knowledge and how much happier the man is who believes his native town to be the world, than he who aspires to become greater than his nature will allow.” 3. During his summer experiment, Victor admits “his eyes were insensible to the charms of nature.” What role might nature (or the lack of it) play for Victor? 4. What message might Victor be missing when he dreams that his kiss turns Elizabeth into a corpse? 5. How is this section related to your theme? Explain.
|
December 12th, 2022
Discussion of ideas and then you have the rest of the time to work on the next part. Keep in mind that the first journal is due soon.
Victor’s Early Life: Chapter 1-2
Pg. 16-31 (In print out text and PDF)
Questions:
- How does Victor’s statement that “the world was to me a secret which I desired to divine” serve as characterization?
- How do Henry and Victor differ? Why might Shelley be setting them up as character foils?
- What is Shelley’s intent when she has Victor characterize Elizabeth as “the saintly soul (who) shone like a shrine-dedicated lamp in our peaceful home?” What role does this characterization set for Elizabeth?
- Is Victor’s fascination with the Philosopher’s Stone an admirable one?
December 9th, 2022
I have a little pre-reading exercise for us to complete together as a class.
There’s also a cool poem that Shelley based her ideas on – we won’t have time today, but you can look at it on your own time and for your own research into the novel’s context:
The Rime of the Ancient Mariner with guides
So We will be reading this today:
Day 1:
Walton Meets Frankenstein: Letters
HERE IS THE TEXT:
Questions for discussion:
- Is Walton a reliable narrator? Why or why not?
- Is Walton’s goal to “confer on all mankind . . . a passage near the pole” noble or overly ambitious?
- How does Robert’s desire for a friend affect his relationship with Dr. Frankenstein? How might this relationship affect the reader’s trust in Walton as a reliable narrator?
- How is this section related to your theme? Explain.
Here’s something for the corner cutters, busy after school workers, or the students that step above after reading:
December 8th, 2022
Now this unit is not as heavily guided. Today, I will give you time to read the first section of the piece. Here is the reading plan again – I thought I’d read it to you, but I think it would be better if either you had the audio while you read. I’ll ask loud students politely to leave.
The annotated bibliographies are due this Friday December 9th at 11:59PM and they are a rough preliminary draft. You can quietly work on this as well.
December 7th, 2022
I have a schedule breakdown on the readings – with them are comprehension questions. I’ll explain more tomorrow:
While choosing an article (from the ones given) read the abstract. I’ll put you in groups so that you can go through the piece together. four groups in total.
The papers:
Adams 2001 Making Daemons of Death and Love
Jager (2014) Mary Shelley s Frankenstein and the Fate of Modern Scientific Psychology
Brockman Freud, Frankenstein, art of loss
Britton (2015) What made Monster Monstrous
So, to sum up – TODAY:
- You are assigned a paper with your group.
- Read the paper with the group. (Go somewhere in the school)
- Answer the following questions (annotated bibliography) with your group.
- Present your findings to the class.
Remember the rules of annotated bibliography:
Part 1 (Summary)
1.The main idea of this article is…….
2.The topics covered in this article are…….
3.The author’s point of view in this article is……
Part 2 (Rhetoric) YOU KNOW THIS NOW!
1.The author of this piece is/is not credible because……
2.The author knows a lot about this topic because….
3.From this piece, the author wants you to………….
Part 3 (Reflection)
1.This article supports my ideas because…..
2.This article was helpful to me because….
3.This article added to my knowledge about this topic because….
I would like to start Frankenstein tomorrow. The first reading we will do together.
December 6th, 2022
HERE IS THE TEXT:
“the companions of our childhood always possess a certain power over our minds which hardly any later friend can obtain.”
― Frankenstein
I will give you a brief overview of a psychoanalytical theoretical perspective:
I have underlined words in this document for you to familiarize yourself with:
Psychoanalytic-literary-criticism
Documents for you to choose from for your own annotated bibliography. This will help you navigate through the text. You are familiar with the style.
Adams 2001 Making Daemons of Death and Love
Jager (2014) Mary Shelley s Frankenstein and the Fate of Modern Scientific Psychology
Brockman Freud, Frankenstein, art of loss
Britton (2015) What made Monster Monstrous
Focus on one and then we can go over them tomorrow. I will make the lecture short so that you can focus on these and have time to work on them tomorrow as well.
December 5th, 2022
In class write today. It is due at the end of class.
Remember (Thanks to Ernie’s visit today)
- Paraphrase the quotes and claim what they mean
- Make the claim related to bigger themes in literature / art / humanities
- Your opinion – lessons learned etc.
December 1st, 2022
This is the final day for you to go through your quote analysis. I really am giving you ‘carte blanche’ for prep. You can complete the whole thing or end up drawing smiley faces all day.
Monday, it’s on!
November 30th, 2022
So now you should be in the final stages of your story, but to be honest, I have enjoyed working with you all individually throughout your progress.
Before we move on to the quotes, let’s have one more day. The good draft can be due this Friday, but if we have just one more day, I can talk with those that still would like to make a final effort.
Tomorrow, I will give you a document that has all the quotes we have studied together with the in class write assignment.
November 28th & 29th, 2022
Short Story Peer Editing Checklist
Work block for getting everything in order. Same tomorrow, as promised.
We will be working with those quotes on Wednesday – Friday. You have what people call a ‘prepped in class write’ on Friday.
And for the following Monday, we’ll keep Christmas spirit by starting Frankenstein.
November 25th, 2022
Just like yesterday’s prompts, these are OPTIONAL – just something you can work on, research you can read. Like I said at the beginning of the semester, you can put in and take out as much as you’d like out of the class.
Connect three memories together to a common theme. Vehicles drive a narrative. This theme can act like analogy. For example Loss – Connect to three memories. Unity – Three memories etc. They can all be linear or sporadic.
Thirty minutes to finish this prompt. This is the last prompt.
Monday, the rough draft (progress) piece is due – try and give me something of worth to look at and give pointers on. I’m not looking at grammar or anything – only content.
The final point to this unit, before you have time to work on this yourself, is how Murakami came up with this project – this style – himself and the things that led him to where he is now as an internationally bestselling author.
Here is the piece from the New Yorker:
Let’s talk about it after if we have time and some of you find interest in it.
- Talk about the notion of Risk vs. Reward
- What is an epiphany moment? Have you had any? Explain.
- What other analogies can you think about when it comes to writing?
November 24th, 2022
It’s hard to really give you a structure to how the formation of a short story should be written. So I have interesting piece for you to read:
Raymond Carver:
Prompts to help you with a free write that we will use throughout the week:
Connect three memories together to a common theme. Vehicles drive a narrative. This theme can act like analogy. For example Loss – Connect to three memories. Unity – Three memories etc. They can all be linear or sporadic.
Describe a regret / mistake and then change the reality to the ideal
Research a mundane object and find a deeper analogy to life through it. – This exercise works better if it’s something you’re familiar with. Ex: Lego, Curling, Matchbox Cars, The time streetlights come on etc.
A mistake you tried to cover up, yet were unsuccessful. A moment of shame.
Explain the same memory from three different perspectives.
Talk to a partner about a childhood memory of theirs. Now make it yours in a story.
Write about how someone has influenced your life in the most subtle of ways.
A mistake you tried to cover up, yet were unsuccessful. A moment of shame.
November 23rd, 2022
Talk to a partner about a childhood memory of theirs. Now make it yours in a story.
I will give you thirty minutes at the beginning of the class to work on this story. Since we have finished the novel, I would like to read you another Murakami short story I have used in another unit.
It is called “The Second Bakery Attack”.
The first bakery attack was never published in English, but there was a short film made about the story in Japan. It is here (Very 70’s art film vibe):
If we have time left, we can watch it.
November 22nd, 2022
Research a mundane object and find a deeper analogy to life through it. – This exercise works better if it’s something you’re familiar with. Ex: Lego, Curling, Matchbox Cars, The time streetlights come on etc.
You have 30 minutes to finish this prompt.
Some students have come up to me and asked to start their first draft. I say okay. I will keep giving you prompts through Friday. I have opened up a teams file in order for you to show me your further progress.
Progress update – turn in what you have so far by Wednesday, November 23rd
This is a story that got me into Murakami in the first place. It’s short, but powerful. We will talk about this in the second half of class.
Murakami, “On Seeing the 100% Perfect Girl One Beautiful April Morning”
- What is your opinion of the story? What is its meaning?
- If the author had told his story to the girl, what do you think would have happened?
- What would you have done in his situation?
- The author talks about his tastes in women. Do you think beauty is subjective or objective?
- Is the author in truly in love with the girl or just infatuated?
- Does the author believe in the idea of a 100% perfect partner for him? Do you for yourself? Can you measure love by a percentage?
- Do you believe in fate?
Write down two questions related to the article you’d like to answer your classmates next class.
1.
2.
Discuss the meanings of these phrases with a partner.
- Potentiality knocks on the door of my heart.
- The cold, indifferent waves of fate proceeded to toss them unmercifully.
November 21st, 2022
Today, we will have a formal discussion after moving the desks around into a circle.
These are the questions:
- Hear the Wind Sing opens with thoughts about the writing process and its relation to general satisfaction with life. Why do you think the protagonist evokes fictitious Derek Hartfield’s experiences? How does Hartfield’s status as a “fighter…a man who used words as weapons” echo throughout the novel?
- How would you characterize the Rat? How does his personality shift or change between the two novels? What does the Rat value most in life?
- Discuss the relationship between the protagonist and the Rat. What common traits do they share? How do they complement each other?
- Few characters in Wind are acknowledged by their given names, and are instead referred to by general identifiers: “the girl,” “the twins,” “the Rat.” Why do you think Murakami made this stylistic decision? What effect does it have on the reader? What does this choice assert about identity?
- In Hear the Wind Sing, the protagonist comments that the Rat “out-and-out despised” the rich (page 9), despite being born into a wealthy family. What role do class and status play in these novels? How does Rat actively fight his upbringing and social class?
- Hear the Wind Sing features moments of extreme malaise from its protagonist. How do the narrator and the Rat abate their sadness? What comforts—if only temporary solutions—do they afford themselves in their despair?
- Discuss the protagonist’s childhood and adolescence as presented in Hear the Wind Sing. What clues are you given about his personality via descriptions of his upbringing?
- J the bartender maintains a significant presence in Wind. What is his role in the novels? How does he act as a soundboard for both the protagonist and the Rat?
- On page 25, the protagonist comments that “for the life of me I couldn’t remember what it was like to meet a girl under normal circumstances.” Examine his relationship with women as discussed in these novels. How do his early experiences with women affect his outlook on life?
If you feel like you haven’t talked enough, then turn in your work.
November 18th, 2022
We finished the book. I am happy about this.
Now finish these questions for Monday’s formal discussion.
(See November 17th)
Here is the original translation of the book. I found it.
[Haruki_Murakami]_Hear_the_Wind_Sing(BookFi)
November 17th, 2022
We will split the class once again into two parts – this time, moving forward.
- Discussion Questions
Discussion on these questions for Hear the Wind Sing: (Due the day we finish the novella)
- Hear the Wind Sing opens with thoughts about the writing process and its relation to general satisfaction with life. Why do you think the protagonist evokes fictitious Derek Hartfield’s experiences? How does Hartfield’s status as a “fighter…a man who used words as weapons” echo throughout the novel?
- How would you characterize the Rat? How does his personality shift or change between the two novels? What does the Rat value most in life?
- Discuss the relationship between the protagonist and the Rat. What common traits do they share? How do they complement each other?
- Few characters in Wind are acknowledged by their given names, and are instead referred to by general identifiers: “the girl,” “the twins,” “the Rat.” Why do you think Murakami made this stylistic decision? What effect does it have on the reader? What does this choice assert about identity?
- In Hear the Wind Sing, the protagonist comments that the Rat “out-and-out despised” the rich (page 9), despite being born into a wealthy family. What role do class and status play in these novels? How does Rat actively fight his upbringing and social class?
- Hear the Wind Sing features moments of extreme malaise from its protagonist. How do the narrator and the Rat abate their sadness? What comforts—if only temporary solutions—do they afford themselves in their despair?
- Discuss the protagonist’s childhood and adolescence as presented in Hear the Wind Sing. What clues are you given about his personality via descriptions of his upbringing?
- J the bartender maintains a significant presence in Wind. What is his role in the novels? How does he act as a soundboard for both the protagonist and the Rat?
- On page 25, the protagonist comments that “for the life of me I couldn’t remember what it was like to meet a girl under normal circumstances.” Examine his relationship with women as discussed in these novels. How do his early experiences with women affect his outlook on life?
November 16th, 2022
A few things to do today:
- Work on that draft – the three prompt piece. It will be due tonight, 11:59PM as a ** First Draft”.
- Reading Possibly to chapter 25-30
- Discussion Questions
Discussion on these questions for Hear the Wind Sing: (Due the day we finish the novella)
- Hear the Wind Sing opens with thoughts about the writing process and its relation to general satisfaction with life. Why do you think the protagonist evokes fictitious Derek Hartfield’s experiences? How does Hartfield’s status as a “fighter…a man who used words as weapons” echo throughout the novel?
- How would you characterize the Rat? How does his personality shift or change between the two novels? What does the Rat value most in life?
- Discuss the relationship between the protagonist and the Rat. What common traits do they share? How do they complement each other?
- Few characters in Wind are acknowledged by their given names, and are instead referred to by general identifiers: “the girl,” “the twins,” “the Rat.” Why do you think Murakami made this stylistic decision? What effect does it have on the reader? What does this choice assert about identity?
- In Hear the Wind Sing, the protagonist comments that the Rat “out-and-out despised” the rich (page 9), despite being born into a wealthy family. What role do class and status play in these novels? How does Rat actively fight his upbringing and social class?
- Hear the Wind Sing features moments of extreme malaise from its protagonist. How do the narrator and the Rat abate their sadness? What comforts—if only temporary solutions—do they afford themselves in their despair?
- Discuss the protagonist’s childhood and adolescence as presented in Hear the Wind Sing. What clues are you given about his personality via descriptions of his upbringing?
- J the bartender maintains a significant presence in Wind. What is his role in the novels? How does he act as a soundboard for both the protagonist and the Rat?
- On page 25, the protagonist comments that “for the life of me I couldn’t remember what it was like to meet a girl under normal circumstances.” Examine his relationship with women as discussed in these novels. How do his early experiences with women affect his outlook on life?
November 15th, 2022
So some things to think about today.
First, some of you are down on yourselves for writing a “steaming” pile of garbage for a first draft. You’re not alone. Look at this piece:
Take a look at the piece again. You’ll be turning it in tonight/tomorrow for a completion mark. Depending on the climate of class, I’ll give you a little or a lot of time.
If the climate of the class is a little louder, then let’s get through 15-25 in the book today.
Here are the three prompts again:
- You’re writing two people sitting down at a restaurant. They are having a conversation about something you (the author) feel passionate about. Minimal description of restaurant – maximum dialogue.
- The character walks home. They think of a story they’ve just heard at a restaurant and make associations as they walk. Where are they walking and how is this imagery tied together with the story they just heard (or told?)
- You arrive home after walking from the restaurant. The phone rings. The person who calls you is someone you haven’t talked to in years. They have a request. You can either accept or refuse the request. The final question is – do you go out again or do you stay home and go to bed? How did the phone call make you feel?
November 14th, 2022
Let’s try and read through chapter 15 today together. Soon you will be taking the story home to explore it. I have another piece for you to look at as well in order to help you with the writing process.
We still need to talk about these questions.
- How would you characterize the Rat? How does his personality shift or change? What does the Rat value most in life?
- Discuss the relationship between the protagonist and the Rat. What common traits do they share? How do they complement each other?.
The final part of the prompt:
You arrive home after walking from the restaurant. The phone rings. The person who calls you is someone you haven’t talked to in years. They have a request. You can either accept or refuse the request. The final question is – do you go out again or do you stay home and go to bed? How did the phone call make you feel?
After you finish all three parts (by Wednesday) – we will do something with it.
November 10th, 2022
- Hear the Wind Sing opens with thoughts about the writing process and its relation to general satisfaction with life. Why do you think the protagonist evokes fictitious Derek Hartfield’s experiences? How does Hartfield’s status as a “fighter…a man who used words as weapons” echo throughout the novel?
We will try to read through chapter 8 – not too long. then over the weekend, you can take a look at this prompt and these questions:
The character walks home. They think of a story they’ve just heard at a restaurant and make associations as they walk. Where are they walking and how is this imagery tied together with the story they just heard (or told?)
- How would you characterize the Rat? How does his personality shift or change? What does the Rat value most in life?
- Discuss the relationship between the protagonist and the Rat. What common traits do they share? How do they complement each other?
November 9th, 2022
THE NOVELLA: Wind_Pinball – Haruki Murakami
So this class, to avoid boredom will be cut into three parts today, tomorrow and Monday (9 parts total)
First part: Toolbox (Stephen King)
Second Part 3 Questions (HTWS)
Third part: Reading of text – and homework reading for discussion
Today:
Handing out of Stephen Kings Writing Toolbox and brief discussion. Here is the PDF:
Quick writing assignment:
metafiction
unreliable narration
self-reflexivity
intertextuality,
thematization of both historical and political issues.
Quick Write:
So – You’re writing two people sitting down at a restaurant. They are having a conversation about something you (the author) feel passionate about. Minimal description of restaurant – maximum dialogue.
PART 2:
Answer these questions on a separate document:
- Hear the Wind Sing opens with thoughts about the writing process and its relation to general satisfaction with life. Why do you think the protagonist evokes fictitious Derek Hartfield’s experiences? How does Hartfield’s status as a “fighter…a man who used words as weapons” echo throughout the novel?
- How would you characterize the Rat? How does his personality shift or change? What does the Rat value most in life?
- Discuss the relationship between the protagonist and the Rat. What common traits do they share? How do they complement each other?
November 7th & 8th, 2022
What are the elements of Postmodernism in today’s society? What is worth writing about?
SECTIONS we will go over – I will write down your summary on this blog and elaborate.
A: 20 -26 End of Modernity
SUMMARY: How a sheep is a representation of modernism in Japan / Japanese drive fore inciting change / two sides to the issue and how the country itself is divided. Murakami’s symbolism of something larger is applied through his characters.
B: 26-32 Lack of Mind
SUMMARY: To avoid flaws of modernism, respect has to be diminished. Narrates with reflective self – conflicts with ones “other” uses irony – serious topics / deal with as if they’re in the past. ambiguous terms mean that author is disenfranchised from passion / take ownership of your own actions. Murakami deals with the other / (Kind of like Bunburying) in his fiction so as to avoid “true emotion” a facet of postmodernism.
C: 32-44 Love Story Between Postmodern People
SUMMARY: Loss of self identity – modernist to postmodernist / girlfriend teaches him – unable to find their place in a modern society – fragmentation of self – have to deal with societies expectation / incapable of love – construct their own world – waning of affection – accepting “non-partisan society” communist ideologies in postmodern thinking. two types of love “fantast /infatuation” Romance ‘realistic’. Individual freedom more than status quo.
D:44-51 A new Switch Panel in a Death Chamber
SUMMARY: Multinationalism – journey to find one’s place. Disorder that challenges the narrative – the archetype is smashed. Emotional and subjective truth – Postmodernism relates to multidimensional reality – ‘Rizome” Old vs. New . Everyone has their own individual design “Advanced capitalism” “Shoveling snow” finds new world through connection – move away from questioning reality Fragmentation of oneself – become the outsider “Postmodernism adopts you / you do not adopt it” The different worlds (Shadow vs. Reality) the travel between the two .
E: 51-57 Violence and Empathy
SUMMARY: Empathy cures violence – not everyone is born the same. Critique of advanced consumer hierarchical society It is hard to shift the modern traditionalist way of thinking to a new postmodern word.
Your Annotated bibliography will be due (Rough draft) at 11:59PM Tuesday 7th November.
Tomorrow, we will start reading, and we will read the entire piece in class. (Throughout the week)
November 1st & 2nd, 2022
Let’s talk about the Murakami piece a little bit. I’ll give you a few minutes to look it over.
I will go over this:
we will read this and do an annotated bibliography of the work:
You only need to complete a section for the annotated bibliography. I will assign you a letter. See the corresponding pages. We’ll talk about it as a whole tomorrow.
SECTIONS:
A: 20 -26 End of Modernity
B: 26-32 Lack of Mind
C: 32-44 Love Story Between Postmodern People
D:44-51 A new Switch Panel in a Death Chamber
E: 51-57 Violence and Empathy
And we will have a discussion on the following idea later on in the week.
What are the elements of Postmodernism in today’s society? What is worth writing about?
What we did November 1st:
Here is the overview of the unit:
kind of ‘questionnaire’.
Now we will discuss this:
October 31st, 2022
Aestheticism papers are due this Wednesday November 2nd.
So you have a choice:
To work on the Aestheticism paper using per reviews with this rubric and some study guides:
This is for a paper I completed in 2019. You can see the drafts that led to the final. This is what I’m trying to teach you, as I can only teach what I’ve been through myself. This is based on What We All Long For by Dionne Brand (Toronto Writer)
- The outline: Acquisition of Place and Mental Well
- The Draft: Place And Mental Well being V2
- The Final: Place and Mental Well-being FINAL V3
If you have finished the rough draft, or are nearing completion, we will work with this document for peer review:
| Exceeding | Clear and focused topic
Clear and complex thesis statement – specificity Stylistically/syntactically sophisticated – demonstrating literary academic diction and tone Complex structure (smoothly flowing transitions and argumentation) Clear, focused paragraphs with convincing and elegant use of textual evidence. Grammatically correct. Correct spelling. Very insightful, critically/theoretically elevated analysis of the text/topic; goes beyond the literal |
| Meeting | Clear and focused topic
Clear thesis statement. Structurally clear (clear topic sentences, paragraph coherence/focus, paragraphs have adequate connections to one another). Solid use of textual evidence. Grammatically correct. Correct spelling. Provides solid insight into the topic’s meaning/significance. |
| Emerging | Lacks a clear argument.
Structurally unclear/compromised (a lack of clear topic sentences and/or unfocused paragraphs; paragraphs seem disconnected/scattered). Grammatical/spelling issues Inadequate use of textual evidence Falls into plot summary; lacks adequate insight into the text |
| Incomplete / Rewrite | Not completed (amount written is inadequate).
Chronic grammatical/spelling issues that make the paper unreadable. Substantial structural issues that make the paper unreadable. Clear and pronounced misunderstanding of the requirements/genre of the assignment |
OR START A NEW UNIT –
I love new units: Postmodernism and the fragmentation of fictional narrative.
We are all Post/modern – but what the hell does this mean?
Here is the overview of the unit:
Then here is the PPT – there are two – one as a theoretical piece and the other as a kind of ‘questionnaire’.
I will go over this:
Now we will discuss this:
And tomorrow we will read this and do an annotated bibliography of the work:
And if we have time, I have another piece that is fascinating regarding this idea.
Murakami – Storytelling and productive distance
And we will have a discussion on this idea later on in the week.
What are the elements of Postmodernism in today’s society? What is worth writing about?
October 28th, 2022
Final step is the conclusion. By now you should have two full paragraphs. Keep checking with me. Be like Evan and ask questions. This is better as a tutor setting as everyone is coming up with different, fresh ideas and I’m excited for the final result.
Next unit: Creative writing – with a catch. Next Wednesday I’m thinking we can start this.
October 27th, 2022
Here is the next step in your essay. I hope that you’ve gotten some good paragraphs out of the work so far. I am not sure if you will be ahead of the game by now, but I will work with body paragraphs today in order for you to understand the way to build upon your ideas.
Here is the final part of my ‘detailed look’ series.
Purdy-Literary-Analysis-Detailed-V3 (FINAL)
This is the entire text with page numbers for your reference:
Oscar-Wilde-The-Importance-of-Being-Earnest
October 26th, 2022
Let’s go over this. I have also printed out paper copies for you tactile people.
Remember – your focus is Aestheticism and NOT the play – the play is a source for you to discuss Aestheticism as a movement. Get this and you will get how to write a literary analysis paper.
October 25th, 2022
Work on your ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY DUE Today at midnight!
Then you’re ready for the worksheet. I’ve provided examples:
October 24th, 2022
How does Wilde both honor and satirize the Aesthetic movement through his play The Importance of Being Earnest?
This is your question! Now how can you answer in a way that is academic?
To make a literary analysis essay really work, you need another academic paper to connect your ideas. Here is the first part of constructing such an essay. Do you remember the DeOrnellis piece?
When Life Imitates Art_ Aestheticism in The Importance of Being Earnest
Here are some reflections on the piece from previous classes called “points”.
GORDON_S Literary Analysis – Aestheticism
Take a look over this again.
Work on your ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY DUE Tuesday at midnight!!!
Then you’re ready for the worksheet. I’ve provided examples:
Here are some examples of what a final should look like:
So today: Try on your own – figure out what the structure is, and find source material from the Drugeon piece. Then STOP. I will check it tomorrow in class with you and then you will move on to step 2.
October 20th, 2022
Film day today. We will be watching as much as we can of the 2002 version of The Importance of Being Earnest.
October 19th, 2022
Discussion today – Let’s finish this thing once and for all.
October 18th, 2022
SO I’m not here, as you can guess, but I would like you to do three things today:
- Finish those act 3 questions for tomorrow’s discussion
- try and look at the beginnings of a literary analysis before I start the lecture on (hopefully) Thursday.
- Finalize your annotated bibliography for turn in on Thursday
Here are some reflections on the piece from previous classes called “points”.
GORDON_S Literary Analysis – Aestheticism
Take a look over this again. Then you’re ready for the worksheet. I’ve provided examples:
Purdy Literary Analysis Step 1.5
Here are some examples of what a final should look like:
So today: Try on your own – figure out what the structure is, and find source material from the academic piece. Then STOP. I will check it tomorrow in class with you and then you will move on to step 2.
October 17th, 2022
“I choose my friends for their good looks, my acquaintances for their good characters, and my enemies for their good intellects.”
―
So today we finish the play. This is the plan moving forward:
Act 3 is quite short. We will finish in a 30 minute window.
The rest of the class will be dedicated to the act 3 questions that we will be discussing tomorrow for most of the block, and then the big question – the essay question – this will be connected to a true literary analysis paper:
ESSENTIAL QUESTION:
How does Wilde both honor and satirize the Aesthetic movement through his play The Importance of Being Earnest?
CAST:
Jack: Nicholas
Algernon:Liam
Gwendolyn: Finn
Cecily: Hilda
Lane (Merriman): Tate
Miss Prism: Ghazal
Chausable: Tanya
Lady Bracknell: Natalie
October 14th, 2022
Here are the questions. How about 10 minutes or so to get all set up – no quote today, just focus on those questions. If we have any extra time, let’s start act 3!
October 13th, 2022
I can never travel without my diary, one should always have something sensational to read on the train.
-Oscar Wilde
Well I heard that you were a treat in class yesterday. I hope you enjoyed the quote.
So today we will perform. The actors once again:
Jack: Nickolas
Algernon: Liam
Gwendolyn: Finn
Cecily: Kalo
Chausable (the priest): Beth
Miss Prism: (The priest’s love interest) Maya
Merriman: Evan
You have the rest of the class to work on those questions for a good discussion tomorrow.
October 12th, 2022
“We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars.”
―
Today will be a work block to work on act 2 in small groups then complete the questions. If everything goes well, then we can go in depth about act 2 for Thursday.
So just to recap – theses are the actors for Thursday:
Jack: Nickolas
Algernon: Liam
Gwendolyn: Finn
Cecily: Kalo
Chausable (the priest): Beth
Miss Prism: Maya
Merriman: Evan
October 11th, 2022
“The reasonable man adapts himself to the world: the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore all progress depends on the unreasonable man.”
―
We will go over questions today, then we will have a time to do a little bit of act 2 together, perhaps. Remember, this is a graded discussion that you will be assessing by the end of the three acts.
Here are the questions again:
Here is the play again:
This is act 2 parts I need to cast. (Reprisals are welcome. Act 1 actors all did a fine job.)
Algernon
Jack
Lady Bracknell
Gwendolyn
Lane
Cecily
Miss Prism
Chausable
October 7th, 2022
“I do not approve of anything that tampers with natural ignorance. Ignorance is like a delicate exotic fruit; touch it and the bloom is gone. The whole theory of modern education is radically unsound. Fortunately in England, at any rate, education produces no effect whatsoever.”
―
three things we can get accomplished today:
- Finish the act
- Have 30 minutes to finish act one questions
- discuss the act 1 together in a structured and graded manner.
October 6th, 2022
“It is perfectly monstrous,’ he said, at last, ‘the way people go about nowadays saying things against one behind one’s back that are absolutely and entirely true.”
―
We can probably get through act 1 today with the cast actors below:
Jack (Earnest) : Matteo
Algernon : Jalen
Lane : Tate
Gwendolen : Finn
Lady Bracknell : Beth
Then I will open a teams file – we have discussion on these questions tomorrow in a circle – this is a ‘discussion mark’ but if you don’t talk, make sure to turn in your questions. If you do talk, you don’t have to. Here is a discussion rubric I use:
ACT 1-3 Q Earnest (Only do Act 1 for now – copy paste to a DOC file.)
October 5th, 2022
“Those who find ugly meanings in beautiful things are corrupt without being charming. This is a fault. Those who find beautiful meanings in beautiful things are the cultivated. For these there is hope. They are the elect to whom beautiful things mean only Beauty. There is no such thing as a moral or an immoral book. Books are well written, or badly written. That is all.”
―
We’ll watch the rest of this
We will read this:
Here’s the play again:
What is a parody, satire or farce?
What is comedy?
Here are the parts for act 1 I need to assign:
Actors today:
Jack (Earnest) : Matteo
Algernon : Jalen
Lane : Tate
Gwendolen : Finn
Lady Bracknell : Beth
October 4th, 2022
“Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.”
―
Let’s go over that Piece before you do annotated bibliographies. We’ll get into somewhat of a semi circle.
When Life Imitates Art_ Aestheticism in The Importance of Being Earnest
Remember annotated bibliographies? They’re back!!
When you’re ready, you can complete an annotated bibliography of the DeOrnellis piece.
Part 1 (Summary)
1.The main idea of this article is…….
2.The topics covered in this article are…….
3.The author’s point of view in this article is……
Part 2 (Rhetoric) YOU KNOW THIS NOW!
1.The author of this piece is/is not credible because……
2.The author knows a lot about this topic because….
3.From this piece, the author wants you to………….
Part 3 (Reflection)
1.This article supports my ideas because…..
2.This article was helpful to me because….
3.This article added to my knowledge about this topic because….
Annotated Bibliographies finishing up. If we have time we’ll watch this:
We will read this:
Here’s the play again:
What is a parody, satire or farce?
What is comedy?
October 3rd, 2022
“The truth knocks on the door and you say, “Go away, I’m looking for the truth,” and so it goes away. Puzzling.”
― Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance: An Inquiry Into Values
Here is the lecture on Aestheticism.
Here is the text and a piece for reading text:
It is long, but I would like your participation. We will start and stop with certain ideas. If you’d like a head start, this is a fascinating study – of course this is a bias on my part – that we will go over tomorrow with a formal way to take notes of academic papers.
When Life Imitates Art_ Aestheticism in The Importance of Being Earnest
Remember annotated bibliographies? They’re back!!
When you’re ready, you can complete an annotated bibliography of the DeOrnellis piece.
Part 1 (Summary)
1.The main idea of this article is…….
2.The topics covered in this article are…….
3.The author’s point of view in this article is……
Part 2 (Rhetoric) YOU KNOW THIS NOW!
1.The author of this piece is/is not credible because……
2.The author knows a lot about this topic because….
3.From this piece, the author wants you to………….
Part 3 (Reflection)
1.This article supports my ideas because…..
2.This article was helpful to me because….
3.This article added to my knowledge about this topic because….
September 29th, 2022
Final due tonight at midnight. You know what to do!
September 28th, 2022
No quotes until next Monday.
2 day final today: The details of this final will be a physical handout.
September 27th, 2022
“The opposite of love is not hate, it’s indifference. The opposite of art is not ugliness, it’s indifference. The opposite of faith is not heresy, it’s indifference. And the opposite of life is not death, it’s indifference.”
―
Finish off your Obama outlines today. Tomorrow, you should be ready for the final.
September 26th, 2022
“Imperfection is beauty, madness is genius and it’s better to be absolutely ridiculous than absolutely boring.”
―
Obama’s “A More Perfect Union”
How To Booklet Essay Outline Samples for each paragraph and tips (EDITABLE)
You will follow that outline – you have the class to do it and it will be due tomorrow. If everything goes well, then the ‘summative assessment’ will be basically you completing a 3-5 paragraph rhetorical analysis on a political figure’s speech. I think that you all will be ready.
And at the end of the week, we will say goodbye to Rhetoric (until the end of the semester) and hello to Oscar Wilde and Aestheticism.
September 22nd, 2022
“Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to reform (or pause and reflect).”
―
Obama’s “A More Perfect Union”
Let’s Watch the 37 Minute video. This will give you time to follow along with the transcript and use the skills you have learned so far for a full rhetorical analysis essay process.
September 21st, 2022
“Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.”
―
How To Booklet Essay Outline Samples for each paragraph and tips (EDITABLE)
MLK Intro Paragraph is due today at the end of class for minor letter:
NEXT:
Obama’s “A More Perfect Union”
Let’s Watch the 37 Minute video. This will give you time to follow along with the transcript and use the skills you have learned so far for a full rhetorical analysis essay process.
September 20th, 2022
“Friendship … is born at the moment when one man says to another “What! You too? I thought that no one but myself . . .”
― The Four Loves
Important: Download this somewhere and save it!
How To Booklet Essay Outline Samples for each paragraph and tips (EDITABLE)
Let’s go over what you have done with MLK first. We will have about 10 – 15 minutes in class to get everything sorted out – some more paragraphs looked at etc. We will outline your ideas today using the above ‘Precis’ structure.
If we have time, I’d like to introduce you to Aristotle’s Rhetoric – an ideal:
Rethoric_-_What_Aristotle_would_say_to_D
It’s a great read in any case.
September 16th, 2022
“The truth knocks on the door and you say, “Go away, I’m looking for the truth,” and so it goes away. Puzzling.”
― Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance: An Inquiry Into Values
I Have a Dream by Martin Luther King Jr
I will print these out as well so you can write down literary devices, notes, etc.
We will watch an excerpt and talk about it.
Then we’ll be ready to form an essay.
How To Booklet Essay Outline Samples for each paragraph and tips (EDITABLE)
This will be the guide for your essay – we will go over this in detail.
Let’s go over what you have done with MLK first. You have about 10 – 15 minutes in class to get everything sorted out. We will outline your ideas today and tomorrow using the above ‘Precis’ structure.
If we have time, I’d like to introduce you to Aristotle’s Rhetoric – an ideal:
Rethoric_-_What_Aristotle_would_say_to_D
It’s a great read in any case.
September 15th, 2022
“Is it possible, in the final analysis, for one human being to achieve perfect understanding of another?
We can invest enormous time and energy in serious efforts to know another person, but in the end, how close can we come to that person’s essence? We convince ourselves that we know the other person well, but do we really know anything important about anyone?”
―
The big PPT – (We will only doing a select number of slides from this – continue notes from the ELP PPT)
First, with rhetoric, there is more than just “Ethos Pathos & logos.” Authors use literary devices to persuade their audiences as well.
- Alliteration – the recurrence of initial consonant sounds – rubber baby buggy bumpers
- Allusion – a reference to an event, literary work or person – I can’t do that because I am not Superman.
- Amplification – repeats a word or expression for emphasis – Love, real love, takes time.
- Analogy – compares two different things that have some similar characteristics – He is flaky as a snowstorm.
- Anaphora – repeats a word or phrase in successive phrases – “If you prick us, do we not bleed? If you tickle us, do we not laugh?” (Merchant of Venice, Shakespeare)
- Antanagoge – places a criticism and compliment together to lessen the impact – The car is not pretty but it runs great.
- Antimetabole – repeats words or phrases in reverse order – “ask not what your country can do for you — ask what you can do for your country.” (J F Kennedy)
- Antiphrasis – uses a word with an opposite meaning – The Chihuahua was named Goliath.
- Antithesis – makes a connection between two things – “That’s one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind.” (Neil Armstrong)
- Appositive – places a noun or phrase next to another noun for descriptive purposes – Mary, queen of the land, hosted the ball.
- Enumeration – makes a point with details – Renovation included a spa, tennis court, pool and lounge.
- Epanalepsis – repeats something from the beginning of a sentence at the end – My ears heard what you said but I couldn’t believe my ears.
- Epithet – using an adjective or adjective phrase to describe – mesmerizing eyes
- Epizeuxis – repeats one word for emphasis – The amusement park was fun, fun, fun.
- Hyperbole – an exaggeration – I have done this a thousand times.
- Litotes – makes an understatement by denying the opposite of a word that may have been used – The terms of the contract are not disagreeable to me.
- Metanoia – corrects or qualifies a statement – You are the most beautiful woman in this town, nay the entire world.
- Metaphor – compares two things by stating one is the other – The eyes are the windows of the soul.
- Metonymy – a metaphor where something being compared is referred to by something closely associated with it – The knights are loyal to the crown.
- Onomatopoeia – words that imitate the sound they describe – plunk, whiz, pop
- Oxymoron – a two word paradox – near miss, seriously funny
- Parallelism – uses words or phrases with a similar structure – I went to the store, parked the car and bought a pizza.
- Simile – compares one object to another – He smokes like a chimney.
- Understatement – makes an idea less important that it really is – The hurricane disrupted traffic.
Let’s read one of the greatest speeches in recent history:
I Have a Dream by Martin Luther King Jr
I will print these out as well so you can write down literary devices, notes, etc.
Then we’ll be ready to form an essay.
September 13th, 2022
Journal Entry #1
“Clouds come floating into my life, no longer to carry rain or usher storm, but to add color to my sunset sky.”
― Rabindranath Tagore, Stray Birds
Speeches and Rhetoric
Here’s a PPT that I’d like for you to take notes on:
And if you (or I) still have energy after that, here’s the big one:
We can do the first exercise:
First, with rhetoric, there is more than just “Ethos Pathos & logos.” Authors use literary devices to persuade their audiences as well.
- Alliteration – the recurrence of initial consonant sounds – rubber baby buggy bumpers
- Allusion – a reference to an event, literary work or person – I can’t do that because I am not Superman.
- Amplification – repeats a word or expression for emphasis – Love, real love, takes time.
- Analogy – compares two different things that have some similar characteristics – He is flaky as a snowstorm.
- Anaphora – repeats a word or phrase in successive phrases – “If you prick us, do we not bleed? If you tickle us, do we not laugh?” (Merchant of Venice, Shakespeare)
- Antanagoge – places a criticism and compliment together to lessen the impact – The car is not pretty but it runs great.
- Antimetabole – repeats words or phrases in reverse order – “ask not what your country can do for you — ask what you can do for your country.” (J F Kennedy)
- Antiphrasis – uses a word with an opposite meaning – The Chihuahua was named Goliath.
- Antithesis – makes a connection between two things – “That’s one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind.” (Neil Armstrong)
- Appositive – places a noun or phrase next to another noun for descriptive purposes – Mary, queen of the land, hosted the ball.
- Enumeration – makes a point with details – Renovation included a spa, tennis court, pool and lounge.
- Epanalepsis – repeats something from the beginning of a sentence at the end – My ears heard what you said but I couldn’t believe my ears.
- Epithet – using an adjective or adjective phrase to describe – mesmerizing eyes
- Epizeuxis – repeats one word for emphasis – The amusement park was fun, fun, fun.
- Hyperbole – an exaggeration – I have done this a thousand times.
- Litotes – makes an understatement by denying the opposite of a word that may have been used – The terms of the contract are not disagreeable to me.
- Metanoia – corrects or qualifies a statement – You are the most beautiful woman in this town, nay the entire world.
- Metaphor – compares two things by stating one is the other – The eyes are the windows of the soul.
- Metonymy – a metaphor where something being compared is referred to by something closely associated with it – The knights are loyal to the crown.
- Onomatopoeia – words that imitate the sound they describe – plunk, whiz, pop
- Oxymoron – a two word paradox – near miss, seriously funny
- Parallelism – uses words or phrases with a similar structure – I went to the store, parked the car and bought a pizza.
- Simile – compares one object to another – He smokes like a chimney.
- Understatement – makes an idea less important that it really is – The hurricane disrupted traffic.
Let’s read one of the greatest speeches in recent history:
I will print these out as well so you can write down literary devices, notes, etc.
Then we’ll be ready to form an essay.
September 12th, 2022
We will finish the article together. I’ll have the energy to read it. As a class, we will answer the following questions. (Only Part 1) Since you have some questions or thoughts about the essay, let me know how you have gotten on in your comprehension.
Template for what I want – Due tonight at midnight.
(250-500 words)
1.The main idea of this article is…….
2.The topics covered in this article are…….
3.The author’s point of view in this article is……
1.This article supports my ideas because…..
2.This article was helpful to me because….
3.This article added to my knowledge about this topic because….
Here are a few good examples of annotated bibliographies from other students:
1.Percy, W., “Loss of the Creature”, Message in the Bottle, Picador, 2000.
The main idea of this article is the factor of expectations, one cannot truly experience something to its full extent with prior expectations. It gives examples such as family’s trip to the Grand Canyon, could a tourist’s experience really compare to the explorer’s who discovered it in the first place? When you see something, do you “see it for what it is” (p.47) or are you just looking at it. The author attempts to persuade the reader that perception “may be recovered by leaving the beaten track” (p.48); as well as using visual elements and stories to explain why one’s perception needs to be recovered in the first place. Does an individual only care for an experience if its validated, or if it levels up with “the “it” of their dreams” (p.53). Is it really possible to escape our consciousness, is that the only way we could truly live fulfilling experiences? This is a question I repeatedly asked, this article supports my ideas of how others are desperate for validation and approval. How most “unique” experiences were only lived to tell the tale, but while this article helped me call out others flaws, I did not expect for it to render so relatable to myself as well. One day, the day I finally get to see the attraction that I have been wanting to for so long, how could I properly “see” it? This article is fascinating, it will very often pop into my mind, but I have heavy doubt that it will affect the way I live my life. I will still take photos, tour popular places, brag about my so-called “unique” experiences. Although this article did contain enlightening lessons, it has far too many liberating rules for my way of living life.
2. Percy, W., “Loss of the Creature”, Message in the Bottle, Picador, 2000.
The idea of this article is that we should try to have authentic experiences. If we go to Paris for example, most people will hit all the popular tourist spots. The Eiffel tower, the louvre, etc. But you are not experiencing Paris, you are only experiencing what society wants you to experience. An authentic experience would be exploring the side streets, going to night clubs, stepping off the beaten path so to speak. But the author also says that we should not be conscious of the experience as it’s happening, since that would make it not authentic. At that point you’re conscious of you experiencing the experience rather than the experience itself. So, you should seek out authentic experiences, but you shouldn’t be conscious while within said authentic experiences. This seems contradictory at first, but on further thought I can pull away a simple message from this. You should go off the beaten path to do things that are different and unique and enjoy whatever comes your way. The author also brings up that a lot of people try to validate their experiences as authentic. If they find something unique, they want to know for sure that it’s unique. I think this isn’t the case for most people and if it is, it shouldn’t be. If that experience brought you happiness, who cares if it’s “the real thing”. Your happiness shouldn’t have to be justified by societal norms of what’s truly authentic. There is something to be said about looking for the authentic experience. If you’re in a different country, it’s probably a good idea to try and immerse yourself in their culture, but you shouldn’t obsess over it. Back to my example with Paris: if you’ve managed to go to the outskirts of town into a small bar where everyone’s a local speaking French, and you see something from your home country, that shouldn’t make you think that the experience is in any way less enjoyable. What I’m trying to say is, do everything in moderation; try to have authentic experiences, but don’t obsess over having the perfect experience.
September 9th, 2022
The written piece that we will be discussing is in the following PDF:
You will be answering these questions (written as sentence stems):
Part 1 (Summary)
1.The main idea of this article is…….
2.The topics covered in this article are…….
3.The author’s point of view in this article is……
Part 2 (Rhetoric)
1.The author of this piece is/is not credible because……
2.The author knows a lot about this topic because….
3.From this piece, the author wants you to………….
Part 3 (Reflection)
1.This article supports my ideas because…..
2.This article was helpful to me because….
3.This article added to my knowledge about this topic because….
September 8th, 2022
Today, I would like to introduce you to annotated bibliographies. These are integral for research purposes. I am introducing them earlier on, just because everything we read together will be logged so that you have a bookmark to refer.
Let me introduce what an annotated bibliography is first.
Then we will read a piece by a smart thinker. We will discuss this piece, then you will complete an annotated bibliography on this fella. This will be your first assignment.
Here is the lecture:
The written piece that we will be discussing is in the following PDF:
You will be answering these questions (written as sentence stems):
Part 1 (Summary)
1.The main idea of this article is…….
2.The topics covered in this article are…….
3.The author’s point of view in this article is……
Part 2 (Rhetoric)
1.The author of this piece is/is not credible because……
2.The author knows a lot about this topic because….
3.From this piece, the author wants you to………….
Part 3 (Reflection)
1.This article supports my ideas because…..
2.This article was helpful to me because….
3.This article added to my knowledge about this topic because….
September 7th, 2022
Journal Entry #1
“A truth once seen by a single mind ends up by imposing itself on the totality of human consciousness.”
― Anonymous, The Arabian Nights
Write about this for about 10 minutes. This is the guide for ‘journal writing’:
Welcome to class.
First, I would like you to write a paragraph in your journal (Same as quote journal) about what it is you would like out of class following these questions:
- What are my plans for post-secondary? To what end will these plans meet?
- What are my strengths in English Literature? Be specific.
- What are my weaknesses in English Literature? Be specific.
- What do you expect out of this class this semester? – This is an important question because each grade 12 class I’ve designed is tweaked for each dynamic. No class is fully the same.
- What is a memory of school (K-12) I am proud of?
Here is the syllabus for the class. Spend some time looking over it with a partner and pose any questions to me regarding the class. Each pair should come up with one or two questions.
https://www.signupgenius.com/groups/getting-to-know-you-questions.cfm
- Brainstorm with class on questions
- Find someone you don’t know
- Ask 10 of the questions from the board – answer them – Vice versa
- Get ready to present your partner to the class