English 12 – Summer 2021

Tuesday, August 10th – Thursday, August 12th

Theme Inquiry Final

We have done a lot over these past six weeks. This theme inquiry is a chance to show me everything you’ve learned in a final presentation & paper that will show me not only your progress throughout this rapid online class, but also your own synthesis of information – your own specific lens in which you see the world.

It is this original view that will make you stand ahead of many of your peers as you get to post-secondary work. You will write a lot. You will analyze a lot. You will synthesize a lot. It’s all about looking at things with a fresh perspective and having the tools of expression to show that perspective academically.

You will hand in:

1. A presentation (one per group – or you can do it ‘live’ on Thursday.)
2. A paper that is a culmination of your theme. (Hand in your own – Minor changes from the groups is expected, as you are all different people with different ideas)

Be prepared to:

1. Have a theme statement. (I will give you examples on Tuesday)
2. Complete the handouts that are linked to this document, so I know it’s all original work.

Your final presentation should have the following:

1. A clear overarching idea that encompasses your chosen theme in an easily accessible manner. In other words: A catchy title.
   1. For example: “Love can be the degradation of modern society”
2. Research that fits your chosen theme. Use sources from my own blog if you’d like. You can answer the questions on my blog as a grounding pole for your research. You need at least five external sources.
3. An interesting presentational hook for us to maintain interest. Good examples include visual aids, PowerPoint presentations, handouts (like worksheets) games… anything to make your theme shine. (No Prezi though. I hate Prezi with all my heart.)
4. A 1000-word piece of writing for me that connects to your presentation. You can write in any style you choose. (Reflection, synthesis, narrative, etc.) Just make sure to source your information.)

Don’t worry about doing all of this on your own. I will help you throughout the week. Innovation, insight, and creativity is what I’m looking for.

Data Gathering:

Here are the sheets that will guide you through the process. How has your idea changed over the past six weeks? Have you answered that theme question? What is your answer? (Theme statement.)

Inquiry Guided 2 of 5

Inquiry Guided 3 of 5

Inquiry Guided 4 of 5

Works to Cite if you’d like:

-MLK / I have a dream speech

-Barak Obama / A More Perfect Union

-Oscar Wilde / The Importance of Being Earnest

-Hemingway / Hills Like White Elephants

-Mansfield / A Dinner Party 

-Classroom PPT’s used

-Song from Musical Mondays

-Any other source you have found on your own. See me if you can’t find a specific article.

Theme Inquiry Final Rubric (copied into Teams):   __ /30

1. Research:  /5

Well-chosen pieces that reflect theme well and are integrated into the paragraph seamlessly.

• Content:  /10

The piece is constructed in a way that is easy to read and is very much connected to a realized theme statement. The visual aid reflects the essay well.

• Mechanics:  /5

There are no glaring errors. The writer has a good understanding of the English language. There is a works cited page that is in MLA format. Double spaced, up to 1000 words.

• Originality:  /10

This is a piece that can be looked at with a sense of wonder invoked. It’s not just painting by the numbers – the author cares about the content.

Tuesday August 3rd – Thursday August 5th

Musical Tuesdays – Thursdays Assignment:

Part 1: AN EXAMPLE

What do I expect? This is the final project:

And an example of the written work:

Neo Soul (Contemporary) Where is Soul / R&B Going?

Do this worksheet after I finish talking about this movement.

This is a worksheet to help you: Music-analysis-guide-9s-Wednesday-Q2Download

This past year, I have really gotten into Neo-Soul. But what is it? Where did it come from? People argue that it was Lauryn Hill, D’Angelo and Erykah Badu that started the movement, really. This was in the 90’s, early 2000’s.

In these next few videos, I’d like you to think about contemporary music as a whole. Think about these questions that you can share with a partner:

1. What is a musical movement? How does it start? (You might need to do a bit of research.) Ex. Where does rap come from / How did music become popular?
2. Based on the classes we’ve had for Musical Wednesday, can you see the evolution of R&B throughout the years? Give examples of this.
3. Pick an R&B song that you think is classified as Neo Soul. These are the elements that make up Neo Soul:

https://www.liveabout.com/what-is-neo-soul-2851222

These two songs are contemporary or ‘next-wave’ neo soul. They are two very talented guitarists. You can also place this genre in ‘alternative R&B’ as well. There is a heavy guitar focus, because this is the exact kind of music I’m in to and I want to share it with you as a final Musical Wednesdays

presentation.

https://www.musixmatch.com/lyrics/Isaiah-Sharkey/Time

Here is Melanie Faye With ‘Super Sad, Always’.

https://genius.com/Melanie-faye-super-sad-always-lyrics

BONUS: (Isaiah Sharkey and Melanie Faye Jamming:

Part 2: Another Example:

One of my heroes: Isaac Hayes – Check out the chain shirt. This is from his groundbreaking album Joy. (Or maybe it was Hot Buttered Soul. He loved that chain shirt.) 1970’s goodness.

Soul: What is Soul? Soul is hyperbolicsyllabicsesquedalymistic. (Look that up).

Here is Isaac Hayes singing Walk on By from his album Hot Buttered Soul. (Originally written by Dianne Warwick)

https://genius.com/Isaac-hayes-walk-on-by-lyrics

Soul is:

“music that arose out of the black experience in America through the transmutation of gospel and rhythm & blues into a form of funky, secular testifying.”

https://www.newyorker.com/culture/cultural-comment/how-isaac-hayes-changed-soul-music

But in reality, soul is the experience of the listener. Soul to me is what is hidden inside all of us, and music personifies this abstract.

You’d think that soul, like Isaac Hayes sweet sexy silky voice is a lot of feeling. Yet it can be also like a ballad. Ray Charles was a soul master as well with his piano. I recommend checking out the movie Ray with Jamie Foxx as well. Here he is singing Georgia on my Mind. A Jazz standard made into Soul. A lot of you might have heard renditions of this song. (Originally written by Hoagy Carmichael)

https://genius.com/Ray-charles-georgia-on-my-mind-lyrics

https://genius.com/Isaac-hayes-by-the-time-i-get-to-phoenix-lyrics

https://genius.com/Al-green-how-can-you-mend-a-broken-heart-lyrics

Music analysis guide

Part 3: Student Examples

I will give you examples of a very strong class and their videos. This will be random, but will help you with your own music. Keep in mind, these students are in grade 9, so I’ll expect a bit more depth from this class.

Tuesday, July 27 – Thursday, July 29th

Part 1:  Introduction & Text 1 

Welcome to the Modernism unit.

Here is the power-point. I would like you to take notes as I will be going into detail about it.

I have questions for discussion that will come right after this lecture (some during) I have a story that you will be reading today:

Part 2: Text 2 

Let’s go over the questions together. This will be our discussion of Hemingway. When we finish the discussion – depends on the climate of class – we will start our second author. Kate Mansfield.

Think about this question for a paragraph intro response: 

How do elements of Modernism show in either the Hemingway or Mansfield text?

Example Thesis: Throughout Hemingway’s short story HLWI, the dialogue/allusion/metaphor shows individualism and fragmentation of the modernist philosophy / society.

So the LITERARY ELEMENT shows ONE FACET OF MODERNISM. (Check PPT).

You will need some time to get the basics of a three paragraph essay down – this is just a review of the literary essays you’ve done all throughout high school. But just in case, I have a PPT so that you understand the structure. I’ll go over it as a formality.

Part 3: In Class Final Paper

Choose a Question: 750 word response.

Hills Like White Elephants 

1. How does the symbolism in “Hills Like White Elephants” relate to the modernistic perspective? Explain using examples from the text. 

A Garden Party 

2. How do the different classes that are discussed in the short story “A Garden Party” relate to the modernistic perspective? Explain both classes and how they differ yet also how they are similar. 

This will be an in class write. It will be treated as a first draft. I will grade it with this rubric:

Tuesday, July 20th – Thursday, July 22nd

Part 1:

“The living always think that gold can make them happy”

― Oscar Wilde, The Happy Prince

We’ll watch this:

We will read this:

We’ll look at this:

And this is the text you’ll be using:

Part 2:

“All women become like their mothers. That is their tragedy. No man does, and that is his.”

― Oscar Wilde, The Importance of Being Earnest

What is a parody, satire or farce?

What is comedy?

These are all of the questions I have put into a document. The final document will be a minor letter grade and will be due this Friday 3PM.

Actors today:

Jack (Earnest) : William

Algernon : Brian

Lane : Hannah

Gwendolen : Anna

Lady Bracknell : Kyeong Min

1. Why does Jack Worthing call himself “Ernest” instead when he is in “town”
(London)?

2. Why has Algernon invented an invalid friend named “Bunbury”?

3. Jack has an insurmountable impediment to marrying Gwendolen in his
background: what, as Lady Bracknell sees it, is this problem? How does she
propose that he resolve this problem? What is Wilde satirizing in this
situation?

4. How does Wilde use the subject of cucumber sandwiches to reveal the
characters of Jack and Algy?

5. How does Wilde satirize the vacuous mentalities and lifestyles of the British
aristocracy in Lady Bracknell’s interview with Jack?

6. How does Wilde use the cigarette case to facilitate the exposition of the
dramatic action?

7. The character of Algernon Moncrieff reflects the public persona of the
dramatist himself: in what ways in Algy like Wilde? Refer to background
information.

8. Why is the classical allusion in which Wilde compares Lady Bracknell to the
Gorgon particularly apt? Look up this allusion if you don’t know.

9. What point is Wilde making about journalism in general and reviewers in
particular when Algernon remarks, “You should leave that [literary criticism] to
people who haven’t been at University. They do it so well in the daily papers”?

10. What tools of satire –irony, juxtaposition, understatement, paradox –are
apparent in this opening act?

Part 3:

“Men always want to be a woman’s first love. Women have a more subtle instinct: What they like is to be a man’s last romance.”

Act 2 

“Life is far too important a thing ever to talk seriously about.”

I’d like for you to take some time in getting your thoughts in order and complete these Importance of Being Earnest questions

1. “Gwendolen and Cecily are not so much opposites as complements.” Explain this remark by reference to their speeches and actions.

2. Early on in Act One Jack Worthing articulates the difference between city lifeand country life. Show three ways in which the life of the country (as
exemplified by the Manor House, Woolton, Herfordshire) is very different from the bachelor life of The Albany, London.

3. Like Jack, Algy leads a double life, utilizing an escape mechanism when
necessary to free himself of a life of social obligation and lead a life of
unrestrained pleasure. Explain their differing motivations, but how both are
“confirmed Bunburyists,” nevertheless.

4. The comedy of mistaken identity is a very old dramatic form – as old, in fact, as comedy itself – which Wilde manages to revitalize in The Importance of Being Earnest. The key mistaken identity in this play, of course, is that of “Ernest” himself. What comic consequences result from Algernon’s assuming the role of Ernest Worthing?

5. In what ways would the terms “hedonist,” “aesthete,” and “gourmand” be
suitable descriptors for Algernon?

6. How would you characterize Canon Chasuble and his relationship with Miss Prism? Why does Wilde include them at this point in the play?

7. Give five examples of Wilde’s wit, comedy and/or satire in this act. How
does this further his satirical purpose?

8. A subtle sub-theme of the play is readers, publishers, fiction, and
censorship. What points by implication is Wilde making about contemporary
literature?

9. What role does food have within the play? (Notice how Jack and Algy are
eating muffins at key points – and then those pesky cucumber sandwiches in
Act I…)

10. Based on the types of comedy discussed, how would you define The
Importance of Being Earnest thus far? Defend your selections using textual
references.

Act 2 actors:

Miss Prism:

Cecily:

Chasuble:

Merriman:

Algernon:

Jack:

Gwendolen:

Act 3:

1. Lady Bracknell has been described as “the perfect embodiment of the attitudes and rules of conduct of the British aristocracy.” How does Wilde unmask the mercenary motives of Lady Bracknell to reveal her essential
snobbishness and hypocrisy in the final act?

2. To a certain extent, Miss Prism and Dr. Chasuble are also satirical figures through whom Wilde attacks British institutions, namely education and the Church of England. Explain briefly what aspects of these institutions Wilde is
satirizing.

3. Define the term “bunburying,” and explain its significance in the play. How does bunburying relate to Wilde’s critique of Victorian earnestness? How are even Cecily and Dr. Chasuble “bunburyists”?

4. The play has a number of objects that acquire additional meanings as the action develops. Explain how three of the following symbols in The Importance of Being Earnest relate to the plot and especially to the characters: cucumber sandwiches, bread-and-butter, the German language, French music and language, bottles of champagne, teacake, muffins, and the capacious handbag.

5. “Although we see little of them, each of the butlers has a back story and serves as a vehicle for Wilde’s satire of the aristocracy.” Explain.

6. If the principal characters will go to any lengths to avoid their responsibilities and place self- interest at the top of their own agendas, then a resolution of the conflicts in the play would be impossible: somebody has to make concessions. How does the resolution scene in the third act resolve the conflicts between Lady Bracknell and Jack? Jack and Algernon? Gwendolen and Cecily?

Part 4:

“Sometimes you climb out of bed in the morning and you think, I’m not going to make it, but you laugh inside — remembering all the times you’ve felt that way.”
― Charles Bukowski

Here is what can help you with your one act play:

Writing a scene: the 8 key principals you should include in every scene

Also The Playwright’s Guide:

It is a good start for ideas.

Here is a way that I start:

First I find the setting. Where is the action taking place? Since this is only a scene, then there will only be one place.

Second, I want to find a conflict.

There are many conflicts that can help with the excitement of a plot. Check the playwright’s guide.

Then there are the characters. Try to have ony 2-4 characters. This can be done in any order, however. I will give you examples from my other classes.

Here is the rubric for the final piece:

Tuesday, July 13th – Thursday, July 15th

Without willing it, I had gone from being ignorant of being ignorant to being aware of being unaware. And the worst part of my awareness was that I didn’t know what I was aware of.”

 ― Maya Angelou, I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings

Part 1:

This is our unit on Rhetoric:

Here’s a PPT that I’d like for you to take notes on:

Part 2: Let’s go over the rest of the handout. Speeches and Rhetoric 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. 

Part 3:

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:

It’s a great read in any case. 

Here are the student examples:

Part 4: For today, it is a workshop for your Obama piece. I won’t be able to help you as much because this assessment is based on following directions / word choice mostly. I will be able to guide you. Here are some helpful links:

https://www.montclair.edu/profilepages/media/5720/user/Under_the_Bus_Postmodern_Culture.pdf

Obama’s “A More Perfect Union”

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.   

Video as well:

Thursday, July 8th

This is the last day of the inquiry foundation. Before we jump into those three worksheets that I’d like for you to work on today, I have a quick quiz to give, so that I can check your reading skills at the grade 12 level.

This piece here is an excerpt from The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass. Please follow the link, complete the test and check your answers. Let me know what you received and which questions you got wrong.

The link:

AP English Language Practice Test 1

After this test is over, I would like for you to work for about 30 minutes to one hour on the three worksheets we started reading yesterday.

I will meet with you in your small groups to see what it is you’re coming up with.

Near the end of class, I will talk about next week for all of you students that are dedicated learners and want a sneak peek:

Wednesday, July 7th

So today will be more of this inquiry talk. I want you to have a good foundation before we go off into other areas of class. There are three minor parts to this piece and a discussion element.

Here is the breakdown of what we’re going to get up to:

1st 30 minutes: You will complete the in class write for your reflection of your inquiry word. If you need help, I would like to meet with you one on one. Here are the questions again:

1. What was your assigned theme?
2. What do you know about this word?
3. What is an anecdotal story that is invoked from this word?
4. How does this story relate to society as a whole?
5. How could you start research on this word and its meaning?

2nd 30 minutes:

Meeting with the same theme groups and sharing your reflections with small discussion and having a takeaway that you’ll bring back to class again.

2nd hour:

Working on exploration of your theme in bigger ideas with these three worksheets. Complete as much as you can today. This will NOT be turned in. It’s ‘data’ for your own inquiries throughout the course. I will introduce ‘inquiry questions’ here.

Tuesday, July 6th

Good Morning. Thank you for all of your Emails regarding your status in the class. I will always post the entire week’s work every Monday morning. My blog has been attached to this site so you don’t need to look for it. Here is today’s schedule:

Part 1: Introduction

Welcome to class! Let’s spend some time getting to know what is expected of you. These are some questions I would like for you to quickly fill out and then we can talk about them.

Teams: This is where I’ll be posting daily events and discussion topics for the semester. You will have small group discussion as well on Teams.

Syllabus: (Attached to this Conversation) This is everything we will be doing throughout the whole class. You can get everything done on your own time, as long as you meet the deadlines. My lectures will all be recorded as well.

Answer these questions:

1. What are my academic goals this year? To what end will these goals meet?
2. What are my strengths in English Literature? Be specific.
3. What are my weaknesses in English Literature? Be specific.
4. What do you expect out of this class this semester? – This is an important question because each class I’ve designed is tweaked for each dynamic.
5. What is my expected grade? Why?

Part 2: Introduction to Final Inquiry

Final Inquiry Project: Due August 1st

Seriousness / Language / Wisdom / Love / Virtue / Innocence / Sexuality / Equality / Authority / Unity / kindness

Your job is to explore what this word means and how it is applied to the world.

The inquiry project will be for you and two / three other classmates to take one of the themes we’ve explored and do a 10 (+/-) minute interactive discussion at the end of the year to the class about your chosen theme. This presentation will be a larger mark, so try your best. If you have another theme you want to explore, see me first.

Your final presentation should have the following:

1. A clear overarching idea that encompasses your chosen theme in an easily accessible manner. In other words: A catchy title.
   1. For example: “Love can be the degradation of modern society”
2. Research that fits your chosen theme. Use sources from my own blog if you’d like. You can answer the questions on my blog as a grounding pole for your research. You need at least five external sources.
3. An interesting presentational hook for us to maintain interest. Good examples include visual aids, PowerPoint presentations, handouts (like worksheets) games… anything to make your theme shine. (No Prezi though. I hate Prezi with all my heart.)
4. A 1000-word piece of writing for me that connects to your presentation. This is a collaborative project so only one per group. You can write in any style you choose. (Reflection, synthesis, narrative, etc.) Just make sure to source your information.)

Don’t worry about doing all of this on your own. Perhaps this is your first inquiry. I will give you a lot of class time to do this and I will help you every step of the way. Innovation, insight and creativity is what I’m looking for.

Here are the sheets that will guide you through the process.:

Inquiry Guided 2 of 5

Inquiry Guided 3 of 5

Inquiry Guided 4 of 5

Part 3: Free Write / Formal Reflection on Theme

Task today:

You will be assigned a theme. This theme will be what you are focusing on the entire semester. This is also a pre-assessment of your skills as English writers. It will be due at the end of the class and you will revisit this theme with every assignment we do.

Arguably, this will be a very individual experience for all of you. You will “own” this theme by the end of the semester.