Interesting article-- J.D. Salinger

http://www.aolnews.com/nation/article/searching-for-jd-salinger-but-finding-something-better/19338072?icid=main|htmlws-main-w|dl1|link3|http%3A%2F%2Fwww.aolnews.com%2Fnation%2Farticle%2Fsearching-for-jd-salinger-but-finding-something-better%2F19338072

Weekly update: Looking ahead to the week of January 25

I look forward to seeing you all on January 28 from 8:30-11:30 in room 412

Also, in preparation for our presentations on Haiti, please post ideas on this blog or email me.

For next Tuesday, February 2- please read until page 255 and prepare a double-entry journal. This will be checked on Tuesday. We will also hold our presentations on this day.
You will be taking your practice multiple-choice AP exam on Wednesday and part of Thursday.

Thursday and Friday- visiting classes re: Haiti

Please study Emma vocabulary

I look forward to seeing you all on Thursday

Due Thursday February 4: First draft/sketch of Emma papers. You should be done with reading Emma by February 8th. During that week I will be conferring with you regarding your essays. Final drafts of Emma papers will be due Monday, February 15. You will also have a test on the text, which will comprise of Emma vocabulary and a free-response question focusing on Emma (from a previous AP examination)

As always, feel free to email me drafts of your papers and I would be happy to respond and "track changes"

Emma vocabulary

ennui, penury, exertion, apothecary, deference, valetudinarian, disparity, coddle, gallantry, dissent, palpably, disposition, sanguine

Topics that arose from today's lesson 1/20/10

Link to Jane Austen biography:

http://www.janeausten.org/jane-austen-biography.asp

Possible paper topics (final drafts should be 4-5 pages in length, double-spaced and 12pt font Times New Roman). Please meet with me to discuss your writing. Final drafts will be due the second week in February.
The role of social class and Austen's portrayal of hierarchies in the text
A feminist perspective
An economic perspective
Studying Austen's biography and relationship to the text
Moral issues within the text
Austen's use of language/stylistic elements to enhance her ideas
Allusions in the text and their significance

Weekly update: Looking ahead to the week of January 19 and beyond

Today we spent some time discussing Austen's use of various rhetorical and stylistic devices in her writing. We also spent some time discussing various allusions. We touched on assonance, consonance, and alliteration in both poetry and prose.

Tomorrow we will spend some time focusing on our in-class prose essays and reflecting on our progress. This semester we spent quite a bit of time on: developing a thesis statement, using effective textual support to enhance our ideas, focused on effective use of transitions, the P.E.E method, and developing a strong introduction.

Over the course of the next few days we will continue with our discussions of Emma. Over regents week: Complete your reading and annotation of the text, and draft a first draft/sketch (need not be complete) of a paper. For this paper, I would like you to attempt to use another source to support your thesis statement. We will discuss this further in class.

On January 28 (from 8:30-11:30) room 412 we will have an AP review session. We will discuss various test taking strategies, and further our understanding of various literary/poetic devices. During the first week of February you will be taking a full-length M/C section, as we have in the past. Last time around, a significant number of you met and exceeded your 8% goals-- I can't wait to see your successes this time around! You have worked very hard this semester and it shows!

I will be posting suggested Emma topics, and I encourage you to develop your own (refer to the literary theory handouts we have been using this term). As always, feel free to email me ideas/drafts and I can "track changes" if you need it.

Weekly update: Looking ahead to the week of January 19

First and foremost, I would like to commend you on your conviction and passion to assist in the current situation in Haiti. I am inspired by your energy and efforts. On Tuesday we will meet to discuss how we will organize our ideas from yesterday's discussion.

You will complete your essays on Tuesday, and I look forward to discussing Emma. As I looked at your journals, I noticed that a number of you have formulated some very strong opinions of the character! Please complete volume one for Tuesday and keep up with annotating and journals.

Have a great weekend.

I encourage you to respond to this blog with a powerful quote or a reflection on a quote by Martin Luther King Jr.

In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.

Martin Luther King Jr.

]

Tempest panel discussion questions

Group 1: What is the role of the storm in the play? What does it represent?
Group 2: What is the role of Miranda and Ferdinand in light of the rest of the characters?
Group 3: What is the significance of the form of a “masque” in this time, and how does The Tempest (Shakespeare, and the film) reflect this?
Group 4: One interpretation of The Tempest identifies Prospero with William Shakespeare himself. Take a few moments to reflect on how Prospero’s character might parallel with the role of a playwright.
Students will have a few moments to prepare their thoughts, and reflect on their prepared notes. As each “panel” reflects on their question, students will add to their notes.

These questions, among other topics surrounding the text will be discussed tomorrow. If you borrowed a text, please bring it in tomorrow.
Your notes should show thoughtfulness, preparation, and effort.
I look forward to hearing your wonderful ideas!

Week of January 4, 2010 and looking ahead

We are completing our discussions of The Tempest, and will be viewing some of the Tempest film over the next few days.
We have also begun to analyze rhythm and meter in poetry and you will have a practice poetry multiple choice test on Tuesday (January 12).
January 13: Tempest panel discussions/ intro to Emma handout
For Thursday (January 14) Please read chapters 1-8 and annotate Emma on post-its. I would also like you to maintain a double-entry journal of your reading: aim for three quotes per chapter. Make sure you mark page numbers in your journal. This will come especially handy as you prepare for your next major paper (please see syllabus for sample essay ideas as you read).

In addition: (January 13 and 14) we will discuss the text.

January 14 we will do a mini-lesson on the P.E.E. method for essay writing, which will assist in developing and supporting ideas (Point-Example-Explanation).

January 15: You will have an in-class free-response essay (poetry) in which you will practice using this model in your writing.

Looking ahead: It will be time for January's practice multiple choice practice exam-- I KNOW you will be those 8% goals! You've been working hard and it shows!!!