Monday, 1/11/15

* Open

• Look over the following links
• Course Outline (see above; scroll down to quarter 3)
• Quarter Reading (see right under "Reading")
• Poetry and Story Studies (Link to These Units On the Right)

* Semester 1: Thank you for your kind course reviews and helpful suggestions.  The main thing you don't want is busy work.  While the reading and responding is essential work, the historical context and vocabulary list can easily be made to eliminate that kind of work this semester.  I kept that in mind as I looked over the kinds of strategies your class most needs for college preparation and to attack the AP exam.

* Increased analytical focus for this semester brings the following modifications:

1. The Brit Lit historical guide will be a resource for you to engage in when you need it but not tested material (except where notes are given in class). 
2. Your vocabulary will come directly from your reading.  You simply need to copy down the definition that applies to the context in question.  Note that in the text or on separate paper.  Minimum requirement: 10 words per week. 
3. Many short stories and poems chosen for range, depth, and sophistication.
4. Outside reading is more specified and organized with more opening assistance.

* Begin Chapter 1 of Perrine's Poetry in Class

• If you would like to buy a copy of this excellent text, you may find them for under $30, used at abebooks.com: click here to see. 
• The ISBN is 9780155074941
• We will be reading from this text for much of this semester. 

* For each chapter, you must:

• Read the entire introduction (usually 2-5 pages)
• Take notes on all elements introduced in the introduction
• Study example poems in the introduction
• Respond to the assigned poems for your journal assignments. 

* We will read poetry for one week, then prose (fictional short stories) for one week, alternating.  The story journals will be very similar to the poetry journals. 

HW: Answer assigned questions for chapter 1 on paper in a journal of your choice.  Be sure that all answers are complete and considerate.

• Title: Poetry Chapter 1 Reading Responses
• Use the title of the poem to divide your answers (each poem begins a new set of questions).
• In chapter 1, you will have three poems to respond to: "The Eagle," "Winter," and "Terence, this is stupid stuff"

Fall 2015 Final Exam Schedule Full Week.pdf

 


 

Today's Advent Music: The Benedictines of Mary...Fitting Singers to Exclaim, "Come, Lord Jesus!"

A Request from Your Peers and Mr. Davis

Sociology is doing research into being a teen here at MVC. Please take this short survey to help us in our pursuits! Thanks!

Here it is: Sociology Survey

Prompts Cast for Better Final Exam Use

Period 4, your chosen prompts are in red.  One of the others will be added for you to work with. 

Senior English Final Exam Essay Prompts

1. Grace and Power: The Tempest is a play about power and grace in contradiction, in tension, in resolution, in harmony. Examine the dynamic of power and grace in The Tempest. What lesson does this interchange provide the reader?

2. Slavery: Caliban was a slave to Prospero; upon meeting Stephano, he pledges himself to a new master: “Thine own for ever, and I, thy Caliban,/ For aye thy foot-licker” (4.1.208-209).  Can you think of one modern example where a person, singing of freedom, really only moves from one slavery to another? Explain by tying aspects of Caliban’s slavery to your chosen type of modern slavery.  You may also use a paper Bible if you wish (consider Luke 11:24-25).  

3. Freedom: Is freedom synonymous with autonomy? Is anyone really free in the play? In the world? Use specific examples from The Tempest to illustrate your answer. You may also use the Bible (paper copy or from memory).

4. Magic: Prospero's magic was the instrument of his own fall and rise. What is our distracting "magic" today? Where have we, too, abdicated our natural and civic duties, fascinated with "magical" sparkling wonders. Where has it isolated us from our natural rights and rulership? What hope may it yet offer? Cite specific instances from Prospero’s experience that relate to your modern example.

5. The Past: A character’s attempt to recapture the past is important in many plays, novels, and poems.  Show with clear evidence from the work how the character’s view of the past (reverential? bitter? longing? something else?) is used to develop a theme in The Tempest.

6. Laughter: “The true test of comedy is that it shall awaken thoughtful laughter” (George Meredith).  Choose a character or scene in The Tempest that awakens “thoughtful laughter” in the reader. Write an essay in which you show why this laughter is “thoughtful” and how it contributes to the meaning of the work.

Notes:

• Always write in terms of specific literary elements (exposition, dramatic irony, protagonist, climax, paradox, repetition, epiphany, point of view, syntax, etc.).
• Underline your thesis. (Also, underline book and play titles.)  
• Title your essay with the bold word or words introducing your prompt.
• Write only on the front of your lined pages.  Single space; write in pen.

Week 17, Block Day; 12/10/15

* Open

• Turn in Out of Class Experiences (green folder)

* Terms

• Term Definitions: Dr. Wheeler. 
  

* Essays

• Rewrite Parameters
• Typed, MLA format
• Below a 70%?  Up to 10%.  You must redo the entire essay.  You do not need to highlight changes.
• Above a 70%?  Up to 5%.  You are just adding a bit and fixing things up. Highlight your changes.
• Due Monday, printed.  Also submit to turnitin.com. 
• Turnitin.com Course code: 11025881
• Password: mvcs
• Discuss the final exam essay. 

* Work in Class

HW: Quiz Questions Review

Week 17; Wednesday, 12/9/15

* Open

• Last word: Divination

* Essays

• Sample Responses Q2: Kiss of the Fur Queen
• What makes the analysis strong?
• How does the student quote?  
• What can you change in your style to improve?  

* Rewrites

HW: See "Assignments" on the right for links

• Out of Class Experience Extra Credit (printed or handwritten on paper)
• Rewrites (on paper and submitted to turnitin.com) 
• Take Notes on Essay Topics from the Study Guide.  At least one will be included on the final exam essay portion. 

Week 17: Tuesday, 12/8/15

* Open

• Mettle (noun): a person's ability to cope well with difficulties or to face a demanding situation in a spirited and resilient way. (Spirit, strength of character, steel, resolve, backbone, grit.)
• Etymology: Latin metallum "metal; mine, quarry, mineral"
• This is a variant spelling of "metal" which won its independence.

• The reader's imaginative prowess is tested by the Gawain poet's sensuous (not sensual) description of the Green Knight; likewise, Gawain's mettle is tested by Lady Bercilak's more sensual (not sensuous) allusions and connotations. 

• Knotty (adj.):

* Do you know how to find your sample essay prompt to work from?

• Study Good Student Examples; Do Not Copy Them  

* Per. 1: Check Guide

* Review Answers

* Terms

• Define and provide an example (quote or explanation) from The Tempest
• Term Definitions: Dr. Wheeler. In general, his first sentence defines; the rest explains.  
• You may work in groups

HW: Essay Work (Review Sample Essays)

Monday, December 7th-

Special Bell Schedule - NO CHAPEL

Special Thursday

classes on Thursday will begin at 8:10 - no morning Flex.