•A Doll’s House
•The Importance of Being Earnest
•Trifles
•Death of a Salesman
•A Raisin in the Sun
•Fences
Choose one of the following:
A) Compare / contrast two characters from two different plays. In your analysis, consider some of the following: character development (flat vs. well-rounded), motivation, choices, reactions, emotional growth (or lack thereof). What motivates the character to change? It is up to the student to create a focused thesis statement.
B) Identify and evaluate the messages / themes of one of the above plays. Analyze the themes by incorporating historical/cultural context. Were the lessons valuable during the play’s creation? Argue whether or not modern readers can any valuable “life lessons” from the play.
Interesting discussion about Harper Lee’s novel: To Kill a Mockingbird… brought to you from across the pond, courtesy of London’s newspaper, The Guardian.
William Blake combined wild ideas, beautiful lyrics, his own brand of mythology — blending it all together with his unique visual artistry.
Samuel Taylor Coleridge and William Wordsworth collaborated on a highly influential book of poetry titled, Lyrical Ballads.
Believe it or not, Lord Byron was a rock star (by 19th century standards).
Percy Shelley untimely death inspired his wife to write one of the world’s most renowned novels, Frankenstein.
Advice #1: Select / find themes that interest you.
Topic = Self-image of women and girls.
Specific Theme = Products of the media create a negative self –image of women and girls.
Advice #2: Find out about the poet’s life.
Speaker and author may be closely connected.
Speaker is completely different than the author.
Cultural / historical connections.
Advice #3: Do not personalize the commentary.
Advice #4: Look for specific details in the poem; make specific comments.
Advice #5: Be aware of other scholars, but don’t be too swayed.
Advice #6: Create your own interpretation before you seek outside sources.
Should not be Wikipedia…
Follow the links from a Wikipedia article…
Sparknotes is over used.
Library e resources / Proquest / Literary Journals / Biographies / Books…
Life story of the poet
Cultural background / what’s going on in their world?
Critical Commentary
Use the critical commentary / argue against its interpretation
Advice #7: Is the message relevant? Important? Right? Wrong?
(Throughout the body paragraphs? Conclusion?)
Mid Term Preparation:
The Baffling Question by Bill Cosby (p. 171)
— Why do people have children?
— What should people “project” before having children?
Outline:
Intro: Improved life? (Hook: best xmas ever)
Body #1: reasons in the distant past
Body #2: reasons in the previous generation
Body #3: reasons for today
Conclusion:
Bad Girls, Bad Girls, Whatcha Gonna Do? — Brown / Lind
p. 415
“The problem is a culture that denigrates, commodifies, and demoralizes women.”
Intro: Statement of agreement or disagreement
(Avoid personalization.)
Body #1: Denigrates ( lesser importance / intelligence)
Body #2: Commodifies
Body #3: Demoralizes (morals / beliefs / values)
Conclusion: final reflections — What should readers do now? How should society change?
Should readers agree or disagree with this claim?
— personal observation
— news stories / current events
— reference the article in the Prose Reader
March 22nd: Paragraph Sample #3
+20 sentences
Should CRANK be taught in public schools? Why / why not? (High School?)
Narrative Essay
Write a narrative essay about someone you consider a “wise” person. (This should be someone with which you have had personal contact.)
Include one of more true stories that demonstrate how this person became wise.
Consider including some of the following:
• Descriptive Writing / Imagery
• Dialogue
• Personal connections
• The impact this person’s life has made on others
(Don’t forget to define your terms. What does it mean to be “wise”?)
Length: +1000 words (Typed/double spaced / 12pt font)
Peer Review / Bring in Draft: Feb 29th
Final draft Due: March 5th
English 1B – Short Story Analysis
Responding to the literary works from The Seagull Reader: Stories, write a +1200 word essay that focuses on one of the following prompts:
A) Compare / contrast two characters from two different stories. In your analysis, consider some of the following: character development (flat vs. well-rounded), motivation, choices, reactions, social environment, emotional growth (or lack thereof), symbolism. What can the leader learn by studying the differences and/or similarities of the two characters? It is up to the student to create a focused thesis statement. (Tip: Develop a specific opinion based upon your compare/contrast analysis.)
B) Compare / contrast the themes found within two different stories. Argue whether or not readers can gain any valuable “life lessons” from each story. Should we embrace or reject (or ignore?) the stories’ message(s)? You may wish to analyze any symbols within the stories (the objects, actions, people, animals) which represent something more than its surface appearance.
Typed / Double Spaced
MLA Format
If you incorporate outside sources, you must include a Works Cited page.
First Draft / Peer Review: Feb. 13th
Final Draft Due: Feb 22nd.
Greetings Moorpark Students,
The first stories that I would like you to read are not found in your text book. They are a pair of classics (some of you may have already read).
Story #1:
“The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson — Click here to read the complete text. Feel free to print up your own copy so you can mark up the text and take notes. There are study questions at the end of the text. You don’t have to write anything, but be prepared to discuss the questions in class.
Story #2:
“The Necklace” by Guy de Maupassant — Click here to read this old fashioned French story, and be prepared to talk about whether or not the reader should feel sympathy for the main character.
Primary Source:
The creative work which your essay focuses upon.
Tv Show
Comedian
Film
Book
Secondary Source:
— Facts / Biographic information
— Interview material
— The “Making Of” documentaries
— Critics / editorials
— “Expert opinion” on issues
— Cultural / Social analysis
—
Other creative works?
—
Outline:
Beavis and Butthead
Making fun of uneducated Americans.
Main interests: “scoring,” “nachos” “music videos”
Research: mook?
Tvtropes.org
What makes it satirical? What is the work/artist criticizing? Is the criticism fair? Does the work/artist offer legitimate complaints? Why might some viewers/readers be offended? What is the intended goal of the satirical work?
Outline:
Hook – get the reader’s attention… Narrative example. (From the show?) (From real life?)
Topic overview: basic background of the show… What is this show about? What does it reveal about America?
Thesis Statement: Answer the question — What is the value of its satirical outlook?
Body Paragraphs:
A) Creator Mike Judge…
a. Origins of the show / intent of the author
b. Other works (King of the Hill)
c. Returns to Beavis and Butthead
B) Butthead –
a. Analysis of character
b. Controversial nature
c. Specific examples
d. Commentary from critics / parents / audience
C) Beavis –
a. Analysis of character
b. Controversial nature
c. Specific examples
d. Commentary from critics / parents / audience
D) Portrayal of Adults
a. Examples / failure to connect
b. What does it say about society?
c. Quotes: Psychologists? Sociologists?
E) Portrayal of Young Women
a. Examples / failure to “score”
b. Is it a feminist message?
c. Quotes to either support or refute.
F) Dangerous Behavior
a. Examples of stupidity in action.
b. Does the media have a responsibility to its viewer?
c. Yes – Quote from the affirmative.
d. No – Quote from the negative.
e. Weigh in with my own analysis.
Conclusion…
• A compelling introduction
• Thorough knowledge of the subject
• Background information and/or biographic research
• Analysis of the controversial nature of the satirical work(s)
• Analysis of social / cultural / historical context and impact
• Incorporation of at least five different secondary sources
• Evaluation of different viewpoints / Identification any relevant fallacies
• A conclusion that delivers a final reflection and/or emotional impact
• A properly formatted in-text citations and a Works Cited page (MLA)
Slavery…
Huckleberry Finn
A) Introduction…
Movie portrayal fails to include the actual satire which criticizes the moral of the time.
B) How were slaves portrayed in literature before Huck Finn?
Other creative works (Uncle Tom’s Cabin?)
C) The goals of Mark Twain
— Quotes from Twain
— Expert opinion from scholars
— My own commentary / analysis of the text.
D) How is slavery portrayed in the book?
— Primary source.
— Historical / cultural information
— Is it an accurate portrayal?
E) How does the book satirize southern society?
— How are white male characters portrayed?
— How are white female character portrayed?
— How is Jim portrayed in comparison?
F) How and why does Huck Finn change?
— Status quo: Huck is a racist.
— Transformation
—- What do the critics say?
G) How do films differ from the book?
— What satire is missing?
Conclusion
