e-journal #14 (5/24)

Write a short piece that offers a creative way of expressing your reaction to the last four works on death. Obviously one could hone in on death as being a recurring theme, stating merely this “connective” evidence… yet the more intriguing piece of scholarly writing here will dig deeper into these works of literature and attempt to identify how these voices communicate to (you) the reader.


THIS JOURNAL COUNTS AS EXTRA CREDIT AND IS NOT MANDATORY.

e-journal #13 (5/3)

Choose a topic for argument as if you were going to write a research paper on Chopin’s “The Storm.” Name that topic and then provide a draft thesis statement that clearly identifies whether this hypothetical paper’s focus is on character, theme, setting, social/cultural issues or history, or interpretation. You may refer to Stanford’s suggestions as guides; however DO NOT just copy them!

e-journal #12 (4/28)

During Spring Break, think of one person, place, or thing you encounter that relates to any of the texts, characters, plots, settings, themes, metaphors, etc. which we have read so far this term. Describe your experience and it’s textual connection using vivid detail.

If you write two separate entries to this posting you will receive x-tra credit points equaling a “second” journal entry.

e-journal #11 (4/12)

Answer the fifth Consideration Prompt to this story on p.844, drawing on and directly discussing your own beliefs and values as you form your response. Remember to revisit the Evaluation Guidelines on p.144-145 for assistance with this assignment.

Tsunami Video

Here is the link to the video of the tsunami, which I mentioned in class last week.

A Little Info on Vonnegut

Check out this wiki for some quick biographical information on Kurt Vonnegut.

I find his life's story to be poignant and interesting... maybe you will too. Note that he was a soldier in WWII and also an artist. Here is one of my favorite images of his. There is a coffee shop/artist venue/music hall in Bushwick named Goodbye Blue Monday... any connection you think? If you are ever interested in the local arts scene, this place is the place to go!

e-journal #10 (4/7)

Recall that an analysis, or explication, “unfolds” the work. That is, it explains in detail how the selected piece of text “communicates” to the reader by focusing on one or more of the elements of literature: sound, structure, figurative language, development of characters, development of plot and action, or irony, to name a few. Using Joyce’s “Araby” offer a written analysis that explains how one or more literary elements present in the story “communicate” to you. Revisit the Analysis and Explanation Guidelines on p.121 and 134, respectively, for assistance with this assignment.

SP#3 Rubric

The link to the rubric for Short Paper #3 can be found here!

Another Short Story on War

Please read "Great Day" by Kurt Vonnegut for Tuesday's class, in addition to Joyce's "Araby."

You will have to follow the link above, download the file and print it so that you can bring it to class Tuesday.


That is all for now!
s.

e-journal #9 (3/31)

Write a response in the same fashion as Karen’s paper on p.99-101. Begin by briefly summarizing your reaction to the work by O’Brien, and then use a personal narrative to explain that response. Be sure that you make references to the short story that show how it connects to your narrative (i.e., making a comparison between the two), properly citing the quotations you employ in MLA format. Remember to revisit the Comparison Guidelines on p.113-114 for assistance with this assignment.

Vote for Tuesday's Peer-Edit

Please place your vote for Tuesday's class peer-edit activity below by putting a check mark onto the appropriate box. Please try and vote only once... however, who is really to tell (I'm just saying). If the excellent and good votes override the okay and icky votes then we will perform the activity as proposed. This means that you will need to bring two copies of SP#2 to class on Tuesday. If you fail to bring these required materials you will be excused for the day and marked absent.

Enjoy your weekend!
s.

e-journal #8 (3/22)

Respond to the first two Consideration Prompts listed on p.890.

SP#2 Rubric

Here you can find a link to the SP#2 Rubric. Please email me with any questions that you may have regarding this second assignment! It is due on Thursday 3/24.

Bring three copies of Paper Two to class on the 24th.


Remember that your Revision of Paper One is due next Thursday as well. Be sure that you include the original copy underneath the new, revised edition of your work otherwise you will not receive any credit.

e-journal #7 (3/17)

Respond to the fourth Consideration Prompt after this play, which states: Scholar Thomas Kilroy has noted that Maurya “finds a freedom in isolation” and that she separates herself from the family and the community, showing “a contempt for the values that are left behind” (Mosaic, Spring 1971). Do you agree with this comment? What evidence can you offer to either support or refute Kilroy’s view of Maurya?

Poetry Warm-up

Here's a warm-up for Tuesday...

Remember Margaret Atwood's poem "you fit into me"? Look on page 59 in the textbook, or here it is again transcribed:

you fit into me
like a hook into an eye

a fish hook
an open eye

I enjoyed our discussion of this piece, especially when we tried reading it backward! I mentioned another poem which accomplishes the same pitches in tone, style, structure, and imagery. Thus,

Updated Schedule

II. Weeks Five – Seven:  The Many Genres and Voices of Literature

R 3/3
•    The major distinctions between genres of literature
•    Stanford, An Introduction to Short Fiction on p.60-65
•    HW
o    Gilman, “The Yellow Wallpaper” (532-545)
o    Post a comment to e-journal #5: Choose one of the Guidelines for reading short fiction on p.64-65 as your entry. Respond to “The Yellow Wallpaper” via your chosen Guideline. (Due 3/10)

T 3/8 – Class Canceled

R 3/10
•    The characteristics of short fiction 
•    Review of Gilman, her Commentary on p.546-47, and e-journal #5
•    Distribution of SP#2 Rubric
•    HW
o    Stanford, An Introduction to Poetry on p.65-70
o    Shelley, “Ozymandias” (962-63)
o    Kinnell, “When the Towers Fell” (974-978)
o    Post a comment to e-journal #6: This journal has two parts. First, after reading these two poems on the “relics” of Ozymandias and the Twin Towers, describe any connection (or disconnection) that you may see between these pieces of literature. See the Comparison Guidelines on p.113-114 for assistance with this portion of the assignment. Second, read them again, actively, and explain how each poem affected your emotions and thoughts during this subsequent experience. (Due 3/15)

T 3/15
•    The characteristics of poetry
•    Review of Shelly, Kinnell, and e-journal #6
•    Discussion of citation (MLA) and paraphrase
•    HW
o    Stanford, An Introduction to Drama on p.70-78
o    Synge, Riders to the Sea (874-884)
o    Post a comment to e-journal #7: Respond to the fourth Consideration Prompt after this play, which states: Scholar Thomas Kilroy has noted that Maurya “finds a freedom in isolation” and that she separates herself from the family and the community, showing “a contempt for the values that are left behind” (Mosaic, Spring 1971). Do you agree with this comment? What evidence can you offer to either support or refute Kilroy’s view of Maurya? (Due 3/17)

R 3/17
•    St. Patrick’s Day
•    Last Day to withdraw from a course without a W grade
•    The characteristics of drama
•    Review of Synge and e-journal #7
•    Stanford, An Introduction to Nonfiction on p.78-82
•    Stanford, Using and Documenting Quotations from Literary Works: MLA Style on p.175-181
•    HW
o    Lopez, Landscape and Narrative (884-890)
o    Post a comment to e-journal #8: Respond to the first two Consideration Prompts listed on p.890. (Due 3/22)

T 3/22
•    The characteristics of nonfiction
•    Review of Lopez and e-journal #8
•    HW
o    Stanford, Considering Other Voices on p.82-86
o    Over the long weekend, work on your paper! Be sure to reference the SP#2 Rubric for specific guidelines.

R 3/24
•    Introduction to next segment of course via Stanford, Writing and Critical Thinking on p.87-90
•    Short Paper Two Due — Be sure to bring two extra copies of your paper (that means three in total) so that you are prepared for the mandatory in-class peer-review and edit.
•    Revision of Paper One Due — Remember to staple both the original draft and the revision copy together, with the revision on top, when handing in this optional assignment.
•    HW
o    Stanford, Preparing to Write About Literature on p.90-92

Class is Canceled Today

Dear All,

As I am not feeling too well, I must cancel class today. Please be sure that you check the blog later this evening for important updates to the SCHEDULE OF READINGS AND ASSIGNMENTS. In short, we are shifting the schedule one day back; i.e., today's events are now scheduled for Thursday, Thursday's are scheduled for next Tuesday, and so on.

Please inform your fellows should you see them on campus today. I've informed security to place a notice of this matter on our classroom door as well.

See you all Thursday!
s.

e-journal #6 (3/15)

This journal has two parts. 

First, after reading these two poems (Shelly's and Kinnell's) on the "relics" of Ozymandias and the Twin Towers, describe any connection (or disconnection) that you may see between these pieces of literature. See the Comparison Guidelines on p.113-114 for assistance with this portion of the assignment. 

Second, read these works again, actively, and explain how each poem affected your emotions and thoughts during this subsequent experience. 

Please, improve our email roster!

Hello all,

If you could please check the Email Roster page to verify that your listed address is indeed correct I, and your fellows, would most appreciate it. There are three individuals that I've had trouble reaching; thus, if your email is highlighted in red then it must be incorrect. Please fix them by commenting on the page with your active/current address.

That is all. Thank you.
s.

e-journal #5 (3/10)

Choose one of the Guidelines for reading short fiction on p.64-65 as your entry. Respond to "The Yellow Wallpaper" through your chosen Guideline.