Class today: December 11th

1. You will be taking a practice ACT test today in USATESTPREP.
2. Presentations will resume tomorrow.

Presentation Help

Here are some presentation help links to guide you in your creation of your visual aides/ PowerPoint:

Power Point Guides, Tips

Death by PowerPoint PDF

How to Construct and Deliver a Presentation

Please email me with questions!!

November 30th

1. You will need to login to USATESTPREP. Your login and password is your Chromebook login, etc.
2. Go to assignments. You will first find the ACT Reading test practice #2. Take this practice test.
3. You will then find ACT Reading practice. These assignments will need to be done by Friday, December 2nd.
4. When you are done, you can work on your upcoming presentations.

Class today: November 29th

1. You will need your notes from their homework from Monday.
2. Read “Teen Fascinated with Into the Wild” (Found under Into the Wild links”
3. Discuss the following questions:

• How does Into the Wild present the characteristics of Transcendentalism? Specific examples from the text.
• How does Transcendentalism appeal to young adults/teenagers? What is the draw?
• How does Krakauer mirror the writing characteristics of Transcendentalism as he tells the story of Transcendental McCandless?

Put the evidence and discussion points in notes.

Class today: November 28th

1. Into the Wild reading quiz.

HOMEWORK for TUESDAY, November 29th

1. You should already have the Transcendentalism notes in your notes. You should also already have evidence of the characteristics in Into the Wild.

2. Read “The Chris McCandless Obsession” article found under Into the Wild links. Take notes on the article. This will be helpful in bringing in the Transcendental movement and characteristics into your presentation.

I have updated presentation dates on the presentation handout.

Class today: November 21st

1. Application of the characteristics of the Transcendental Movement to Into the Wild.

The Transcendental Movement

The term transcendentalism as used in American literature can be defined as a belief in the innate divinity of every man and faith in his capability to understand immortality, the soul, and God through intuition rather than through pure reason. The Transcendentalists considered human nature divine. Since the secret voice of God is within man, he has no need to obey any other command. He can trust himself.

Transcendentalism emerged in New England in 1815 with the liberal preaching of William Ellery Channing and reached its flowering in the late 1830’s and 40’s with the publication of Emerson’s Nature and other essays. Among the major ideas that the Transcendentalists emphasized were the desire to live close to nature, the dignity of manual labor, the essential unity of all religions, as spirit of tolerance and optimism, a defiance of tradition, a personal relationship with God, a belief in democracy, and a disregard for external authority.

Characteristics of Transcendentalism

1. Sense knowledge is unreliable
2. All reality is in the long run spiritual
3. The only apt instrument for contacting the world outside is the mind
4. By the mind, they do not mean the reasoning process (also unreliable) but a special faculty which puts them immediately in touch with truth without any other aid or contact.
5. All reality is One. (This Oneness is called God or the Oversoul).
6. There is no distinction between God, men, and things for they are all participants of the One.
7. Transcendentalism came to mean inspiration or intuition as a method of arriving at truth.

2. Into the Wild presentation assignment

Class today: November 18th

1. Definition of Transcendentalism. Make sure you have the two links of notes on Transcendentalism in your notes. Understanding this 19th Century period in American Literature will help you examine Into the Wild. Look at the influence on Chris McCandless' motivation/characterization... the writing of Krakauer... the structure of writing.... diction/syntax.

2. Watch The Great Gatsby

3. Google Classroom: In Classroom, you will find the writing prompt: 
How does Luhrmann's interpretation of The Great Gatsby align with Fitzgerald's text? How does it differ? 

You will need to post a separate response for how it aligns, and then one post discussing how it diverges from Fitzgerald's original text. Once you have posted your response, you will need to respond to two classmates' posts. Please have this done by Monday, November 18th.

Wednesday, November 16th

1. Today we will have the Guidance Department in our class to discuss all things "Guidance".  Please make sure you have your Chromebook with you for class.

Upcoming Schedule: 

Friday, November 18th: Read up through Chapter 8 of Into the Wild
      - Read and take notes on the two Transcendental links found under Into the Wild links. 
      - Finish watching The Great Gatsby 

Monday, November 21st: Read up through Chapter 15 of Into the Wild
       - Introduction to Psychoanalytic school of literary theory                                    

Tuesday, November 22nd:   Start Into the Wild presentation assignment

Monday, November 28th:   Finish the book. Reading Quiz

Class today: November 14th

Today, your typed draft of The Great Gatsby literary analysis paper is due. 

The BIG improvements we need to make for this round are: 
1. Demonstrating literary analysis knowledge. (Showing references to the literary devices throughout). 
2. Explaining the significance of the literary devices to the overall meaning in the text. What is the author "implying" with the usage? 
3. Tying the evidence back to the paper's thesis throughout the paper... not just at the end. 
4. Avoiding generalizations... summarization..  examine specifics and explain them thoroughly back to the argument. 
5. Effective transitioning
6. Explaining "How" and "Why"

Proofreaders: 

1. The first read: You will start with the LAST sentence. You will read ONE sentence at a time until you are reach the top of the paper. Yes, you are reading the paper BACKWARDS. In this reading you are ONLY looking for grammatical and spelling errors, and sentence clarity.  Is there subject-verb agreement? Pronoun-antecedent agreement? Sentence mechanics are correct? Diction choices accurate? No "YOUS". No "If you find an error, make a comment in BLUE. Do not fix the error. 

2. The second read: You will start at the TOP of the paper. In this read  you will be looking solely at LITERARY ANALYSIS CONTENT.  Has it included the necessary components to make it a literary claim? Introduces book title, author, literary convention, the significance of the analysis? Does the paper follow through with the CENTRAL LITERARY ARGUMENT/CLAIM? Is it addressing a LITERARY CONVENTION? Does the paper show thoughtful analysis of the literary primary source? 
Is the textual evidence logical and sufficient to the CLAIM? Is the evidence relevant, specific? Has it thoroughly been explained? (Warrants)
 Does the entire paper support the requirement of proving the literary argument?  Mark errors or comments in RED. 

3. The third read: You will be assessing the SOURCE MATERIAL. Has the primary source been thoroughly examined and addressed in conjunction to the claim?  Has the primary source material been introduced? Contextualized? Processed through warrants? Cited correctly? Has the author of the paper referenced effectively the literary primary text? 
Mark your comments/errors/suggestions in BLACK! 

4. The fourth read: You will start at the TOP of the paper. In this read you will be looking solely at STYLE and STRUCTURE. Is the tone appropriate for the audience and the content addressed. Is the ARGUMENT complete?  Does each section have a topic sentence that supports the overall claim? Does the paper utilize an obvious structure? Are there warrants? Does is utilize active voice?  Do they use effective transitions? Between sentences? Between sections?  DO THEY UTILIZE careful and strategic DICTION and SYNTAX? Mark suggestions and comments in GREEN. 

IMPORTANT-
4. The fifth read: You will be, again, starting at the TOP of the paper. In this read, you will be looking solely at FORMATTING. YOU NEED TO OPEN UP THE PURDUE OWL AND DO A LITERAL CHECK ON ALL COMPONENTS. DO NOT ASSUME! 
MLA OWL

Has the author appropriately addressed MLA style guide? Colon formatted MLA Title??  Is there a WC page? Is the in-text citation done correctly? Mark in PURPLE. 

4. In the sixth, and final, read. You will read through from top to bottom and read for the complete experience. You will need to do this with the IB SCORING GUIDE. Focus on the Criterion B,C, D, E.  Does the entire paper work together? Any last concerns? Mark in ORANGE. 

Pay specific attention to this proofing process. This is an excellent strategy to ensure that your final product achieves its intended purpose. 

After you are done PROOFING, you will need to score the paper with the IB Written Assignment Rubric. Please write their scores, PLUS the justification of their scores ON THEIR PAPER and scoring guide! You will then give them the AVERAGE of the 4 scores... B, C, D, E (add all 4 up and divide by 4). Please make this score prominent on their scoring guide. 

Final Paper Submission Guidelines:
1. A digital copy is due to Turnitin.com by 7:34 AM on Tuesday, November 11th.  No excuses. 
2. You will need to turn in at the beginning of class on Wednesday, November 12th: A paper final copy, proofread typed draft, handwritten rough draft, and outline (In this order), stapled together. 

Turnitin code: 13092737  password: bearcats1

For Friday, November 11th

1. Make sure that you have printed off both the sample IB Written Assignment paper and the scoring notes found under "writing links".  Read through the paper. This paper received a 23/25 from external scorers. Mark the elements that you are noticing and technical aspects in the writing. Examine the scoring and notes about why the paper receives the scores it does. This will be extremely beneficial in constructing your own paper. We want to mirror the structure and techniques.

2. Remember: 1974 Gatsby viewing during Bronco Time.

3. Make sure that you have the upcoming due dates in your own calendar. Review the reading guide for Into the Wild.

Class Schedule: November 9th-22nd

November 9th: Socratic Seminar- Scored with the IOP scoring guide. Seminar will address the 4 Schools of Literary Theory: Formalism, New Historicism, Marxism, Gender.
- Start watching The Great Gatsby 

November 11th: Go through IB Sample Written Assignment Paper. Have it printed off and annotated for class on Friday in order to discuss components, strengths, etc. Review the scoring of the paper, as well.                    

Monday, November 14th: Typed draft of Gatsby paper is due. Have this draft for class on Friday printed off before class begins. We will peer proof during class.
                                        Read "Author's Note" and Chapters 1,2 of Into the Wild. 
                                      

Tuesday, November 15th: Gatsby papers are due at 7:34 AM to Turnitin.com.
                                       Read up through Chapter 5 of Into the Wild
                                       - Watch The Great Gatsby 

Wednesday, November 16th: Guidance Presentation

Friday, November 18th: Read up through Chapter 8 of Into the Wild
                                    - Watch The Great Gatsby 

Monday, November 21st: Read up through Chapter 15 of Into the Wild
                                    

Tuesday, November 22nd:  Finish the book. Reading Quiz.
                                         -  Start Into the Wild presentation assignment

Class today: November 7th

1. One of the major things we will need to improve upon for the next paper is the connecting of evidence BACK to the argument and/or the major implication of the device's usage.  This is the "WHY" of the argument.  In order to practice this process, you will need to work through the following sentece frames. They are themed through Formalist, New Historicist, Marxism, Gender lenses. You will essentially "filling in the blank" of each sentence but you will be integrating analysis of The Great Gatsby, AND connecting it to the WHY component of analysis.

Sentence Frames- Fitzgerald

2. On Wednesday, we will be having our second Socratic seminar over The Great Gatsby. We will be integrating the Marxism and Gender lenses of critical theory into our discussion. Make sure that you have annotated your text for these two additional lenses.

3. This has pushed back your typed draft of your paper to Friday, November 11th. Please have your paper printed off BEFORE you come to class!

Here is a list of common suggestions for next round of papers PLUS distinctions in the scoring guide to recognize in order to move up:  Common Paper Suggestions and Scoring Guide Help

REMEMBER: 1974 The Great Gatsby film showing during Bronco Time (November 9th, 11th, and 16th)

Class today: November 4th

1. Thesis/claim plus outline for Gatsby paper are due today.

2. Today we are going to work with recognizing the difference between Active and Passive voice.
In our papers, we are often using passive voice when active voice would be more effective.
The first two links explain the difference between the voices.  The third asks you to change active voice to passive. The fourth will direct you to revise passive to active voice.

Explanation of Active V. Passive Voice

Changing Passive Voice to Active Voice

Recognizing Passive Voice Construction

Revising Passive Voice to Active Voice

Homework for Monday: Annotate text for Marxist and Gender Criticism. Socratic Seminar addressing all 4 Schools of Theory. We will use the IOP SCORING GUIDE to assess your participation in the Socratic Seminar.

Class today: November 2nd

1. We will be reviewing the Schools of Theory: Marxism and Gender today in class.  Your Marxism/Gender Theory and Gatsby assignment it due today.

2. The Gatsby paper assignment is found: Gatsby Paper

3. I have provided a sample of the Written Assignment and coinciding scores found under "Writing Links". Please read the paper and look at the scores and rationale of the scores. Be ready to discuss on Friday.

MORE GENDER and MARXISM QUESTIONS found HERE: Critical Lenses Questions: Marxism and Gender

Class today: November 1st.

1. Make sure the Lost Generation and Gatsby work is completed and in your notes.

2. You will need to use the time in class today to work on the Marxism, Gender and Gatsby handout.
We will be discussing these in class on Wednesday.

Class today: October 31st

Happy Halloween!

1. After we take our Formalism/New Historicism Annotation Quiz...

2. Open the following Gatsby and the Lost Generation Assignment: Gatsby and the Lost Generation

You will read through the background information on The Lost Generation first. You will then find 6 relatively simple/obvious questions from this information. Answer these, but leave some space in between each response.  When you are done answering these questions, go back 2-6 and jot down some connections that you find in Gatsby to the philosophies and historical aspects that are presented. Stretch beyond the obvious... see what more intricate findings develop.

3. Pick up the Marxism and Gender Criticism handout. Make your way through this for Wednesday, November 2nd.  You will need the basics from the first few pages in your notes, plus the additional questions from the "Literary Theory" questions link.

Some translations from the general category to the specific school of theory on
the Lit Theory Questions Handout:
"Biographical" and "Historical" are New Historicism
"Sociological" is Marxism
"Feminism" is Gender

Due: Monday, October 31st.

1. New Historicism claim and evidence are due by class on Monday, October 31st. This assignment is to be posted in Google Classroom.

2. I have provided a few links to help you with Fitzgerald biography and early 20th Century history. They are found under Gatsby links. Please use these to build your historical perspective.

3. You will have a quiz on Monday over Formalism and New Historicism. You will need to have at your disposal examples of questions.... a definition of each school... and ability to apply each school to annotate a passage from Gatsby... and then end with a literary claim.

For Tuesday, November 1st: Lost Generation and Gatsby Themes (Found under Gatsby Links)

The Great Gatsby- 1974 Film

During Bronco Time, I will be showing the 1974 Robert Redford/Mia Farrow version of The Great Gatsby.  It will be a great opportunity to compare it to the Luhrman version we will be watching in class. By looking at different interpretations of a single text, it can help us examine a primary text more thoroughly by comparing choices of interpretations, etc.

I highly encourage you to utilize this opportunity.

Bronco Time: November 9th, 11th, and 16th

Due: Friday, October 28th

1. 7 New Historicism Questions.
2. New Historicism annotation of Gatsby.  Go back through the text... utilize the NH questions and see what you can discover. We will continue the BBC Documentary on Friday.

Class today: October 25th

1. Read and take notes on the Bob Dylan song, "Summer Days".
Utilize the Formalism approach... Imagery. Symbolism. Diction. Syntax. Point of View.

Summer days, summer nights are gone
Summer days and the summer nights are gone
I know a place where there's still somethin' going on

I got a house on a hill, I got hogs all out on in the mud
I got a house on a hill, I got hogs out lying in the mud
I Got a long haired woman, she got royal Indian blood

Everybody get ready, lift up your glasses and sing
Everybody get ready to lift up your glasses and sing
Well, I'm standin' on the table, I'm proposing a toast to the king

Well I'm drivin' in the flats in a Cadillac car
The girls all say, "You're a worn out star"
My pockets are loaded and I'm spending every dime
How can you say you love someone else when you know it's me all the time?

Well, the fog's so thick you can't spy the land
The fog is so thick that you can't even spy the land
What good are you anyway, if you can't stand up to some old businessman?

Wedding bells ringin', the choir is beginning to sing
Yes, the wedding bells are ringing and the choir is beginning to sing
What looks good in the day, at night is another thing

She's looking into my eyes, she's holding my hand
She's looking into my eyes, she's holding my hand
She says, "You can't repeat the past," I say, "You can't?
What do you mean, you can't, of course you can!"

Where do you come from? Where do you go?
Sorry that's nothin' you would need to know
Well, my back has been to the wall for so long, it seems like it's stuck
Why don't you break my heart one more time just for good luck

I got eight carburetors, boys I'm using 'em all
Well, I got eight carburetors and boys, I'm using 'em all
I'm short on gas, my motor's starting to stall

My dogs are barking, there must be someone around
My dogs are barking, there must be someone around
I got my hammer ringin', pretty baby, but the nails ain't goin' down

You got something to say, speak or hold your peace
Well, you got something to say, speak now or hold your peace
If it's information you want you can go get it from the police

Politician got on his jogging shoes
He must be running for office, got no time to lose
He been suckin' the blood out of the genius of generosity
You been rolling your eyes, you been teasing me

Standing by God's river, my soul is beginnin' to shake
Standing by God's river, my soul is beginnin' to shake
I'm countin' on you love, to give me a break

Well, I'm leaving in the morning as soon as the dark clouds lift
Yes, I'm leaving in the morning just as soon as the dark clouds lift
Gonna break in the roof, set fire to the place as a parting gift

Summer days, summer nights are gone
Summer days, summer nights are gone
I know a place where there's still somethin' going on

2. When you are done, hopefully you have made some connection to The Great Gatsby.  You will now need to pick out 10 lines that you feel have significant meaning and connection to Gatsby. Bring in Fitzgerald's words into your notes. Find similar text in Gatsby. What do the comparisons reveal about each other? How are they different? How does the overall tone differ? 

3. You will have our first Socratic seminar on Wednesday over The Great Gatsby. You will need to review the Socratic seminar scoring guide. You will also need to bring 5 higher level questions.  You will bring in your Formalist work and your work with comparison to Dylan. 

Class today: October 24th

1. Turn in the Formalism and Gatsby  papers at the beginning of the hour. Please collect right after the bell.
2. Log into USATEST PREP and take the ACT Practice Reading Test.
3. For class on Tuesday, find the Literary Theory Powerpoint located under “literary theory links”. Scroll to the end to the “New Historicism” slides. Have this information and questions in their notes for Tuesday.

Class today: October 17th

1. By now, you should have your text thoroughly annotated for Formalist conventions.  Remember, the Formalism lens focuses us on a close reading of the rhetorical devices that an author uses AND then we theorize to the implications of this usage.

During class, we will be zooming in on specific literary devices that become the focus of a Formalist and responding to their usage by Fitzgerald.

Not only does Fitzgerald tell an interesting story, but the artistry of this text is phenomenal. Formalism allows us not only receive the results of his artistic talents... but to examine the devices used to create the stunning effects.

For a non-literary example....  Donatello's David, Michaelangelo's David, del Verrocchio's David

Questions to consider; 

1. How does the medium (material or format) impact the tone of the subject? 

2. How are all three works similar in their treatment of the subject?

3. How does each sculptor treat the human body? What impact does this have on the reception of this piece?

4. The inclusion of Golliath's head is in two of the sculptures... What are the implications of this inclusion? What are the implications in the absence in Michelangelo's David? 

5. How does the facial expressions of each David interact with the context of the Biblical story? (Formalist start with examination of facial expression... branching out to intertextuality with context portion of question. 

2. Complete the Gatsby and Formalism handout for Monday, October 24th. 

Remember: ACT Writing Field Test will be taken on Tuesday, October 17th. 

Class today: October 12th

1. ACT Writing Field Test #1
2. Turn in The American Dream annotations and questions.
3. Make sure you have annotations on conventions of fiction and Formalism in Gatsby for Monday, October 17th.
4. Reflection on IOP assignment, if choosing to do so, is due Monday, October 17th.

By the way... 
Bob Dylan has been awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature. 

Here is an article from the New York Times:
New York Times- Bob Dylan Awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature

And... a video of Dylan's beautiful anthem "The Times They are a Changin'" (1964)

Class today: October 11th

1. Introduction to Literary Theory.
2. Add the Formalism Questions to your Formalism notes. Questions can be found under "Literary Theory" Links. Click "Literary Theory Questions".
3. Review/know the Argumentative Outline found under "ACT Links".  This is a general outline structure to help you with the ACT Writing Test.  We will be doing the first of two field tests tomorrow (Block Day- Wednesday)

For Monday, October 17th:
Utilizing the Formalism Questions, conduct a Formalism critique of The Great Gatsby. Take the questions and work through the text. Please be thorough in your investigation. You will need... evidence... conclusions/findings.... questions..  Focus on findings AND implications.

Choice assignment:
Reflection upon IOP... what do you want to work on for the next presentation? What were your strengths? Weaknesses? How will you approach Gatsby  knowing that this will be a concluding assignment? This is an optional assignment. Due: Monday, October 17th

Class today: October 10th

1. The Great Gatsby reading quiz. 
2. For class tomorrow, October 11th, using the 8 major conventions of fiction, find 3 points of interest for analysis with textual references for each convention. This will be put in your notes. Pull from your annotations. This will look like: 

Characterization: 
     1. Daisy has an underlying insecurity to her bravado.  Nick describes Daisy's situation, which would warrant her leaving; however, "It seemed to me that the thing for Daisy to do was to rush out of the house, child in arms--but apparently there was no such intentions in her head" (Fitzgerald 20). 

Class today: October 7th

1. Finish IOPs in class today.
2. Review "How to Mark a Text" and then look at Annotate a Text.
How are these texts different? Do they have similar goals and different approaches to achieve the same results? How are they similar? What do they reveal about the author? What is the importance of writing delivery on the meaning? The impact?

Homework; The Great Gatsby is due on Monday. There will be a reading quiz. You are expected to have the text annotated for 8 conventions of fiction and beyond.

Week of October 4th-7th

October 4th: Individual Oral Presentations
                  READ for WEDNESDAY: How to Mark a Book
October 5th: Lost Generation showing during Bronco Time
                     Individual Oral Presentations
October 7th: Lost Generation showing during Bronco Time
                     Individual Oral Presentations

Upcoming:
Monday, October 10th: The Great Gatsby is due.
                                      - Reading quiz on Gatsby
                                     - Be annotating for 8 conventions of fiction and significance.
                                     - Gatsby Annotation Guide
Tuesday, October 11th: Lost Generation showing during Bronco Time
                                     -  The Great Gatsby and The America Dream assignment due
                                         Gatsby and the American Dream Assignment Sheet
                                        Rethinking the American Dream PDF

Class Today: October 3rd

1. IOPs start tomorrow. Remember to dress professionally. Keep practicing and reviewing the IOP scoring guide.
2. In class, please review the following link discussing the ACT Writing Test.
Guide to ACT Writing Test
3. Write an outline for the following ACT Writing Prompt (NEW). Turn in outline tomorrow (Tuesday):

Intelligent Machines

Many of the goods and services we depend on daily are now supplied by intelligent, automated machines rather than human beings. Robots build cars and other goods on assembly lines, where once there were human workers. Many of our phone conversations are now conducted not with people but with sophisticated technologies. We can now buy goods at a variety of stores without the help of a human cashier. Automation is generally seen as a sign of progress, but what is lost when we replace humans with machines? Given the accelerating variety and prevalence of intelligent machines, it is worth examining the implications and meaning of their presence in our lives.

For Friday, September 30th

1. Solidify IOP for peer scoring in class.

IOP practice

For Wednesday, September 28th

1. You have been provided examples of effective IOPs.  I would suggest watching a few more (located under IOP links).
2. Review thoroughly the scoring guide for the IOP. Look at the 5-10 range. Note the techniques that will be assessed. Make sure that you are addressing them in your presentation.
3. Start the practice of your presentation. Do it multiple times. Time yourself. Record yourself and then use the scoring guide to score your presentation. The more you practice the more comfortable you will be for next week.

Class today: September 26th

1. We will be working on our IOP for The Road.  I will go over the main goals of the IOP and the scoring guide. 

2. You will begin structuring your presentation. For assistance in starting: 

Rough (rooooooghhh) Structure: 

1. Intro: Title of work, author, thesis/claim, aspect of audience interest

2. Body: Major supporting points to be made (determined by length of time), PEE Chain (see below), specific references of literary devices that aid in analysis/results

3. Conclusion: Synthesis of significance of this reading of the text, connect back to the point of interest reference in the intro. 

3. For Tuesday, have an outline to be reviewed for class. Make sure that you are zooming in on a literary aspect, not discussing broadly. 

Class today: September 23rd.

1. The Road essays are due at 11:59 PM to Turnitin.com.
2. Turn in all the "stuff" for the paper on Monday.
3. Start working on Oral Commentary Outline.

The Great Gatsby needs to be read by October 10th. 

Class: September 21st

Today, your typed draft of The Road literary analysis paper is due!

You will have THREE proofreaders for this paper. 

Proofreaders: 

1. The first read: You will start with the LAST sentence. You will read ONE sentence at a time until you are reach the top of the paper. Yes, you are reading the paper BACKWARDS. In this reading you are ONLY looking for grammatical and spelling errors, and sentence clarity.  Is there subject-verb agreement? Pronoun-antecedent agreement? Sentence mechanics are correct? Diction choices accurate? No "YOUS". No "If you find an error, make a comment in BLUE. Do not fix the error. 

2. The second read: You will start at the TOP of the paper. In this read  you will be looking solely at LITERARY ANALYSIS CONTENT.  Has it included the necessary components to make it a literary claim? Introduces book title, author, literary convention, the significance of the analysis? Does the paper follow through with the CENTRAL LITERARY ARGUMENT/CLAIM? Is it addressing a LITERARY CONVENTION? Does the paper show thoughtful analysis of the literary primary source? 
Is the textual evidence logical and sufficient to the CLAIM? Is the evidence relevant, specific? Has it thoroughly been explained? (Warrants)
 Does the entire paper support the requirement of proving the literary argument?  Mark errors or comments in RED. 

3. The third read: You will be assessing the SOURCE MATERIAL. Has the primary source been thoroughly examined and addressed in conjunction to the claim?  Has the primary source material been introduced? Contextualized? Processed through warrants? Cited correctly? Has the author of the paper referenced effectively the literary primary text? 
Mark your comments/errors/suggestions in BLACK! 

4. The fourth read: You will start at the TOP of the paper. In this read you will be looking solely at STYLE and STRUCTURE. Is the tone appropriate for the audience and the content addressed. Is the ARGUMENT complete?  Does each section have a topic sentence that supports the overall claim? Does the paper utilize an obvious structure? Are there warrants? Does is utilize active voice?  Do they use effective transitions? Between sentences? Between sections?  DO THEY UTILIZE careful and strategic DICTION and SYNTAX? Mark suggestions and comments in GREEN. 

IMPORTANT-
4. The fifth read: You will be, again, starting at the TOP of the paper. In this read, you will be looking solely at FORMATTING. YOU NEED TO OPEN UP THE PURDUE OWL AND DO A LITERAL CHECK ON ALL COMPONENTS. DO NOT ASSUME! 
MLA OWL

Has the author appropriately addressed MLA style guide? Colon formatted MLA Title??  Is there a WC page? Is the in-text citation done correctly? Mark in PURPLE. 

4. In the sixth, and final, read. You will read through from top to bottom and read for the complete experience. You will need to do this with the IB SCORING GUIDE. Focus on the Criterion B,C, D, E.  Does the entire paper work together? Any last concerns? Mark in ORANGE. 

Pay specific attention to this proofing process. This is an excellent strategy to ensure that your final product achieves its intended purpose. 

After you are done PROOFING, you will need to score the paper with the IB Written Assignment Rubric. Please write their scores, PLUS the justification of their scores ON THEIR PAPER and scoring guide! You will then give them the AVERAGE of the 4 scores... B, C, D, E (add all 4 up and divide by 4). Please make this score prominent on their scoring guide. 

Final Paper Submission Guidelines:
1. A digital copy is due to Turnitin.com by 11:59 PM on Friday, September 23rd. No excuses. 
2. You will need to turn in at the beginning of class on Monday, September 26th: A paper final copy, proofread typed draft, handwritten rough draft, and outline (In this order), stapled together. 

Turnitin code: 13092737  password: bearcats1

Due: Monday, September 19th

1. Outline over The Road paper due.

Basic outline format found here: OUTLINE FORMAT

Due: Friday, September 14th

1. Thesis/Claim due for The Road paper.
2. Socratic discussion over prescribed questions handed out during class on Wednesday. Take notes on the questions for class seminar. Be ready to address them thoroughly.
3. Read through the Road as quest narrative essay. Annotate for writing practices AND structure content. We will discuss this on Friday.

The Road Essay Due Dates

September 16th- Thesis/Claim due
September 19th- Outline due
September 20th- Handwritten rough draft due
September 21st- Typed draft due at beginning of class
September 23rd- Final draft due by 2:00 PM. Submit to Turnitin.com.
                 Turn in printed copy, rough draft, outline by the end of class on Friday.

Turnitin.com class code: 13092737 password: bearcats

Class today: September 13th

1. You should be coming to class today with your named literary theme for The Road plus a large collection of textual evidence for support of your argument for theme. Today IN CLASS you will be working on integrating textual evidence in your writing. Please open your handout that I referenced yesterday during class (Literary Analysis Quote Integration), also access the following
link on transitions: TRANSITIONS Make sure that you are showing the logical relationship between your evidence through transitions. Remember ICE... Introduce. Cite. Explain.

I want you to handwrite this writing sample. It is going to take time to make this your "new normal". Please submit this writing at the end of the hour.

2. For Wednesday, September 14th
Get the following questions/ definition down in your notes.
1. What are the parts of the work?
   2. How do they fit together?
   3. What makes the work seem complete and unified?
   4. Where do the high points (climaxes) come?
   5. What is the time order in the story?
   6. Does the author use flashbacks (moving back in time for what reason?)
   7. Why do you think the author has used this form?
   8. How does it help him/her say what he/she wants to say?  To get a point across? Impact on the reader that he/she wants to have?

Structure Definition: framework of a work of literature.

Class: September 12th AND due September 13th

1. Review the practices in determining literary theme.
2. Small group discussion of theme of The Road.  Settle upon theme in your group.
3. Start gathering evidence for the declared theme.

For Tuesday:
1. Take your theme and write it as your topic sentence.
Bring your collection of evidence to class with you on Tuesday. Have an abundance to choose from for class. We are going to work on implementing in with our writing.

2. Take thorough notes on the integrating literary quotes in analysis handout.

Due: Monday, September 12th

1. Plot and Time writing samples. Please turn in to Google Classroom by beginning of class.
2. Please read and take notes over the following like on THEME: Theme Notes
3. Also review over the "common themes"/"universal themes" links under Literature Links.
4. In your notes, please start some possible theme possibilities for The Road. 

Due: Friday, September 9th

1. Literary terms test.
2. Cormac McCarthy Author Voice study due.

Due: Monday, September 12th
2 writing samples on PLOT and TIME... turn into Google Classroom

SCHOOL PICTURES ARE SEPTEMBER 14TH AND 15TH DURING YOUR ENGLISH CLASS.

Due: Wednesday, September 7th

1. Check Google Classroom for the assignment addressing Cormac McCarthy's authorial voice. (DUE FRIDAY)
2. Take 3 passages that we have previously annotated for Point of View and Voice, and with a different color, annotate for characterization findings.(DUE WEDNESDAY)
3. Have 3 questions per convention written for Socratic seminar on Wednesday. (Total of 9)

SOCRATIC SEMINAR HANDOUT

Remember: Literary Terms TEST on Friday!

Due: Wednesday, September 7th

1. Check Google Classroom for the assignment addressing Cormac McCarthy's authorial voice. (DUE FRIDAY)
2. Take 3 passages that we have previously annotated for Point of View and Voice, and with a different color, annotate for characterization findings.(DUE WEDNESDAY)
3. Have 3 questions per convention written for Socratic seminar on Wednesday. (Total of 9)

SOCRATIC SEMINAR HANDOUT

Remember: Literary Terms TEST on Friday!

Due: Tuesday, September 6th

1. Again, let me reinforce the strong suggestion for you to go back through the text and annotate elements of POINT OF VIEW, if you haven't done so already.

2. After instruction on our next literary convention, VOICE, you need to annotate the passage from The Road for evidence of character voice. What is revealed in your findings. Your annotations can start the analysis process along with the introductory findings.

3. In further examination of voice, we will be starting to look to author voice. To do so, click on the All the Pretty Horses link. You will find a list of quotes from another McCarthy novel, All the Pretty Horses. In your notes, I would like for you to spot/identify stylistic similarities in McCarthy's two works.

REMEMBER: 52 LITERARY TERMS TEST ON FRIDAY. 

Due: Friday, September 2nd

1, Upload to Google Classroom 10 thesis statements/claims addressing McCarthy's use of Point of View in The Road.  Utilize the checklist/formula provided during class on Wednesday. Reference the active verbs and the literary thesis links for assistance.

Due: August 30th

1. Take a section of the Road passage that I printed off for you. Identify the point of view. Rewrite a small section of the text from an alternate point of view. (You are not expected to be professional writers). Think about some elements that change because of the specific point of view.

- What is included?
- What is left out?
- What diction choices are telling of the point of view?
- What was lost? Gained?
- How has the overall impact of the passage changed?
- What information does the reader now have?
- Did the author choose the best POV? Why?

You are all doing GREAT! Keep up the great work!!

Due: Monday, August 29th

1. Go through the second passage from The Road. You are, again, using the point of view questions as your point for analysis. As you read, look for evidence for your findings. Make notes... Underline things you notice.. look for patterns. As you are finding... be considering the "Why?" "What is the significance of this?" "What does this do to the meaning of the text?" "How does it shape/form meaning?"

All you need is notes/annotations. We will work on developing the arguments. Bit by bit... just be patient.

Due: Friday, August 19th (Point of View)

After annotating the passage of The Road with the sole focus upon Point of View, you should have a collection of findings/questions/patterns emerge. From your annotations, you are going pick one aspect of point of view that you feel has been revealed.. .and/or you feel has legs to be developed.

I think the questions... What details does the narrator tell us? What order are things presented to us" 
are pretty important in the passage we worked with in class. I examined the text carefully looking at details we have/what was left out/what order is it presented.

With some of my findings... I ask myself... So? What are the implications/ What is the significance of these findings? What do they do to the text? The characters? The meaning? Why does the author do this?

My conclusion...

For an example: The omniscient narrator in The Road often emphasizes the father's coping with a world lost by including mundane details of a previous society juxtaposed with his new reality. 

After you have used the questions on point of view to bring new points of interest to the surface, and you have come up with the implications/significance of this usage (see example), you will simply list examples from The Road under your argument.

So I would present...
"In the livingroom the bones of a small animal dismembered and placed in a pile. Possibly a cat. A glass tumbler by the door". . . 

"Wearing masks and goggles, sitting in their rags by the side of the road like ruined aviators . . . He sat.. . and read old newspapers while the boy slept" 

Due: August 22nd The Study of Literature and The Road

Today we have been introduced to the first assessment in the IB Programme, the Individual Oral Presentation. This will provide you a target for the skills you will need to accumulate and hone over the next few weeks in conjunction with The Road. 

You will become very familiar with the scoring guide found here: Individual Oral Presentation Rubric

For Tuesday, you will need to read the article:
"Lit Classes Under Attack? Standford's Joshua Landy to the Rescue"

Half of the battle of performing literary analysis is recognizing a larger purpose to the text. Therefore, in order to practice this, we need to exercise this.

From this article, I have pulled out some key statements... key quotes... addressing literature/study or literature/purpose of literature.

For Tuesday, You will need to find aspects/examples/passages of The Road that exemplify the spirit that is revealed in the statements about the purpose/goal of literature. Please put these in your notes.

The challenge is to 1. recognize an underlining goal/ purpose of literature. 2. See how that goal/purpose is achieved by McCarthy.