A few students needed an optional summer assignment, so here it is. If I did not already talk to you about doing this assignment, please do not do it!
Have a great summer!
Assignment:
Read the short story "I Stand Here Ironing" by Tillie Olsen (you can get a .pdf of the story here) then write a 4-6 paragraph essay on the following prompt. Your essay must be typed using MLA format (you can find directions on typing in MLA format here). When you are finished, you can email the essay to me at naylor_lori@ausd.us.
Be sure to attach the essay as a .doc, .docx, or .pdf file and to ALSO copy and paste the essay into the body of the email in case the attachment doesn't open. Put your full name as the subject of the email.
Prompt:
A symbol is an object, action, or event that represents something or that creates a range of associations beyond itself. In literary works a symbol can express an idea, clarify meaning, or enlarge literal meaning. One symbol in Tillie Olsen's short story "I Stand Here Ironing" is the iron. Write an essay analyzing how the iron functions as a symbol in the work and what it reveals about the characters or themes of the work as a whole. Do not merely summarize the plot.
Finally, be sure to avoid plagiarism. It is NOT OK to copy ANYTHING off of the internet. You can only include your own ideas and/or quotes from the story.
Wednesday, June 11, 2014
Wednesday, May 14, 2014
Finals
The end of the year is almost here!
We are not having a final exam, instead your Independent Reading project presentation will be your final assignment. Here is the assignment sheet I passed out in class in case you need another copy:
Final Assignment
We will also have a test on MacBeth when we finish reading it. Make sure to take notes while we are reading. You will also want to study before the test, which will probably be on Thursday, May 22nd. You can read the entire play here:
MacBeth Full Text
OR you can read the NoFear Shakespeare version here:
No Fear Shakespeare: MacBeth
You can also visit the Sparknotes page for MacBeth - it has summaries, a list of characters, themes/symbols, etc.:
Sparknotes: MacBeth
The Sparknotes page also has a practice quiz which will help you prepare for the test:
Practice Quiz
and a 10 minute video summary here:
MacBeth 10 Minute video
We are not having a final exam, instead your Independent Reading project presentation will be your final assignment. Here is the assignment sheet I passed out in class in case you need another copy:
Final Assignment
We will also have a test on MacBeth when we finish reading it. Make sure to take notes while we are reading. You will also want to study before the test, which will probably be on Thursday, May 22nd. You can read the entire play here:
MacBeth Full Text
OR you can read the NoFear Shakespeare version here:
No Fear Shakespeare: MacBeth
You can also visit the Sparknotes page for MacBeth - it has summaries, a list of characters, themes/symbols, etc.:
Sparknotes: MacBeth
The Sparknotes page also has a practice quiz which will help you prepare for the test:
Practice Quiz
and a 10 minute video summary here:
MacBeth 10 Minute video
Tuesday, April 29, 2014
MacBeth - Day One
You are supposed to read Act I, Scenes 1 & 2 before class tomorrow. Here is a picture of what I wrote on the board today in case this helps!
And here is a link to the No Fear Shakespeare for Macbeth. It takes Shakespeare's original text and puts it side-by-side with a more modern version (this is useful if you are having major difficulties understanding what's going on):
No Fear Shakespeare: MacBeth
 |
| Introduction to MacBeth |
And here is a link to the No Fear Shakespeare for Macbeth. It takes Shakespeare's original text and puts it side-by-side with a more modern version (this is useful if you are having major difficulties understanding what's going on):
No Fear Shakespeare: MacBeth
Monday, April 28, 2014
The Scottish Play!
Tomorrow we will go to the book room to pick up MacBeth! Here is a copy of the study guide (I will pass it out in class):
MacBeth Guide
MacBeth Guide
Wednesday, April 23, 2014
Antony's Funeral Speech from Julius Caesar
Your assignment is to write a short (one page only) essay on two different versions of Antony's funeral speech from Act III, Scene 2 of Shakespeare's Julius Caesar. You must compare one "reading" and one "video." Here are the choices:
Videos:
HESTON:
Charlton Heston (1970):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0bi1PvXCbr8
FEARON:
The Royal Shakespeare Company, Ray Fearon as Antony (2012):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Q7apiYunEU
BRANDO:
Marlon Brando as Antony (1953):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7X9C55TkUP8
Readings:
NAYLOR
Ms. Naylor's reading/interpretation of the speech from class (you should have notes)
LESTER
Adrian Lester's Antony from the BBC audio production (CD)
YOU
Your own interpretation/reading of the speech.
Here is the question (and the standard it is based on):
Compare two of the following: your reading of Antony’s funeral speech, a film version, and/or a CD version. How do the two versions differ? What words does he emphasize? What is his tone? What is the crowd’s reaction? Be sure to provide evidence from the text and/or the film/CD to support your answer.
(RL.9-10.7): Analyze the representation of a subject or a key scene in two different artistic mediums, including what is emphasized or absent in each treatment (e.g., Auden's "Musee des Beaux Arts" and Breughel's Landscape with the Fall of Icarus).
The Assignment:
Write a one-page paper using MLA format. In your paper, answer the above question. Note that this is NOT a compare/contrast - you are only to focus on how the speeches differ. Make sure to answer ALL parts of the question and to explain your examples. You may work alone or with a partner (if working with a partner, put BOTH of your names on the first line of the heading, separated by a comma).
The paper is due on Monday at the beginning of class, but it is recommended that you finish by the end of the period on Friday (we will be in the computer lab), print it in the lab, and turn it in by the end of the period.
For more information about MLA format, see this previous post.
Videos:
HESTON:
Charlton Heston (1970):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0bi1PvXCbr8
FEARON:
The Royal Shakespeare Company, Ray Fearon as Antony (2012):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Q7apiYunEU
BRANDO:
Marlon Brando as Antony (1953):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7X9C55TkUP8
Readings:
NAYLOR
Ms. Naylor's reading/interpretation of the speech from class (you should have notes)
LESTER
Adrian Lester's Antony from the BBC audio production (CD)
YOU
Your own interpretation/reading of the speech.
Here is the question (and the standard it is based on):
Compare two of the following: your reading of Antony’s funeral speech, a film version, and/or a CD version. How do the two versions differ? What words does he emphasize? What is his tone? What is the crowd’s reaction? Be sure to provide evidence from the text and/or the film/CD to support your answer.
(RL.9-10.7): Analyze the representation of a subject or a key scene in two different artistic mediums, including what is emphasized or absent in each treatment (e.g., Auden's "Musee des Beaux Arts" and Breughel's Landscape with the Fall of Icarus).
The Assignment:
Write a one-page paper using MLA format. In your paper, answer the above question. Note that this is NOT a compare/contrast - you are only to focus on how the speeches differ. Make sure to answer ALL parts of the question and to explain your examples. You may work alone or with a partner (if working with a partner, put BOTH of your names on the first line of the heading, separated by a comma).
The paper is due on Monday at the beginning of class, but it is recommended that you finish by the end of the period on Friday (we will be in the computer lab), print it in the lab, and turn it in by the end of the period.
For more information about MLA format, see this previous post.
Tuesday, April 22, 2014
Benchmark Revision
Now that we are finished with the benchmark, I want to give you guys a chance to look at your essay (I will now call it the "draft") and see how you can improve it.
If you got a 3 on the draft, for example, it is probably because you were missing the personal example and/or that your thesis wasn't about identity. Now is your chance to change the thesis and add the personal example so you can get a 4, 5, or 6! The draft "grade" will not count for your class grade, it is just to show you where you are so you know how to improve for the final draft.
The final draft of your benchmark is also different from the first draft because you will be asked to type it, using MLA format. For more information about how to type in MLA Format, see below.
I will grade your final draft using the Analytic Rubric used by all teachers in our district to grade the benchmark. Essays will be given a holistic score from 1-6. I break down the 1-6 scores into the following grades (out of 100 points):
6 = 100 (A+)
5+ = 95 (A)
5 = 90 (A-)
4+ = 85 (B)
4 = 79 (C+)
4- = 74 (C)
3+ = 70 (C-)
3 = 65 (D)
2 = 55 (F)
1 = 45 (F)
If you got a 3 on the draft, for example, it is probably because you were missing the personal example and/or that your thesis wasn't about identity. Now is your chance to change the thesis and add the personal example so you can get a 4, 5, or 6! The draft "grade" will not count for your class grade, it is just to show you where you are so you know how to improve for the final draft.
The final draft of your benchmark is also different from the first draft because you will be asked to type it, using MLA format. For more information about how to type in MLA Format, see below.
I will grade your final draft using the Analytic Rubric used by all teachers in our district to grade the benchmark. Essays will be given a holistic score from 1-6. I break down the 1-6 scores into the following grades (out of 100 points):
6 = 100 (A+)
5+ = 95 (A)
5 = 90 (A-)
4+ = 85 (B)
4 = 79 (C+)
4- = 74 (C)
3+ = 70 (C-)
3 = 65 (D)
2 = 55 (F)
1 = 45 (F)
A score of 3 or below is not passing. Be sure to read the prompt carefully.
Your essay must be TYPED using MLA format. Please do not ask me to print your essay for you in class. You can print it at home, in the computer lab, or in the library.
We will spend at least two days in the computer lab working on this assignment. Students who are absent should see me to find out about extra time.
Your essay must be TYPED using MLA format. Please do not ask me to print your essay for you in class. You can print it at home, in the computer lab, or in the library.
We will spend at least two days in the computer lab working on this assignment. Students who are absent should see me to find out about extra time.
Here is the prompt and the article:
Here is a previous post from my Senior class website about typing in MLA format:
Writing Essays in MLA Format
And here is a sample essay (it is not on the same prompt) written in MLA format. (Note that since the sample is saved in Google Docs, the page number is not in the correct place. Also, this is not a great essay - it is just meant to be a good example of MLA format):
Sample MLA Essay
(Of course, where this essay says "World Literature" you would put "English 4H").
See me if you have any questions or need help. Good luck!
And here is a sample essay (it is not on the same prompt) written in MLA format. (Note that since the sample is saved in Google Docs, the page number is not in the correct place. Also, this is not a great essay - it is just meant to be a good example of MLA format):
Sample MLA Essay
(Of course, where this essay says "World Literature" you would put "English 4H").
See me if you have any questions or need help. Good luck!
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