The Watchmen-- Cultural Resonances

The Vietnam War--When was it? What was the outcome? What is its significance to the American people?

Industrialization--When did it start? What are its benefits? What are its negative effects?

Ubermensch --Where does the word come from? What does it mean? How does it appear in literature?

The Watchmen

Once again, I would like to use this blog to support an ongoing discussion about this text. Please plan to comment DAILY on one or more of the following questions. As always, you are encouraged to develop questions of your own and to add any relevant thoughts or comments you might have.

What are some of the codes and conventions that belong to the graphic text genre?
How is reading this graphic text different from reading a traditional novel?
What is the primary conflict in this novel?
How can narrative elements be applied to this text?
What theme(s) is/are the authors interested in exploring?
What are some sources of confusion in the novel?
What questions would you like answered? (For instance, I'd like to know who the guy with the red hair is who is always protesting)
Which historic references do you recognise? (For example, the Vietnam War)
Which historic references do you wish you knew more about? (Ex. The Vietnam War) :0
Why would time magazine choose this novel as one of the 100 best novels of all time?

Mrs.Brill

1) From what point of view is "Miss Brill" told? This story was told in thrid person, because the narrator is reading the story to you about another person. For example, the narrator is using 'He,she and they'. 

2) Is the narration (storytelling) told using present tense or past tense (retrospective)?
This was present tense form .
3) "The storyteller (aka the narrator) seems to know exactly what is going on inside Miss Brill's head. In fact, the narrator is too close to Miss Brill for a reader to know exactly what is real and what is imagined." Do you agree or disagree with this remark? Why? I do agree with the narrator, but I also do see what was real, and imagiable.

Using the blog to support a class discussion

Discussion for the rest of the novel will be driven by you. Please post your questions, comments, thoughts, opinions and remarks here. Extra points awarded for engaging with one another. ;)

Enjoy!

Chapter 7

1. Given that the proles could rebel against the party, why do they not?

2. Explain the paradox: "until they become conscious they can never rebel, and until they rebel they can never become conscious."

3. Use Google if necessary, but put the following terms into your own words: socialist, capitalist, autocrat, dictator, despot.

Chapter 6

1. This chapter focusses a great deal on Winston's wife Katharine and his visit to a prole prostitute. Why, in your opinion, does the inner party try to control the outer party's attitudes toward sex?

2. Why does the party "turn a blind eye" to vivits by inner party members to prole prostitutes?

Chapter 4

1. In this chapter we see Winston at work. What does he do?

2. What is Newspeak? Why do you think the party promotes it?

1984 Chapter 3

Chapter 3

1. The first paragraph of the chapter references the "purges of the 50's." Use the internet to research "the purges in Russia." Based on your findings, what do you suppose happened in Oceania?

2. Why does Winston not wear pajamas?

3. Winston reflects: "If the Party could thrust its hand into the past and say of this or that event, it never happened -- that, surely, was more terrifying than mere torture and death? " Do you agree? Why or why not?

4. What does the term 'Ingsoc' mean?

5. What question or questions do you have about 1984 from reading this far?

1984 - The Early Chapters

In order to ensure a strong foundational understanding of the novel, you should be able to explain who each of these characters are and also the following terms: Winston Smith O Brien Emmanuel Goldstein Thought Police Newspeak Big Brother

Of Mice and Men Essay

The Assignment: By considering the characters, relationships social and economic circumstances in the novel, write a 5 paragraph personal essay in which you show what reading Of Mice and Men teaches about human existence.

For peer editing:

-Switch with 2 other people
-Have each of your peer evaluators use a different colour pen or pencil
-Have each of your peer evaluators write: "Marked By" and their name
-Everyone will be assigned marks for peer editing so take your time and do a thorough job :)
-In addition to corrections peer evaluators should add written comments at the end of the essay. The comments should explain the essay's strength(s) and one or two areas the writer could improve.
-Peer Markers should read each paper twice:

-On the first read, look at some of the "micro" (or specific) issues such as:
spelling, capitalization, punctuation, word choice, formatting (eg. separation of paragraphs), introduction of quotations

-On the Second look, peer markers should try to consider some of the "macro" (or general) issues such as:

-Does the introduction provide a clear topic (or thesis) statement, one that squarely answers the essay question?

-Does the introduction outline several main points that support the topic or thesis statement?

-Does each body paragraph focus on a main point? Does the writer observe the point-proof-comment approach to essay writing? Are quotations or specific references to the text used to prove main points?

-Does the writer conclude logically? (A note about conclusions-sometimes writers tend to throw in all remaining afterthoughts, however, a conclusion should only restate what has been stated already. If you have a flash of inspiration at the end, give your point room in the introduction and its own body paragraph

Above all, don't be afraid to ask your teacher(s) and classmates for help. Essay writing is tricky business but the more you work at it, the more comfortable it will get.

Short Story Test- Friday, February 23rd

The story I have selected for the test is Edgar Alan Poe's "The Mask of the Red Death." You can read it by following this link or you can hear it by following this link. You may choose to read the story online, in paper format and/or listen to an audio version.

Your responses may be posted to your blog or written out by hand. Please answer all questions using full sentences and paragraphs (where appropriate). You will be asked to respond to the following:

Describe the narrative point of view (4). Is it first person or third person? Is it limited or omniscient? Is the narration retrospective or written in present tense?

Where is the story set? Why do you think the author chose this setting for this particular story?(4)

Who is the protagonist in the story? Who is the antagonist? What are each of them trying to accomplish? (4)

What theme or themes does this story raise? (4)

Explain why you feel Prince Prospero is either a static, dynamic, three dimensional or a flat character. (4)

In a well written paragraph, explain whether you would like to see this short story adapted into film format. Use details from the story to explain why you would or would not like to see a film version of "The Mask of the Red Death"

Theme in "The Destructors"

A Note on Theme: Strictly speaking, 'theme' refers the main idea(s) in a piece of writing. Most fiction explores more than one theme at a time. Some typical themes in literature are: loss of innocence, the limits of human endurance, the line between right and wrong. There are many others.

Read "The Destructors" by Graham Greene and answer the questions below.

1) What do you feel is the main theme or themes explored in this story?

2) Who is the most static character in the story? Who is the most dynamic? Explain.

3) It's been said that "little in literature is black and white, rather most fiction is about the grey area in between." Write a paragraph responding to "The Destructors" in which you agree or disagree with this statement.

"The Shining Houses" by Alice Munro

Our focus for this Alice Munro short story is characterization. Characterization has to do with not only the physical attributes of a character but also the psychological make up. Fully realized or "three-dimensional" characters have thoughts, opinions and individual motivations just like real people do.

Writers don't necessarily develop each and every character. Sometimes they use "flat" or "one-dimensional" characters. As readers, we only get to see one aspect of these are characters.

Some characterization terms:

protagonist- this is the main character in a story (not necessarily 'the good guy'--some protagonists aren't very nice)

antagonist- this character works against the main character

static character- a character who does not change as a result of his or her experiences

dynamic character- a character who does change as a result of his or her experiences

Responding to "The Shining Houses"

1) Write a brief (one paragraph) character sketch of Mary. Be sure to include information about her age, gender, marital status, profession, ethnicity and also describe what she's like as a person.

2) Why do you think that Munro chose to tell the story using Mary as a reflector character?

3) Write the speech imagined in question number 6 on page 26 of the reading.

Thursday, February 10th

Hi,

For today, I would like you to look into this business of simple and compound sentences. CLICK HERE to go to a site that gives a definition, reviews sentences fragments and presents some interactive quizzes so that you can check to see how you are doing.

There is a lot of information so I am only asking you to read and complete the activities to the end of self check 5. Please, take your time and read carefully. I've never had a student who couldn't learn these concepts if they were motivated enough to do so.

Then, respond on you blogs to the following questions:

1) How confident are you now about your ability to tell the difference between a simple sentence, a sentence fragment and a compound sentence?

2) How well did today's activity suit your learning style? Do you prefer to work through grammar information like you did today, or do you prefer a teacher led lesson?

3) What questions do you still have about the material?

Finally, I would like you to spend the rest of your time working on your The Last Lecture reading and response. I would like you to have the first three sections of the book read and responded to by the end of tomorrow's class.

Have a great day!

Responding to "Miss Brill"

1) From what point of view is "Miss Brill" told?

2) Is the narration (storytelling) told using present tense or past tense (retrospective)?

3) "The storyteller (aka the narrator) seems to know exactly what is going on inside Miss Brill's head. In fact, the narrator is too close to Miss Brill for a reader to know exactly what is real and what is imagined." Do you agree or disagree with this remark? Why?

Responding to "The Lottery"

1) Describe the setting in "The Lottery" (Remember, the best answers will take into account both time and place... and be written in full sentences).

2) What do you expect "The Lottery" to be about, based upon the setting? It may be particularly helpful to consider the opening paragraph(s).

3) Does the ending surprise you? Look at the story again and list any clues you find that hint that the story will end tyhe way it does.

4) Consider the story as a whole. How important is the story's setting in terms of the surprise ending? Why is it important?

Away Today...

Hi,

Thanks for being here today, even though I'm not. I'm actually in Toronto, getting training for a new course. I don't like to be away, and I think that you will find that by the time we've finished the course, I've missed very few days in total. I hope that you can say the same ;)

I realise you may all be at slightly different stages. Some of you may have been in class both Tuesday and yesterday and may have had few or no tech problems. Others may have missed one or both days and/or had difficulties getting Google and Blogger to co-operate.

So relax, email me at: ewcwriter@live.ca if you are really having problems. Otherwise, remember that Trish is quite knowledgeable about how to get things working and try your best to make the following things happen for Monday:

Assignment #1

The first 3 questions, in response to reading The Last Lecture.

Have a great weekend!

CP

The Last Lecture-Reader Response

Use full sentences and as many details as possible. Answer the first 3 questions on your blog after you have read the opening chapter of the novel:

1. What is the author's purpose for writing? For whom is he writing?
2. Consider the way the book has been put together (particularly the way it is divided). How does the way it has been put together (its structure) help the writer's purpose for writing?
3. Describe Pausch. Explain which of his character traits makes you want to listen to him more or less.


Then, make notes on each section as you go.

1) What was the most important lesson you learned from the section?
2) Why might this be an important lesson for you -or- how can you connect Pausch's wisdom to your own life?
3) Explain what thoughts or questions this section causes you to have.


After finishing The Last Lecture, write a 2-3 paragraph response. What is Pausch’s legacy? What is your response to hearing his story? How does hearing his story affect the way you feel about your life and priorities? What type of legacy are you working toward achieving?

It's All About You...

ASSIGNMENT #1

In order to help me to get to know you better, I'd like you to make your first blog post all about you. I'm asking you to shoot for a post of 3-4 paragraphs, although you may choose to write more.

You don't need to cover all of the following points, but they will help me to understand you better as a student of English. Anything you choose to tell me about yourself is relevant since I can select reading materials and activities that may be particularly suited to your interests and career choices.

The Younger You- where were you born? where have you lived? do you have brothers, sisters, pets, other importnat people in your life?

You as a Student- what was your public school experience like? what were your favourite subjects? How did you feel about your reading and writing? How has high school English been for you?

You as a Person- what are some of your interests and hobbies? how would your friends describe you? Do you have any personal goals you have set for yourself? (e.g. to become less shy, to do more homework, ask for help when needed)

The future you- what career do you see yourself doing? what college programs (if any) are you applying to? What other goals have you set for yourself? (e.g. travel, your own family, getting your deep water certification)

The good news about this assignment is that everyone who completes it on time gets %100--I've never wanted to tell a person I thought their life story was only worth a 6/10!

Welcome to English 4C!

I find beginnings to be exciting, don't you? I find that at the beginning of a course my students and I are really motivated to do better than ever before. Let's ride that momentum, shall we?

I've used blogs for several semesters now and I'm quite convinced that they are a step forward in English education. Blogs enable us to keep our work in a way that guarantees that we will never lose it. It also allows us to work from home in order to keep caught up.

Since we will be communicating with one another electronically, I'd like to direct you to a post I wrote on email ettiquette.

Finally, I try to leave as much room in the course as I can for activities that you are interested in doing. Please, feel free to make suggestions anytime by commenting below or emailing ewcwriter@live.ca