Friday, January 22, 2010 is the last day to turn in your persuasive research letter for full credit. Feel free to turn that in anytime to get it off your "to do" list.
Friday, January 22 is also the last day to recite the Macbeth memorization in front of the class for extra credit. You may memorize one of the following speeches (points vary):
3-point speeches
Macbeth's dagger speech (2.1.33-41)
Macbeth's tomorrow speech (5. 5.19-28)
4-point speeches
Lady Macbeth (1.5.10-24)
Lady Macbeth (1.5.3549)
On Monday, January 25, you will have a final multiple choice and matching exam on Macbeth.
On your final exam day (January 27-29), you will take a comprehensive vocabulary exam. That means that you need to study all of the words for the year so far since you don't know which 50 will appear on the test. The vocab list for Macbeth will be tested as part of this final vocab exam.
On final exam day you will also write a group essay where you will receive an individual grade based on your group dynamics during the prewriting activities (idea generation and organization plan) and your final written product. Each person in the group will write a different section of the essay, and you will be graded on your own final product. One person is assigned to write the introduction (with attention-getter and thesis) and the conclusion with a modern, universal connection. The other three group members each write a body paragraph. The essay prompt will give you the opportunity to discuss a number of books read this semester.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Motif definition
Here is a succinct definition of motif from a chapter of Carol Ann Tomlinson and Caroline Cunningham Eidson's book Differentiation in Practice. The chapter is written by Lyn Fairchild.
Here's how Fairchild defines motif.
"A motif is a physical element (such as blood) or some other image or idea that, in itself, does not have any particular meaning or represent any higher truth; it just is. However, when an author uses this element repeatedly in various places within a literary work, a reader can begin to draw conclusions about a higher truth or meaning."
Here's how Fairchild defines motif.
"A motif is a physical element (such as blood) or some other image or idea that, in itself, does not have any particular meaning or represent any higher truth; it just is. However, when an author uses this element repeatedly in various places within a literary work, a reader can begin to draw conclusions about a higher truth or meaning."
Paradox vs. Oxymoron
Here are a couple of more lit terms from Fairchild's chapter. These will be useful for you in today's lesson on the character of Macbeth. Here's Fairchild's description of paradox, a literary device we've seen a few times in Act I:
"A paradox is a contradiction in terms, a truth that contains contradictory elements. For example, in your relationship with a family member or friend, you may experience the emotions of both love and hatred - two sentiments that are in deep opposition. The truth is, however, that you and this person are forever connected in this relationship, for better or for worse" (93).
And here's a bonus - Fairchild's definition of oxymoron:
"Also known as 'compressed conflicts,' oxymorons are opposites that attract to achieve a certain chaotic balance, or a peaceable war. Ambiguity is the name of the game in Shakespeare's world when it comes to human nature: Our motivations and dilemmas all take on varying shades of gray" (93).
Fairchild notes, and so should you, that sometimes a phrase can be both a paradox and and oxymoron, like maybe "fated coincidence."
"A paradox is a contradiction in terms, a truth that contains contradictory elements. For example, in your relationship with a family member or friend, you may experience the emotions of both love and hatred - two sentiments that are in deep opposition. The truth is, however, that you and this person are forever connected in this relationship, for better or for worse" (93).
And here's a bonus - Fairchild's definition of oxymoron:
"Also known as 'compressed conflicts,' oxymorons are opposites that attract to achieve a certain chaotic balance, or a peaceable war. Ambiguity is the name of the game in Shakespeare's world when it comes to human nature: Our motivations and dilemmas all take on varying shades of gray" (93).
Fairchild notes, and so should you, that sometimes a phrase can be both a paradox and and oxymoron, like maybe "fated coincidence."
Scansion
Shakespeare most commonly wrote in blank verse (unryhmed iambic pentameter).
iamb (^/) (unstressed/stressed)
^ / ^ / ^ / ^ / ^ /
"So foul and fair a day I have not seen" (1.3.38)
When Shakespeare breaks from blank verse by writing prose, heroic couplets, or another rhythm and meter, the audience notices the shift in music. The witches break from blank verse and speak in trochee tetrameter. What's the affect on the audience?
trochee (/^) (stressed, unstressed)
/ ^ / ^ / ^ / ^
"Double, double toil and trouble
Fire burn, and caldron bubble" (4.1.19-20)
spondee (/ / ) (stressed, stressed)
/ /
"All hail" (1.3.50).
The commonly used names for line lengths are:
monometer: one foot
dimeter: two feet
trimeter: three feet
tetrameter: four feet
pentameter: five feet
hexameter: six feet
heptameter: seven feet
octameter: eight feet
iamb (^/) (unstressed/stressed)
^ / ^ / ^ / ^ / ^ /
"So foul and fair a day I have not seen" (1.3.38)
When Shakespeare breaks from blank verse by writing prose, heroic couplets, or another rhythm and meter, the audience notices the shift in music. The witches break from blank verse and speak in trochee tetrameter. What's the affect on the audience?
trochee (/^) (stressed, unstressed)
/ ^ / ^ / ^ / ^
"Double, double toil and trouble
Fire burn, and caldron bubble" (4.1.19-20)
spondee (/ / ) (stressed, stressed)
/ /
"All hail" (1.3.50).
The commonly used names for line lengths are:
monometer: one foot
dimeter: two feet
trimeter: three feet
tetrameter: four feet
pentameter: five feet
hexameter: six feet
heptameter: seven feet
octameter: eight feet
Monday, January 4, 2010
Research Paper
Persuasive Letter Based on Research: Ethics
To demonstrate your understanding of the research process and to engage in a thoughtful analysis of a meaningful contemporary issue, you will write a letter to a publication, person, corporation or organization that persuades them on a specific ethical issue.
Topic Selection
Arthur Miller’s All My Sons finds its action developing against the backdrop of corporate ethics. While Joe Keller’s conflict—whether or not to send off faulty parts—may seem easy to resolve because of its life-or-death consequences, many ethical issues today are much more nuanced. For your research, examine a contemporary ethical issue tied to current corporate and consumer practices.
Sample Topic
I recently watched the documentary Food, Inc., which is about the U.S.’s food industry, and I am even more committed to organic food. Now, I will write a letter to Costco (where I love to shop) urging them to begin stocking organic skim milk for ethical and economical reasons. One of my research sources will even be the film, so you could choose to respond to a documentary.
Letter Paragraph Organization
Your persuasive letter paragraphs do not need to follow the PIE format of literary analysis. In fact, business letters are brief, rarely do they go beyond one page of single-spaced type. Your letter should follow this organizational plan:
Introduction—creative attention device and specific ethical thesis—the point you want to prove. (2 sentences)
The basic arguments on both sides of the ethical question. Consider the consequences, pros and cons of each position. You may need to include some brief background information. Information in these paragraphs will be supported with in-text citations. Using “according to” or other signal phrases works well in a business letter; however, you may use parenthetical, in-text citations. (2 – 3 paragraphs)
To demonstrate your understanding of the research process and to engage in a thoughtful analysis of a meaningful contemporary issue, you will write a letter to a publication, person, corporation or organization that persuades them on a specific ethical issue.
Topic Selection
Arthur Miller’s All My Sons finds its action developing against the backdrop of corporate ethics. While Joe Keller’s conflict—whether or not to send off faulty parts—may seem easy to resolve because of its life-or-death consequences, many ethical issues today are much more nuanced. For your research, examine a contemporary ethical issue tied to current corporate and consumer practices.
Sample Topic
I recently watched the documentary Food, Inc., which is about the U.S.’s food industry, and I am even more committed to organic food. Now, I will write a letter to Costco (where I love to shop) urging them to begin stocking organic skim milk for ethical and economical reasons. One of my research sources will even be the film, so you could choose to respond to a documentary.
Letter Paragraph Organization
Your persuasive letter paragraphs do not need to follow the PIE format of literary analysis. In fact, business letters are brief, rarely do they go beyond one page of single-spaced type. Your letter should follow this organizational plan:
Introduction—creative attention device and specific ethical thesis—the point you want to prove. (2 sentences)
The basic arguments on both sides of the ethical question. Consider the consequences, pros and cons of each position. You may need to include some brief background information. Information in these paragraphs will be supported with in-text citations. Using “according to” or other signal phrases works well in a business letter; however, you may use parenthetical, in-text citations. (2 – 3 paragraphs)
Conclusion—Based on your research, what is the best ethical response to your issue? In other words, what’s your call to action? What do you want people to do? Why? (1-2 sentences)
Note Taking
Complete some type of note-taking that ensures you are properly paraphrasing information and using direct quotations correctly so that you do not plagiarize. Annotating printouts with highlighting and paraphrasing in the margins works well for note taking. Alternatively, you use paper or note cards to capture information without printing it. Just be careful to use quotation marks when you are copying lines exactly.
Research
As you conduct your research, you must find a minimum of four credible sources. Credible web sites have a known author (usually one that can be contacted), links that work, few grammatical errors, and listed resources.
You should find at least one on-line database article.
In your final letter, reference at least three of your sources. Researchers often consult more information than they can use because this allows them to select the best information.
Final Products
1. One-page letter (typed, single spaced block formatting, 12-point font, one-inch margins)
2. A properly formatted MLA works cited page
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