Vocabulary Compositions: First quarter
- MLA format, typed (TNR, 12)
-underline/italicize , boldface vocabulary words
- 8-10 sentences (provide a title!)
- include at least 4 vocabulary words in your response
Lesson 1:
What constitutes a hero? Establish the criteria, and provide one literary example.
Lesson 2:
Describe and develop an explanation of a quest or journey. For extra points, identify at
least one literary example—including the author of the work.
Lesson 3:
Select one of the following poems and discuss the theme (“The Ruin,” “The Wanderer,” “The Wife’s
Lament” (a.k.a. “The Wife’s Complaint”)). How is it an example of gnomic literature (a.k.a. wisdom
literature)? Cite at least 2 quotes from the poem; each is anonymous, and you should only be using 1
source. Don’t forget to identify your vocabulary words (boldface, italics/underline)!
Lesson 4: In reference to the Middle Ages (Medieval Period), discuss either “courtly love” or “chivalry.”
Lesson 5: Do a quick search and review of one of the following topics that shaped the world of the Middle Ages> Some are
historical; others are religious and societal. Be prepared to discuss your topic in class!
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Medieval Ballads
The Norman Conquest
The Archbishop of
Canterbury
The Power of the Pope
The Four Humors
The Major Themes of the
Arthurian Legend
Canterbury Cathedral
Thomas a’ Becket
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Henry II, IV
Richard II
Medicine in the Middle
Ages
The Corruption of the
Catholic Church
Peasants’ Revolt of 1381
Rights of Women in the
Middle Ages
Feudalism
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Chivalry
The Vows of the Monastery
The Black Plague
The 100 Years War
The Birth of the Middle
Class
The Crusades
Vocabulary composition, prompt 6:
As William Blake said, “The characters of Chaucer's Pilgrims are the characters which compose all ages and nations: as one
age falls, another rises, different to mortal sight, but to immortals only the same; for we
see the same characters repeated again and again, in animals, vegetables, minerals, and
in men; nothing new occurs in identical existence; Accident ever varies. Substance can
never suffer change nor decay. Of Chaucer's characters. as described in his Canterbury
Tales, some of the names or titles are altered by time. but the characters themselves for
ever remain unaltered, and consequently they are the physiognomies or lineaments of
universal human life, beyond which Nature never steps.... As Newton numbered the
stars, and as Linneus numbered the plants, so Chaucer numbered the classes of men.”
Reflect on the “types” of Chaucer’s pilgrims—do they still exist today (think stereotypes)? If you had to
classify yourself as one of Chaucer’s pilgrims, which one are you most reflective of, and how does your
character reflect that type? Chaucer’s people journeyed, ostensibly, for religious reasons. What purposes propel your “journey”? Use evidence from
both your life AND Chaucer’s prologue to prove your point.
You may use first person; do not abuse/overuse personal pronouns!
Vocabulary Compositions: Second quarter
- MLA format, typed (TNR, 12)
-underline/italicize , boldface vocabulary words
- 8-10 sentences (provide a title!)
- include at least 4 words
Vocabulary composition, prompt 7:
The Renaissance was a time of enlightenment and renewal (rebirth), a time of change and
progress, a time of the old and the new. Do a quick search and review of ONE of the
following topics that shaped the Elizabethan world> Some are historical; others are
religious and societal. Aside from your composition, be prepared to present and discuss
your topic in class!
 Protestant
Reformation
 Italian
Renaissance
 Treaty of
London
 Martin Luther
(95 theses)
 Nicolaus
Copernicus
 Henry VII
 Henry VIII
 Globe Theatre
 Chamberlain’s
Men
 William
Shakespeare
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Galileo
Guy Fawkes
Sea Dogs
Elizabeth I
Bloody Mary
Francis Drake
Roanoke
Colony
 Sir Walter
Raleigh
 Isaac Newton
 Christopher
Marlowe
 Mystery Plays
 Miracle Plays
 Twelfth Night
 Candlemas
Vocabulary composition, prompt 8:
Select a William Shakespearean film adaptation. Discuss how and why Shakespeare’s literature
is being presented (modern, contemporary, musical, theatrical, standard film. . . ). What is the
key theme, and why are Shakespeare’s plays continuing to be reproduced?
Vocabulary composition, prompt 9:
Select one of the following and elaborate upon an example from literature/film:
aside
monologue
soliloquy
tragic hero
paradox foil
catharsis
Lesson 10:
Describe and develop an explanation of the theme “Carpé Diem” (This refers to
the idea of Seize the day).
**Lesson ** Select ONE composition from 7-10 and submit a revision.
Vocabulary Compositions: Third quarter
 MLA format, typed (TNR, 12)
 8-10 sentences (provide a title!)
 MUST include a work(s) cited for any
 include at least 4 different affixes for that week
source(s) used and in-text citations within your
 integrate 1-2 quotes
composition
 attach a copy of the source
 underline/italicize , boldface vocabulary words
Vocabulary composition, prompt 11:
What is something to “fight” for—worth the fight no matter the cost or consequence?
Explain. ~Submit to Turnitin.com before Saturday, January 12th at midnight.
Vocabulary composition, prompt 12:
Donne says in “Meditation 17,” that “No man is an island.” Explain this
quote and what Donne means by it, using both textual evidence and life
experience. You may use first person—sparingly. Cite your textual
evidence. ~ Submit to Turnitin.com before Saturday, January 19th at midnight.
Vocabulary composition, prompt 13:
Develop (through agreement or disputation) one of the following statements: ~ Submit to
Turnitin.com before Saturday, January 26th at midnight.
 Courage is heroic
 Defiance is heroic
 Weakness is heroic
Vocabulary composition, prompt 14:
Jonathan Swift uses satire to flay the English for their societal practices. If he were alive today, what do you
think he might satirize? What silly human behavior, practices, belief or attitude do you consider worthy of satire
today? ~ Submit to Turnitin.com before Saturday, February 2nd at midnight.
Vocabulary composition, prompt 15:
Develop (through agreement or disputation) one of the following statements: ~ Submit to Turnitin.com before
Saturday, February 9th at midnight.
 Only good characters can be depicted as heroes in works of literature.
 There is no nobility or respectability to be found in those who are evil or villainous.
 Both good and evil exist within all people and all characters.
 All literary heroes must experience a fall of some kind.
 Villains can possess heroic traits.
 Even the brightest can use their goodness for evil.
Vocabulary composition, prompt 16:
 Select one of the following types of Odes. Clarify its distinction and purpose. What makes it unique?
 Horation Ode
Pindaric Ode
Anacreontic Ode
Romantic Ode
Vocabulary Compositions: Third-Fourth quarter

MLA format, typed (TNR, 12)

8-10 sentences (provide a title!)

MUST include a work(s) cited for any

source(s) used and in-text citations within

include at least 4 different affixes for that
week
your composition

integrate 1-2 quotes
underline/italicize , boldface vocabulary

attach a copy of the source
words
Vocabulary composition, prompt 17:
What is the purpose of the Byronic Hero persona in literature? Support your
response with examples of his presence in literature/movies.
Vocabulary composition, prompt 18:
In 1834, a popular novelist, Edward Bulwer-Lytton purports “When Byron passed
away, ... we turned to the actual and practical career of life: we awoke from the morbid, the
dreaming, ‘the moonlight and dimness of the mind,’ and by a natural reaction addressed
ourselves to the active and daily objects which lay before us.”
The transition from Romantic to Victorian literature depicts economic, social,
political, and philosophical shifts toward a utilitarian lifestyle—beyond a simple
appreciation of life as it exists.
Vocabulary composition, prompt 19:
Create a Dramatic Monologue: (key example: Robert Browning)
 The character is speaking to an identifiable but silent listener at a dramatic
moment in the speaker’s life.
 Circumstances surrounding the conversation are made clear by implication
 An insight into the character of the speaker often results
Vocabulary composition, prompt 20:
Clarify your opinion of media’s impact upon literature. Incorporate examples for
support (you can address books, movies, special effects, computer graphics,
traditions, interpretations, interest, appeal, literacy, technology, . . . ) you can take
this in numerous directions!