Literary Analysis – Introduction to Literary Theory
and Schools of Criticism Calendar
Monday 2/13
Core Shared Text: “The
Fantastic Flying Books of
Mr. Morris Lessmore”
HO: Formalism
Review: Topic - Theme
Graphic Organizer:
wheel
HW: Choose one topic.
Complete GO with
evidence for topic
Monday 2/20
No School for Kids.
Lucky You.
Tuesday 2/14
Valentine’s DAY
Thursday 2/16
HW check
Definition: Formalist
Analysis
Teach: difference in good to
great theme statements
(models given)
Teach: what are the
options for explanation in
CQE model.
Turning topic into a theme
statement (small groups)
Teach: difference in good to
great evidence.
Speed date your theme and
evidence.
HW: Choose/revise a
theme statement for the
film – formalist analysis.
HW: Update wheel notes
with the best evidence for
your theme statement
HW: This is an all-school
no homework weekend.
Enjoy it and go have a life.
Tuesday 2/21
Wednesday 2/22
Begin reading story option
#1 “Trifles” together inclass.
Do Now: turn your theme
statement into a thesis
statement.
HW: Finish reading
“Trifles.” Be ready to
discuss the symbol of the
canary.
Requirements for ondemand:

no introduction; just a
MT

how to organize: TS
and CQE - 6 minimum
pieces of evidence

conclusion – tie to
world
Also, have all of your notes
for “Mr. Lessmore” in-class
on Wednesday.

theme statement

evidence (updated)

explanation
Monday 2/27
Wednesday 2/15
Tuesday 2/28
Short Responses on
“Trifles” due.
Story #2 “The Tell-Tale
Heart”
Feminist Analysis
Psychoanalytical Criticism
Trifles – discussion of
formalist analysis.
HW: Do anything you need
to do to be prepared for ondemand. Have all “Mr.
Lessmore” note to turn in
with your on-demand essay.
Wednesday 2/29
Late Start Day
Story #3 “Yentl the Yeshiva
Boy”
Thursday 2/23
On Demand
Formalist Essay on
“The Fantastic Flying
Books of Mr. Morris
Lessmore”
in Room 20
50 points
No revisions
Friday 2/17
No School for Kids.
Lucky You.
Friday 2/24
“Trifles” Quiz
New Historicist
Analysis
HW: Short response
answers.
You will turn in all notes.
HW: Re-read your “Trifles”
essay and be ready for a
quiz on you’re the story no notes or text.
Thursday 3/1
“Yentl” and psychological
or feminist criticism
Friday 3/2
Story #4 “Primer for
the Punctuation of
Heart Disease”
HW: Read Poe’s “The
Tell-Tale Heart”
Monday 3/5
Tuesday 3/6
Moral Criticism
Deconstruction
Monday 3/12
Tuesday 3/13
Begin Poetry Unit
Writing Workshop #2
Wednesday 3/7
Thursday 3/8
Friday 3/9
Writing Day
Writing Day
Writing Workshop #1
Details TBD
Wednesday 3/14
Thursday 3/15
Friday 3/16
No School
End Quarter 3
Literary Analysis – Introduction to Literary Theory
and Schools of Criticism Calendar
Details TBD
Literary Analysis Due +2
Literary Analysis Due
Goal for this unit: To write a 3-5 page thematic literary analysis paper on one of
the four texts we study using a critical lens (New Historicism, Feminist,
Psychoanalytical, Moral, or Deconstruction) for analysis.
General Rubric:
Main thesis is
thematic and clearly
references one
critical lens.
Topic sentences are
motivating and
clearly connect the
MT with the topic of
the paragraph.
Well developed
introduction and
conclusion with a
grabber intentionally
chosen for PATHOS.
Well chosen and
intentional transitions
between paragraphs
and between
evidence within the
paragraph.
Paper follows
conventions of
literary analysis
(MLA format)
CQE is deliberate
with attention to Q
(evidence) chosen
and E (explanation)
supplied to connect
the dots for the
reader.
The writer chooses
the most revealing
and pertinent
quotations to
examine.
3rd person point of
view – NO 1st or 2nd
person point of view.
Paragraphs maintain
singular-plural
agreement.
Avoids colloquial
phrases and informal
voice.
No problems with
use of commas for
introductory phrases,
listing, or as
coordinators
between sentences.
Target Skill
Passive voice is
used only
deliberately.
"Be" verbs are cut to
a minimum and
replaced with livelier
verbs.
Diversity of sentence
structure is
evidenced.
Does something
extra cool (or
challenging) with
intention.
Apostrophes are
used correctly..
Conferences: Conference Cycle opens on Monday 2/27 and ends Friday 3/9. You will conference
your on-demand “The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore” formalist analysis essay. You
will set goals for your literary theory essay. Note: You will not have an individual writing conference
with me where we look specifically at your literary theory essay.
Bring to Conference:
 Your research essay and write any questions you want to discuss based on that essay.
 A written list of 2-3 topics you want to discuss to help you with your literary analysis essay
(this can be on a post-it).
Points for this unit:
1) 5O (65%) – on demand essay (conference; no revisions)
2) 100 (65%)– final essay (no conference; no revisions)
3) 30 points (15%) writer’s workshop
4) 20 points (15%) Conference (being prepared; being an active member)
5) 10 points (15%) Essay is on-time
6) ?????? points (20%) for any graded homework, quizzes, and in-class participation