College Now
First Semester
August 22.
General
information—
handouts readings A
29
Readings B due—
Shooting an
Elephant
You need to start
reading HofD. Take
your time and try to
get as much as
possible. Don’t
worry – I’ll take you
through it.
12
Finish readings C
2011-12
First Nine Weeks
23
ICE—diagnostic
essay
24
Readings A due
See below for details
Issue Heart of
Darkness; Beowulf
Finishing School
How it Feels to Be
Colored Me
Socks
31
Rough Copy A due
30
Continue discussion
of Shooting an
Elephant
Assign essay B
Editing
You MUST have
your rough copy.
6
Finish readings C
7
Rough copy B due
Assign newspaper
theme C—
Continue collecting
editorials (not
articles)
13
Editing
Part One of theme C
due
Beowulf
background; start
text (need book
19
Summer reading due
20
Fishbowl on books.
ICE—see the
dilemmas.
Bring a copy of the
book.
25
Return essays—
discuss grammar
items; begin
grammar exercises;
Handout 1;
Assign essay A
26
Finish readings A
Sept. 1
Readings C due—
The Politics of
Language; & the two
versions of Little
Red Riding Hood
(see below)
2
Final copy A due
8
“Get a Knife, Get a
Dog” due
9
Final copy B due
Continue readings C
Start collecting
editorials for project
Finish “Get a Knife”
See below
Bring one of the
editorials
14
Continue Beowulf
15
Senior Memory
Book Chapter 1 due
16
Test Beowulf and
background
Finish Beowulf
21
Theme C final part
due
22
Test—summer
reading; essay
23
Grammar 1 due
29
Senior Memory
book Ch. 2 due
30
MC quiz HofD
Finish fishbowls
26
Heart of Darkness
due
You need to have
read it all to be able
to make connections
27
28
Hof D
HofD
October 3
Journal 1 due
4
5
6
HofD
HofD
Finish part II
Continue HofD
Mrs. Jay
HofD
7
More MC reading
quizzes on HofD;
finish grammar 1
10
Your paper due on
section III when we
get to that part
11
12
13
14
HofD
HofD
Finish HofD
Essay test HofD—
grade for next nine
weeks.
OCE due next Friday
HofD section III
General information:
This will be an intense nine weeks. If you have not done the summer readings, it will be quite taxing; however,
not having completed the summer reading is NOT a justification for dropping the class. Survive this one and you
are among the elite of the elite and eligible for hero status.
This first nine weeks is a crash course in writing--personal and expository. We will be using non-fiction writings
as models.
ALL out of class writing (except senior memory books) will be submitted to turnitin.com in order to receive a
grade. No exceptions. Set up your profile and be sure to submit each OCE as well as print out your hard copy.
You do not print from my computer. I do not print your essays.
All out of class writings are typed. --double spaced--12 point font--use MLA format always.
This calendar and all handouts can be found on the Elkins’ web site (http://www.fortbend.k12.tx.us) under
Campuses, Elkins, Course, English IV College Now, Jay, Resources. OR in the wiki which you need to join :
http://pjayenglish.pbworks.com. Go to the site and request to join. Much information you will need will be here.
DO NOT expect compassion if you lose your calendar. You always have access to one and must keep yourself
apprised of any assignments. Assignments will NOT be posted on the board or announced each day.
Due dates are noted on the calendar. Due is due. Late is not in my vocabulary and now, not in yours.
See me if you have some life-threatening reason that prevents your adhering to the date.
See the web page for the specifics on literary circles and senior memory books also for numerous handouts..
Numerous items will be found in the AP manual (green booklet). If you do not have one-- I can sell you one for
$5.00.
Literary Circles-- the literary circle will usually take place the 5th week of the nine weeks. You will meet with me
before class at 6:50 and turn in all written materials at that time. Your grade is based on the discussion and the
materials you turn in. For some books I may require successful scores on a quiz. You could receive one or two
points added to the nine weeks grade.
This activity is totally optional.
College Readings
I. Personal Writing:
A. Narrative/Reflective
Readings A: “What is Your Name?”
WP or handout
“How It Feels To Be Colored Me” WP or handout
“Socks”
WP
For each of the above readings, consider the purpose each writer had in her essay. Be sure you can discuss the
writer’s use of details and specifics to keep the reader’s attention.
Essay A: Select a significant event, moment, situation that had a major influence on determining your personality,
ideas, morals, future goals, etc. Make sure your audience knows “you” from this writing. No mistakes allowed.
(This could be used as a basis for many college admissions essays.)
B. Cultural (mis)Conceptions
Readings B: “Shooting an Elephant” WP
or download it: http://www.george-orwell.org/Shooting_an_Elephant/0.html
Handout on Reflection on Literature
Fill in the squares based on “Shooting and Elephant”
Be able to answer each of the following:
1. Explain the implied assumption underlying the statement in the first sentence.
2. Describe the nature of the voice in the opening paragraph. Note instances of humor and irony.
3. What is Orwell’s attitude toward imperialism?
4. What is Orwell’s attitude toward the native peoples?
5. What is Orwell’s attitude toward his own position in Burma?
6. In the second paragraph, what is suggested by the qualifiers “and secretly, of course” and “if you can catch
him off duty”?
7. In paragraph 6 Orwell states, ‘As soon as I saw the elephant I knew with perfect certainty that I ought not
to shoot him.” Why, then, does he decide to shoot the elephant? Refer to specific factors that influence his
decision.
8. The final paragraph presents Europeans’ views of elephant killing. Explain the differences.
9. In paragraph 7 Orwell observes that “when the white man turns tyrant it is his own freedom that he destroys,” and that
“He wears a mask, and his face grows to fit it.” Consider the implications of these statements concerning human nature.
Support, refute, or qualify Orwell’s paradox and metaphor.
Essay B:
do one of the following
Tony Earley has said that a good story “is about the thing and the other things. The second thing looks like the
first thing, but it’s something else.” Write an essay in which you apply Earley’s ideas to Orwell’s “Shooting and
Elephant,” explaining what the “thing and the other thing” would be.
OR
“Shooting and Elephant” concludes: “And afterwards I was very glad that the coolie had been killed; it put me legally in the
right and it gave me a sufficient pretext for shooting the elephant. I often wondered whether any of the others grasped that I
had done it solely to avoid looking a fool.” Orwell implies that such petty and selfish reasons, if we are honest enough to
admit it, often drive our actions.
Argue for or against Orwell’s position concerning human motives. Support your position with evidence from your readings,
observations, and experience.
C. Politics and Language
Readings C:
1. “Politics and the English Language” WP or download it:
http://www.orwell.ru/library/essays/politics/english/e_polit
Be sure you can answer each of these questions about the reading:
1. How does Orwell construct his argument?
2. Is his argument effective?
3. Who is his audience?
4. What are some of your bad habits?
5. Why are the points of this essay important to you? (yes—they should be very important)
Annotate your copy and prepare any questions you have after reading.
2. Little Red Riding Hood—A Politically Correct Version: download it from
http://www.averyhillarts.com/rrh_pc.html
3. The Red Cap: the Brother’s Grimm version: download from http://www.literaturecollection.com/a/grimmbrothers/551/
4. “Get a Knife, Get a Dog” Molly Ivans
handout
For the reading “Get a Knife, Get a Dog” use the AP manual pages 19-23 and find as many rhetorical devices and
strategies as you can.
Use Orwell’s essay and apply the 6 rules to Ivan’s essay
Newspaper Analysis--
Theme C
You will follow a national columnist in a newspaper. You must collect five current, consecutive columns by your
author. Attached you will find a list of newspaper web sites. You may find the name of the specific author you
wish to follow on the home page; otherwise, check the Editorials or Op-Ed. Archives can be searched on these
sites, but many publications require payment for articles older than one or two weeks. Therefore, do not wait until
the due date. The assignment has three parts:
I. Each article must be annotated as we have practiced in class. You will turn in the article or a copy of it.
Annotate the following: (use the appropriate color for each)Please do not try to annotate the actual newspaper
page, enlarge or recopy.
Ø
Speaker's tone—highlight the examples in yellow
Ø
Rhetorical strategies (see AP manual) ---highlight and label the specific strategy in green
Ø
Organizational shifts
Ø
Appeals to logic or emotion---highlight and label the specific device in blue
--indicate where it occurs in pink
Mark places in the text that evoke a reaction from you, be it laughter, anger, or confusion by circling.
II. After annotating, write a one-page response that includes the following:
Ø
A brief summary of the author's main point
Ø
The most salient strategies employed by the author
Ø
The article's effect on you
Your first annotated article and one-page response are due first; the next four articles and responses are due with
the final assignment.
III. The final task is to write an essay that delineates the following:
Ø
The author's general focus in columns (e.g. political, family, arts)
Ø
Three of the author's oft-used stylistic devices—give specific examples
Ø
An analysis of the efficacy of those devices—how do they work and are they successful?
You are to judge the author's writing style as convincing or ineffectual and explain why; it is not necessary that
you agree with the author if you feel s/he has made a point forcefully. Specific examples must be provided from
the four articles you have collected. This paper will be 2 to 3 pages.
The New York Times - www.nytimes.com Click on Editorials/Op-Ed
Maureen Dowd
Thomas L. Friedman
Bob Herbert
Paul Krugman
William Safire
Frank Rich
The Washington Post - www.washingtonpost.com Click on Opinions to see a list of regular contributors
Jim Hoagland
William Raspberry
George F. Will
The Boston Globe - www.boston.com/globe Click on Editorials/Op-Ed
Ellen Goodman
Joan Vennochi
The Nation -- http://www.thenation.com/ (note this is a left-wing publication-Republicans beware!)
Calvin Trillin
Christopher Hitchens
Katha Pollitt
Chicago Sun-Times -- http://www.suntimes.com/index/ Click on Commentary and use list of columnists
Chicago Tribune -- http://www.chicagotribune.com/ Click on Columnists
The San Francisco Chronicle -- http://www.sfgate.com/chronicle/ Click on Columnists
The Washington Times -- http://www.washingtontimes.com/op-ed/ Click on Opinion/Editorial and scroll down to
Regular Columnists
And of course --The Houston Chronicle
IN THE PAST TOO MANY STUDENTS DID NOT SELECT EDITORIALS. BE SURE YOU HAVE AN
EDITORIAL NOT A NEWS ARTICLE.
OWEN MEANY/ POISONWOOD BIBLE
General Dilemmas. You will be randomly given one of these for an ICE. Prepare accordingly. I would suggest
you complete the requirements for the oral discussion for the ones that fit your work.
You will choose one of the following topics and prepare it for discussion.
You need to develop a thesis position for each dilemma that fits your reading. You will need specific quotations to
support your position --at least 6 quotes per topic. Type the quote with its page number so you can easily find it.
During the discussion, be able to explain how each quote is relevant and supportive.
You will turn in your outline containing your thesis and your quotes with page numbers.
A. Individual vs Society—both works
Some people, especially the young, feel that unconventionality in dress and actions are not only acceptable, but
also almost obligatory to be true to themselves and their convictions. Giving in to convention is betrayal of self.
Others consider such actions as deviant, insulting disrespectful and even immoral and unpatriotic. The flaunting of
traditions and rejecting of values undermine society and lead to the decay of the family and weakening of ethics.
Society as a whole suffers for the often misguided and irrational beliefs of a few.
B. Traditional religions vs. individual beliefs—Poisonwood
Some people believe that religious beliefs can be revised to fit the individual’s desires and needs or changing
current events. Some view religions as a completely personal response and private issue.
Others hold that religious precepts and commandments cannot be compromised or altered for anyone’s individual
whim.
C. Individual vs Society—both works
Some people believe that a person must be willing to stand up for certain moral issues even if it means ignoring or
breaking civil law and challenging the social norm.
Others feel no individual can be above the law or be allowed to jeopardize the safety of others for a personal
viewpoint.
D. Hawks vs Doves--Owen
Some Americans saw our participation in and support for the Vietnam War as illegal and immoral and felt obliged
to work against that involvement any way possible.
Others saw our support for the South Vietnamese as America’s obligatory defense of freedom and necessary to
protect our foreign interest, keep our promises to allies and prevent spread of communism.
E. Character dilemma—both works
In A Prayer for Owen Meany, Owen is faced with a dilemma—to accept his destiny and move steadily toward it or
to resist and attempt to avoid it. What is his final decision, what leads him to make this decision, and do you
believe that he made the right choice? Why or why not? Would you have made the same decision? Why or why
not?
In Poisonwood Bible, Leah is faced with a dilemma—to accept her father as her role model and continue to believe
in him or to follow her heart and instincts and defy his beliefs. What is her final decision and what leads her to
make this decision, and do you believe she made the right choice? Why or why not? Would you have made the
same decision? Why or why not?
Journals on Heart of Darkness:
Choose 2 of the 5 topics and do a one-page typed entry for each. Dates due are on the calendar. One is due each
time.
The two journals will combine for one daily grade.
1-- Consider the first 13 paragraphs of the novel. What are the major symbols and images used? What do they
suggest? What is the jungle for Conrad? What are the connotations of the word “jungle”? How can it be used in a
metaphorical sense?
2--- Conrad introduces the metaphor of the “whited sepulchre.” Review the source of this image (Matthew 23:2732). How does it suit the theme of exploitation? The journey to self-knowledge? The theme of the need for
civilization?
3--- There is a fantasy like quality to the beginning of Marlow’s journey. What creates it? What is the
importance of “work” to man? What does Marlow mean by “surface reality”?
4--- Discuss how Conrad’s description of vegetation at the central station prepares for the journey into the heart of
darkness.
5-- Discuss the various significance of the title Heart of Darkness. Use examples from the novel.
Out of Class Essay Heart of Darkness:
Use the following statement as your basic thesis for your paper.
Provide support from the text and two outside sources to develop all three levels. Maximum length—4 typed
pages. Follow MLA format. You must use specific quotes. The focus is on proof of thesis-- how/why HofD is an
allegory/archetype. Everything must make sense, be logical, and be clear.
In Heart of Darkness, Conrad creates an allegory, an archetypal story of journeys: through hell, back in time, and
to the core of the psyche—the heart of darkness.
Individual Close Reading Assignments
Heart of Darkness
Each student will be assigned particular pages of the last section. Each will be expected to know the
section well, do a close reading on it, answer any questions asked by the teacher in class, and make connections to
other sections of the text. The close-reading of those particular pages should including making connections of
concepts, images, characters, archetypes, etc., to items previously discussed in parts I and II.
You will use this information to write an explication of your section. (This explication should be similar to what I
have been doing in class as we have worked our way through the text.)
Your paper is due as indicated on the calendar. The paper should be no more than 2 pages—so choose your points
well and no fluff.
Particular sections assigned in class:
1. 105 to 109 line 19
2. 109 L 20 to 111 L3
3. 111 L 4 to 113 L14
4. 113 L 14 to 117 L 16
5. 117 L 17 to 120 L 6
6. 120 L 7 to 122 L 32
7. 122 L 33 to 124 L 28
8. 124 L 28 to 127 L 2
9. 127 L 3 to 129 L 14
10. 129 L 15 to 130 L 35
11. 130 L 36 to 134 L 4
12. 134 L 5 to end