I trust you enjoyed, or at least did not abhor, my first class. As you can already see, this will be a busy year. If you have completed your MWDSs for your summer reading novels, you may upload them to Moodle or, if they are hand written, turn them in to me on Friday, Aug. 12. I will talk to you more about the data sheets in class on Friday.
I distributed copies of How to Read Literature Like a Professor (henceforth to be referred to in writing as HtRLLaP) in class on Aug. 9, and told you to read several chapters. This update is to give you more specifics on that assignment. Please read the introduction and chapters 1-9.
Note that the assignment for Chapter 7 requires that you read a short story for further discussion. I request that you come prepared to answer the questions orally and discuss them further if necessary or possible. Should students come unprepared for discussion in class, I will additionally require you to type and submit the answers on Moodle.
(Adapted from Donna Anglin)
Introduction: How'd He Do That?
How do memory, symbol, and pattern affect the reading of literature? How does the recognition of patterns make it easier to read complicated literature? Discuss a time when your appreciation of a literary work was enhanced by understanding symbol or pattern.
Chapter 1 -- Every Trip Is a Quest (Except When It's Not)
List the five aspects of the QUEST and then apply them to something you have read (or viewed) in the form used on pages 3-5.
Chapter 2 -- Nice to Eat with You: Acts of Communion
Choose a meal from a literary work and apply the ideas of Chapter 2 to this literary depiction.
Chapter 3: --Nice to Eat You: Acts of Vampires
What are the essentials of the Vampire story? Apply this to a literary work you have read or viewed.
Chapter 4 -- If It's Square, It's a Sonnet
Select three sonnets and show which form they are. Discuss how their content reflects the form. (Submit copies of the sonnets, marked to show your analysis).
Chapter 5 --Now, Where Have I Seen Her Before?
Define intertextuality. Discuss three examples that have helped you in reading specific works.
Chapter 6 -- When in Doubt, It's from Shakespeare...
Discuss a work that you are familiar with that alludes to or reflects Shakespeare. Show how the author uses this connection thematically. Read pages 44-46 carefully. In these pages, Foster shows how Fugard reflects Shakespeare through both plot and theme. In your discussion, focus on theme.
Chapter 7 -- ...Or the Bible
Read "Araby" (available online http://fiction.eserver.org/short/araby.html. Discuss Biblical allusions that Foster does not mention. Look at the example of the "two great jars." Be creative and imaginative in these connections.
Chapter 8 -- Hanseldee and Greteldum
Think of a work of literature that reflects a fairy tale. Discuss the parallels. Does it create irony or deepen appreciation?
Chapter 9 -- It's Greek to Me
Write a free verse poem derived or inspired by characters or situations from Greek mythology. Be prepared to share your poem with the class (Ok, this is optional, but I would love to see your creative side.) At the very least, come prepared to discuss the content of the chapter.
We will also begin our discussion and writing of college entrance essays. See the links from my previous blog.
See you in class!
Mrs. So
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