Lit 12, Friday, May 13

The system was down yesterday so there were no blog entries.

Lit 12: I handed out the poetry assignment (due May 30) which I'll paste at the bottom of today's blog.
I collected the modest proposals. NO LATES ACCEPTED.

 We discussed the PROVINCIAL essay criteria and read the sample.

We finished Blake's "The Tiger" (be sure to read it and get the notes). We took notes on Thomas Gray and started reading his elegy. You'll need a copy of the mind map for this poem. Finish reading Gray's elegy. It's long so don't leave it until Monday. The mind map is due on Monday. Due meaning--I'll take a cursory glance and give you a participation mark so ensure that the sheet is filled with responses.

I reminded the class to spend at least 15 minutes per night from now until exam time memorizing quotes from each selection from our core list.

Re-writes for the Hamlet and mid-term tests will occur Tues. May 24 if you attend 3 out of the 4 study sessions. These begin Monday:

Mon-p.m.
Tues. lunch
Wed. lunch
Fri. p.m.

We start Wordsworth on Monday. Yay!

Criteria for the Poetry Project

Due Date: MONDAY, MAY 30

200 MARKS

Author Interview: 5 questions and five 200 word responses per question

Ensure that your questions and answers elucidate not only biographical information but also your response to the poems you have read. For example, ask questions such as I understand that your poetry was never recognized when you were alive. How did you manage to stay focused on your work? Or a question such as Negative capability is a theory you have about art. How is it addressed in the poem “Ode to a Grecian Urn?”

Analyze One Poem in Detail: One 300-500 hundred word paragraph.

Decide what is the key feature of the poem, i.e. in Owen’s “Dulce et Decorum Est,” his use of sound devices is key to his anti-war theme because they imitate the gory sounds of war which creates empathy for the poor, misguided children ardent for some desperate glory. Once you decide on the key feature, create a thesis statement to prove it. For example: Owen’s use of sound devices in the anit-war poem, “Dulce et Decorum Est” is key to his theme because imitating the gory sounds of war creates empathy for these child soldiers aching for false glory. The paragraph needs to be a perceptive, insightful, well written piece for a 6. Please include the poem with the paragraph so I can determine whether your analysis is accurate. If you have visited websites or read books to help you understand these poems, you must include a formal MLA style reference list (See Claremont’s website for a sample) and you must footnote any paraphrases or quotes which you use in the paragraph. If you do not, your writing will be considered plagiarized and you will receive a 0 for the entire project, plus a note in your file and a letter home. Plagiarism is a serious offense and you must know that even using someone’s idea is grounds for a 0 if you do not cite the source. YOU MAY NOT CHOOSE A POEM STUDIED IN CLASS. Literary paragraph criteria apply.

Compare/contrast this poet’s work to one other poet studied:

Write a compare/contrast composition of 400 words. The easiest way to do so is to choose two poems to compare. You may use poems studied in class. Your ability to analyze and articulate your findings is key here. Discuss the main similarity and difference in each poem and support your thesis with sufficient evidence from the poems. Ensure that you go beyond the obvious. Literary paragraph criteria apply.

Creative Response: Create something new based on the poet’s theme/s

Creative ideas generally come easily to students who understand and appreciate their author’s works. How has this author inspired you? How would you like to express your appreciation? How would you like to remember your author? It could be as simple as packing a picnic lunch, going out to sit under a tree and listening to birds, eating the lunch, writing a response, taking a picture, writing up the recipes. Done. It may be writing poems, creating a dance, a play, a piece of artwork, a wonderful display of some kind, a website, or PowerPoint presentation. This part is fun! You must go beyond the obvious. I don’t want a summary of the poem, i.e. a Lego version of the Tabard Inn. Your creation will make us view the poet’s work in a new way. It must answer the question—so what? How does your creation elucidate the work?