Today: Read yesterday's blog so that you understand why we practice and how to benefit from feedback.
I read aloud Hanna's and Brandon's re-writes of the poetry section of the exam, the paragraph on the poem, "Ordinary Day".
We discussed what you need to have in the paragraph to succeed:
1. a strong thesis which answers the question and is repeated throughout
2. formal, accurate diction (word choice)
3. insightful use of quotations that flow well in the paragraph
On an English 12 exam, FIRST look for literal examples to answer the question (The poem states that the day was "an unexpected gift") but some of you missed that line and misinterpreted the poem. Consequently, you cannot pass the section. Look for repeated words. She repeats murmur and grace. She repeats light. Look for who is speaking and where they are--a mother, at home, in the "dead of winter".
Because a poem is so short, read it several times.
Practice what you have been taught. Start with who, what, where, when, why. If you can answer these questions first, you will be able to understand the poem at the literal level and THEN you can look for other clues such as repeated words, similes, juxtapositions, or irony, etc.
Today: We read three short chapters (only 20 pages) Chapters 10, 11, and 12.
As you read them, post-it note Holden's attitudes toward girls and his experiences with girls.
Next, create a what / so what chart with your best three quotations. YOU MUST HAVE A QUOTE FROM EACH CHAPTER. Add at least 9 points under the so what column.
Finally, turn the chart into a fantastic, insightful thesis statement such as
Holden's attitude toward women reveal that he respects women; however, he is torn between his sexual drives and the way other men treat women as he hates to see women objectified because he does not want to see himself as someone who uses women for his own sexual gratification.
