HW 9/30

Hello. I apologize for not posting last night, I could not post from school and I did not arrive home until after 8. For this evening, please do the following:

1. Read "Gooseberries." Attached
2. Choose a story for tomorrow's timed write.
3. Complete vocabulary assignment for "Once Upon a Time."

By preparing a story, I mean to have read it thoroughly and to have annotated it. This will allow to write about the story immediately.

Have a great night.

HW 9/28

For this evening, you should complete the vocabulary assignment on tone and bring it to class with you tomorrow. Read the handouts distributed in class as well. The readings are brief and should not require a great deal of time to get through. Read Gordimer's story "Once Upon a Time." I think that I will postpone the timed write until Friday, so we can spend a little time getting caught up on the literature. Please make sure to acquire the independent reading books and begin working on them. Lastly, college essays: I will set a date for a first draft by Friday. Keep working on them. Come see me if you need help. Have a great night.

HW 9/27

Okay. I was not able to link the story "Once Upon a Time," for this evening's reading. Unfortunately, the link I used to use is no longer available. So, please continue to work on the assignments at hand.

As far as the reading schedule is concerned, what I'm looking for is a general breakdown of the pages and the dates on which you intend to finish them. You should include the author's name, the title of the book, total number of pages, and the edition of the book you are reading. Then, have the schedule for the readings. This should be typed.

I will copy the story for tomorrow.

Have a good night.

Weekend HW 9/24-9/26

Hello again.

For this weekend, please do the following:

Read "Everyday Use" again

Work on tone vocabulary that is now due Wednesday

Complete today's handout.

Also, please write a 1 - 1 1/2 page essay on the following topic:

Choose one story we've read so far in class and discuss how the plot/structure functions as a literary device and ultimately influences the themes, or the work as a whole. You paper should be typed, 12 font, double-spaced, Times New Roman. Please make sure to provide sophisticated analysis and use textual evidence to support your ideas.

If you have any time left, have some fun, but be safe.

HW 9/23

Good Evening.

Please read "Everyday Use" for tonight's homework. In addition, please read the section on characterization from your book, or from the handout.

There are a number of assignments coming up and this is where the pace begins to pick up. Make sure to prioritize your time and try to stay on top of your work. Remember, late assignments are strongly discouraged. Please bring a journal if you don't plan to use your summer journal. I hope that you have all given me the signed student agreement. Have a great evening.

HW 9/22

Hello. Sorry for the late post tonight. Meet the teacher night for my daughter. In any case, please read "Maladies" a second time. Continue to focus on tone. Please continue to work on your college essays and researching the books for the first independent reading assignment. We will continue our conversation tomorrow. Thanks to all who contributed to today's discussion. See you tomorrow.

HW 9/21

Hello. For tonight's homework, I would like you to read the story, "Interpreter of Maladies." I want you to focus on the importance of tone in the story. Remember, tone is the author/speaker's attitude toward a subject. You will see how each scene may reveal a different tone, or how the tone of a story can be consistent throughout. Please come in with a few ideas about the tone of "Maladies."

A few things to consider:

While literature allows for various interpretations, these interpretations should be rooted in the text. In other words, we can float many theories about what's going on, but we are confined by the actual words on the page. We have to be careful of allowing our imaginations to govern our interpretations.

Make sure to bring your books on a daily basis.

Make sure that you are using post-it-notes in your books. Close reading is the key to good analysis.

Have a good night.