Finish novel + Journal #8 + Turnitin.com + Work on Rough Draft

Finish reading Their Eyes Were Watching God and come prepared for discussion.

Journal #8 (3 parts):

Part 1: Why do you think Zora Neale Hurston settled on the title she did - what effect does it have, how does it alter your reading, etc.?

Part 2: What alternate title could she have used? How would that have altered one's reading?

Part 3: What is the title of your pastiche and why do you think that is the strongest possible title?

Submit all 8 of your journals for Their Eyes Were Watching God to turnitin.com. You should just copy and past your blog post in to a document. Don't worry about formatting or making it look good - I will be reading/grading off your blog and simply checking turnitin for authenticity.

Why do I only have 18 outlines? I'm assuming you only printed one and thus didn't turn one in. If that is that case, email me what you had in class today. jwecker@ttsd.k12.or.us You will not get feedback unless you come in on your own time but you will get points.

Outline

Tomorrow you need two copies of a typed, double-spaced, MLA formatted Statement of Intent outline.

FAQ:

Q. Do I have to analyze the effect of narration and dialect?

A. No, you need to acknowledge that you are using it in your pastiche and to what effect but you do not have to build a full scale analysis around it.

Q. Can I discuss more than four of Hurston's techniques that I am using in my pastiche?

A. Yes, but with the page limits it will be hard to give them the analysis they deserve.

Q. Can I analyze fewer than four of Hurston's techniques?

A. No. If you do not discuss at least four it will be difficult to prove the extent to which you have used Hurston's work as your model.

Q. What if I want to talk about something I did in my pastiche that doesn't fit perfectly into a specific technique?

A. The statement of intent's only purpose is for you to be able to discuss how you appreciated and mirrored Hurston's style and if you need to reach beyond techniques to do that, you can. Just be sure you have created a clear organization to do that with.

Q. I learned that you should have at least three sentences of analysis for every sentence of quotation. Is that accurate for this paper as well?

A. That is a great rule of thumb for a literary analysis but you will not have the space to do so for this paper. You should sink your teeth right into the heart of your argument and make it as clear as possible. This means cutting out a lot of the "fluff" in your language use and really limiting summary.

Q. Can I assume that my reader has read Their Eyes Were Watching God?

A. Yes

Q. Do I have to follow your outline format? I want to do more than two body paragraphs?

A. No. But just be very aware of your limited space for writing and the intense need for clear organization.

IOPs also start tomorrow - Stephen and Anna

Turnitin.com class id: 4911387 password: 1234

Printed Quotes + Chapter 18 + Journal #7

Identify 7 to 9 techniques that are present in both Hurston's and your own writing. For each technique copy one quote from Their Eyes Were Watching God and one quote from your pastiche. Print and bring to class. Remember to check the list of quotes you should not use and make an effort to keep the ones you do pick fresh.

Read chapter 18

Journal #7 on blog: Pick three of the quotes from TEWWG that you used in the above assignment and analyze them for techniques, connections, and significance. You should examine it beyond simply the technique category you put it in.

Chapters 13-17 + Revise and reprint pastiche + Journal #6

1. Read chapters 13-17 of Their Eyes Were Watching God (Booker T. Washington comes up in these chapters - for more information click on this link to an article he wrote for the Atlantic Magazine titled "The Awakening of the Negro", and here for a biographical piece from PBS)

2. Revise and reprint your pastiche (print between 1 and 4 copies - you will be reading your own paper aloud to a small group and if you want each of them to have a paper in front of them that they can mark on as you read, bring more than one)

3. Journal #6 (post on your blog): reflect on the revision process - how did you decide what to revise, what did you revise, to what effect were your revisions, etc.

Chapters 11-12 + Pastiche Rough Draft + TEWWG IOP Proposal

Work on Pastiche + New TEWWG IOP Dates

Use your afternoon/evening wisely and work on the rough draft of your pastiche. You should come to class with, at the very least, the following things...

1. a developed, insightful, and accurate theme

2. techniques used to develop that theme

3. a working concept for the characters, setting, and plot you will create

This means that tonight will take more thought time than perhaps writing time. Don't discount that. Spend some time in a quiet space brainstorming a solid foundation for your piece. The more effort and thought you put in at this point, the easier and clearer your process and product will be.

If everyone comes prepared with the proper prewriting, I will give you time in class to begin writing out the pastiche portion of the assignment.

Their Eyes Were Watching God IOP dates (Am I missing anyone?):

February 29: Stephen W * Anna H

March 1: Trevor P * Jake P

March 2: Matt F * Donna K

Chapter 9-10 + Journal #5

Read chapters 9-10

Journal 5: Create a pastiche of Janie's description of Death on page 84. Match Hurston' style and themes as closely as possible. After you complete your pastiche, write a statement explaining some of the decisions you made in order to match Hurston's writing and objectives.

The following are two examples from past students.

"Eventually Nick started to understand Regret. Regret, that conceited one with the ever present eyes who lived always within reach. The unwelcome being who dwelt in the hearts of men without invitation, without permission. What requires Regret to be summoned, and what force can push him out? He slithers around his internal hiding spot that is invisible to the universe. Hides vigilant and camouflaged hour after hour with his fangs ready to pierce, awaiting the call to make himself known. To wrap himself around man and remind him what could have or would have or should have been done. He was bound to find blood from its bite staining her thoughts one day soon. He was sympathetic and scared for her too. Miserable Katherine! She shouldn't have to win this fight on her own. He had Ann bring in others to offer their wisdom, but Katherine declined. These others wuz fine to console themselves, but there was nothing they could do to go back in time. She'd be just fine when the red sea in front of her parted. She wouldn't let herself drown. That was the way she saw it. However, Ann had told him the opposite, so he knew the truth. And even if he didn't, soon enough he was liable to realize, for her home filled with life had been transformed into a holding place for stale memories of a bitter past. Weeds that never would have tried to grow in the gardens before now burst through the dirt defiantly. Simply pushed aside the flowers and begged for judgement. Remorse, that motionless snake, had poisoned another life."

"Then Abby started to ponder on Courage. Courage, that unpredictable presence with the strong will that is often times hard to grasp. The uncertain one that lived deep within the unfamiliar parts of us, often unsure. Why does Courage sometimes shy away, especially when it is needed most? He sits insecurely deep within, unclear of where he belongs. Sits anxiously and patiently while slowly twirling his thumbs, questioning his validity. Was sitting there wondering and waiting and expecting. She was sure she'd find his footprints in the mud one of these days. She needed some encouragement and assistance also. Unfortunate Willie! It's quite diff'cult to help someone stand up for they self if they ain't got the determination for it. Offered Albert's company to mend this diminished confidence but Willie didn't feel it was necessary. Yuh can't always help those that have weakened strength, 'cause they need tuh find that inner fortitude on they own. He'd rise above this if he could just finish his chess game with the words "check mate." He would find the courage. At least that's what he thought. However, Albert suggested otherwise, so she was informed. But, if it had been contrarily, the following afternoon she was destined to figure it out, because he faced the bad-mannered bully in the colorless, spaced-out courtyard behind the school. Students that usually braved the bully's harsh words removed themselves from their usual straightforwardness. Just kneeled on the concrete, questioning. Fear, the overpowering elephant, had trampled over the student body."

Chapters 7-8 + Journal #4

Read chapters 7 and 8.

Journal #4: Choose a passage that clearly depicts Hurston's awareness and manipulation of language. Analyze the passage for one aspect of EACH of the following: syntax, word choice, tone, and sound devices.

Pastiche dates:

Pastiche rough draft: February 24th

Statement of Intent Outline: February 28th

Completed Rough Draft: March 2nd

Final: March 6

Buzzards Commentary

Write a commentary based on the passage you received in class. Bring your commentary to class tomorrow and be prepared to both share and turn in.

Some of the commentary elements discussed in class:

• The paper is organized around the reader's understanding of the author's intentions with the passage.
• Analysis of techniques and elements are important but guided by that one unifying concept [author intention], usually a thematic one.
• Includes introduction with context, limited summary, and thesis. Body paragraphs each include a topic sentence (don't limit yourself to the three body paragraph format). Conclusion connects the analysis to entire book and to the cultural context.
• At least two quotes per paragraph.
• Each quote is analyzed
• Limited summary - Essay mostly gives meaning of the events/elements/techniques
• Organization can vary widely - may organize by thematic element, by technique, by the similar effect created by a variety of techniques, from top to bottom, by pattern/connection, etc.

Chapter 5-6 + Journal #3

Find quotations for five different stylistic attributes of Hurston's writing. Craft an insightful analysis for two of the quotations that explains how the style impacts the text.

Their Eyes Were Watching God chapters 2 to 4 + Journal #2

Journal #2: Create a dialect of your choosing and list seven of the rules for that dialect. Remember that dialect rules can include grammar, pronunciation, and vocabulary. This website is an interesting source for English dialect ideas and details. When you have created your dialect you will pick one page from Their Eyes Were Watching God that contains both narration and dialogue and mimic that page's style as authentically as possibly.

Sample Dialect Rules:

Hurston's Dialect:

1. long vowels are softened [I/ah too/tuh like/lak you/yuh]

2. replaces the "g" on on "ing" words with an apostrophe [throwin']

3. usage and grammar errors [us/we, you was, hisself,

4. internal vowels lengthened for 'southern twang' [Lord/Lawd dog/dawg born/bawn]

5. "th" at the beginning of words becomes "d" [them/dem this/dis]

6. some expression reduced to single words [bet you/betcha, ought to/oughta]

7. distortions of past tense [knew/knowed]

Your page of dialogue/narration will include a conversation between two people. You can choose to use the same dialect for both characters, different dialects for both (let us know what dialects they are and at least a couple sample rules for the second), or an academic/traditional dialect and a dialect of your creation.

Spend some time thinking about the type of characters you want to create to have the conversation. This may become prewriting for the final pastiche you create and using the same characters will save you some thought in the end.

IOP Dates

February 28th: Stephen W * Anna H

29th: Jake P

March 1st: Donna K * Trevor P

2nd: Matt F

7th:

8th: Jackson G

9th: Jazmin D * Mark H

19th: Andrew B * Tristy R * Diana P

20th: Tyler C * Rachel R

21st: Alec M * Andrew R

April 2: Haley H * Olivia C

3: Brian J * Michelle V * Isabella F

4: Harrison L * Serena K

5: Quinn J * Philip N

6: Margaret B

Did I miss anyone?

A few suggestions from today:

*Create a more natural transition from your hook to the content (don't explain what you did, make it clear in other ways)

*Speak with confidence (cut phrases like "in a way" or "kind of like" out)

*Come early to class and get your stuff set up

* Make decisions on the details before class (will you leave the lights on for a powerpoint, etc.)

* Make the direction you are taking your presentation clear - don't rush the point

* Don't fall into the trap of coming up with a clever hook and not letting it go even if it doesn't fit perfectly with what you are trying to say

*Don't fall into the trap of wanting to show everything you learned from the novel in your presentation. Keep it focused.

Their Eyes Were Watching God Chapter 1 + Journal 1

Read chapter one and create a system for annotating. By technique. By discussion point. By journal concept.

Journal #1 for Their Eyes Were Watching God: Reader response: How do you perceive Janie? How do you perceive the narrator? Be thorough and thoughtful and use textual evidence to defend your answer.

Personal IOP Preparation + Mini IOP hook

Your focus this weekend should be to work on the foundations of your IOP by rereading and annotating your IOP text. You can not create a thorough and interesting thesis until have you completed a closer reading of the text. Your topic should help focus your reading but don't feel limited by what topic you have picked - you are free to alter your topic as you go.

Bring any supplies you may want for your presentation of the "I, Too" IOP hook. Don't expend too much emotional energy worrying about this mini IOP - it is intended to help open up a discussion on what works and what flops and get practice putting yourself out on a creative limb.

FYI there is a 4 point curve reflected in the score you see on your literary terms test in ESIS. For example, if you scored a 44/40 that means that you had a perfect test but were awarded 4 additional points. A score of 34 means you actually got 30 out of 40 questions right but were also awarded 4 additional points.

Bring IOP novel on Monday.

Post #4 + Reminders + Mini Literary Terms Test Sample

Your assignment for post #4 is to create a mini literary terms test by writing down five examples of literary terms (used in literature you have studied, not an example from the internet). Post the answers to the test as a comment on your own blog. Visit other blogs as a way to prepare for your test. I will include some sample questions from past tests below.

Remember: *Annotated terms are due tomorrow *Bring your IOP book to read when you finish the test *Be actively thinking about the effectiveness of the hook you are preparing for you mini IOP group activity

Sample Questions:

1. "Maman died today. Or yesterday maybe. I don't know." (Camus, The Stranger) Contains an insensitive __________________

2. "[my name] is like the number nine." (Cisneros, House on Mango Street)

3. Janie and Tea Cake went to live in the muck in order to work and live life Tea Cake’s way.

4. Because my childhood disturbed me, pained me, made me ask foolish questions. (Amy Tan)

5. "And this you can see is the bolt. The purpose of this is to open the breech, as you see. We can slide it rapidly backwards and forwards: we call this easing the spring. And rapidly backwards and forwards the early bees are assaulting and fumbling the flowers." (Reed, "Naming of Parts")

Post #3 + Comment on another blog + IOP Comments and 1984 Issues Addressed

Pick one technique from the list you received today and create a post in which you elaborate on that technique. You need to bulk these up a bit from last nights. Use literary examples (not just from the internet but from one of your summer novel). Be sure you really get it before you try to reword it. Explain why it is important. Use images that will help you remember it. Be creative and thorough with this post so that it can be used by your peers to help them understand the term. You, in turn, can use their posts to help you. Title your post to include the name of your technique (I.e. post #3- parallel structure) so that your peers can look at my side bar and decide which blogs to visit based on the techniques they need most help with.

Comment on two of your classmates techniques posts. Tell them in what ways they increased your understanding/what did they explain well, and give an additional example for the term they posted about or explain why you think it is important.

I will be commenting on the ideas you posted as comments on the IOP posts so check back through those discussions to see what works. Only two 1984 idea were complete, so the rest of you need to explain exactly what you are thinking or move to another novel. At this point you can not all go on this novel. I will let two or three more topic through and will pick based on the strongest topics tomorrow.

TED Talks

Thinking about your IOP, watch with an eye for what works?

IOP The Handmaids Tale

No more than 3 people may sign up.

IOP We

No more than 3 people may sign up

IOP Brave New World

No more than 3 people may sign up

IOP 1984

No more than 3 people may sign up

IOP The Stranger

No more than 11 people may sign up

IOP Their Eyes Were Watching God

No more than 11 people may sign up

Pick IOP Novel + Work on Annotations + Post #2 on Technique

Sign up for a novel that you will use for your IOP by commenting on the appropriate post with your name and the general direction you are planning on taking your presentation. Respect the requirement for how many people may sign up. The sign ups will post at exactly 2:52 PM today.

Continue to work on annotating your literary terms list.

Pick one technique from the list you received today and create a post in which you elaborate on that technique. Explain it in detail. Why is it important? Give examples. Use images that will help you remember it. Be creative and thorough with this post so that it can be used by your peers to help them understand the term. You, in turn, can use their posts to help you.

Set up your blog + Post #1 + Disclosure document

Your first task is to set up a blog (blogger.com) to be used for all of your journal entries. Feel free to play with the settings but please ensure that the text is easy to read and you have allowed for other people to comment on your posts. Include relevant information about yourself on an "About Me" side bar gadget. When you have created your blog, leave your full name and blog address as a comment on this post. This is due by class tomorrow (Tuesday).

When you have completed the above tasks, you will write your first blog post reflecting on the novels you read this summer. You should write in such a way that proves you have indeed read and thought about each book. If you did not read the books, do not try to bluff your way through this assignment; just tell me what books you did not read and why.

Answer the following questions in your blog post...

1. Which of the three books did you enjoy the most and why (again, be sure that you use enough details to demonstrate that you read the entire book)?

2. Which of the three books did you enjoy least and why?

3. If you were to write an essay on the third novel (the book not addressed in the previous two questions) what element or elements would you focus on in that essay and why do think they are important?

This post is due by class on Wednesday.

Signed disclosure document/syllabus due Wednesday