Assignments and Links for Literary Analysis Paper -
September 19 to October 16
Week Four - September 19 to Sep 23
Young Goodman Brown's view of the world, post-woods?
Reading and Planning:
This week, I'd like everyone to start reading the literary works that will be used for the basis of the literature paper, explore the links on literary analysis and criticism that I will be posting.
To provide some guidance on the literature paper and to discuss the literature itself, we'll be meeting on TBA at 10:00am in the Computer Lab. In preparation for the "real-time" meeting, please read as much of the literature as possible. Copies of Flannery O'Connor's short-story, "Revelation," are not available online but may be picked up in the drop box outside my office (Fidelis 223) door [Note: It's Friday, Sept. 22, 4:30pm and "Revelation" is now available in the drop box outside my office door!]
1) Read the following poems by Emily Dickinson. They are available at the following link: http://netpoets.com/classic/index.htm - This links you to the general poets' page; scroll down and read the following poems by Emily Dickinson:
Because I Could Not Stop for Death
I Felt a Funeral in my Brain
Snake
I'm Nobody! Who Are You?
I Died for Beauty, but was Scarce
2) Read the short story by Edith Wharton ("The Other Two") - http://www.gonzaga.edu/wharton/
and the short story by Nathaniel Hawthorne ("Young Goodman Brown") at http://eldred.ne.mediaone.net/nh/ygb.html
3) Read "Revelation" by Flannery O'Connor (her short story is also available at any library, and, as stated above, you may also pick up a copy of the story from my office).
4) Your written assignment for the week is to post a one paragraph reaction to any of the above assigned stories or poem. Please post your response to Nicenet by Sep. 24.
Links for Literary Study:
Poetry Terms
Narrative (Short Story and Novel) Terms
Modern Literary Theory
Jane Thompson's Site for Literary Study (On-Book)
Emily Dickinson
Edith Wharton
Nathaniel Hawthorne
Flannery O'Connor
Week Five - Sep 25 to Oct 1
Drafting and Revising
For Week 5, I'd like to work on clarifying your thesis (and beginning to write!) your literary analysis (due October 8). By Sept 27 (Wednesday), I'd like everyone to e-mail me your thesis and a specific plan for developing that thesis. If I think anyone is heading off track, I'll e-mail back with suggestions for refining and developing your thesis. I highly recommend that anyone who might want extra help, either phone conference with me or arrange a meeting in my office.
1) Using the literary terms links, find examples of four (4) of the literary terms in your literature packets. Post your results to Nicenet by Friday, September 29.
2) To provide time for the literary analysis, no other written work will be assigned. Please be sure to credit any secondary sources you might use. Plagiarized material is very obvious (I know your writing by now) and pretty easy to track down. Furthermore, I'd much rather read your ideas.
3) In addition to reading the supplementary links provided, read "Chapter 18" in your texts: "Writing About Literature", pp. 261-285
Week Six - October 1 to October 8
Writing, "Polishing" the Literary Analysis
For week 6, I'd like you to focus on finishing the literary analysis paper and on demonstrating your abilities to "self-edit." By this time, you should be pretty clear about what areas you need to work on (e.g., wordiness, clarity, transition, run-ons, ??). If I receive the literary analysis on or before October 9, you should get in back by October 10 (ideally) or October 11 (at the latest). Your revised literary analysis will be due on or before Monday, October 16.
Also, make sure to use quotations effectively. In most cases, you'll want to include some quotations from the literary text you're analyzing. However, use the quotations sparingly, try to paraphrase material as much as possible, and be sure to contextualize your quotes (do not have the quotations drop like manna from heaven into your essay). A few well-chosen quotations will add credibility and interest. Too many quotations will make your writing difficult to follow and obscure your own writing voice.
1) Complete the literary analysis. Due Monday, October 9. To provide ample time for revision, I plan on e-mailing the comments/grades on the first literary analysis paper by October 10-11.
2) Review any grammatical concepts necessary in preparation for the grammar midterm next week.
3) Read Chapter 17, "The Essay Examination" (pp. 253-260) and the Writing Link (on my website homepage entitled, "Writing Effective Impromptu."
Week Seven - October 9 to October 16
Grammar and Impromptu Midterm Exams:
1) Complete the revised literary analysis due on or before Monday, October 16.
2) Review the material on writing effective impromptu that was given to you during the class meeting on TBA. The impromptu question will be posted on Nicenet on October 11. It will be due by October 12. Please try not to take more than two hours to write the impromptu (this would be the amount of time allotted during a real class period.) I'd also like you to limit the amount of time you spend on the impromptu so that you will have enough time to work on the literary analysis.
3) Take the grammar midterm posted on NiceNet on Thursday, October 12. Your answers on the grammar midterm should be e-mailed to me by Friday, October 13 (an auspicious date!).
Note to Fall 2000 class - ignore the material below; it will be deleted as soon as I complete the last two modules.
Week Fifteen - May 1-5
Impromptu, Portfolios and Grammar Review
For our chat times this week, we'll be discussing the results of the impromptu, working on the final portfolios, and on revising the literary analysis papers. We will also review grammar.
1) On May 1, I'd like you to do a grammar self-assessment. From your pre-test results, your grammar midterm, and the ongoing comments you've received on your papers, you should be pretty clear about any grammatical weaknesses. In an e-mail to me, please identify the areas you thought/think were weak and what steps you've taken to improve. If you have questions about any areas of grammar, this is the time to ask. Use the interactive grammar quizzes' link and the exercises in your text for review.
2) On May 3, I'll post a grammar review quiz on Nicenet (it's due the same day; please send it to me by attachment).. I'll grade your quiz but the score won't "count." This is entirely for self-assessment so if you "look up" the answers, it won't be accurate. You'll be taking the real grammar post-test at our class meeting on Saturday, May 6, at 2:00-4:00pm (Fidelis 223).
3) If you're turning in a revised literary analysis, it is due on or before Saturday, May 6. We'll be spending the bulk of the real-time class session working on the portfolios.
Week Sixteen - May 8-11
Portfolios and Essay Exam
Given the conferences on portfolios on Saturday's class, we'll forego the chat times this week. Please e-mail me (or phone) with any questions or concerns.
1) Continue work on the final portfolios. The portfolios are due (in my mailbox) by Wednesday, May 10 (before 3:00pm). If you'd like your portfolio mailed back to you please include a stamped, self-addressed envelope large enough to hold the portfolio or make other arrangements.
2) I'll send you the grades on the grammar post-test, and your final essay impromptu question will be available on Monday, May 15th (on Nicenet); your impromptu essay will be due the same day.
Week Seventeen - Exam - May 15
On Monday, May 15, your final essay impromptu question will be posted on Nicenet. Your essay is due by 9:00pm the same day. You may use any materials you'd like to answer the question (e.g., a dictionary, your text, your notes) but avoid using secondary sources and try to limit the time you spend on the impromptu to no more than two hours (which is the time limit the students in the real-time class session are being given). If you prefer to take the impromptu at Mount Mary, my college composition class is from 12:30-2:20pm in Notre Dame Hall, Room 237.
Note: This is a requirement - Have a wonderful summer!!
