river oaks [english]

This week, as we are finishing up the research papers, three short assignments are due: The title page, including a 100-word abstract (summary of report) A table of contents -- should correspond to headings throughout the paper A letter of transmittal -- addressed to me, summarizing the purpose and contents of the report Your revision should include an INTRO for the entire report, which could be an extension/revision of your original introduction for Paper #1, and a CONCLUSION. The conclusion from Paper #3 will be the conclusion for the entire paper. As you are revising your drafts, please refer to the following sample papers for examples of the formatting guidelines discussed in class: A Call to Action: Regulate Use of Cell Phones on the Road The Mountain Lion: Once Endangered, Now a Danger

If you're interested in Arthurian Literature, there is plenty of information out there. Here's a place to start: Brittania History: King Arthur Arthurian Legends Illustrated Arthurian Literature & Art An Arthurian Chronology King Arthur in Literature Painting by John Howe

EXTRA POINT OPPORTUNITY Your assignment is to write a two-three page essay on an aspect of medieval life (topics below). Your report should include information from ONE source, cited according to MLA. Your essay must be typed. With the final draft, you must also include a copy the source you used. Staple everything together, with the essay on top. Note that all information from your sources – whether quoted directly, paraphrased or summarized – must be cited. MLA requires that the author include the author’s last name (or first word of the title in quotes) and a page number (none for web pages) at the end of the sentence, in parentheses. Below is a list of possible topics: Social Order Knighthood Feudalism Chivalry & Courtly Love Slavery / Serfdom Religion in the Middle Ages Pilgrimage Heresy The Crusades Holy Grail Judaism Paganism Science & Medicine Humoral Theory Hygiene Alchemy Plague (Black Death) Medieval Life Food & Beverage Women’s Rights Commerce / Economics Educa

Sophomores, Juniors & Seniors -- for every book you read outside of class, you must complete an essay assignment. You have three options, as discussed in class: Historical Criticism -- placing the text in its historical context, whether the time of publication or the setting, discussing either the impact OF the period or ON the period Character Analysis -- looking closely at the development of a major character, focusing on turning points/realizations, or mental and physical attributes Thematic Analysis -- focusing on a central theme, or idea central to meaning in the novel, including the various "forces" affecting the major characters (socio-political issues, economics, class struggles, etc.) FORMAT according to MLA (typed, double-spaced, in 12-point Times New Roman), and CITE all examples from the book. If you use any outside material, then include a copy with your draft.

For each outside reading assignment, students will compose a reading guide. Each report should be typed, double-spaced and formatted according to MLA. Please use 1" margins and 12-point Times New Roman. Include the following: An introductory paragraph of no more than 100 words summarizing the book, including a statement concerning the central theme or idea. A body paragraph that introduces and explains a significant quote from the book; the quote should be no longer than three lines and should be in quotation marks; please cite the page number at the end of the quote -- i.e. (#). Finally, a one-paragraph conclusion that reviews the book, again about 100 words; please include WHY you did or did not like the book; feel free to compare it to other books (or films).