river oaks [english]

Have a great break, everyone!

Seniors  Vocabulary quiz (E-P) tomorrow, and expect to do some writing based on one or both of the prompts discussed in class. Juniors FINAL DRAFT due tomorrow! Please include the following in your folder, in this order: Your final draft, stapled Your graded draft - primary source only Your original, handwritten draft Copies of all sources used in the paper (3 for non, 5 for hon) I will supply the rubric tomorrow in class, but remember that all of the above are worth points, as well as everything related to MLA and citation.  Each sentence error - run-ons and fragments - will result in a 10 point reduction. The paper (and contents of folder) is worth 200 points total. Sophomores Your assignment is to read "Seventeen Syllables" (788-799) before you come to class tomorrow.

Sophomores Finish reading "The Yellow Wallpaper" and answer the questions on 779 (CC and 2-3). Also complete the vocabulary assignment on 780. Expect a quiz tomorrow on both stories, including the vocabulary. Juniors Continue to work on your draft, which is due Thursday. Bring everything to class, including your latest draft and all sources cited in the paper. Seniors Annotate the sheet handed out in class today. Vocabulary quiz Thursday on E through P.

Your homework is to answer the following questions regarding Emily Dickinson 's poems: #3 on 751, #2 on 752, #2 on 753, #2 on 754, #2 on 756, #2 on 757, #2 on 758 and #2 & 4 on 760 Also, know the terms on pages 760 & 761 Also, here's a great site from the Emily Dickinson Museum - and another from The Poetry Foundation .

First, your combined rough draft is due tomorrow (Friday, Feb 16). Integrate your sources into your original typed draft, add your works cited page, print (and save), and bring to class.  We will exchange drafts and identify errors and/or problems.   As promised, here are some sites with suggestions for integrating your sources using signal phrase s: Plattsburgh Capella University Texas A&M Also due tomorrow is an annotated bibliography of your secondary sources (five for honors, three for non). An annotated bibliography is essentially your "works cited" page, with the addition of a critical summary of each source as it relates to your thesis or related points. The forms are found on the " Research and Documentation Online " site. For more on annotated bibliographies, see the following: Purdue's OWL ( example ) Cornell University Library University of North Carolina ( example )

Spencer has been nice enough to share his online flashcard set with you for tomorrow's quiz: http://www.flashcardmachine.com/1834612/j67z ~OR~ Author: romspencer Level: 12th Grade Subject: English (not Language-English)

This electronic edition from the University of Pennsylvania includes a wealth of information on Frankenstein -- including critical articles ; historical, scientific, and sociological contexts ; and early (contemporary) reviews . Frankenstein: The Pennsylvania Electronic Edition is edited by Stuart Curran, Vartan Gregorian Professor of English and the Director of the Center for Italian Studies at the University of Pennsylvania. Thanks to Sam Stage (and someone in 6th hour) for bringing this to my attention!

Sophomores Quiz tomorrow on "Wagner's Matinee," including the vocabulary. Juniors Quiz Wednesday on research and documentation. Bring your sources to class tomorrow (for homework credit) so you can work in class - reading, taking notes, and citing. Seniors Read pages 74-82. Quiz Wednesday on terms A-D.

Once you find the library's site, whether on campus or off, go to "Databases by Subject" and select "English." This will give you a list of all the databases ULM's library subscribes to that relate to English and Literature. JSTOR is the database we discussed in class, but there are several if you just explore a bit. One note of advice regarding databases: the results lists usually give you choices when viewing; if you choose PDF then you can save onto your USB drive and then read and print at home.  Bring all relevant sources to class on Monday, and we will discuss how to use them. This means you should read through your sources to see if they relate to your topic BEFORE you come to class. Please DO NOT wait until you get to school to crowd into the library and use every bit of ink and paper. If at all possible, print AT HOME. Thanks.

As noted in class, I will not be there on Wednesday. Here's the rundown of what everyone will be doing: Sophomores  You are writing the first draft of your legend  -- a family story, a personalized version of a familiar tale, or a completely fictional creation based on the models discussed. The legend should focus on a single person and his/her famous/surprising/heroic/embarrassing action that lead to infamy. Juniors Tonight you are to find a RELIABLE article that relates specifically to your Frankenstein paper. Print and bring the article to class tomorrow, and you'll fill out worksheet evaluating the source based on its authorship, purpose and publisher. I'll also have a copy of "Frankenstein's Fallen Angel," a article by Joyce Carol Oates that will serve as our example for how to read, cite, annotate and integrate scholarly sources.  Correction: in class, I indicated that you can print a Google Book ; I don't think it's possible. However,...

Sophomores Your homework for the weekend is to type your draft and include a works cited page . Honors students must also include ONE outside source in support of their thesis. The article is the introduction to the Modern Library edition, by George Saunders. I will provide a copy if you don't have one. *Note - your works cited page should be arranged in ABC order. The final draft of your essay will be graded on a 100-point scale, based on the following: Critical focus - not merely a summary of the novel, but focused on a central purpose or point Organization - paragraphs are arranged logically and clearly Support - includes  specific examples from the novel (and article) Format - follows MLA guidelines for citation and appearance Correctness - is generally free of errors in spelling, usage, and punctuation Juniors Your essays should be typed for Monday, including specific examples from the book in support of a clear central purpose, or thesis. Remember: your...

Sophomores You are writing your paper in class tomorrow. Please bring your book, marked for content.  The essay itself should be around 500 words in length, formatted according to MLA. Seniors Your job for tonight is to locate and print a source on the topic of illegal immigration . The question you will answer in your paper on Thursday is the following: "What is the best solution to the problem of illegal immigration?"    Possibilities include (but are not limited to) increased border security, increased crackdown on unlawful employment, deportation, laws like Arizona's that make it easier for INS to find illegals, improved and/or quicker path towards naturalization, and amnesty for tax-paying illegal residents. You could focus your research on statistics, stereotyping/profiling, existing laws, proposed laws (i.e. Dream Act), or a candidate's platform, for example.

Your assignment for tomorrow is to propose your topic in a letter - full block style . Please make the body of letter at least 100 words in length, including the following: Your topic - stated specifically, including your purpose Your thesis - the answer to your "thesis question" Your support - an outline, or listing, of your main points only  Please sign your letter: this locks you in to your topic. You will write your first of the essay tomorrow in class, so bring your book - marked for content using sticky notes or some other method. You'll want to include lots of examples from the text in this initial draft. The draft itself should be around 500 words in length, formatted according to MLA.

Your essay for this week is to defend, challenge, or qualify Denby's assertion that teen films speak to our collective trauma and/or our social and romantic fantasies. Do you believe this assertion is true? Why are these films so popular? What is it specifically that makes these films resonate with both teens and adults? Consider his discussion of stereotypes or "stock characters" and plots, as well as his examples from film and TV. In addition, you are required to include specific support for your position taken from at least one film of your own choosing. DO NOT merely summarize the plot of the film! Your essay should be at least 500 words, formatted according to MLA, and it must refer directly and indirectly to Denby's text.

The vocabulary for the Frankenstein test is on the study guide - handed out in pieces to avoid spoiling the ending.  Also in the study guide are "Analyzing Literature" questions for each chapter range. If you answer these questions and hand in the study guide on Monday, I will give you a 20-point homework grade. This homework assignment is optional and will noted as such on Edline.

The Importance of Being Earnest is playing this weekend ONLY at the Strauss Theater in Monroe.  If you'd like some extra points, then go see the play and get Mrs. Donna at the theater to sign your playbill after the performance. Go to the play and behave yourself and enjoy.  The cast is made up of some very talented, mostly high school students. Information about the play and tickets is available below: Strauss Theater Center

Seniors Tonight's essay is David Denby's "High-School Confidential: Notes on Teen Movies" (709-14). Please read the essay and come tomorrow prepared to talk about it. Your homework for Thursday is #4-6 and #1-3, 6-7, 11-12. Be specific and use examples from the text. You will write an essay in class on Friday that defends, challenges or qualifies Denby's opinion.  In addition to citing the article, you will need to cite examples from at least one "teen" genre film in your essay.  Pick one and re-watch it before Friday. Juniors You should be finished reading Frankenstein by Friday.  We will continue to discuss the novel this week and have a vocabulary test on Friday.  The exam on the novel will be Monday, January 30th. We will discuss paper topics on Tuesday. Sophomores You should be finished reading Huck Finn by Friday. Your vocabulary test is this Friday, and your novel exam is on Monday, January 30th.

Sophomores You should be reading Huck Finn up through ch 31 right now and working on the study guide.  All students need to turn this in Monday for points. Your Honors assignment is to read the following essay on the various depictions of Jim throughout the years. "Which artist's work most faithfully illustrates the novel's text? How do Mark Twain's words represent Jim -- as a character or a caricature?" Pictures of Jim Juniors You should be reading Frankenstein through ch 16 (XVI) right now. Your Honors assignment is to read the following essay and to write a summary/response for Monday.  Summarize the article, and connect the controversy to Frankenstein : Scientists Create "Synthetic Life" Seniors No homework.  If you missed on Friday, you missed a synthesis essay on media disaster coverage .  See me to make it up! We will go over the second half of the practice AP exam on Monday.

Sophomores Turn in the worksheet on ch1-15 at the end of class (extras on my desk), and read through ch24 for Tuesday. Juniors You have a matching quiz on the six romantic poets and their works .  Please get your copy of Frankenstein fromt he sub if you haven't already, and read through page 39 for Tuesday.  Get your copy of the study guide, and be ready to answer questions when we return. Seniors Don't forget to get your essay from the substitute if you haven't already.  Your revisions are due on Tuesday when we return.  Please include a works cited page. Your prompt for tomorrow is the following: With the advent of cell phones and social networking, people are communicating with each other more than ever – through texting and Facebook – but are they as “connected” as ever? Are we experiencing what Birkerts calls “language erosion,” losing the ability to communicate effectively even though it’s easier now than ever? Are we losing our sense of histor...

Sophomores You need to have read ch 1-12 by tomorrow of Huck Finn .  Expect a reading QUIZ tomorrow. Juniors Your Frankenstein books have been shipped, and I'll have them in class Thursday. In order to catch up, make sure you have read all Wordsworth and Coleridge selections. The homework due tomorrow is CC, #2-6 on 766. Seniors Out topic for this week is communication in the electronic age. We will examine how social media and digital communication have affected us -- our language, our culture, our inter-personal relationships. Your first article is in your textbook on p647, "Into the Electronic Millennium." Please read it so we can discuss it. Questions #1-9 are due on Thursday.