1. Return to a Twitter conversation taking place about A Raisin in the Sun that you didn't start or participate in yet. Add your voice to the exchange by crafting a statement or question to the conversation.
2. Relate to the class what Topic you plan to choose for the third essay and why.
EXTRA CREDIT TWEET
3. What would Mac tell Walter, and/or what would Walter tell Mac?
Wednesday, May 6, 2015
Monday, May 4, 2015
Class Agenda 5.4
1. A word about building structure and thesis claims
http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/america-2/
http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/if-we-must-die/
2. dramatic terms
3. the play
http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/america-2/
http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/if-we-must-die/
2. dramatic terms
3. the play
Dramatic Terms 5.4
1. Narrative Structure
2. plot
Plot is a literary term used to describe the events that make up a story or the main part of a story. These events relate to each other in a pattern or a sequence. The structure of a novel depends on the organization of events in the plot of the story.
Plot is known as the foundation of a novel or story which the characters and settings are built around. It is meant to organize information and events in a logical manner. When writing the plot of a piece of literature, the author has to be careful that it does not dominate the other parts of the story.
3. setting
setting, in literature, the location and time frame in which the action of a narrative takes place.
4. tragedy
Tragedy is kind of drama that presents a serious subject matter about human suffering and corresponding terrible events in a dignified manner.
Aristotle defines Tragedy in his famous work “Poetics” as:
“Tragedy is an imitation of an action that is admirable, complete (composed of an introduction, a middle part and an ending), and possesses magnitude; in language made pleasurable, each of its species separated in different parts; performed by actors, not through narration; effecting through pity and fear the purification of such emotions.”
From the above definition, we can understand the objective of the Greek tragedies i.e. “…purification of such emotions” also called “catharsis”. Catharsis is a release of emotional tension, as after an overwhelming experience, that restores or refreshes the spirit.
1. Greek tragedies focused on a single theme and plot. English tragedies, on the other hand, have several story lines developing into plots and sub-plot.
2. Greek tragedies depicted “great” characters in their tragedies who were mortals but equal to gods and goddesses in their significance. Heroes of English tragedy may come from all walks of life.
3. Greek tragedies had a serious subject matter that was treated in a most dignified manner. English tragedies, on the other hand, tend to mix tragic with comic. Modern playwrights argue that such depiction is nearer to life as our life is a mixture of good and bad fortunes.
4. The performance of a Greek tragedy was a religious affair while English tragedies may intend to instruct or touch upon a religious or ethical issue but their main objective is to entertain.
5. character/characterization
An author can use two approaches to deliver information about a character and build an image of it:
1. Direct or explicit characterization
This kind of characterization takes a direct approach towards building the character. It uses another character, narrator or the protagonist himself to tell the readers or audience about the subject.
2. Indirect or implicit characterization
This is a more subtle way of introducing the character to the audience. The audience has to deduce for themselves the characteristics of the character by observing his/her thought process, behavior, speech, way of talking, appearance, and way of communication with other characters and also by discerning the response of other characters.
Plot is a literary term used to describe the events that make up a story or the main part of a story. These events relate to each other in a pattern or a sequence. The structure of a novel depends on the organization of events in the plot of the story.
Plot is known as the foundation of a novel or story which the characters and settings are built around. It is meant to organize information and events in a logical manner. When writing the plot of a piece of literature, the author has to be careful that it does not dominate the other parts of the story.
3. setting
setting, in literature, the location and time frame in which the action of a narrative takes place.
4. tragedy
Tragedy is kind of drama that presents a serious subject matter about human suffering and corresponding terrible events in a dignified manner.
Aristotle defines Tragedy in his famous work “Poetics” as:
“Tragedy is an imitation of an action that is admirable, complete (composed of an introduction, a middle part and an ending), and possesses magnitude; in language made pleasurable, each of its species separated in different parts; performed by actors, not through narration; effecting through pity and fear the purification of such emotions.”
From the above definition, we can understand the objective of the Greek tragedies i.e. “…purification of such emotions” also called “catharsis”. Catharsis is a release of emotional tension, as after an overwhelming experience, that restores or refreshes the spirit.
English Tragedy
Shaped on the models of Seneca, the first English tragedy appeared in 1561, written by Thomas Norton and Thomas Sackville. The play chose the story of a British king and his sufferings at the hand of his two disobedient sons as a subject matter. The importance of the play lies in the fact that it transformed the style of English drama from morality and mystery plays to the writing of tragedies in the Elizabethan era.The Difference between Greek and English Tragedies
We notice the following differences between the tragedies by the Greek playwrights and those written by English playwrights:1. Greek tragedies focused on a single theme and plot. English tragedies, on the other hand, have several story lines developing into plots and sub-plot.
2. Greek tragedies depicted “great” characters in their tragedies who were mortals but equal to gods and goddesses in their significance. Heroes of English tragedy may come from all walks of life.
3. Greek tragedies had a serious subject matter that was treated in a most dignified manner. English tragedies, on the other hand, tend to mix tragic with comic. Modern playwrights argue that such depiction is nearer to life as our life is a mixture of good and bad fortunes.
4. The performance of a Greek tragedy was a religious affair while English tragedies may intend to instruct or touch upon a religious or ethical issue but their main objective is to entertain.
5. character/characterization
An author can use two approaches to deliver information about a character and build an image of it:
1. Direct or explicit characterization
This kind of characterization takes a direct approach towards building the character. It uses another character, narrator or the protagonist himself to tell the readers or audience about the subject.
2. Indirect or implicit characterization
This is a more subtle way of introducing the character to the audience. The audience has to deduce for themselves the characteristics of the character by observing his/her thought process, behavior, speech, way of talking, appearance, and way of communication with other characters and also by discerning the response of other characters.
Wednesday, April 29, 2015
Twitter Assignment #7
1. Which character are you following closest in Raisins in the Sun and why?
2. What writing skill do you most want to see us practice in class next month?
2. What writing skill do you most want to see us practice in class next month?
Reflection Note
Reflection on your writing process for essay assignment two. Answer the following questions in a brief letter to the professor. 1. Overall, are you confident that your essay meets the expectations of the assignment? Why or why not? 2. What is the most difficult part of the assignment for you? How are you overcoming it? 3. What is your strategy for doing excellent work for this assignment? 4.What were the two most valuable suggestions made about your paper in the peer review?
Peer Review: Essay Two
Peer Review Guidelines
1. Move into your PR groups.
2. Determine who will read in what order.
3. Budget 10-15 minutes per person and no more.
4. The reader reads their paper aloud.
5. Give written feedback that offers specific praise and criticism.
6. Put your name on this feedback and give it to the writer.
7. Keep your written feedback and staple it to your final draft.
Writing Feedback Directions (from the text Tutoring Writing)
1.
Open with a general statement about the essay's relationship to the
assignment. Be clear about which parts fulfill the assignment and which
parts need improvement. When you make a specific, concrete suggestion
for improvement, try couching it in a qualifier: "You might try..." or
"Why don't you add..." or "Another way of writing the lead might be..."
2. Present comments so the writer knows which problems with text are most important and which are of lesser importance.
3.
Use comments primarily to call attention to strengths and weaknesses in
the piece, and be clear about the precise points where they occur.
4.
Write comments that are text-specific, and uniquely aimed at the blog
and the writer. Let the writer know what specific lines, ideas, and
stylistic touches you find pleasing.
5. Pose at least two questions that ask for clarification or that seek other possible views or more information on the subject.
6. If you notice a pattern of errors (incorrect use of commas, etc) comment on it in a global way at the end of the piece.
Attach written suggestions from your peers to your final drafts for full peer review credit.
Monday, April 27, 2015
Class Agenda 4.27
1. Dramatic Terms. How do these terms work with the play so far?
2. Groups: 1) Consider a character, define the character; 2) pick a revealing scene about the character, explain the significance of the scene in terms of 'the play' as a 'form' and in terms of 'the content.'
3. In-class writing: using your strategy worksheet(s) from last week, put your discussion of the scene and character from the play into a paragraph that begins with a claim, is supported by a manageable quote, and demonstrates your 'critical thinking.'
2. Groups: 1) Consider a character, define the character; 2) pick a revealing scene about the character, explain the significance of the scene in terms of 'the play' as a 'form' and in terms of 'the content.'
3. In-class writing: using your strategy worksheet(s) from last week, put your discussion of the scene and character from the play into a paragraph that begins with a claim, is supported by a manageable quote, and demonstrates your 'critical thinking.'
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