Punt! Things went well today even though there was a quick change in plans. Please work on your assignment from today's class -- a reiteration of the assignment is below. You will be breaking into groups on Friday to discuss your ideas and then you will share them with the class. The papers (handwritten is fine) will then be COLLECTED and GRADED -- so do not come to class empty-handed. Spread the word to those who were not in class today.
See you Friday,
RD

Good morning students!

This is your assignment for Friday's class -- please bring it with you Friday so we can get to work quickly :)

Choose several stories (2 to 4 stories) that you enjoyed most so far this semester and then think about the theme of emotional enslavement. Jot down some notes on what you think the emotional enslavement is in each story and what you've learned from that. Really think about it -- as though you had to write a 5-page paper on it -- what would you write about?

On Friday, after a brief discussion on "The Hunger Artist," we will be breaking into groups to discuss, write and then share our findings. You will be commenting frankly on each other's ideas about enslavement -- so spend some time thinking about what you will write. More thinking and less writing will be your best bet on this assignment.

If you have any questions, email me or post a comment on the blog.

See you Wednesday,

RD

Billie Holiday

Hello students -- great class this morning! We will plan on reading the responses to "Without Sanctuary" in class Friday morning before we dig into "How to Date ..." Please make sure you read that for Friday's class.

I got in touch with Dr. Pruss about the extra credit assignment and here's what she wrote back:

• Ten points is the maximum score for an outstanding response, which means a well-written, well thought out response that shows effort on every level and includes clear writing and lucid analysis. The people who earn ten points will probably have spent a lot of time on it, and those people will probably have drafted, written, and revised it (maybe even more than once).
• The question is difficult; how does the metaphor work and why, generally is tough, but how does it work for someone like Billie Holiday at that time period is even tougher. What does it mean to compare an African American hanging dead on a tree to strange fruit (which is usually alive) and why wouldn’t Holiday be offended receiving such words from a white man at this time?

OK, there it is -- good luck and see you Friday.

RD

BLOOD-BURNING MOON

Hello students,

Please post your 1-2 paragraph response to ONE of these questions BEFORE Wednesday, April 7.

1. Describe Louisa's character; whom do you think she loved and what in the text leads you to think that?

2. Describe Bob Stone -- how does he fall into a stereotype -- what is the stereotype? (We discussed this in class -- continue the discussion)

3. Whom do you most feel sorry for in the story? Who is the victim here and why?

Also, please have your revised papers complete and stapled -- I will collect them in Monday's lecture. If you run into a problem -- please contact me in writing before Monday or else it will result in a zero for the paper.

Enjoy the long weekend!

RD

Hello students! I hope everyone is having a fun and safe Spring Break. Here is the synopsis of Friday's class regarding the outline for paper 2 if you choose to do one. Please bring your papers to class on Wednesday for the writer's workshop. I will hand out an MLA citation sheet during Monday's lecture -- it includes citation examples for everything. If you have any questions, please contact me.

RD

Outline for Papers

1. Introduction and thesis – what will you be writing about and why? Why is anyone interested in reading this – what are you trying to convince them? Make it interesting. When you make your thesis statement, support your “argument.” Don’t just make a statement and then walk away.
2. Body of your paper: Start with a topic sentence. Try having each paragraph or so address one of the questions in the “Prompts” for paper 2. Turn the question into a statement and then give your opinion, then support it with text or LiterActive. Conclude each paragraph – or move on to another topic in your next paragraph.
3. Conclusion -- go back to your intro paragraph and thesis statement and read it. Did you support what you said? OK, now write a conclusion that strengthens your thesis – it “concludes” your paper – that last punch you give your reader – something to think about – don’t be cliché, don’t give a speech, be clear, brief, simple, but MAKE A POINT (and don’t … trail …… off ….)

COLONIALISM ... then and now

On Friday, March 19, (after our test), we will be talking about Characterization and Colonialism and how we can relate that to "Everyday Use" and today. Review the story and see if you can characterize Maggie and Dee and then we'll talk about colonialism -- what it is and how we can find it in the story.

RD