Study Guide

10th Grade Study Guide
Be familiar with all of the following stories.  How do they connect to one-another?  The test will not have any surprises.  What we covered in class will be covered on the test.  Yes, you need to be familiar with all the vocabulary (from units 1-8).

Literary Terms

Epic
Epic Hero
Motif
Myth
Symbolism
Theme
Tone


The Norton Anthology of World Literature

“Gilgamesh”  9-81
• God’s will
• Fable/Epic
• Hero

Question: Is Gilgamesh a respected leader or a popular leader?  Provide examples from the text.
Question: What are Gilgamesh's and Enkidu's responses towards God's will?
Question:  What did Gilgamesh learn?  How can you relate to his "journey" and quest for immortality?  What questions did he have?  What answers did he find?


“The Illiad” Homer 176-210, 214-255.
• Heroic flaw
• gods will

Read pages 176-183 (until line 320 of page 183).   Then answer the following question(s).

What is the disagreement between the Agamemnon and Achilles?  What adjectives can be used to describe these two men?  Give examples from the text.

Read pages 183-184 (line 368), 186 (line 447)-187 (line 512), and 193 (line 245)-200 (end of book VI).

Journal Question:  How does Hector feel about war and (or verses) his responsibilities as a father?  What would you have done in Hector's situation?

Read pages 214-218, 219 (line 570) -220 (line 260), 222 (line 675)-222 (line 705), and 225 (line 815)-227 (end of book XVI).

Why does Achilles refuse to fight in battle?  What prompts him to fight?  USE EXAMPLES FROM THE TEXT!

Read pages 227-228(line 37), 229(line 100)-230(line140), 231(line 170)-232(line 235), 233(line255)-235(line 360), 242(beginning of Book XXII)-245(line 153).

What convinces Achilles to fight?  How is the story set up for Hector and Achilles to meet?  Compare and contrast Hector and Achilles. If they end up fighting who will win?  Why? GIVE EXAMPLES!

Read pages 255-263.

Read 263(line 380)-274. How does the story conclude?  What is the larger question that Homer asks about life?  How do his characters answer that question?  Use three examples from the story.

“The Ramayana of Valmiki” 723-761
• Dharma
• Gender roles

Read pages 754-761. How does Rama respond to Ravana's death?  How did Rama treat Sita when they were reunited? Why do you think Rama treated Sita the way he did?  Was it right?  What is your perspective of Yuddha 131 (pg 761)?

Read pages 747-754 (until book 6).  How is Rama's belief in dharma nearly destroyed?  Describe Rama's grief and Sita's loyalty. How does Laksmana save Rama (and the earth) from destruction? Give quotes from the story.

728-735
Rama does obey king Kaikeyi by agreeing to go into exile in the forest.  What is his immediate response?  How would you have responded?  Give one quote from the story.  Do you think Rama is a realistic character?  Why?  Give one quote to support your answer.  What emotion does Rama hide from most people, yet reveal to his wife? Explain the husband and wife's argument.  Give one quote.


Grammar: Subject/Verb agreement and Pronouns

Review your notes concerning both subjects.

Journal 8: The Ramayana of Valmiki

Read pages 754-761. How does Rama respond to Ravana's death?  How did Rama treat Sita when they were reunited? Why do you think Rama treated Sita the way he did?  Was it right?  What is your perspective of Yuddha 131 (pg 761)? 

Give three quotes to support your answers.   3/4 page minimum.


Due Wednesday, November 27th

The Ramayana of Valmiki

Read pages 747-754 (until book 6).  How is Rama's belief in dharma nearly destroyed?  Describe Rama's grief and Sita's loyalty. How does Laksmana save Rama (and the earth) from destruction? Give 3 quotes from the story. 3/4 page minimum. Due Friday!

The Ramayana of Valmiki

Read pages 735-747.  Short quiz on Wed.

Unit 8 Vocabulary. #1-10 due Tuesday, November 19, #11-20 due Thursday, November 21. Quiz on Tuesday, November 26.

#1-10
animosity
apathy
apprehensive
commend
compatible
condolence
consecrate
Decrepit
deride
ingenuous

#11-20
multifarious
obsolete
omnivorous
parsimonious
quandary
recalcitrant
reprisal
revel
stultify
suave

The Ramayana of Valmiki Journal 6

Read Book 2, Ayodhya 15-31, pages 728-735 (read until book 3). Follow ALL of the following instructions.

Rama does obey the king by agreeing to go into exile in the forest.  What is his immediate response?  How would you have responded?  Give one quote from the story.  Do you think Rama is a realistic character?  Why?  Give one quote to support your answer.  What emotion does Rama hide from most people, yet reveal to his wife? Explain the husband and wife's argument.  Give one quote.

At least 3/4 page.

Ramayana of Valmiki Commercial

Read the introduction.

Create a commercial that will get people to "watch" the story. You only have 30-60 seconds to create an effective commercial that will make people interested. Present this to your class. You will have five minutes in class on Friday to prepare your commercial SO WORK HARD TODAY AND TOMORROW!

MLA Formatting Help

https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/02/

Unit 7 Vocabulary: #1-10 due Thursday, Nov. 7, #11-20 due Tuesday, Nov. 12, and Quiz on Thursday Nov. 14.

#1-10
abhor
amend
buffet
chaos
commodious
corrosive
discern
extant
implicate
inter

#11-20
martinet
obviate
renegade
reprehensible
somber
squalid
turbulent
vociferous
voluminous
waive

The Iliad by Homer

Read pages 255-266 (line 500).  What is Priam trying to do with Hector?  What advice is given to Priam (from a goddess)?  How is Priam aided on his journey?  Support your answer with at least 3 quotes (include the page number and line number)  and explain your quotes.  3/4 page journal.

The Iliad by Homer

Read pages 245-255.

Describe the fight between Hector and Achilles. How is it clear that the gods have made a decision about who will win the fight?  Give at least 3 quotes from the story to support your answer AND explain HOW the quotes support your answer.  ¾ journal. 

Unit 6 Vocabulary: #1-10 due Tuesday, Oct. 29, #11-20 due Thursday, Oct. 31. Quiz on Nov. 5.

#1-10
Accede
brandish
comprise
deft
destitute
explicit
extirpate
Inopportune
ironic
musty

#11-20
officious
ominous
pinnacle
Premeditated
rampant
solace
stately
supple
suppress
venal

Literary Analysis (what I mistakenly call a book report)

                                               

Literary Analysis

YOU MAY NOT MERELY SUMMARIZE THE BOOK. YOU WILL RECEIVE A “0” if you write a summary.  This is the last part of your SSR grade. You must choose one of the following topics and defend/support your thesis by providing thorough analysis of TEXT FROM THE BOOK!

The topics you can choose from are the following (circle ONE):

TOPIC 1:  Often characters show love and compassion towards others.  Analyze the compassionate actions of one or two characters.  What is the author suggesting we do differently in our own lives by following these examples?

TOPIC 2: Motifs play a significant role in books.  Choose one motif, discuss how it’s used to create meaning, and analyze the author’s purpose for using it.

TOPIC 3: Trace the change and transformation one of the main characters.  What are we supposed to learn about life from this character?

TOPIC 4: There are moments of sacrifice in most novels. Analyze moments of sacrifice and discuss what we are supposed to learn about life from these examples?

REQUIREMENTS:

-          your typed literary analysis should be between  2-4 pages; you can’t do this well in less than that

-          Manuscript Rules – look at the rubric to format your document using Word. 

-          this will be written in 3rd person so using personal pronouns (he, she) to refer to characters is acceptable

-          FOR THIS PAPER DO NOT use “I” and DO NOT use “YOU/YOUR”

-          Since this is a formal essay, DO NOT use contractions – they are informal

-          write in the present tense and be consistent about it; characters in novels are considered living, breathing human beings

-          5 quotations (w/citations) from the novel (for maximum points).  Quotations should support your thesis.

SCORING: (100 pts. for the Final Draft)

DUE DATE: No later than: Wednesday, November 27th at the beginning of the period. 

NOTES ABOUT THESIS STATEMENTS

Keep these things in mind when writing a thesis statement:

1.                 A thesis is NOT the whole essay; a thesis is the main idea, often expressed in a single sentence. 

2.                 A thesis can also be thought of as the main argument of your paper

3.                 A thesis should NOT be a laundry list of your main points

4.                 It should merely set up the topic and give any general information the listener needs to know. 

5.                 Every topic paragraph should clearly support your thesis – create strong links that return to what you are explaining throughout your paper.

There are three kinds of thesis statements:

           

1. SIMPLE: Usually more descriptive and generic in nature

SPECIFIC SUBJECT + SPECIFIC FEELING[S]/FEATURES[s] = THESIS

EXAMPLES:

·           The history of the United States is dominated by lust for money, possessions, and power.

·       Unexpecting, average people like Mrs. Dubose, Atticus Finch, and Link Deas all show the real meaning of courage without the supernatural powers or fancy costumes throughout the novel.

2. INTERMEDIATE: Usually more complex; addresses the larger message/call to action

AUTHOR + VERB + CHARACTER/SYMBOL/THEME/DEVICE/ETC. + PICK FROM BELOW + POINT

to discuss, in order to, to examine, to relate, concentrates on, to trace,

to see if, to show [shows,] to prove [proves,] to determine, to explain,

to argue [argues,] to persuade [persuades]

EXAMPLES:

·         Harper Lee uses references to flowers as a symbol to prove that in times of despair one can always find beauty.

·         Harper Lee illustrates the theme of childhood innocence through her young characters to represent the fact that things are not always as clear as they may seem to be.

       3. ADVANCED: This developed thesis includes contrast and may use words like therefore or although. With this type of thesis sentence, you will want to include the part and whole.

EXAMPLES:

• Though many people wait for an extraordinary person to stop injustice, Lee passionately argues it is the courageous acts of average people that change society for the better.
• Ralph’s inability to lead exposes man’s inherent evil nature in the face of adversity.

Literary Analysis   RUBRIC

Formatting: Presentation

Manuscript Rules:

name, course & class period, date, the first line, upper left corner (double spaced)

all margins set at 1 inch

there is a creative title, centered, w/blank line above and below

capitalize 1^st, last, and all important words in title

title is not larger or in bold, underlined, no quotes, all caps., etc.

essay is double-spaced; no extra space between paragraphs

Times New Roman 12 pt. font for all text including title and heading

paragraphs are indented; 1 tab

page numbering

name (header) at the top of each page

5              all manuscript rules were followed (10)

4              one or two errors with manuscript rules (8-9)

3              a few errors with manuscript rules (7)

2              several errors with manuscript rules (6)

1              many errors with manuscript rules

Formatting: Research Skills

Proper Citation: (Hugo 38). – unless name is mentioned in intro. then use (38).

Passages that appear in Literary Analysis text as less than 4 complete lines:

Introduced with a comma

enclosed in quotation marks

followed by proper citation (as above)

Passages that appear in Literary Analysis text as 4 complete lines are more:

                Introduced with a colon

                NO quotation marks (unless you’re quoting dialogue then use single quotation marks)      

Double indented & single-spaced

                Followed by proper citation (as above)

5              ALL evidence is properly documented, spaced, punctuated, etc.

4              MOST of the evidence is properly documented, spaced, punctuated, etc.

3              SOME of the evidence is properly documented, spaced, punctuated, etc.

2              FEW pieces of the evidence are properly documented, spaced, punctuated, etc.

1              LESS THAN 3 pieces of evidence are properly documented, spaced, punctuated, etc.

Conventions

10            spelling, capitalization, punctuation are correct

                grammar and usage are correct

8              spelling, capitalization, punctuation are mostly correct

                minor errors with grammar and usage

6              several errors with spelling, capitalization, punctuation

                some grammar and usage errors are repeated in a few places

3              spelling, capitalization, punctuation errors occur often but the message remains clear

                many grammar and usage errors but the message remains clear

                some fragments & run-ons present

1              spelling, capitalization, punctuation errors occur often and interfere with the writer’s message

                grammar and usage errors occur often and distract from meaning

                many fragments & run-ons present

Content: Ideas/Support

20            5 effective/purposeful quotations are included

All integrated well and thoroughly analyzed and linked to the topic/thesis

16            4 effective/purposeful quotations are included – 1 may be ineffective

Most integrated well and thoroughly analyzed and linked to the topic/thesis

12            3 effective/purposeful quotations are included – 2 may be ineffective

Some integrated well and thoroughly analyzed and linked to the topic/thesis

8              3 effective/purposeful quotations are included –

Few integrated well and thoroughly analyzed and linked to the topic/thesis

4              2 or less effective/purposeful quotes are included –

2 or less integrated well and thoroughly analyzed and/or linked to the topic/thesis

Content: Organization

10            well-written introduction, including an opener and thesis statement adequately introduces the essay

                ALL topic sentences help to introduce/transition each body paragraph and refer back to the thesis

All  body paragraphs end with some type of clincher that analyzes the support & links back to thesis

well-written conclusion that leaves the reader with something to think about

                evidence of smooth, effective transitions between sentences, paragraphs, and ideas

8              introduction, including an opener and thesis statement clearly introduces the essay; may be awkward

                ALL topic sentences help to introduce/transition each body paragraph and refer back to the thesis - one may be awkward

All 3 body paragraphs end with some type of clincher that analyzes the support & links back to thesis; one may be awkward

conclusion attempts to leave the reader with something to think about

                a variety of transitions exist in and between paragraphs; pacing is developing

6              introduction introduces the essay; may be missing a component or unclear, or thesis may be more than one sentence

                MOST topic sentences help to introduce/transition each body paragraph and refer back to the thesis - one missing or

may not link back to the thesis

MOST body paragraphs end with some type of clincher that analyzes the support & links back to thesis; one missing

or may not link back to thesis

conclusion concludes the essay; may be missing a component, unclear/awkwardly written, or may not indicate a deeper meaning

                the transitions sometimes work

3              introduction is attempted but may need a lot of work

                A topic sentence helps to introduce/transition one body paragraph and refers back to the thesis; two may be missing or may

not link back to the thesis

A body paragraph ends with some type of clincher that analyzes the support & links back to thesis; two may be missing or

may not link back to thesis

conclusion is present but needs a lot of work

                missing or unclear transitions force the reader to make giant leaps

1              no introduction or no thesis statement

                no topic sentences are present to introduce body paragraphs or no topic sentences refer back to the thesis

no body paragraphs end with a clincher  or none of the clinchers link back to thesis

no conclusion

no transitions

Total ______/ 50 x 2=

                                                     

 Sample Book Report

 (does not include a header with page #'s, your report needs a header with page #'s)

Ms. Student

Mr. Scandrett

English 12^th

May 13, 2012

Fatalism in Slaughterhouse-Five

            The events that happen in our life are all the effects of the choices that we make. One can choose to do something and this choice will affect the course of their life. Everything in life has been established and people simply choose a path that they wish to follow. There are many outcomes from a choice that one makes, but only one course will occur. Despite all these choices that we make there is one inevitable thing that we can never change and its death. The novel “Slaughterhouse-Five” by Kurt Vonnegut, tells the reader that in order to face death one must embrace fatalism.       

            “Slaughterhouse-Five” relates the entire life of Billy Pilgrim. He is a normal man that amazingly has the ability to time travel. He jumps to different moments in his life and has no control over this extraordinary ability. The wonders of his life are not limited to time traveling. He is abducted by aliens and taken to their planet, Trafalmadore, where he learns a whole new philosophy on time and death. This philosophy eventually helps Billy cope with life after the devastating fire-bombing of Dresden, where tens of thousands of people died. In this novel, Billy learns how to embrace fatalism and accept his death without remorse. His acceptance of this new philosophy is seen through the following quote “I Billy Pilgrim, the tape begins, will die, have died and always will die on February 13, 1976” (70). He then proceeds to describe other details of his death.  Even though he knows how and when his death takes place he makes no attempt to prevent it. Billy Pilgrim learns through his experience that fatalism is inevitable. 

            A major plot of this novel is the firebombing of Dresden. The reader would expect to have some sort of hero in the story. On the contrary the reader is presented with Billy Pilgrim. He is weak, fearful, incompetent and shy. He is a weak character in mind and in body. In attempt to teach him how to swim his father throws him into a pool but Billy prefers to sink rather than swim, revealing his weak character and mind; he makes no attempt to even try to swim (43). He is weak in body that he is described as a filthy flamingo (33). “Saved your life again...Weary said to Billy […] It was absolutely necessary that cruelty be used because Billy would not do anything to save himself. Billy wanted to quit” (34).  Through this quote one can see how weak in mind and body Billy is. Billy did not have enough will power to continue on with the hardships presented to him. He needed a constant force to push him to try and work harder. The novel presents the reader with a weak character with a purpose. This reveals how even the weakest person can eventually face death. 

            The novel is written in a very unique manner. It has no regard for chronological order; there is no linear progression. Everything is presented as a whole. Regardless of the fragmented format Billy Pilgrim's life the book still ends the same way and fulfills its purpose. This reveals that everything is already planned and chronological order has no effect on how things result. In the beginning of the novel the ending is revealed to the reader. “It ends like this: Poo-tee-weet” (22)?  This shows that regardless of the events that take place, the end of the novel will end the same way. The ending of the novel has been set and nothing can change it. The following quote, “He came slightly unstuck  in time, saw the late movies backwards, then forwards again. It was a movie about American bombers in Second World War and the gallant man who flew it”  (74). proves that the order in which events happen have no influence on the bigger occurrences. No matter how Billy Pilgrim views the movie, the purpose of the movie was to show the war to its viewers.

            The war in the novel symbolizes death and the inevitability of change. Billy Pilgrim had no choice but to go to war. “The bombing of Dresden was a great tragedy none can deny […] ponder on the fate of Dresden, where 135,000 people died as the result of an attack with conventional weapons” (93). This quote shows us a part of the war and the number of casualties from the bombing. This event is something that nobody had the power to change. As much as people disagree with it, it still happened. The war represents the events in life that are inevitable. Despite the efforts that people make, the war was still bound to happen. At first Billy Pilgrim tried to avoid and even escape, but as he time traveled and spent time with the Trafalmadorians he learned that change was inevitable. Billy does not know why there must be such atrocious disaster, but he still makes no objections to it, revealing his acceptance of the things that happen.

            Another symbol in the novel are the horses. “[…] that the horses' mouths were bleeding, gashed by bits, that the horses' hooves were broken, so that every step meant agony, that the horses were insane with thirst. The Americans treated their form of transportation as though it were no more sensitive than a six-cylinder Chevrolet” (96). The horses represent how people embrace fatalism. The horses were in terrible pain from the way they were treated yet they simply fulfilled their purpose as means of transportation. They accepted the pain and the suffering that they were going through. Billy Pilgrim had no idea why the war had to take place; he simply obeyed the commands that he was told just like the horses did what they were ordered to do. Billy learned to accept the war as it was without complaining or questioning it. The same way, the horses simply accepted the pain that they were going through. People must simply accept the circumstances because anything that they do to try to change the events will be useless. 

            The prayer on Montana Widhack's, a mistress of Billy on the Trafalmadorian planet, locket is another example of symbolism. It said the following “God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom always to tell the difference” (102). This reveals that people want to have the chance to choose their fate and take control over their lives. Although people want to be able to take control they cannot. Every choice that they make has already been decided for them, it is not a choice, and the choice that people make is just an illusion.

            The phrase “Poo-tee-weet” (105)?  is the last phrase in the book. It symbolizes the end of life, a fate that everyone has. It represents the speechlessness of the people. There is nothing interesting or good to say about war and all negative talk about war is also useless. It will not change anything, because the war has already been destined to happen. “We know how the Universe ends  […] A Trafalmadorian test pilot presses a starter button, and the whole Universe disappears.  […] He has always pressed it, and he always will. We always let him and we always will let him. The moment is structured that way” (57).  The Trafalmadorians know that it is not possible to prevent the destruction of the Universe so they simply allow this course of action to happen. The death of everything is certain so there is no point stopping it from happening. No one can completely understand death. Despite the many encounters with death, Billy still cannot fully understand why it happens. Billy only faces death after he's been in Trafalmadore and learned their philosophy on time and death.

            The death of many characters in the book is ironic. “He […] drafted for military service in the Second World War. His father died in a hunting accident”  (24). This passage shows death of Billy Pilgrim's father is ironic, because he is shot during a hunting trip.  His father is the predator during this hunting trip but he ends up dying.  Billy is overcoming the death of a loved one while at war. He has to kill in order to survive but is also hurt by the death of his father. This irony shows that nobody has control of what happens to them. Billy did not have any control over what happened to him and fate took him to war right after his father dies. Another ironic thing that occurs is that Billy Pilgrim survives the war, despite his weakness. Billy survives the war by taking refuge in a meat house. The location in which he takes refuge is a place where killing and death also take place and this is the place where he finds safety. His survival reveals that fate had other things planned for him. He survived the war to tell other people about his adventure in Trafalmadore. Through the ironies in the death of the characters, it is revealed that no one has the ability to change anything. 

            The acceptance of death throughout the book is shown through the phrase “so it goes” This phrase is mentioned after every death in the story. “There used to be a dog Spot, but he died. So it goes” (32).  “There were hundreds of corpse mines operating by and by.  […] But then the bodies rotted and liquefied, and the stink was like roses and mustard gas. So it goes” (105). These two passages show the all the deaths in the novel were considered equal, whether it was a natural death, an accidental or an intentional death. This phrase allows the reader to accept the death as something unavoidable and as something normal. At the same time though the repetition of the phrase allows the reader to see all the death that occurs and the inevitability of death. 

            Through Billy Pilgrim and his experience in the war and in Trafalmadore the reader can see that everything in life has been predestined and one must accept the fact that nothing can be changed. Since everything has been predestined, then death is simply another part of life. Billy Pilgrim comes to realize this which is why he is at peace. He faces death and makes no attempt to change it. Once a person realizes that they can do nothing to change the events that are to happen, they will also be able to accept death much more easily.

Journal 3: The Iliad by Homer

Read pages 200-210 (line 440).  Then answer the following questions in a 1/2 page journal.  


James 3:16
For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.

Proverbs 26:12

 Do you see a person wise in their own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for them.

How do Achilles and Agamemnon ignore the advice from these Biblical passages?  How could this lead to their downfall?  Give two quotes from the story to support your answer. 

Unit 4 Vocab Test TOMORROW, Tuesday, October 15th. Unit 5 Vocabulary: #1-10 due Thursday, Oct. 17; #11-20 due Tuesday Oct. 22.

#1-10

Altruistic

assent

benefactor

chivalrous

clemency

dearth

diffident

discrepancy

embark

facile

#11-20

indomitable

infallible

plod

pungent

remiss

repose

temerity

truculent

unfeigned

virulent

Journal 2: The Iliad by Homer

193 (line 245)-200 (end of book VI).

Journal Question:  How does Hector feel about war and (or verses) his responsibilities as a father?  What would you have done in Hector's situation? 

Give at least 2 quotes to support your answer. 

The Iliad by Homer

Read pages 183-190.

How is Zeus similar to God (our God)?  How is Zeus different from our God?  (Give 2 quotes to support similarities and 2 quotes to support differences) 3/4 page journal.

The Iliad by Homer

Read pages 176-183 (until line 320 of page 183) for FRIDAY, October 4th.  Be prepared to take a quiz over the reading. 

Unit 4 Vocabulary: #1-10 due Thursday, October 3; #11-20 due Tuesday, October 8. Quiz on Thursday, October 10

#1-10
Affiliated
Ascertain
Attainment
bequeath
Cogent
Converge
Disperse
Esteem
Expunge
Finite

#11-20
Invulnerable
Malevolent
Nonchalant
Omniscient
Panacea
Scrupulous
Skulk
Supercilious
Uncanny

Venial

Unit 3: Vocabulary #1-10 due Thursday, September 19; #11-20 due Tuesday, September 24. Vocabulary test on Thursday, September 26.

#1-10
adversary
alienate
artifice
coerce
craven
culinary
delete
demise
exhilarate
fallow

#11-20
harass
inclement
muse
negligible
perpetuate
precedent
punitive
redress
sojourn
urbane

Thesis (Due Friday)

NOTES ABOUT THESIS STATEMENTS

Keep these things in mind when writing a thesis statement:
         
YOUR THESIS SHOULD INCLUDE INFORMATION ON YOUR CHARACTER AND WHAT THE CHARACTER LEARNS FROM HIS OR HER JOURNEY.

1.                 A thesis is NOT the whole essay; a thesis is the main idea, often expressed in a single sentence.
2.                 A thesis can also be thought of as the main argument of your paper
3.                 A thesis should NOT be a laundry list of your main points
4.                 It should merely set up the topic and give any general information the listener needs to know.
5.                 Every topic paragraph should clearly support your thesis – create strong links that return to what you are explaining throughout your paper.

Finish your "I Need A Hero" comparison chart, finish your Gilgamesh packet

Read Gilgamesh pg 21-24 (Questions: 21-23)

Answer question 23 in a 1/2 page journal.  Provide at least 2 quotes from the story to support your answer (basically you are comparing what Gilgamesh gained on his journey to what you "could" gain from such a journey).  Finish your "I Am A Hero" comparison chart pt 2. (for Monday).

Read Gilgamesh pg 19-21 (#18-20)

Read Gilgamesh pg 15-19. Complete numbers 15-17. Due Wednesday.

Vocabulary Unit 2: #1-10 due Tuesday, August 27th. #11-20 due Thursday, August 29th.

#1-10
adroit
amicable
averse
belligerent
benevolent
cursory
duplicity
extol
feasible
grimace

#11-20
holocaust
impervious
impetus
jeopardy
meticulous
nostalgia
quintessence
retrogress
scrutinize
tepid

Read Gilgamesh until page 10 (answer questions 4-11)

Read Gilgamesh pages 1-2 in your packet. Answer questions # 2 and 3.

Journal 1: The Epic of Gilgamesh

Read pages 13-20 (End of tablet 1).  Look up a definition for an "epic hero" and write the definition in your journal.  Then, write how Gilgamesh displays the traits of an epic hero.  Give at least three examples (quotes) from the story.

Vocabulary Format

Aberration (noun):  synonym: deviation
                                antonym: conformity
                          definition:(1) a defect of focus such as a blurred image
                                          (2) a deviation from what is normal
sentence: The scientist looked at the aberration in the laboratory's test results after conducting the experiment.




List the word.  (Part of Speech):  Synonym:
                                                   Antonym:
                                                   Definition: (1) (2)
Sentence:

Vocabulary Unit 1 #1-10 Due Thursday, August 8th. #11-20 Due Tuesday, August 13th.

# 1-10 Adulterate ambidextrous augment bereft deploy dour fortitude gape gibe guise

# 11-20  insidious intimation opulent pliable reiterate stolid tentative unkempt verbatim warily

Pronoun Reference Quiz

Take the following quiz and write the number, for the answers you got CORRECT, in your NOTES NOTEBOOK!

http://www.cwu.edu/learning-commons/pronoun-reference-quiz

Project 1: Personal Ad. Due Monday, August 5.

Personal Ad Planning sheet

Use this sheet to plan your personal ad.  Remember your ad should be between 50-100 words long, so plan carefully.

1. Know who the person/character is
Bugs Bunny

2. What the person/character hope to find by writing and placing a personal ad:
Looking for a female with whom to share carrots

3. Basic information

What are the major physical traits or skills of the character?
What does the character look like?  What sets the character apart?
gray; rabbit; long, floppy ears; cute whiskers; buck teeth; cotton tail

Where does the character live?  What is the character’s line of work or favorite activity?
Lives in the forest; often helps himself to other’s carrots

4.  Major character traits and values of the character (What does the character like?  What does he/she dislike?  What does this character like to do with free time?  What are his/her favorite foods?  What kind of hobbies does he/she have?
Finds old, bald men with funny voices very annoying; slightly mischievous; fun-loving; curious; intelligent; has unique laugh; loves to eat carrots; what’s up doc?

5.  Choose the physical and character traits that you think best represent your character and write a personal ad based on these traits.  Remember, you only have fifty words in which to write the ad, so choose from among the traits carefully.

Young, fun-loving male rabbit looking for a female rabbit with whom to share carrots.  I am gray with floppy ears, a cotton tail and unique buck teeth.  I have a one-of-a-kind laugh which betrays a slightly mischievous nature.  You’ll never be bored with me.


Other of personal ads examples:

I am a white male playwright born in 17th century England.  I wear my hair long, as is the fashion of my day.  My weapon of choice is the mighty quill pen.  I believe people should be friends and try to work out their difficulties, even though my plays are rarely about this.  I also seek honesty in my work, even if my characters are often deceptive.  I seek a pen pal, someone who is well-versed in the English spoken during my lifetime, the Elizabethan age.  Is it to be, or not to be? Send me a sonnet.


Attention to those who seek a lady who can handle a bow.  I am a fighter, a lover, and a bread-winner.  Though I am only a teenager, I am wise beyond my years and will do anything for my family, especially my younger sister.  My ability to survive makes me sure to last, even in times of hunger.  While I’ve always clung to the shadows, being in TV interviews and in my cities most popular games brings out the best in me.  Need subtle protection?  I am your girl.

I’m looking for a team player to help me get my next goal.  Though I’m short in stature, my name will not be forgotten in the world of futbol – some say the ball seems to be a part of my body as I dribble through defenders.  I value sportsmanship on the field and in life, and always put in a good word for my fellow players.  I may have been on the cover of one of your favorite video games.  Do you think you can assist me?  Then I can assist you!  Give me your best shot!

Do you have a cut, a headache, a problem, or a desire to miss class?  I am a friendly, married, mother of two who is willing to lend a listening ear.  If it is advice you need or sympathy, I am at your service.  Speaking of service, rumor has it that I make some delicious brownies, pie, cake, bread, fruit salad, lasagna, coffee, chicken… well, you  name it I make it.   One day I hope to open my own restaurant.  If it is a recipe or a conversation you would like to share, I’ll cook it up.

Unit 14 Vocabulary: #1-10 due May 28th, #11-20 due May 30th. Test on June 3.

#1-10
alacrity, alleviate, antithesis, appall, bellicose, disparage, dissonant, droll, edict, elucidate.

#11-20
laud, loll, loquacious, magnanimous, mandatory, nondescript, phlegmatic, rescind, vivacious, whet.

Sample Book Report

Sample Book Report

Ms. Student

Mr. Scandrett

English 12^th

May 13, 2012

Fatalism in Slaughterhouse-Five

            The events that happen in our life are all the effects of the choices that we make. One can choose to do something and this choice will affect the course of their life. Everything in life has been established and people simply choose a path that they wish to follow. There are many outcomes from a choice that one makes, but only one course will occur. Despite all these choices that we make there is one inevitable thing that we can never change and its death. The novel “Slaughterhouse-Five” by Kurt Vonnegut, tells the reader that in order to face death one must embrace fatalism.       

            “Slaughterhouse-Five” relates the entire life of Billy Pilgrim. He is a normal man that amazingly has the ability to time travel. He jumps to different moments in his life and has no control over this extraordinary ability. The wonders of his life are not limited to time traveling. He is abducted by aliens and taken to their planet, Trafalmadore, where he learns a whole new philosophy on time and death. This philosophy eventually helps Billy cope with life after the devastating fire-bombing of Dresden, where tens of thousands of people died. In this novel, Billy learns how to embrace fatalism and accept his death without remorse. His acceptance of this new philosophy is seen through the following quote “I Billy Pilgrim, the tape begins, will die, have died and always will die on February 13, 1976 (Vonnegut, 70).”  He then proceeds to describe other details of his death.  Even though he knows how and when his death takes place he makes no attempt to prevent it. Billy Pilgrim learns through his experience that fatalism is inevitable. 

            A major plot of this novel is the firebombing of Dresden. The reader would expect to have some sort of hero in the story. On the contrary the reader is presented with Billy Pilgrim. He is weak, fearful, incompetent and shy. He is a weak character in mind and in body. In attempt to teach him how to swim his father throws him into a pool but Billy prefers to sink rather than swim, revealing his weak character and mind; he makes no attempt to even try to swim. (43) He is weak in body that he is described as a filthy flamingo. (33) “Saved your life again...Weary said to Billy […] It was absolutely necessary that cruelty be used because Billy would not do anything to save himself. Billy wanted to quit (34).”  Through this quote one can see how weak in mind and body Billy is. Billy did not have enough will power to continue on with the hardships presented to him. He needed a constant force to push him to try and work harder. The novel presents the reader with a weak character with a purpose. This reveals how even the weakest person can eventually face death. 

            The novel is written in a very unique manner. It has no regard for chronological order; there is no linear progression. Everything is presented as a whole. Regardless of the fragmented format Billy Pilgrim's life the book still ends the same way and fulfills its purpose. This reveals that everything is already planned and chronological order has no effect on how things result. In the beginning of the novel the ending is revealed to the reader. “It ends like this: Poo-tee-weet (22) ?”  This shows that regardless of the events that take place, the end of the novel will end the same way. The ending of the novel has been set and nothing can change it. The following quote, “He came slightly unstuck  in time, saw the late movies backwards, then forwards again. It was a movie about American bombers in Second World War and the gallant man who flew it (74).”  proves that the order in which events happen have no influence on the bigger occurrences. No matter how Billy Pilgrim views the movie, the purpose of the movie was to show the war to its viewers.

            The war in the novel symbolizes death and the inevitability of change. Billy Pilgrim had no choice but to go to war. “The bombing of Dresden was a great tragedy none can deny […] ponder on the fate of Dresden, where 135,000 people died as the result of an attack with conventional weapons (93).” This quote shows us a part of the war and the number of casualties from the bombing. This event is something that nobody had the power to change. As much as people disagree with it, it still happened. The war represents the events in life that are inevitable. Despite the efforts that people make, the war was still bound to happen. At first Billy Pilgrim tried to avoid and even escape, but as he time traveled and spent time with the Trafalmadorians he learned that change was inevitable. Billy does not know why there must be such atrocious disaster, but he still makes no objections to it, revealing his acceptance of the things that happen.

            Another symbol in the novel are the horses. “[…] that the horses' mouths were bleeding, gashed by bits, that the horses' hooves were broken, so that every step meant agony, that the horses were insane with thirst. The Americans treated their form of transportation as though it were no more sensitive than a six-cylinder Chevrolet (96).” The horses represent how people embrace fatalism. The horses were in terrible pain from the way they were treated yet they simply fulfilled their purpose as means of transportation. They accepted the pain and the suffering that they were going through. Billy Pilgrim had no idea why the war had to take place; he simply obeyed the commands that he was told just like the horses did what they were ordered to do. Billy learned to accept the war as it was without complaining or questioning it. The same way, the horses simply accepted the pain that they were going through. People must simply accept the circumstances because anything that they do to try to change the events will be useless. 

            The prayer on Montana Widhack's, a mistress of Billy on the Trafalmadorian planet, locket is another example of symbolism. It said the following “God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom always to tell the difference (102). ” This reveals that people want to have the chance to choose their fate and take control over their lives. Although people want to be able to take control they cannot. Every choice that they make has already been decided for them, it is not a choice, and the choice that people make is just an illusion.

            The phrase “Poo-tee-weet (105)?”  is the last phrase in the book. It symbolizes the end of life, a fate that everyone has. It represents the speechlessness of the people. There is nothing interesting or good to say about war and all negative talk about war is also useless. It will not change anything, because the war has already been destined to happen. “We know how the Universe ends  […] A Trafalmadorian test pilot presses a starter button, and the whole Universe disappears.  […] He has always pressed it, and he always will. We always let him and we always will let him. The moment is structured that way (57).”  The Trafalmadorians know that it is not possible to prevent the destruction of the Universe so they simply allow this course of action to happen. The death of everything is certain so there is no point stopping it from happening. No one can completely understand death. Despite the many encounters with death, Billy still cannot fully understand why it happens. Billy only faces death after he's been in Trafalmadore and learned their philosophy on time and death.

            The death of many characters in the book is ironic. “He […] drafted for military service in the Second World War. His father died in a hunting accident (24).” This passage shows death of Billy Pilgrim's father is ironic, because he is shot during a hunting trip.  His father is the predator during this hunting trip but he ends up dying.  Billy is overcoming the death of a loved one while at war. He has to kill in order to survive but is also hurt by the death of his father. This irony shows that nobody has control of what happens to them. Billy did not have any control over what happened to him and fate took him to war right after his father dies. Another ironic thing that occurs is that Billy Pilgrim survives the war, despite his weakness. Billy survives the war by taking refuge in a meat house. The location in which he takes refuge is a place where killing and death also take place and this is the place where he finds safety. His survival reveals that fate had other things planned for him. He survived the war to tell other people about his adventure in Trafalmadore. Through the ironies in the death of the characters, it is revealed that no one has the ability to change anything. 

            The acceptance of death throughout the book is shown through the phrase “so it goes” This phrase is mentioned after every death in the story. “There used to be a dog Spot, but he died. So it goes (32).”  “There were hundreds of corpse mines operating by and by.  […] But then the bodies rotted and liquefied, and the stink was like roses and mustard gas. So it goes (105).”  These two passage show the all the deaths in the novel were considered equal, whether it was a natural death, an accidental or an intentional death. This phrase allows the reader to accept the death as something unavoidable and as something normal. At the same time though the repetition of the phrase allows the reader to see all the death that occurs and the inevitability of death. 

            Through Billy Pilgrim and his experience in the war and in Trafalmadore the reader can see that everything in life has been predestined and one must accept the fact that nothing can be changed. Since everything has been predestined, then death is simply another part of life. Billy Pilgrim comes to realize this which is why he is at peace. He faces death and makes no attempt to change it. Once a person realizes that they can do nothing to change the events that are to happen, they will also be able to accept death much more easily.

Grammar 17/20  

Intro 10/10

Body 10/10

Conclusion 10/10

Analysis 33/35

Critical Thinking 15/15

95.  

Book Report

Book Report

    NAME______________________________DATE ___________________

                                               

Book Report

Please take the book report seriously and do your best work to finish out this semester. This is the last part of your SSR grade.  You may choose your own topic but it needs to be pre-approved with me. TURN IN THIS PACKET WITH YOUR FINAL PAPER.

The topics you can choose from are the following (circle ONE):

TOPIC 1:  Often characters show love and compassion towards others.  Analyze the compassionate actions of one or two characters.  What is the author suggesting we do differently in our own lives by following these examples?

TOPIC 2: Motifs play a significant role in books.  Choose one motif, discuss how it’s used to create meaning, and analyze the author’s purpose for using it.

TOPIC 3: Trace the change and transformation one of the main characters.  What are we supposed to learn about life from this character?

TOPIC 4: There are moments of sacrifice in most novels. Analyze moments of sacrifice and discuss what we are supposed to learn about life from these examples?

REQUIREMENTS:

-          your typed literary analysis should be between  2-4 pages; you can’t do this well in less than that

-          Manuscript Rules – look at the rubric to format your document using Word. I will review formatting in class.

-          this will be written in 3rd person so using personal pronouns (he, she) to refer to characters is acceptable

-          FOR THIS PAPER DO NOT use “I” and DO NOT use “YOU/YOUR”

-          Since this is a formal essay, DO NOT use contractions – they’re informal

-          write in the present tense and be consistent about it; characters in novels are considered living, breathing human beings

-          5 quotations (w/citations) from the novel (for maximum points).  Quotations should support your thesis.

SCORING: (100 pts. for the Final Draft)

DUE DATE: No later than: Friday, May 24th at the beginning of the period. 

NOTES ABOUT THESIS STATEMENTS

Keep these things in mind when writing a thesis statement:

1.                 A thesis is NOT the whole essay; a thesis is the main idea, often expressed in a single sentence. 

2.                 A thesis can also be thought of as the main argument of your paper

3.                 A thesis should NOT be a laundry list of your main points

4.                 It should merely set up the topic and give any general information the listener needs to know. 

5.                 Every topic paragraph should clearly support your thesis – create strong links that return to what you are explaining throughout your paper.

There are three kinds of thesis statements:

           

1. SIMPLE: Usually more descriptive and generic in nature

SPECIFIC SUBJECT + SPECIFIC FEELING[S]/FEATURES[s] = THESIS

EXAMPLES:

·           The history of the United States is dominated by lust for money, possessions, and power.

·       Unexpecting, average people like Mrs. Dubose, Atticus Finch, and Link Deas all show the real meaning of courage without the supernatural powers or fancy costumes throughout the novel.

2. INTERMEDIATE: Usually more complex; addresses the larger message/call to action

AUTHOR + VERB + CHARACTER/SYMBOL/THEME/DEVICE/ETC. + PICK FROM BELOW + POINT

to discuss, in order to, to examine, to relate, concentrates on, to trace,

to see if, to show [shows,] to prove [proves,] to determine, to explain,

to argue [argues,] to persuade [persuades]

EXAMPLES:

·         Harper Lee uses references to flowers as a symbol to prove that in times of despair one can always find beauty.

·         Harper Lee illustrates the theme of childhood innocence through her young characters to represent the fact that things are not always as clear as they may seem to be.

       3. ADVANCED: This developed thesis includes contrast and may use words like therefore or although. With this type of thesis sentence, you will want to include the part and whole.

EXAMPLES:

• Though many people wait for an extraordinary person to stop injustice, Lee passionately argues it is the courageous acts of average people that change society for the better.
• Ralph’s inability to lead exposes man’s inherent evil nature in the face of adversity.

Book Report   RUBRIC

 

 

 

Formatting: Presentation

Manuscript Rules:

 (one line each) name, course & class period, date. Start on the first line, upper left corner

all margins set at 1 inch

there is a creative title, centered, w/blank line above and below

capitalize 1^st, last, and all important words in title

title is not larger or in bold, underlined, no quotes, all caps., etc.

essay is double-spaced; no extra space between paragraphs

Times New Roman 12 pt. font for all text including title and heading

paragraphs are indented; 1 tab

page numbering

name (header) at the top of each page

5              all manuscript rules were followed (10)

4              one or two errors with manuscript rules (8-9)

3              a few errors with manuscript rules (7)

2              several errors with manuscript rules (6)

1              many errors with manuscript rules

 

Formatting: Research Skills

Proper Citation: (Hugo 38). – unless name is mentioned in intro. then use (38).

Passages that appear in Book Report text as less than 4 complete lines:

Introduced with a comma

enclosed in quotation marks

followed by proper citation (as above)

Passages that appear in Book Report text as 4 complete lines are more:

                Introduced with a colon

                NO quotation marks (unless you’re quoting dialogue then use single quotation marks)      

Double indented & single-spaced

                Followed by proper citation (as above)

5              ALL evidence is properly documented, spaced, punctuated, etc.

4              MOST of the evidence is properly documented, spaced, punctuated, etc.

3              SOME of the evidence is properly documented, spaced, punctuated, etc.

2              FEW pieces of the evidence are properly documented, spaced, punctuated, etc.

1              LESS THAN 3 pieces of evidence are properly documented, spaced, punctuated, etc.

 

 

Conventions

10            spelling, capitalization, punctuation are correct

                grammar and usage are correct

8              spelling, capitalization, punctuation are mostly correct

                minor errors with grammar and usage

6              several errors with spelling, capitalization, punctuation

                some grammar and usage errors are repeated in a few places

3              spelling, capitalization, punctuation errors occur often but the message remains clear

                many grammar and usage errors but the message remains clear

                some fragments & run-ons present

1              spelling, capitalization, punctuation errors occur often and interfere with the writer’s message

                grammar and usage errors occur often and distract from meaning

                many fragments & run-ons present

 

 

Content: Ideas/Support

20            5 effective/purposeful quotations are included

All integrated well and thoroughly analyzed and linked to the topic/thesis

16            4 effective/purposeful quotations are included – 1 may be ineffective

Most integrated well and thoroughly analyzed and linked to the topic/thesis

12            3 effective/purposeful quotations are included – 2 may be ineffective

Some integrated well and thoroughly analyzed and linked to the topic/thesis

8              3 effective/purposeful quotations are included –

Few integrated well and thoroughly analyzed and linked to the topic/thesis

4              2 or less effective/purposeful quotes are included –

2 or less integrated well and thoroughly analyzed and/or linked to the topic/thesis

Content: Organization

10            well-written introduction, including an opener and thesis statement adequately introduces the essay

                ALL topic sentences help to introduce/transition each body paragraph and refer back to the thesis

All  body paragraphs end with some type of clincher that analyzes the support & links back to thesis

well-written conclusion that leaves the reader with something to think about

                evidence of smooth, effective transitions between sentences, paragraphs, and ideas

8              introduction, including an opener and thesis statement clearly introduces the essay; may be awkward

                ALL topic sentences help to introduce/transition each body paragraph and refer back to the thesis - one may be awkward

All 3 body paragraphs end with some type of clincher that analyzes the support & links back to thesis; one may be awkward

conclusion attempts to leave the reader with something to think about

                a variety of transitions exist in and between paragraphs; pacing is developing

6              introduction introduces the essay; may be missing a component or unclear, or thesis may be more than one sentence

                MOST topic sentences help to introduce/transition each body paragraph and refer back to the thesis - one missing or

may not link back to the thesis

MOST body paragraphs end with some type of clincher that analyzes the support & links back to thesis; one missing

or may not link back to thesis

conclusion concludes the essay; may be missing a component, unclear/awkwardly written, or may not indicate a deeper meaning

                the transitions sometimes work

3              introduction is attempted but may need a lot of work

                A topic sentence helps to introduce/transition one body paragraph and refers back to the thesis; two may be missing or may

not link back to the thesis

A body paragraph ends with some type of clincher that analyzes the support & links back to thesis; two may be missing or

may not link back to thesis

conclusion is present but needs a lot of work

                missing or unclear transitions force the reader to make giant leaps

1              no introduction or no thesis statement

                no topic sentences are present to introduce body paragraphs or no topic sentences refer back to the thesis

no body paragraphs end with a clincher  or none of the clinchers link back to thesis

no conclusion

no transitions

Total ______/ 50 x 2=