Final Preparation Day 5: General Thematic Rumination

Last but not least, a final prompt that asks you to weave all of the literature we've studied together using one common theme thread...

Consider the themes of the four major pieces of literature we've studied this semester (Brave New World, The Canterbury Tales, Frankenstein, and Macbeth). In a cogently written (3E) short essay, explain how the themes of TWO of the works are similar. Do not rely on plot summary; instead, use the plot as a means for analytical exploration of your selected theme. 

Remember that theme is the UNIVERSAL MORAL or LESSON about LIFE that is conveyed by a literary work.

Good luck! Due by TUESDAY at 8pm.

Preparation for the Final Day 4: Eulogize a Character!

Today's final preparation prompt: write a heartfelt eulogy for Macbeth, Lady Macbeth, John the Savage, or Dr. Frankenstein!

To aid you in your quest, here are some basic steps for writing a eulogy:
1. Write a brief chronological outline of the key events that occurred in the person’s life from the time of birth until death. This will often remind you of several pivotal events experienced by the person (e.g. graduating from college, getting married, serving in the military, starting a business, etc.) that may be worth mentioning.
2. Write down your favorite memories of the deceased. Ask others (friends, relatives, co-workers) if they have favorite memories you can share. Often times people have things they want to say during the funeral but they are either afraid to speak or aren’t afforded an opportunity.
3. Make a list of some of the things that were important to the deceased person….things he/she was passionate about. This may trigger stories of their own that you can incorporate into your speech.
4. Combine all your thoughts, ideas, comments, and memories into one giant list. Review this list and decide which things you want to include in your speech.
5. Organize your chosen comments into some type of order. For example you might want to organize by:

• Chronological date the events occurred
• Common subjects (e.g. family, career, work, hobbies)

6. Write with logos, ethos, and pathos! And in a 3E fashion! 

Be creative here! You could be yourself writing the eulogy, but you could also be a character from the given piece of literature, the author of the piece, etc. 

This one will be due Saturday by 8pm. 

Preparation for the Final Day 3: Writing with 3E and LEP

For tonight's blog participation opportunity, I want you to read over ALL of the responses to the first Final Preparation blog entry about how MODERATION AS AN OBSTACLE TO SUCCESS does or does not manifest itself in the literature we've read. Then, I want you to decide which essay, in your estimation, answered the prompt effectively, exhaustively, and eloquently.  Consider how the person also used logos, ethos, and pathos to their advantage in their response. Explain why you think this response deserves to be celebrated as one of the best of the bunch!

To give you a little more direction, I offer you the description of an EFFECTIVE essay, as written by The College Board:

8-9 (effective): These essays offer a persuasive argument defending, refuting, or qualifying the idea that moderation can be an obstacle to success. These essays offer a range of interpretations; they provide convincing readings of the literature we've studied and use apt evidence from said pieces to support their position. They demonstrate consistent and effective control over the elements of composition in language appropriate to the analysis of literature. Their textual references are apt and specific. Though they may not be error-free, these essays are perceptive in their analysis and demonstrate writing that is clear and sophisticated, and in the case of an essay scored a 9, especially persuasive.

This is due THURSDAY by 8pm. Make sure YOUR response is 3E as well!

Preparation for the Final Day 2: Macbeth Quotation Analysis

Here is your next opportunity to practice for the short answer portion of the final exam...here is a prompt that combines literary analysis with theme and historical concepts. You WILL see a prompt in this style on the final, I promise you!

In Act II, Scene 4, the Old Man remarks to Ross that "'Tis unnatural, / Even like the deed that's done. On Tuesday last / A falcon, towering in her pride of place, / Was by a mousing owl hawked at and killed" (lines 13-16). 

Analyze this quotation in short-answer essay format, as you've done in the past with Canterbury Tales, Frankenstein, and Brave New World. That means you must 1.) provide speaker and context (who is speaking, to whom, when, and why?); 2.) identify the literary devices employed within the quotation and explicate them; 3.) connect said literary devices to the ideas/themes the quotation embedded within; 4.) explain how the quotation pertains to central concepts of its era (in this case, the Elizabethan era).

You have until WEDNESDAY at 8pm to respond to this prompt. I would HIGHLY recommend you give this one a try! Good luck!

The majestic falcon

Preparation for the Final Day 1: Specific Thematic Rumination

To give you guys a taste of what the final will be like, I thought I would post some sample questions here that are SIMILAR to the ones you might see that morning. Let's start with one that connects the literature we've studied thematically.

Think carefully about the issue presented in the following excerpt and the assignment below.

People are often advised to practice moderation in everything they do. The way to succeed in achieving their goals, they are told, is to remain balanced, controlled, and restrained. But this advice is misguided. Instead of being moderate, people should be passionate and intense. Throughout history, moderation has produced nothing extraordinary or exceptional. Excellence in any pursuit requires excess — great enthusiasm, high energy, and extreme effort.

Assignment:
Is moderation an obstacle to achievement and success? Plan and write an essay in which you develop your point of view on this issue. Support your position with reasoning and examples taken from the pieces of literature we've read this semester.

Your 3E response to this prompt is due by TUESDAY at 8pm!