Elements of style
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Tuesday, March 06, 2012
Monday, March 05, 2012
Sunday, March 04, 2012
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Literature Terms 2
Alliteration: A poetic sound device: the
repetition of an initial consonant sound
(Can occur at the beginning of a word or a
syllable)
Example:
Beowulf (excerpt from Episode I)
Now
Beowulf bode in the burg of the Scyldings,
leader beloved, and long he ruled
in fame with all folk, since his father had gone
away from the world, till awoke an heir,
haughty Healfdene, who held through life,
sage and sturdy, the Scyldings glad.
Then, one after one, there woke to him, to the chieftain of clansmen, children four:
leader beloved, and long he ruled
in fame with all folk, since his father had gone
away from the world, till awoke an heir,
haughty Healfdene, who held through life,
sage and sturdy, the Scyldings glad.
Then, one after one, there woke to him, to the chieftain of clansmen, children four:
What is the purpose of alliteration?
It creates:
–An emphasis of words or ideas
–A contrast of ideas
–A melodic effect; it “rolls off
the tongue”
Anapest: A metrical foot consisting
of two short (or unstressed) syllables followed by one long (or stressed)
syllable
Like iambs (iambic), anapests can be arranged
in anapestic:
–trimeter,
tetrameter, pentameter, etc.
Example: stressed syllables are underlined.
“The Destruction of
Sennacherib” (excerpt)
Lord Byron
Lord Byron
The Assyrian
came down like a wolf on
the fold
And his cohorts
were gleaming in purple
and gold
And the sheen of
their spears was like stars on
the sea
When the blue waves
roll nightly on deep Gallilee.
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Literature Terms 1
Apostrophe: A poetic device used to address absent or imaginary people or objects.
Example:
God’s
World (excerpt)
Edna St. Vincent Millay
(1892)
O WORLD, I cannot hold thee close enough!
Thy
winds, thy wide grey skies!
Thy
mists that roll and rise!
Thy woods, this autumn day, that ache and sag
And all but cry with color!
Aubade: A poem or song about lovers separating at dawn
Example:
Richard Wilbur (1968) -- an excerpt
Of
time, by woman's reckoning,
You've
saved, and so may spend on this,
You
who had rather lie in bed and kiss
Than
anything.
It's
almost noon, you say? If so,
Time
flies, and I need not rehearse
The
rosebuds-theme of centuries of verse.
If
you mustgo,
Wait
for a while, then slip downstairs
And
bring us up some chilled white wine,
And
some blue cheese, and crackers, and some fine
Ruddy-skinned
pears.
(Photo Source: http://www.atticwritersworkshop.com)
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Paragraph Support Work
(Photo Credit: http://health.howstuffworks.com)
Here is the work we did on how to support ideas in an essay using quotes from a story. Use these ideas as a jumping off point for your own paper.
Example 1: Due to the news of her husband’s death, the mood of the story would most likely be depressing and full of grief. Instead, in paragraphs 5-6, the mood appears to be hopeful. Typically, the setting most used to create a depressed mood is gray or stormy skies. In paragraph 6, however, the narrator uses “patches of blue sky” to describe the view from Louise’ window. This blue sky represents the clear, bright future she expects now that her husband is history.
Example 2: In paragraph 5 of the story, there are several details that do not fit the expected tone of the situation. Considering the fact that Louise Mallard has just learned of her husband’s death, it is reasonable to expect the tone to be one of grieving. However, the tone comes through as hopeful and joyful when the outside landscape is described. As Mrs. Mallard looks out into the square, Chopin describes the view as showing “the tops of the trees that were all aquiver with the new spring life.” The mention of the “new spring life” evokes a hopeful tone due to its allusion to rebirth, an allusion that doesn’t fit a death scene.
Example 3: In paragraph 5 of the story, there are several details that do not fit the expected tone of the situation. Considering the fact that Louise Mallard has just learned of her husband’s death, it is reasonable to expect the tone to be one of grieving. However, the tone comes through as hopeful and joyful when the outside landscape is described. Chopin begins the paragraph by describing the view out the window: “She could see in the open square before her house the tops of the trees that were all aquiver with the new spring life.” The mention of the “new spring life” evokes a hopeful tone due to its allusion to rebirth, an allusion that doesn’t fit a death scene.
Monday, August 29, 2011
The Dreaded Essay
OK...It has been requested that I post the writing prompt on the blog, so I will do so. Afterwards, I will give some advice to help you write a solid paper. Should you have any questions about writing the paper, please put them on this post...that way I can answer them here for everyone. Therefore, before you ask your question, read through what has already been asked and answered so there are no repeat questions. So, here goes:
Essay Question
Science fiction often involves social criticism. Write a 3-4 page paper explaining what parts of the social world are being criticized by these novels and explain how the authors create the criticism within the framework of their stories.
I expect a solid introduction and conclusion. Your paper should reflect extensive knowledge of the novels and insightful analysis. Show me what you know.
The essay should be typed in 12 point font (Times New Roman or Courier New). It should be double-spaced and have one-inch margins all around. I will be looking at your grammar usage and spelling as part of your grade on this paper, so have someone read it over before you turn it in to me.
Remember, the paper should be 3-4 pages in length…not 4 pages, not 2.5 pages. Be concise and precise.
Again, the paper is due on the first day of class and will act as your pass into my class. You will also have an objective test over the novel on the first day of class.
The paper should also be formatted in the MLA Style. If you don't know what that looks like, consult the OWL at Purdue website (On-Line Writing Lab). Just Google it.
I don't want you to use sources for your paper. I want your own thoughts and insights. You may consult various sources to develop your own definition of literature, but since it is considered common knowledge, you won't have to cite those sources.
Most important: solid thesis statement and solid, specific support from the novel. You only have 3-4 pages, so I don't expect every iota of support you can find. Use the best of what you have. Make sure that your support comes from various parts of the novel, indicating that you have knowledge of the novel as a whole.
Again, all other questions should be posted below.
See you on Tuesday.
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
The Road 270-287
(Photo Credit: http://vtfishandwildlife.com)
When asked by the boy to tell about the bravest thing he'd ever done, the man replied, "Getting up this morning." What does he mean by this statement? What is so brave about him getting up?
What do you think is more difficult: being the boy and listening to see if your father is still breathing or being the man and knowing your son is doing that?
crozzled...new word to me...I like it.
He'd stop and lean on the cart and the boy would go on and then stop and look back and he would raise his weeping eyes and see him standing there in the road looking back at him from some unimaginable future, glowing in that waste like a tabernacle. There are still religious allusions sprinkled in here. If there is no hope -- as seems to be the case -- why cling to religion?
The man imagines this is the reversal of creation -- what it must have been like before, when the earth was first made. If so, isn't this hope, since the world would have evolved from this point before? Is it plausible that this could be a new starting point?
Look around you, he said. There is no prophet in the earth's long chronicle who's not honored here today. Whatever form you spoke of you were right. What does this passage mean to you?
What clues do we have that the man (and woman) are not cannibals -- are "good guys"? What doubts are there?
Once there were brook trout in the streams in the mountains. You could see them standing in the amber current where the white edges of their fins wimpled softly in the flow. They smelled of moss in your hand. Polished and muscular and torsional. On their backs were vermiculate patterns that were maps of the world in its becoming. Maps and mazes. Of a thing which could not be put back. Not be made right again. Inn the deep glens where they lived all things were older than man and they hummed of mystery.
Love that final paragraph. There appears to be some hope buried there...what hope do you see in this last paragraph? What other things are hidden in this paragraph?
Monday, August 22, 2011
The Road 245-269
(Photo Credit: http://westtecmarine.com)
"I will not send you into the darkness alone." We know what this suggests, but what does this tell us about the man as a person...as a father?
You tried to kill us.
I'm starving, man. You'd have done the same.
You took everything.
Come on, man. I'll die.
I'm going to leave you the way you left us.
Is the man being hypocritical here? Is he being fair to the thief?
You're not the one who has to worry about everything.
Yes I am, he said. I am the one.
Explain the meaning of this exchange. What does this tell us about the man? the boy?
The boy believes they killed the thief. What do you believe?
The man tells the woman that she was left here...she claims she chose to be here...what do you think?
How well do you think the boy understands their predicament? Give examples for support.
The Road 220-244
(Photo Credit: http://sextantbook.com)
"One vast salt sepulchre. Senseless. Senseless." Again, the description of the beach is quite different from what is expected of a beach. What images stand out to you and what about them stands out?
What is the translation of the boat's gilt lettering? What is the significance? Is it ironic?
What is a mae west? Is there any significance to this?
What is a sextant? What does the fact that he put it back in a cupboard suggest about the man?
The man thinks, "good luck might be no such thing." He envies the dead on most nights. If this is the case, what keeps him going? Why is he trying so hard to survive?
On p. 244 in my book, there is an exchange between the man and the boy:
Boy: I don't know what we're doing.
Man: There are people and we'll find them. You'll see.
Focusing on the entire exchange, what do we learn about these two characters at this point?
The Road 195-219
(Photo Credit: http://wired.com)
What is so significant about the fact that the group who is following them has a pregnant woman with them?
How traumatic to see the baby cooking over the fire...what do you make of the way the boy handled seeing that?
What is significant about the man finding a Spanish coin and arrowheads at this point in the book? What do these items represent?
Great line: "They wandered through the rooms like skeptical housebuyers."
The man involves the boy in most decisions, such as the decision to eat the home-canned food. Why is it important that the man involves him?
The man thinks, "They are watching for a thing that even death cannot undo and if they do not see it they will turn away from us and they will not come back." Explain your understanding of this quote.
Another great line (though gruesome): "The dull green antique coppers spilled from out the tills of their eyesockets onto the stained and rotted coffin floors."
tokus --> a clue to heritage?
When the boy comes in from his swim, he's crying. Why do you think he's crying?
Friday, August 19, 2011
The Road 168-194
(Photo Credit: http://theplaylist.blogspot.com)
The old man says, "I was always on the road." Does this mean he was a transcient before the devastation? Why would this matter?
"Nobody wants to be here and nobody wants to leave." Explain this quote, then tell me what you think about it.
"There is no God and we are his prophets." What? What does this mean?
"Where men can't live gods fare no better." Explain this one...
The old man thinks the boy will "get over" believing in God. What do you think, and why?
"I am going to die," he said. "Tell me how I am to do that." What does the man mean? What are the possible answers?
The boy forgets to turn off the valve for their make-shift stove. What do we learn about the characters from the exchange that takes place concerning this oversight?
On p. 177 in my book, there is a description of the coastal plains. Compared with your experience of the coastal plains (assuming you've experienced them), what is the difference between your experience and the description we get? Why is this significant?
What is different when you compare the boy looking over the map to the man doing the same thing as a boy?
The man dreams of a library where the books were charred and he sees the shelves were tipped over. "Some rage at the lies arranged in their thousands row on row." What lies are in the books that cause rage?
Why do you think McCarthy included the memory with the burning snakes? What prompts the man to remember this scene from his childhood?
"When your dreams are of some world that never was or of some world that never will be and you are happy again then you will have given up." Explain your understanding of this quote.
What has caused the new distance between the man and the boy?
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
The Road: 145-167
(Photo Credit: http://ehow.com)
The boy says a prayer...sort of...what is significant about the prayer? What does it tell you about the boy and the man?
Great image: "The only light was from the ring of blue teeth in the burner of the stove."
They only stay in the bunker a couple of days. If no one has found it so far, what makes them think it's dangerous to stay longer?
"If trouble comes when you least expect it then maybe the thing to do is always expect it." What do you think of this logic?
McCarthy does a masterful job of writing the dialogue -- he captures a young boy's curiosity and imagination quite vividly and accurately. The conversation about crows is priceless. How does it help characterize the two characters?
"What are our long term goals?" Why doesn't the man answer this question?
Why do you think the boy is so much more willing to help others? He knows the consequences they could face, yet he still wants to help -- why?
What's significant about the old man's name (allusion)?
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