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Major Assignments and Due Dates:
Students are responsible for getting assignments in by the predetermined due date. If a student is absent, he / she should hand in the work the following day present. If a student fails to hand in an assignment on time, he / she will lose two points each day it is late. Late assignments of this nature will be accepted for a total of three school days following the original due date.
(scroll down page for writing assignments / due dates)
Extra-Credit Assignments:
Students have a total of seven school days to hand in an extra-credit (e.c.) assignment from the date it is issued. These assignments are a way to compensate for low or missing homework grades. Each assignment is scored using a checklist / scoring rubric.
(scroll down page for extra-credit assignments / due dates)
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Final Research Project and Due Dates:click here
Research Paper due on Wednesday, May 19, 2010
The research paper should be formatted in MLA Style.
(Double-Spaced, 12-point font required)
- thesis statement (should be specific and detailed - represents at least 5 of your guiding questions - serves as a brief outline for the body paragraphs) *see example below
- Each body paragraph includes source citations.
* click here to view the Paragraph Scoring
Works Cited - This page can be created at
easybib.com click here
(BE SURE TO SAVE YOUR WORK)
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Example of a Thesis Statement:
An ancient Greek citizen, for political and social reasons, invented democracy; it has changed throughout the course of time, but remains in practice in many nations, varying in application, which benefit important institutions, such as public schools.
Click here to view an example of a
*THE THESIS STATEMENT IS IN BOLD PRINT
AND APPEARS AS THE LAST LINE OF THE
INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH.
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First Essay Writing Assignment
MODE OF WRITING: INFORMATIONAL / EXPOSITORY
PROMPT: Compare and contrast poetic devices used in Anne Bradstreet's "Here are Some Verses Upon the Burning of Our House, July 10, 1666" and Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz's "world, in hounding me ..."
ASSIGNMENT: Students are to write a 4-5 paragraph essay in response to the writing prompt.
ESSAY FORMAT:
I. Introductory Paragraph
a. engaging opening
b. background information
c. thesis statement
II. Body Paragraph (#1)
a. topic statement (about ONE poetic device that is to be analyzed)
b. include details and quoted examples from each of the two poems,
which illustrate the author's use of the ONE poetic device
c. student comments written in the 3rd-person point-of-view
d. final statement that serves as a transition into the next paragraph
II. Body Paragraph (#2)
a. topic statement (about the OTHER poetic device that is to be
analyzed in this paragraph)
b. details and quoted examples from each of the poems assigned,
which illustrates the author's use of the OTHER poetic device
analyzed in this paragraph
c. student comments written in the 3rd-person point-of-view
d. final statement that serves as a transition into the next paragraph
III. Conclusion
a. restates the thesis statement
b. reflective of information from the introductory paragraph
c. draws conclusions about the content of the essay
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DATE ASSIGNED: 3/5/10
DUE DATE: 3/26/10
ASSIGNMENT: Write a Sonnet in the style of Shakespeare or Petrarch. Both poets wrote their 14-line sonnets in iambic pentameter, yet varied in rhyme scheme sequence. Your choice will be influenced by the rhyme scheme that best suites you.
To get started, choose a subject to write about. Then, decide what your attitude is toward the subject. Develop this attitude (tone) through word choice in the poem.
No matter which pattern of rhyme scheme you choose, a sonnet usually has a change of tone somewhere in or after the ninth line.
(A Shakespearean sonnet often reveals the true tone in the final couplet, gg.)
For example, if I write a sonnet on the subject of schoolwork, and the speaker's attitude is first established as annoyed, after the ninth line, I may change the tone (speaker's attitude) to that of motivated.
Here are some tips:
- write the poem first to establish the subject and the tone in iambic pentameter
- if you are having trouble stretching out the line to equal 10 syllables, add an adjective to modify a noun, or add an adverb to modify a verb
- if a line is too long, cut out some of the syllables by contracting words (he is = he's)
- use inversion (when possible) to help with rhymes
- words can always be replaced, so don't allow "rhyming troubles" to stop you from getting started
- use at least three of the poetic devices we have covered thus far, to make it poetic.
Below: A Shakespearean Sonnet followed by a Petrarchan Sonnet. Note the different rhyme schemes. Note the similar line meter, iambic pentameter (10 syllables per line).
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EXTRA-CREDIT OPTION #2
DATE ASSIGNED: 3/5/10
DUE DATE: 3/26/10
ASSIGNMENT: Create an eight-page Children's Book with illustrations, that uses five or more of the poetic devices covered in class thus far. Include a front and back cover (not included in the eight pages).
The book can follow a story line or it can be a collection of poetry.
