- Read chapters 2-3
- Prepare a “selection.”
- Selection = Find and write out a quote. It can be any quote that interests, confuses, or sticks out to you.
- Then, write a paragraph explaining why that quote stuck out to you.
Learning Goals
Close Reading
Critical Thinking and written analysis
A1, Chapter 1: Reading and Essay. 1/24/24
Assignment Description
- Read Chapter 1 and
- write a two-paragraph essay describing a theme from Chapter 1.
It should be a theme you anticipate developing throughout the novel.
- Include a citation with a page number
For More: Check out these excellent videos. You can also see me in 102.
The EASY Way to Identify THEME! – YouTube
Understanding theme | Reading | Khan Academy – YouTube
Learning Goals
Recognizing and describing thematic elements in Fiction
Textual Evidence Integration
Critical Thinking/Essay Writing and expression
You will choose 3 of the listed prompts and write a 3-5 paragraph response.
Your response should include a thesis statement or some response that you will then use several paragraphs to explain.
Each response should include at least one reference from the book. You will have books to take home in preparation and use during the final.
You may bring one index card’s worth of notes into the final. I will need to see it before it’s used, and you will turn it in with the final.
- Clarity 1-10pts. Are your essays written clearly? This includes grammar, sentence structure, word choice, and flow.
- Accuracy 1-10pts Do your essays reflect a knowledge of the source material? This includes knowledge of the characters, story, themes, and tone.
- Thoroughness 1-10 pts Have you thoroughly responded to the prompt? Have you responded to every part of the question? Your responses should leave no part of a question unanswered.
- Thoughtfulness 1-10 pts. Do you come to reasonable conclusions and use sound logic in your reasoning? Your answers should show that you’ve given your ideas some serious thought.
The Pilgrim’s Progress
- Allegory and Symbolism: Explore the allegorical elements and symbolism in “The Pilgrim’s Progress.” How do these literary devices contribute to the overall meaning and themes of the novel? Provide specific examples to support your analysis.
- The Journey of Faith: Christian’s journey in “The Pilgrim’s Progress” is a metaphor for the spiritual journey. Discuss how Christian’s experiences, trials, and encounters with various characters reflect the challenges and triumphs of the human soul’s quest for faith and salvation.
The Outsiders
- Social Class and Identity: How does “The Outsiders” explore the theme of social class and its impact on the characters’ sense of identity and belonging? Analyze how the novel portrays the divisions between the “Greasers” and the “Socs,” and discuss the implications of these divisions.
- Coming of Age and Identity: Ponyboy’s coming-of-age journey is central to the narrative of “The Outsiders.” Discuss the challenges he faces as he navigates adolescence and analyze how his understanding of identity and belonging evolves throughout the novel.
The Hunger Games
- Power and Control: The Hunger Games presents a dystopian society characterized by power imbalances and control. Discuss how the novel depicts the effects of power on individuals and society, and analyze the ways in which characters respond to and resist oppressive systems.
- Survival and Morality: The Hunger Games forces its characters to confront moral dilemmas in the pursuit of survival. Analyze the ethical challenges faced by Katniss and other characters, and discuss how their decisions reflect larger themes of humanity, sacrifice, and resilience.
Black (by Ted Dekker)
- Identity and Reality: In “Black,” the concept of reality and identity is deeply intertwined. Analyze how the novel blurs the lines between reality and perception, and discuss the implications of this theme on the characters’ experiences and choices.
- Good vs. Evil: “Black” explores the nature of good and evil through its narrative. Discuss the dichotomy between good and evil as portrayed in the novel, and analyze how the characters navigate moral complexities in a world where the boundaries between the two are ambiguous.
Turn your thesis statement into a 3 paragraph essay.
Your paragraphs should explain and expand what you initially covered in your thesis statement. Use details, sound logic, and the book to bring up references.
Bring this assignment to class on Friday. We will do a peer-review day to prep for the final essays.
Due Friday: Students will submit their thesis statement. This should be a clear argument in response to one of the prompts. It may help to treat this like a short essay on a test. Give me a thorough, thoughtful, and clear response. Shoot for half a page, double-spaced.
You are choosing from one of the following Prompts
- Comparison and Contrast: Compare and contrast the depiction of a central theme in the book and the movie. How does the medium (written word vs. film) impact the portrayal and understanding of this theme?
- Character Study: Choose a character and analyze their development in the book versus the movie. How do the book and movie portray the character differently, and what impact do these differences have on the overall story?
- Societal Commentary: Both the book and movie of The Hunger Games provide commentary on society. What message do you think the author and filmmakers are trying to convey, and how do they do so in the respective mediums?
- Adaptation Analysis: How does the film adaptation of The Hunger Games interpret the source material? Discuss any significant changes made and analyze how these changes impact the narrative and characters.
- Comparison and Contrast: Compare and contrast the depiction of a central theme in the book and the movie. How does the medium (written word vs. film) impact the portrayal and understanding of this theme?
Today, we followed through the handout and discussed dystopias, themes of rebellion, and entertainment.
Literary tone: is a term you’ll need to know for tests. Determining the tone of a text is a necessary skill in literature. We watched and discussed this video
Please note that some suggestive material is in a selection quoted in the video. We do not celebrate the worldliness of that culture. We reject it. However, in this case, it is a good example of examining word choice to discern an author’s tone.
See this video for more on discerning an author’s tone through word choice.
Today, we are taking the “Black” Reading Quiz and discussing the book.
We are also receiving our book and handout for the Hunger Games.
Assignment
- Read chapters 1-4
- Complete the “Consider While Reading” section on the handout. Please give it some thought. Chapters 1-4 provide plenty material for you to give thoughtful answers here.
Here is the reading Quiz for the book “Black.”
https://forms.office.com/r/AXhNbcsGa1
Read: The Prologue and first five chapters of Black by Ted Dekker.
Find a selection, i.e., a snippet of your assigned reading that sticks out to you as interesting, confusing, impressive, deep, or noteworthy in any way.
Write down the page number and paragraph number of your selection. Use a sheet of paper or a Word document that you will email to me with the subject line, “Black: Selections 1.”
Write down your reflections on the piece. Why did you choose that selection? How do you relate to it? Why do you think the author wrote it that way? Is it similar to anything you’ve read or thought about before?
Your writing for this assignment should contain the Big 4: Clear, Accurate, Thoughtful, and Thorough (at least 100 words).