Taylor Swift Off Limits

Okay, too many of you are posting Taylor Swift's "Love Story." From now on, that reference to Romeo and Juliet is now off limits. If you used it prior to this post, it's okay (but kind of unoriginal!)

Push yourself to write about something no one else has thought of!

Due tonight, with a comment.

Culture Shock

As you immerse yourself in Romeo and Juliet you should be becoming aware of the pervasiveness of the story's impact on modern culture. References to the play are everywhere - from kung fu movies to rappers to current box-office date flicks. The enduring characters are even given modern voices and personas via Twitter.

Find something (preferably something not referred to in the previous paragraph) that references the timelessness of Romeo and Juliet. You could find a picture, post a link to an article, embed a video, copy song lyrics or just blog about a specific instance where you noticed the play being referenced in modern culture. See the bulletin board in class for inspiration.

Make sure the reference is clear and your reaction to it is clearly and cleverly conveyed...as always, quality writing is worth the time.

Post and comment by Friday, April 30.

Extra Credit Blog: English Reflection

Here is your extra credit blog assignment, due Monday, April 12.

You have been blogging about English class for seven months now. Your blog posts are primarily assignments requiring you to respond to literature and the content of the class. For extra credit I'd like you to come up with an original blog post that reflects on your English experience. The blog is your personal place to write about English class - make your response personal and an example of your own creative flair with words. When I read your post I should think, "that is so (insert your name.)"

We've covered a lot of material since September - you've memorized and recited poetry, diagrammed sentences, read and annotated classic novels, and probably said or heard the word "motif" more than you would have ever thought possible. What do you have to say about all this?

Great Expectations: Skit Prep

Next week, as we finish the novel, you will be writing and performing a skit based on one of the best parts of the novel. In preparation for the skit assignment, think about your favorite parts of the book. What are the most memorable parts? Which parts of the novel would be exciting to watch your classmates perform?

Post: List three parts of the novel that you would like to see performed in class. Describe each "scene" briefly, with reference to important characters and action, and state why you think each of these parts would be good material for a skit.

By Friday, you should have read through chapter 54. Please don't reveal anything from the final four chapters of the book: restrict your choice of "favorite parts" through chapter 54.

Comment: In your comment on a classmate's blog, choose which of the three parts
you would most like to use for your skit next week.

Post and comment by Friday, March 26.

More Questions about Great Expectations

As with last week, write about something from this week's reading that you don't understand. Try to focus on plot and characters rather than merely confusing sentences this time. In this week's reading there are lots of small details and coincidences that reflect back on previous chapters. With having already read nearly 300 pages prior to this week, there are bound to be things you missed or didn't understand earlier which may impede your ability to understand things in chapters 36-44.

Describe a specific incident or character in this week's reading that you don't fully comprehend and ask a question to be answered by your classmates through comments. Make sure your question is clear and reference the chapter and page number so that your classmates can comment an appropriate answer in response.

Make sure that your question is significant to character development and plot. It can either be literal (something that can be answered by deciphering the text) or interpretive (related to motive of author or character.) You will be evaluated on the depth and thought you put into the question - show that you do understand most of what you read by the type of question you pose. Your questions should cover something from this week's reading: chapters 36-44.

Post and comment a response on a classmate's blog, including an attempt to answer the question, by Friday, March 19. 

Great Expectations - Question about a Passage

While you read Great Expectations there are sure to be sentences, paragraphs, or sections of entire chapters that you don't quite understand due to complicated or confusing diction and syntax. Find a specific passage in this week's reading that you don't fully comprehend and ask a question to be answered by your classmates through comments. Cite the passage with chapter and page number and specifically state what about the passage you do not understand. Make sure your question is clear and include enough of the passage (directly and correctly quoted) so that your classmates can comment an appropriate answer in response.

Make sure that your question is clear and significant. It can either be literal (something that can be answered by deciphering the text) or interpretive (related to motive of author or character.) You will be evaluated on the depth and thought you put into the question - show that you do understand most of what you read by the type of question you pose. Your questions should cover something from this week's reading: chapters 26-35.

Post and comment a response on a classmate's blog, including an attempt to answer the question, by Friday, March 12.

Great Expectations: Photo Post

Find a photo that relates to something in this week's reading. The photo should be an interpretation of a scene or idea from one of the chapters we're covering this week - anything from chapter 17 through 25. In selecting a photo, attempt to show your unique perspective on the novel and a thorough and sensitive understanding of the idea or scene that the photo represents. No movie photos and nothing too "literal." For example, don't choose a photo of an an old building and write about how the building looks like somewhere Pip visits in London.

Post your photo on your blog - the photo should appear on your blog rather than a link to the photo. Write a paragraph explaining how your photo relates to something specific in this week's reading. Be sure the specific scene or idea from the reading is described accurately and thoughtfully and conveys your unique interpretation of the photo.

Post and comment by Friday, March 5.