Literary Research Check--Where are you?

Okay, so it's the third day of Writers Week and the 7th school day that you have had the research project in your hands.  At this point, you should have read the story and should now be going back to re-read and annotate the text.  

STEP 1: What is annotating you ask? Well, click on the below link for annotating a video that defines annotating and what you should be doing. 




ANNOTATION VIDEO: http://youtu.be/IzrWOj0gWHU

Okay, you've watched the video, now it is time to move forward with actually annotating.  Go back into your text and see out THEMES, SYMBOLS, CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS, FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE (only if important to the plot or themes), CONFLICTS, PLOT DETAILS, and/or AUTHOR MEANING.  

TIPS 
Begin to annotate more closely.
A. Circle, underline, or stick on a post-it for important ideas and
explain their significance.
B. Mark repetitions or rhetorical signals.
C. Circle confusing words or phrases. Define from context or 
dictionary if possible.
D. Note passages that seem inconsistent.
E. Note passages that generate a strong positive or negative
response.

Go back a third time. 
1. Write questions where you made annotations. These questions can
be for the instructor to answer, for the class to discuss, for you to use
in future writing assignments, or for you to keep as a reminder of what
you were thinking.
2. Think about the connections between this text and other texts you
have read, information from other classes, and personal experiences.

STEP 2: What are you going to write about? Now that you've read the story, annotated it thoroughly and maybe even started to read about the short story in other places, it's time to start figuring out what you are going to further analyze as we move forward in the text.  The best way to do this is to begin to explore the text for things that you believe  represent author's intent.  Then, go look up information pertaining to that topic in the text. 

WHEN YOU HAVE COMPLETED BOTH STEPS, GIVE ME A DONE COMMENT BELOW.  THIS IS DUE BY MONDAY, MARCH 3RD. 

Individual Huck Journal #7 -- "Instant Karma"

“Everything that goes around, comes around.”  What does this mean?  What is karma? Do you believe in it?  Give an example that demonstrates/disproves "instant" karma.   

Huck Group Journal #6-Humanity

Do you think people place more importance on materialistic stuff or on humanity?  Cite an example from your personal life that reflects your position.  

Individual Journal #5-Lying

For this journal, you will all be answering it ALONE (scary, I know).  But there is a small catch, respond to the question below and then return and comment/discuss with your classmates or peers (obviously there are 3 classes on this blog).  Have a dialogue...

Do you lie?  What do you lie about?  Who do you lie to?  Is it human nature to lie?  Is lying necessary?  Explain your answer.  

Huck Group Journal #4-Discrimination

Are people still being discriminated against even today?  In what ways?  Do you, can you, do anything to stop it?  Why did/does discrimination occur?  Expand.       

Huck Group Journal #3-Privilege

How much does money influence our lives?  What does it mean to be privileged?  If you know a peer is rich or poor, does it affect your opinion or expectations on how that person will behave?  Are your expectations usually correct?  Elaborate.  

Huck Group Journal #2-Conformity vs. Individuality

When it comes to Huck's moral choices throughout the novel, Huck deals with complex decisions and must trust his heart or trust his head in making those life choices.  

This is one of the hardest things in life to come to grips with.  With that in mind, much of that conflict deals with conformity to society's rules versus what we individually feel/choose to do.  Answer the following GROUP JOURNAL #2 with that in mind. 

WORTH 10 POINTS DUE BY 1/30

Which do you think our society values more: individuality or conformity?  Why? Explain.  

Huck Group Journal #1-FREEDOM

As high school students, your understanding of freedom is probably beginning to truly be refined.  Within your groups, respond to the following journal question with that developing knowledge in mind. 

Question: Do people want to find freedom in today’s world?  What do they want freedom from?  Do you desire freedom?  Explain what type of freedom you want and why.  Is freedom always a good thing?  Why or why not?    

Welcome and happy posting...

Good morning, Fremdites!

Over the remainder of the semester we will be posting, sharing, blogging, discussing, engaging in and writing about some of the greatest literature in the history of American voices.  We will use THIS page as a way for all 65 of you to engage in a discussion, together.  Please remember the basic nicities of life in using this blog. 

1) Treat others and RESPOND to others as you would hope to be treated or RESPONDED to. 

2) Do not use this as a forum to bash the literature, you'll have ample opportunity to do that in class (I ASK ALL THE TIME IF YOU ARE LIKING THE TEXTS. YOU KNOW THAT.)

3) Finally, do not use this as a dating site, marketing site, or as a way to promote your next rocking CD.  

Thanks and enjoy!!!

Teschner