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Pen Name

2/16/2022

Please compose a brief introduction of yourself using your NEW pen name. Research a little bit about your new online persona and post in the comment section below:

1. Name and Image, if possible.
2. Explain what type of writing you are known for.
3. What is your most famous work and what is it about?
4. Paste a link to an Author's Page or some other web-based link to more information about yourself.

End of Novel Blog Post (Primary Only!)

1/8/2021

For all of the scenes of great violence, both physical and emotional, wrought upon or by the characters of the novel, there are, too, many scenes of tenderness, both physical and emotional. What are some of these scenes, and what is it about them that makes them linger with you after you have finished the book? Please refer to at least 6 of the following characters: Mariam, Laila, Tariq, Nana, Jalil, Rasheed, Aziza, and Zalmai in your response.

Primary Blog Expectations (respond to the prompt above): 200-250 words, minimal errors in grammar and usage, thoughtful and thorough writing. Please use the name you were assigned in class as your nom de plume and be sure to add word count. Due by 11:59pm Sunday night 1-10-2021!

A Thousand Splendid Suns (Chapters 21-32)

12/11/2020

1 Comment

For this blog post, please only consider Part 2.

Now that we have come to the end of Part 2 (Laila's story) and learned of the horrifying instances of her family's demise, consider the events that added to the tragic irony of their deaths. What had changed for them? Where were they going? What was their plan? Now select three things that will particularly affect Laila's safety, her state of mind, and her potential future in Afghanistan. Explain what this means for Laila and how this might alter her life and her future.

Primary Blog Expectations (respond to the prompt above): 100-150 words, minimal errors in grammar and usage, thoughtful and thorough writing. Please use the name that you were assigned in class as your PEN NAME* and be sure to add word count. Due by 11:59 pm on Friday night!

Secondary Blog Response Expectations (read everyone's primary responses, select ONE that interests you, and respond to their ideas): 75-100 words EACH, minimal errors in grammar and usage, thoughtful and thorough writing. Please use the name that you were assigned in class as your PEN NAME and be sure to add word count. Due by 11:59 pm on Sunday night!

1 Comment

A Thousand Splendid Suns; Chapters 11-20

12/1/2020

16 Comments

These images could depict some of the main plot points of the beginning of Part II (Laila's Story) of A Thousand Splendid Suns. While these moments are important, they are by no means the only significant points in these chapters.
After having read these chapters:
-Select a single passage (this may be a single paragraph or several) that you feel best typifies the thematic importance of "shelter" in this section of ATSS.
-Explain the action and context of the quoted passage (you must cite the passage) and then,
-Explain how your understanding of this passage (1) supports your contextual understanding of the thematic subject ("shelter"), (2) deepens the character development, and/or (3) builds a central message that aligns with one of the unit's essential questions (see the main ATSS page).

Primary Blog Expectations (respond to the prompt above): 100-150 words, minimal errors in grammar and usage, thoughtful and thorough writing. Please use the name that you were assigned in class as your PEN NAME and be sure to add word count. Due by 11:59 pm on Friday night!

Secondary Blog Response Expectations (read everyone's primary responses, select two that interest you, and respond to their ideas): 75-100 words EACH, minimal errors in grammar and usage, thoughtful and thorough writing. Please use the name that you were assigned in class as your PEN NAME and be sure to add word count. Due by 11:59 pm on Sunday night!

16 Comments

A Thousand Splendid Suns; Chapters 1-10 COMMENTS CLOSE ON FRIDAY 12/4

11/19/2020

The images in the slideshow above are reminiscent of some of the characters and locations in Part 1 of A Thousand Splendid Suns. In chapters 1-10, we learn quite a bit about Mariam's childhood and her entry into adulthood. Nana says the following to her daughter, Mariam: “Women like us. We endure. It’s all we have.” Select three distinct passages from Chapters 1 through 10 in Part 1 that show how this sentiment informs Mariam’s life and how it relates to the larger themes of the novel.

Primary Blog Expectations (respond to the prompt above): 100-150 words, minimal errors in grammar and usage, thoughtful and thorough writing. Please use the name that you were assigned in class as your PEN NAME and be sure to add word count. Due by 11:59 pm on Sunday night!

Secondary Blog Response Expectations (read everyone's primary responses, select two that interest you, and respond to their ideas): 75-100 words EACH, minimal errors in grammar and usage, thoughtful and thorough writing. Please use the name that you were assigned in class as your PEN NAME and be sure to add word count. Due by 11:59 pm on Monday night!

Tues 11/24- "Platoon" (1986) directed by Oliver Stone: Please read the entire blog post carefully before composing your responses.

11/20/2015

Just as Chris and the platoon are divided between Elias and Barnes, viewers also feel somewhat divided. You feel compelled to side with Elias because he is jaded and righteous and seems to care about his men, but you can't help but admire Barnes' hardiness, his determination to win the war, and ability to survive. After our class discussion about allegory, the Christ figure and Machiavelli, as well as the inability of humans to be purely good or evil, you understand that this is a decision that is not as easy as one might hope.

Imagine that you are a soldier in this platoon. Who do you follow, Sgt. Barnes or Sgt. Elias? Take into consideration all factors: survival, morality, reality of the war environment, psychological effects of the war, constant extreme stress, and any other factors that would affect your decision. Explain your decision in a thoughtful and well supported blog entry.

Primary Blog Entry Expectations (respond to the prompt above): 200-250 words, minimal errors in grammar and usage, thoughtful and thorough writing. Please use the assigned "pen name" given to you in class. Please complete this in the first 20 minutes of class.

Secondary Blog Entry Expectations (read everyone's first responses, select two that interest you, and respond to their ideas): 100-150 words EACH, minimal errors in grammar and usage, thoughtful and thorough writing. Please use the assigned "pen name" given to you in class. Please complete this in the last 25 minutes of class.

PLEASE ADD WORD COUNT AT END OF EACH BLOG ENTRY!

You have ample time to complete these three entries in one period. If you do not, you may complete it as homework, but the blog post will be closed at the end of the day.

Friday Nov. 13 - War and Peace: "The Things They Carried" Primary and Secondary Blogs (3 total)

11/10/2015

Prompt: Think about the items that you carry in your bag (backpack, purse, fanny-pack, man-bag, etc.). Choose two items and explain why you have chosen to "hump" these items wherever you go. What is the tangible and intangible element of each item and why? Then think and write about what these items say about you. Finally, compare yourself to one of the characters in the short story. Who do you most resemble and why?

Primary Blog Post: 2 Full Paragraphs (200-250 words - use at least one MLA cited quote from the short story)

Secondary Blog Post: 1 Full Paragraph (100-150 words) X 2 (one each for two classmates)

*please note: You must use the "pen name" that I assigned to you for this assignment (both primary blog entry and secondary blog entry)!

-(DAY 1) Primary Blog Post: Only those posted by the end of the day (Friday 11-13-2015 at 11:59 pm) will be scored.

-(DAY 2) Secondary Blog Post: Only those posted by the end of the weekend (Sunday 11-15-2015 at 11:59 pm) will be scored.

Author's Argument in "Dulce Et Decorum Est" by Wilfred Owen

3/12/2015

Now that you have read and analyzed Owen's poem, supplementing your understanding by viewing video clips and discussing, please take a moment to reflect on Owen's argument regarding war. Then answer the following prompts:
1. What is his argument and how does he use his poem to prove his argument? Please be sure to use multiple line references (3+ references) to support your analysis>
2. Once you have thoroughly explained Owen's argument regarding war, please compose a thoughtful response either refuting and supporting his stance.

In your Primary Blog Entry, you should respond to the questions above in a single entry. Your Secondary Blog Entry should respond to two of your colleagues' entries that are especially interesting to you.

Part One Expectations (respond to the prompt above): 200-250 words, 2 quotes from the novel, minimal errors in grammar and usage, thoughtful and thorough writing. Please use the assigned "pen name" given to you in class PLEASE FINISH BY FRIDAY NIGHT!

Part Two Expectations (read everyone's first responses, select two that interest you, and respond to their ideas): 100-150 words EACH, minimal errors in grammar and usage, thoughtful and thorough writing. Please use the assigned "pen name" given to you in class. FINISH BY SUNDAY NIGHT!

Click on picture to enlarge.

Applying the Monomyth to Novel or Film

3/5/2015

After having explored the concept of the Monomyth (or Hero's Journey), you are ready to begin independent application of the 12+ stages of the Monomyth to a work of your choice. Please do the following steps in a narrative form (paragraphs, not list):

Select a work with which you feel comfortably familiar.
Summarize the work in a single sentence.
The bulk of your response should be tracing the main character's journey through the stages of the Monomyth.
Conclude your response with a reflection on how the essential learning that the main character learns can be developed into a thesis statement (author's argument + how + why + so what).

PLEASE ADD WORD COUNT AT END OF EACH BLOG ENTRY!

Primary Blog Entry Expectations (respond to the prompt above): 200-250 words, minimal errors in grammar and usage, thoughtful and thorough writing. Please use the assigned "pen name" given to you in class.

Secondary Blog Entry Expectations (read everyone's first responses, select two that interest you, and respond to their ideas): 100-150 words EACH, minimal errors in grammar and usage, thoughtful and thorough writing. Please use the assigned "pen name" given to you in class.

(3 total blog entries for this assignment)

"Platoon" (1986) directed by Oliver Stone

2/25/2015

Sgt. Elias and Sgt. Barnes

Just as Chris and the platoon are divided between Elias and Barnes, viewers also feel somewhat divided. You feel compelled to side with Elias because he is jaded and righteous and seems to care about his men, but you can't help but admire Barnes' hardiness, his determination to win the war and ability to survive.

After our class discussion about allegory, the Christ figure and Machiavelli, as well as the inability of humans to be purely good or evil, you understand that this is a decision that is not as easy as one might hope.

Imagine that you are a soldier in this platoon. Who do you follow, Sgt. Barnes or Sgt. Elias? Take into consideration all factors: survival, morality, reality of the war environment, psychological effects of the war, constant extreme stress, and any other factors that would affect your decision. Explain your decision in a thoughtful and well supported blog entry.

PLEASE ADD WORD COUNT AT END OF EACH BLOG ENTRY!

Primary Blog Entry Expectations (respond to the prompt above): 200-250 words, minimal errors in grammar and usage, thoughtful and thorough writing. Please use the assigned "pen name" given to you in class.

Secondary Blog Entry Expectations (read everyone's first responses, select two that interest you, and respond to their ideas): 100-150 words EACH, minimal errors in grammar and usage, thoughtful and thorough writing. Please use the assigned "pen name" given to you in class.

(3 total blog entries for this assignment)

"Facing It"by Yusef Komunyakaa

2/19/2015

Now that you have read and analyzed the poem, "Facing It" by Yusef Komuyakaa, select 3 strong images from the poem and discuss their literal AND figurative meanings. Finish your response by explaining how these images and their metaphorical meaning helps your understanding of the theme of the poem (hint: revisit the title of the poem).

PLEASE ADD WORD COUNT AT END OF EACH BLOG ENTRY!

Primary Blog Entry Expectations (respond to the prompt above): 200-250 words, minimal errors in grammar and usage, thoughtful and thorough writing. Please use the assigned "pen name" given to you in class. Due by 11:59 pm on Friday night (2-20-2015).

Secondary Blog Entry Expectations (read everyone's first responses, select two that interest you, and respond to their ideas): 100-150 words EACH, minimal errors in grammar and usage, thoughtful and thorough writing. Please use the assigned "pen name" given to you in class. Due by 11:59 pm on Sunday night (2-22-2015).

(3 total blog entries for this assignment)

Response to Randall Jarrell's "The Death of the Ball Turret Gunner"

2/12/2015

Now that you have spent some time reading and considering the imagery, connotation, and theme in Randall Jarrell's poem, please respond to the following writing prompt:

In reference to his poem, Jarrell wrote that the gunner, who sat hunched up and revolved with the turret, looked like a fetus in the womb. Based on this information, how would you interpret the first four lines of the poem? Remember to refer to the figurative imagery and connotation found within these lines.
What does the abrupt and literal imagery of the last line suggest about the speaker’s attitude toward death, specifically in war?

Please compose a Primary Blog entry of between 200 and 250 words (be sure to add word count at the end of your post).

No Secondary Blog entries needed for this posting.

War and Peace: "The Things They Carried" Primary and Secondary Blogs (3 total)

2/6/2015

Prompt: Think about the items that you carry in your bag (backpack, purse, fanny-pack, man-bag, etc.). Choose two items and explain why you have chosen to "hump" these items wherever you go. What is the tangible and intangible element of each item and why? Then think and write about what these items say about you.

Primary Blog Post: 2 Full Paragraphs (200-250 words - use at least one MLA cited quote from the short story)
Secondary Blog Post: 1 Full Paragraph (100-150 words) X 2 (one each for two classmates)

*please note: you must use a "pen name" for this assignment (both primary blog entry and secondary blog entry) but you MUST let me know who you are so that I may give you credit.

-(DAY 1) Primary Blog Post: Only those posted by the end of the day (Friday 2-6-2015 at 11:59 pm) will be scored.
-(DAY 2) Secondary Blog Post: Only those posted by the end of the weekend (Sunday 2-8-2015 at 11:59 pm) will be scored.

War and Peace: "Platoon" (1986) by Oliver Stone (Primary and Secondary Blog Entries)

3/24/2014

Sgt. Elias and Sgt. Barnes

"War" by Luigi Pirandello (Primary Blog Entry only)

3/17/2014

Now that you have read the short story "war" and watched the short film adaptation, please answer the following questions:
1.     How would you characterize the ending of this story… a realization, a denouement, or an epiphany?

Denouement - after the climax, a gentle restoration of relationships prior to the events in the story

Realization - where a character becomes aware of a reality in his or her life

Epiphany - a sudden, sharp realization, an awareness of a desire that can never be fulfilled, or "reality"

Explain your answer and describe its effect on the characters' different levels of denial. (100-150 words)

2.     What desires motivate the fat traveler? Explain. Are these in conflict?  (100-150 words)

3.     Why is the atmosphere of the overnight train appropriate? (100-150)

Denial Ain't Just a River in Egypt - "The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas"

3/12/2014

Primary Blog Entry: As you watch the film, "The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas," consider all the different ways the humans subconsciously and consciously invoke denial as a coping mechanism/survival tactic. Select two or three topics (single words) in which denial often occurs. List them, briefly define each topic, and explain how and why denial is so often found in the experience of each topic. ADD WORD COUNT AT END OF BLOG ENTRY!

Secondary Blog Entry: After you have posted your Primary Blog Entry, please read ALL of your colleagues' entries. Select two that interest you and respond to them in Secondary Blog Entries. You may agree or disagree and explain why, provide further examples and evidence, or offer an alternative way of addressing the topic. ADD WORD COUNT AT END OF BLOG ENTRY!

Primary Blog Entry Expectations (respond to the prompt above): 200-250 words, minimal errors in grammar and usage, thoughtful and thorough writing. Please use the assigned "pen name" given to you in class.

Secondary Blog Entry Expectations (read everyone's first responses, select two that interest you, and respond to their ideas): 100-150 words EACH, minimal errors in grammar and usage, thoughtful and thorough writing. Please use the assigned "pen name" given to you in class.

(3 total blog entries for this assignment)

Falling Into the State and Awaking to Die: Randall Jarrell's "The Death of the Ball Turret Gunner"

3/4/2014

Click on the photo to read poem

After reading and annotating Jarrell's poem, The Death of the Ball Turret Gunner," please consider the following question:

What does the imagery of the last line suggest about the speaker's attitude toward death?

Please post your response here, using your assigned Student Number (contact me if you forget it). Your response should:
1. use the poems' title and author's name
2. answer the prompt
3. use a properly cited quote from the poem to support your ideas (hint: better quotes aren't just the last line)
4. be between 100-150 words (hint: type response on Word Doc and the Copy/Paste into submission box)

This blog response is due by 11:59 pm tonight.

War and Peace" "The Things They Carried" Short Story Blog Post (Primary and Secondary-2 days)

2/26/2014

Prompt: Think about the items that you carry in your bag (backpack, purse, fanny-pack, man-bag, etc.). Choose two items and explain why you have chosen to "hump" these items wherever you go. What is the tangible and intangible element of each item and why? Then think and write about what these items say about you.

Primary Blog Post: 2 Full Paragraphs (5-7 sentences each - use at least one MLA cited quote from the short story)
Secondary Blog Post: 1 Full Paragraph (5-7 sentences) X 2 (one each for two classmates)

*please note: you may use a "pen name" for this assignment (both primary blog entry and secondary blog entry) but you MUST let me know who you are so that I may give you credit.

-(DAY 1) Primary Blog Post: Only those posted by the end of class will be scored.
-(DAY 2) Secondary Blog Post: Only those posted by the end of class will be scored.

Class Period E Blog