Blog Archives

"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)

Randall Jarrell's "The Death of the Ball Turret Gunner" - Primary Blog entry only

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 to compare with your own experience).
Secondary Blog Post: 1 Full Paragraph (100-150 words) X 2 (one each for two classmates).

*please note: you must use your assigned "pen name" for this assignment (both primary blog entry and secondary blog entries). If you forget, you may use a word of your own choosing (appropriate!), but you MUST contact me to let me know who you are so that I may give you credit. Anonymity is important to this process.

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

Blog Requirements

*your blog must clearly relate to the prompt.
*connect to at least one aspect of the reading.
*show thinking that extends beyond simple summarization.

Blog Rubric

Want to see how you will be assessed? Please click the link below.

blog_rubric.pdf
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