November 20
Read Act 5.
Draft your essay:
Introduction paragraph must begin with a PATT statement, followed by some inspiring words of your own discussing something related to your essay question choice, followed by your thesis statement.
The body paragraph proves your position, so it should be a combo of analysis (from YOUR brain) and quotes from the play.
The conclusion paragraph begins with a restated thesis and ends well. You should consider mentioning anything that you haven’t already mentioned in the body paragraph which applies to your thesis. You are welcome to quote here.
Each paragraph must be at least 350 words long. Be very, very careful to avoid plagiarism. Experienced English teachers, such as yours truly, can spot plagiarism very, very easily. Best to NOT consult any online sources for information – you could be sorry. (Simply swapping out words for other words does not prevent plagiarism, FYI.) Plagiarized papers receive no credit.
See the MLA Guidelines, below, for how to format this paper. I’m happy and eager to read a rough draft, and the final may be submitted next Wednesday but isn’t due until Wednesday, December 5, via email.
Questions? Ask!
MLA Guidelines for English Papers
- Double-space
- Use a legible, normal, boring font.
- Use the same font style and the same size throughout.
- Font size is 12-point.
- Set margins at 1”, side and bottom.
- Header goes in the upper LEFT corner, ½ inch from the top. Headers are three lines long: Your Name (first and last), Name of Course (Survey of Literature) and the date you are handing me the final draft. Write dates like this: November 28, 2024. These lines are double-spaced.
- Center the title. Do not underline it, italicize it, or place it in “quote marks”. Use capital letters correctly.
- Double-spacing applies to every line, including the one between the title and the first line of your introduction paragraph. Also, do not double-double-space between paragraphs.
Lastly, turn in your journal responses for Lear, along with your notes. If your essay is final, you will submit it also.
November 13
Please read Acts 3 and 4 this week. You are welcome to write one journal response on both…or you can write one on each chapter.
I gave you a handout with essay topics for this unit. Look over the choices, and decide which one you think you’d like to answer. We’ll discuss how to proceed next time.
November 6
Shakespeare is still relevant after 400+ years because, for one reason, his characters are deep and well-developed. Today I introduced him to you, and we took a brief look at Act 1. That video can be found at the link, below.
This week please read Act 2. Of course, you’ll enjoy it more if you can see a production/video, but you’ll still need to read and understand from the book.
As the plot thickens and Lear’s relationship with his daughters deteriorates, share your thoughts in a good journal response!
October 30
Due next week are your Literary Summary paper, and all of your journal pages and notes from October.
This week please read King Lear by William Shakespeare, Act I. Your text should be the “No Fear Shakespeare” edition, which is great for simple understanding of the plot, but not great to appreciate Shakespeare’s language. So, read it fast for general understanding, and then go back and reread some of the key passages on the left side of your text. We will focus on the left-hand text in class.
Prep for a quiz on Act 1.
October 23
Middle English is an “almost foreign” language, but it’s certainly entertaining! Here are a couple of ME sentences for you. Copy them into your journal and see if you can translate into Modern English:
1. Takith hede, that ye do not youre riytwisnesse bifor men, to be seyn of hem, ellis ye schules haue no meede at youre fadir that is in heuenes.
2. Therfore whanne thou doist almes, nyle thou trumpe tofore thee, as ypocritis doon in synagogis and stretis, that thei be worschipid of men; sothell Y seie to you, that han resseyued her meede.
Those were taken from the Wycliffe’s Bible, written around 1380.
.Also, don’t forget to write about the Wife of Bath’s tale in your journal. Word count for both should total around 350.
Our final Canterbury Tale is the Wife of Bath’s tale. Print it from the link below.
- Read and understand.
- Annotate as you read. (To annotate, you’ll underline parts that seem important to the plot and characters, define words which are unfamiliar to you, “talk back” to the characters/author…)
Alas, please begin your Literary Summary Paper, which is not due until November 6, but I’d like to check your rough draft next week.
Thanks!
October 16
Our next pilgrim’s story is the “Nun’s Priest’s Tale” and don’t we love apostrophes???
Link is below for your printing of this one. Be sure to read and annotate well, as you will have another quiz next time.
October 9
Real quick today —
If you haven’t read and annotated the prologue, do that first.
Then, read “The Pardoner’s Tale”, linked below. (I’m fairly confident that one will print just fine, but let me know if not.)
Journal response for both the prologue and the Pardoner. At least 350 words for each, please.
October 2
We said bye-bye to our hero, Beowulf, yesterday and will move on to the Middle English period with Geoffrey Chaucer and his pilgrims.
This means it’s time for you to give me all of your homework, including your Historical Approach paper, next time, October 9.
- Be sure you are following the formatting directions, including section headings, for your essay. Major papers are weighted heavily in English class, so write it well. If you don’t have your copy of the Historical Approach Paper directions, email me and I’ll send another one.
- Throughout this unit I’ve asked you to keep a journal. That’s due as part of your homework package for the Anglo-Saxon period.
- Also due are your notes. Any notes you’ve taken in class or on your own, need to be submitted.
- I gave you a worksheet on Kennings. Include it, too.
Lastly, we’re reading Chaucer’s Prologue for next time. Below is a link to the translation I’m using (there are many). Please print it, read it, and bring it with you next time. (If you tried to print before Friday morning, you were asked for a passcode…I found the same translation from a different site, and this one works. Thanks for letting me know!)
Questions? Email me with any of those. Remember, I can’t usually answer on Thursdays, and prefer not to work on the weekends, so if I don’t get right back to you, I will as soon as I can. Thank you!
September 25
Today we discussed wergild, Beowulf’s battle with Grendel’s mommy, and how the monsters represent the very real fears of Anglo-Saxon peoples. Next week we’ll wrap up the Beowulf epic with his final battle with the dragon.
For your journal write, discuss how the battle with dragon is different than the battles with the first two monsters. Beowulf is now a king…but he still acts like a warrior. Is that a good thing? A bad thing? How do you feel about his death? In light of legitimate Anglo-Saxon fears, how is Beowulf’s death very bad for his people?
Make sure you have read pages 149 – 213 and come prepared to discuss.
Bring a rough draft of your Historical Approach paper so that I can make sure you’re on the right track. Remember, it’s due on October 9.
Lastly, we’re starting the Middle English period soon with “The Canterbury Tales” by Geoffrey Chaucer. I will provide the texts for those.
September 18
Warriors and kings have a promenent role in Anglo-Saxon history and literature. Today we discussed Beowulf’s character traits in context of an “epic poem.” I hope you took notes.
This week please make sure you’ve read and understood Beowulf’s battle with Grendel’s mother, pages 87-125. As you read, note similarities and differences between this one and the battle with Grendel.
- Read pages 87-125 and be ready to discuss Beowulf’s battle with Grendel’s Mother.
- Write a journal response. I would like to read your thoughts regarding Beowulf as a hero. Does he fit the criteria for a “heroic German warrior?” How? What specific evidence can you give from the text to support your position? Go ahead and write down a quote or two in your response. Is Beowulf’s heroism similar to our thoughts of a hero today? Different? How? Do you admire Beowulf? Also, think further on how the heroic code was necessary in this period because of how difficult life was. A king must protect his people. But also, there is an inherent problem with that code in light of Christian values. We’ll discuss this next time, but you should think about it now.
- Complete the Kennings worksheet and keep it in your binder.
- Begin to draft your Historical Approach paper. Below are links to Anglo-Saxon history, which you will find useful.
https://www.history.org.uk/primary/resource/3865/anglo-saxons-a-brief-history
https://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ancient/anglo_saxons/saxons.shtml
https://www.natgeokids.com/uk/discover/history/general-history/anglo-saxons/
Thank you!
Hello! You’ve found your way to the homework page for High School English. Below is a LONG post, and you’ll need to read it all.
In the future, you can expect much shorter posts, but today I have to give you a lot of information. Thanks!
Overview of Assignments for September: The Medieval Period
Your reading schedule for September is below. Notice that I’m not requiring you to read all this lengthy work, only the three main battles. Naturally you’ll get more out of Beowulf by reading the entire text, but we don’t have time to devote our attention to background and internal poetry. It does make for good reading, though.
Introduction to our hero and Battle #1 — Assigned on 9/10, due on 9/17: pages 3-71
Battle#2, Grendel’s Mom –Assigned on 9/17, due on 9/24: pages 87-125
Beowulf’s Final Battle with the Dragon — Assigned on 9/24, due on 10/2: pages 149 – 213
As you read, annotate the text. Annotation is a key tool for understanding and means that you should be underlining, writing notes to yourself in the margins, circling key words, etc. Believe me, you’ll get more out of any story if you interact with it by annotation.
Of course, you can also use sticky notes to call attention to portions of the text. I’ll be giving you clues as to what’s important to look for.
Note taking on the text can be helpful, if you’re a good note taker. Later you may decide to use your notes in an essay, so there’s that.
Each week I’ll post your specific assignment here. However, since you may want to get a jump on future assignments, here’s a peak at what’s coming:
- Journal Response: Each week write a minimum of 350 words in response to the reading assignment. I’ve explained how to journal in the document linked here.
- Lecture notes are due on October 9.
- Watch The Dig on Netflix. This isn’t a requirement, but it’s a fascinating “historical fiction” look at an actual Anglo Saxon burial site discovered and excavated in 1939. See this article for background: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/suffolk/sutton-hoo If you do choose to watch the movie, write a journal entry of your thoughts and observations.
- Write a Historical Approach paper on the Medieval Period, AD 410-1066. More details to follow; this is due on October 9.
September 10
- Read pages 3 – 71. Annotate as you read.
- Write a Journal Response to your reading; minimum of 350 words.
- Review your lecture notes. You don’t have to rewrite or retype them, but since they’re fresh in your mind, add any information you remember or want to clarify.
- Come to class ready to discuss your reading.