POST #3: Getting to Know the Clutters and the Killers...

As you read through Part I of In Cold Blood, "The Last to See Them Alive," reflect on Capote's amazing writing techniques and how he draws the reader so closely in to BOTH the Clutter family as well as Dick and Perry. How does this make you feel? Why? What parts leave you full of suspense, horror, and/or shock? Develop your discussion into two lengthy paragraphs, incorporating at least three textual passages - be sure to quote and cite. Due by midnight on Friday, November 14th - 20 pts.

"Catch" the updates...:)

1. You should by now have checked out the college applications that you plan on submitting, and either printed up the college essay topic (s) or written it (them) down to complete for class.

2. Today and tomorrow will be dedicated to working on your college essays - use your time wisely. A final typed up, double-spaced college essay will be due any time next week (40 pts).

3. Finish up The Catcher in the Rye, commenting on Salinger's purpose, the title, and the symbolism of Holden's red hunting hat and the carrousel. (due for Monday)

Catcher - it kills me, it really kills me...

I hope you are enjoying listening to Holden...it's quite a rollercoaster ride, isn't it? He has us laughing one second and crying another. Typical emotional life of a 16 - 17 year old? (Well, Holden has suffered tremendous loss...)

Please continue to "converse" with Mr. Salinger, and use Post-its for comments, reactions, questions, etc.. Always think about the author's purpose, audience, and writing strategies. Remember we are still focusing on the Narration/Description Writing Mode, so keep in mind the choice of narrator and point of view, word choice, plot and pace, conflict, etc..

Chapters 1 - 7 for Tuesday, Rock-tober 14th
Chapters 8 - 12 for Friday, Rock-tober 17th

Blog Post #2: Discuss what makes Holden a universal, typical teen...worries? angst? opinions? general beliefs? fears? Why is he so sad? Use at least two textual passages (quote and cite) in your lengthy one-paragraph discussion - due by midnight, Tuesday, Rock-tober 21st - 15 pts.

"I still had my red hunting hat on, with the peak around to the back and all. I really got a bang out of that hat" (Salinger 27).

For more information on Mr. Salinger and this famous controversial book, you can visit:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J._D._Salinger

From Novel to Screen...Wow! A Sweep of all Five

As we view the five-time-Oscar-winning film One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, you are to finish reading the novel and conversing with Mr. Kesey. The final discussion questions are due for Friday, October 3.

"...that big wide-open laugh of his. Dials twitch in the control panel at the sound of it" (Kesey 22). Start brainstorming ideas for your metaphor paper - remember, it's your own creative piece, written as a narrative story or a descriptive essay. Rough draft is due Tuesday, Oct. 7.

A Newsweek photographer recently traveled the world and documented horrific, deplorable conditions of mental institutions. Take a look - click on the newsweek link, and look for "A Shameful Legacy." http://xtra.newsweek.com/

Remember to start the college application search - look for the essay topics - print them up! We will be working on the dreaded college essay soon!

"Who's the bull goose looney around here?"

Continue to read One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest and converse with Mr. Kesey. Comment, question, argue, discuss!! Use post-its or paper! Read actively!! Be through page 101 for Wednesday, Sept. 17th; be through 122 for Monday, Sept. 22nd. Check out the link below - peruse info about Kesey; click on the links within the site - the Merry Pranksters, The Beat Culture, the 1960s...you might also want to Google mental institutions in the 1950s.

http://kclibrary.lonestar.edu/kesey.html

Please click on the link to the left, "Why I Write" by George Orwell, and print up your own copy of Mr. Orwell's essay. Read it over, and have a conversation with Orwell! Highlight, underline, comment, question, react. If you come across any unfamiliar vocabulary, define them.

Due Wednesday, Sept. 10

Reading and/or revisiting The Giver

Please read/reread Lois Lowry's The Giver by February 22nd. Make note of how she uses the division and classification writing strategies, and be prepared to write about the effectiveness of this in conjunction with Rand's Anthem. (You might want to have specific text and page numbers written down.) Consider the purpose and audience of both authors.

Anthem and ARI

Please click on the link over to the left, "The Ayn Rand Institute," scroll down and visit the Ayn Rand Lexicon. Refresh your understanding of her philosophy of Objectivism, and then go to any letter to search for topics and read her statements. Pick any one topic, read what Rand has to say, and then post a personal reaction/discussion on your blog. Based on your reading of Anthem, does it surprise you that she feels this way about the topic you chose? Explain, using specific references to Anthem. (Length: 2 paragraphs, 10 pts.)

Peruse the Ayn Rand Institute site, and let me know if you wish to borrow her famous novels, Atlas Shrugged and/or The Fountainhead.

Final Memoir?

Revise, edit, develop your memoir. Remember, there is no set length, so write to your heart's content - most of you have at least two pages, typed, double spaced by now! Hand in anytime up until the end of next week - Feb. 15th.

Writing Your Own Memoir

Just a reminder...two pages (typed, double spaced) of your memoir is due for tomorrow, Tuesday, Feb. 5th, as we will be working on editing and revising your writing. Enjoy!