"The Sentence Is a Lonely Place"

You will find Gary Lutz's discourse here.

Dangling Modifier Practice

In preparation for copy editing each other short stories, try the quick exercise I prepared at noredink.com. 

Literary Essay Models

For a great example of close reading, take a look at this model literary essay based on Emily Dickinson's poem,
"Because I could not stop for Death".

For another great example of close reading, have a look at this model literary essay that analyzes the prose of Toni Morrison.

Short Story About Love Rubric

We're going to limit this to two categories and make this a summative assessment. As you are filling in the various criteria keep in mind what we've been working on in terms of writing.


Edit here. 

For Next Class

Print out the final draft of your short story about love with syntax reflecting an idea. Be ready to explain how the syntax of a specific sentence demonstrates something to the reader (form-content).

Complete any pending reading goals (and annotate).

Bring in three sections of text from your author for close reading.

What is a literary essay?

Here are some examples of the kind of literary essay I am going to ask you to draft for next week. Have a look. 

A Short Story in the Interrogative Mode?

Please read this excerpt. How does the syntax mode effect the meaning of this text?

Interview with Anita Jain

Check out an interview with the author of "Is Arranged Marriage...".

Today's Classwork

Dear Class(es):

Today I’ll be out of class as I’m participating in a workshop (on campus).

So, I’ve created some activities in preparation for my favorite holiday: Valentine’s Day. Complete each of the follow.

A.      Read “Measure” by Zareh Khrakhouni. Answer all the corresponding question.

B.      Read “Is Arranged Marriage Really Any Worse Than Craiglist” (page 701). Answer all the corresponding questions.

C.      Read “Boyfriend” by Randall Monroe. Answer the corresponding questions.

D.      Choose any two tasks from “Entering the Conversation”. Complete them on a separate piece of paper (real or digital).

E.       With any extra time you may work on your short story revisions, due Thursday. You must have them either printed or on your computer. Anyone who does not have the story in class will have to stay afterschool Thursday.

Syntax Sheet

Here it is.

Reading, Reading Notes and Video Chats

While we focus on writing your author study paper, we're going to move away from blogging and move towards reading with annotation and weekly video chats with your author study group.

Your notes will be chosen at random from your reading. Your note will then be assessed and graded based on the following:
- relevance
- thought
- level of abstraction

Your weekly video chats must be completed by Sunday night of each week (latest). Discussions should be from 15-20 minutes in length. In them you will be assess on:
-citation of text
-discussion of vocabulary (new words and important terms)
-level of abstraction
-participation in discussion
-connections with other texts by same author
-authenticity