AP Literature and Composition

1. Make an 8x11 sign for your two syntactical techniques.  Look at the attached powerpoint for a more detailed explanation of the assignment.

Homework tonight is as follows:
1. Write a 500 word analysis of the passage from Joseph Conrad's "The Secret Sharer".
2. Study for Vocabulary Quiz 1 (sentence structure: complex sentences)

I know that you are all juggling a number of assignments, so for this week I thought that I would help you all plan. (See right hand side of the page).  This section of our webpage will always have listed our long term and ongoing assignments.
Today though, your homework is to write a paragraph which describes a Big Mac.  The catch is that this paragraph needs to utilize two different kinds of diction.  See today's PowerPoint for more detailed instructions.
Good Luck!

Our Moodle page has been set up and is ready for use.  Please read the attached document, "Introduction to Moodle", for your set up instructions.  Once you login to our Moodle page, read Online Participation expectations.  This document outlines how frequent I am expecting you to logon to Moodle.  Your first "Moodle Homework" is due on Friday, September 17th.  Good Luck!

Sorry for the tardiness of this homework entry. This weekend you are writing an essay in response to the McTeague excerpt.  Read carefully the passage from McTeague by Frank Norris.  In a well organized essay discuss how the characterization in the passage reflects the narrator’s attitude toward McTeague. In your essay, consider such elements as diction, tone, detail, and syntax.

Week 1 (9/15): Sentence Pattern: complex sentence 

1. brazen  2. compunction  3. din  4. edict  5. indiscretion  6. perquisites  7. sepulcher  8. suppliant  9. tumult  10. marauding

You will have your first vocabulary quiz on Wednesday, September 15th.

Enjoy the holiday!

For Friday: Write a rough draft of your "Dragon Essay" and read the excerpt on McTeague.  Please also remember to bring to class a two inch binder.

Two long term assignments that you will engage in this semester are a poetry study and an Independent Novel Study.  Poetry is something that the more frequently you read the more you will understand and enjoy.  With this goal in mind, your poetry assignment was born.  In regards to your independent novel study, please look over the book list attached to your assignment sheet and start thinking about what you want to read.  As soon as Moodle is set up I will have you post your book choices and a little blurb about why you choice the books that you did.

Please check in with me if you have concerns or questions about the class.  Thanks for a great class!

Thank you for a great first day!  I apologize for letting the time get away from me today; however I thoroughly enjoyed listening to your "Where I'm From" poems and learning a little bit more about who you are and your literary voice.

We will continue going over the syllabus and AP exam tomorrow.  Please review the syllabus tonight so that you are prepared for our discussion. 

I am thrilled that you have decided to embark on this challenging and rewarding journey through the last three hundred years of literature!   The title of the course is "AP Literature and Composition" and promises with its title more than can be accomplished in a lifetime of study.  My job has been to narrow this down to a course that can be tackled in one semester.  We will, therefore, scratch the surface of some of the world's greatest works and write about them in a variety of ways.  You job will be to first and foremost read the material.  Our class discussions will be richer for you if you know what we are talking about.  Secondly, engage in our class discussions.   This class is most likely your first experience in a college-like environment.  Discussions are the core and foundation of this class and most college classes.  Therefore the success of our class depends on your engagement.  Finally, ask questions. A good question is a sign of intellect.  Questions are what make our class and life for that matter interesting.  
 This blog will be your one-stop location for class announcements, daily homework assignments, class handouts, writing resources, helpful links, and much much more.  Over the course of the semester you will also be using Moodle, as a means for continuing our class discussions on the literature that you are reading.  You will have weekly Moodle homework, so make sure you set up your account ASAP.