Literature of the American Pilgrims Monday, August 29, 2016

Bellwork 8/29/16: Please answer the following questions on your bellwork paper along with your Name, Class Period, and Date. How do you feel about writing? 1 = I hate it 5 = I’m indifferent about it 10 = I love to write! How comfortable are you with writing a thesis statement? 1 = what is a thesis statement? 5 = I know what a thesis is, but I struggle with writing one. 10 = I am quite capable of creating a thesis statement and supporting it. Can you list the Six Traits of Writing? If so, write them down. If not, can you guess what they are? Why are the Six Traits important? What do you need the most help with when it comes to writing? What can you offer help with?

Classwork 8/29/16: You may work individually or with a partner Classwork 8/29/16: You may work individually or with a partner. No more than two people!! Reread “To My Dear and Loving Husband” p. 76. Paraphrase each stanza – you should have three summaries in your own words. On notecards, write the vocabulary words below in the middle. In the Upper Right Hand Corner, list a synonym for the word. Write the definition in the Upper Left Hand Corner. On the bottom of the card, write an original sentence using the word, and on the back of the card, draw a picture that will help you remember the word. quench recompense manifold persevere pious

What is the apparent contradiction in the last two lines of the poem? Exit Ticket 8/29/16: Please answer the following questions on your Exit Ticket along with your Name, Class Period, and Date. What is the apparent contradiction in the last two lines of the poem? Define the word paradox. What does the last stanza reveal about Puritan beliefs in an afterlife?

Literature of the American Pilgrims Tuesday, August 30, 2016

Bellwork 8/30/16: Please answer the following questions on your bellwork paper along with your Name, Class Period, and Date. How is Bradstreet’s poem reflective of the America she lived in? How does Puritan society compare to our own? How are they contrasted? Do you like her poem? Why (not)?

The Thesis Statement: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9R0ivCaLtnY https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6n0f_bR5aoc What is the thesis statement in the essay? A thesis statement usually appears at the end of the introductory paragraph of a paper and offers a concise summary of the main point or claim of the essay, research paper, etc. The thesis statement is developed, supported, and explained in the course of the paper by means of examples and evidence. Thesis statements help organize and develop arguments, and serve as a signal to readers about the topic of a paper.

How do I know if I have written a strong thesis statement? Do I answer the question presented in the writing prompt? Have I taken a position that others might challenge or oppose? Remember, a thesis statement is an OPINION, not a fact. Is my thesis statement specific enough? Does my thesis pass the “So what?” test? Does my essay support my thesis specifically and without wandering? Does my thesis pass the “how and why?” test?

Analyzing Thesis Statements: Whole Class Discussion: Look at each of the statements on side one of the handout. What is wrong with each of the statements? Should the statements be scrapped, or can they be revised to make strong statements? Either individually or with a partner, complete the following… Examine each of the thesis statements on the backside of the handout. What is the problem with each of the statements? How can the thesis statements be improved?

Exit Ticket 8/30/16: Please submit your thesis handout before leaving class today. This will be your exit ticket. Make sure that your name, date, and class period are on the handout.

Literature of the American Pilgrims Wednesday, August 31, 2016

School Picture Time! Please stay together as a class and get through the lines as quickly as possible. When we return to class, come straight back. I will take attendance a second time and mark you tardy if you take a field trip on the way back. Thanks in advance for not wasting class time. 

Literature of the American Pilgrims Thursday, September 1, 2016

Bellwork 9/1/16: Please answer the following questions on your bellwork paper along with your Name, Class Period, and Date. Read Literary Analysis p. 80. What is a metaphor? What is a conceit? Write an original example of a metaphor. What are the two things being compared?

Classwork 9/1/16: Read Edward Taylor’s Bio on p. 81. Why didn’t Taylor allow most of his work to be published? What was life like for Taylor in Westfield, Massachusetts, in the 1670s? Read “Huswifery” on p. 82. What household activity is mentioned in the first two stanzas? How does this activity contribute to the idea of being “clothed in holy robes for glory,” in the third stanza? What images does this poem create that contradict the Puritan belief that clothing should be dark and plain? What do these images suggest about Taylor’s feelings about God?

Exit Ticket 9/1/16: Literary Analysis: Define the following literary terms on Cornell Notes. Use the questions column to write the term, and the notes column for the definitions and examples. See pages R24-31 in the back of your book! rhyme: rhyme scheme: meter: alliteration: assonance: consonance:

Poetry Analysis… Complete this activity on your Cornell Notes and submit to basket. North Side of Room will analyze “To My Dear and Loving Husband” p.76 for examples of the literary terms you just identified. What is the overall tone of the poem? What is the theme of the poem? Identify examples of metaphor and/or simile. South Side of Room will analyze “Huswifery” p. 81 for examples of the literary terms you just identified. What is the overall theme of the poem?

Exit Ticket 9/1/16: We will complete this as a class today… Prepare for Tuesday’s reading of “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” by setting up Cornell Notes. The topic/objective: Analyzing a Sermon. Read Literary Analysis p. 84. Define sermon and archetype. Read the bio of Jonathan Edwards and add bullet points providing details about the preacher’s life.

Literature of the American Pilgrims Friday, September 2, 2016

Bellwork 9/1/16: Please answer the following questions on your bellwork paper along with your Name, Class Period, and Date. What is the extended metaphor/conceit used in Taylor’s poem, “Huswifery”? What commonalities exist among the texts we have read so far in American Literature? What differences do you notice?

Prep for In-Class Essay… Complete the following: Look through your notes including bellwork and exit tickets and identify common themes in Native American and Puritan literature. What do the themes tell you about the people? What does it tell you about their values and the world they lived in? Using this information, write a thesis statement answering the essential question: What makes American literature American? Your essay should contain a strong thesis statement and at least three body paragraphs with evidence to support your opinion. Each body paragraph should have at least one quotation from any of the texts we have read so far. In all, you will have five paragraphs: an introduction, three body paragraphs, and a conclusion. List the points you will make in your paper and the quotations and ideas you will use to back your claims. Please note: I will ask you to turn in these notes with your completed essay on Friday. Please use this time wisely. Thanks! 

In-Class Essay… Identify common themes in Native American and Puritan literature. What do the themes tell you about the people? What does it tell you about their values and the world they lived in? Using this information, write a thesis statement answering the essential question: What makes American literature American? Your essay should contain a strong thesis statement and at least three body paragraphs with evidence to support your opinion. Each body paragraph should have at least one quotation from any of the texts we have read so far. In all, you will have five paragraphs: an introduction, three body paragraphs, and a conclusion.