10 th Grade Language Arts International Baccalaureate Mr. S. Bradley Welcome Students!

Language Arts You took it for three years in middle school. You’ll need to take it for four years in high school. Why? What is it about the Language Arts class that’s so important? Exercise: Take a minute and thoughtfully condense last year’s Language Arts class down into a single word. This can pertain to purpose, topics, thematics, whatever you like.

Literary Analysis Literature, for our curriculum’s purposes, encompasses… –Prose Fiction –Prose Nonfiction –Epic –Poetry –Film –Visual Storytelling –Theater

In our classroom forum, literature is about: Understanding “The challenging thing about literature is finding answers, but equally important is recognizing what questions need to be asked… Thomas C. Foster

In our classroom forum, literature is about: Art “If I lose the light of the sun, I will write by candlelight, moonlight, no light. If I lose paper and ink, I will write in blood on forgotten walls. I will write always. I will capture nights all over the world and bring them to you.” Henry Rollins

In our classroom forum, literature is about: Intellect “If you can’t read and write, you can’t think: your thoughts are dispersed.” Ray Bradbury

Then, logically… “The quality of your reading and writing dictates the quality of your thought.” - Mr. Bradley

In my class, reading and writing are but means to an end. Ultimately, this class is about thinking… Critically Logically With insight In other words, we will focus on looking beyond the obvious.

Literary Analysis What is the purpose of analysis? Isn’t saying “It’s my opinion” enough? What do we mean by “analysis,” anyway?

In our classroom forum, analysis is about: Reasoning Reasoning versus Intuition Reasoning: Observation and evidence- based, thoughtful Intuition – Reflexive and quick, and yet…

"Intuition and analysis are often regarded as opposing and incompatible. Analysis is felt to fight spontaneity and deplete one’s enjoyment. This is an unfortunate and misleading dichotomy. Intuition is speeded up thought: It is reasoning that occurs too rapidly for us to be able to articulate it to ourselves consciously. The purpose of analysis is to train our intuition, so that our visceral responses arise from the most comprehensive possible perceptions and understanding.“ - Anthony Brandt

Intuition: Broccoli is gross. Reasoning: Broccoli never appealed to my palate – the cabbagey flavor and aroma of overcooked broccoli is offputting. And undercooked broccoli is stringy and gets stuck in my teeth.

In our classroom forum, analysis is about: Manipulation This is the nature of art, whatever its form. One of the artist’s main goals is to manipulate his or her audience in some way…

In our classroom forum, analysis is about: Argumentation Be concise. Be logical. Prove it. Otherwise…

…you’re nothing but an untethered opinion floating in the ether.

Course Objectives Increase students’ literary analytical abilities Enhance perception and knowledge of literary, poetic, and filmmaking technique Improve students’ writing, observational, speaking, and listening skills Fulfill the prescriptive program as set forth by the International Baccalaureate (IB) office Prepare students for nationwide, state, and IB testing

Course Outline Students analyze a variety of features according to specific genre terminologies and techniques when discussing device, effect, purpose, and style when analyzing the following…

Course Outline Semester I The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald –Prose Fiction (Satirical, Modernist) Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Robert Armitage (translator) –Epic Poetry Film Analysis and Graphic Novels, various sources –Film, Visual Storytelling Semester II Poetry, various sources –Poetry Macbeth, William Shakespeare –Theater (Tragedy) 1984, George Orwell –Prose Fiction (Cautionary/Speculative/Dystopian)

Grades The following assessments are used to generate grades: –formal critical essays and commentaries, literary forums, other forms of writing –oral presentation, group projects and discussions –outside reading and research –Dialectical Journals –reading quizzes and vocabulary tests Report cards - every nine weeks Class Grades will be posted and updated constantly

Required Materials Assigned literature book Composition Notebook Binder Loose-leaf notebook paper Pen (blue or black ink) and pencil Red Pen (for correction and feedback) Highlighters, colored pencils Small stapler (recommended) Computer disk or portable USB drive –I recommend that my students look into a free GoogleDocs/Dropbox account

Plagiarism and Cheating Plagiarism –To present another person’s ideas as if they were your own Cheating –The giving or receiving of test information before, during, or after administration Late Work Tardies and Absences Passes Make-up Work

and Class Website My address Class Grades Through Portal connection Class Website