Writing About Literature
11.1 Reading and Notes
Discuss pp 437-440
Also, look at pp 440-443 and pay special attention to the "blue margin notes" in order to get an idea as to how to jot down notes when reading a story.
11.2 Reading and Notes
Discuss pp 446-450 paying special attention to the poem When I Heard the Learn'd Astronomer by Walt Whitman and the notes in blue
(30 minutes)
11.3 Reading and Notes
Discuss pp 453-455 paying special attention to the paragraph on page 455 "Analysis is NOT plot summary" since this is a problem most students struggle with.
When analyzing prose or poetry give the reader plot info ONLY when it supports the analysis. Summarizing the plot is a waste of the reader's time since the reader has already read the story and there is no need to retell it to them.
(30 minutes)
Submit 11.3
11.4 Practing What You've Learned
Read the story, "Geraldo No Last Name" pp 456-457 and write notes on the story. Again, look at pp 440-443 to see how it is done. The topic of the paper you will be writing is: How does this story comment on stereotying and human misunderstanding? Knowing the topic of the paper, helps you to direct your notes toward the topic you will be writing about.
Submit 11.4
11.5 Writing the Analysis on the story "Geraldo No Last Name"
Given the story, "Geraldo No Last Name" pp 456-457, write a 5 paragraph (750-800 words) paper on the topic:
How does this story comment on stereotying and human misunderstanding?
Suggestion: Look at the "student essay" on pp 444-446 and follow how this paper was written. Look especially at the info in the margins in blue to see what the author did in order to correctly write the essay.
ALSO, follow the guidelines for writing about Literature on pp 453-454
Some Tips:
~when you use a quote...which you should, never have the quote in a sentence without the reason you are using the quote also included in this sentence. A quote should never "stand alone" as a sentence.
Submit 11.5 Five paragraph paper
