Pre-AP: Outside-Class Writing Assignment Reminder

Write a well-developed essay on the following prompt:

In some literary works, the author creates a unique society or community in order to make an important point about humanity. Examples of such works are Lord of the Flies, Anthem, and Fahrenheit 451. Discuss how the authors of these novels use their fictional society to convey important ideas about mankind and society in general. Be sure to clearly identify the “important ideas” they express.

Tips to success:

Consider using the outline we discussed in class.

Model your body paragraphs after the "Harrison Bergeron" assignment at the beginning of the six weeks.

Extensive plot summary will result in a REDO grade (no points), not a REVISE (85 points). Look at diction, metaphor, imagery, setting (time and place), conflicts (like man v. society), etc., and how the author’s use of these techniques contributes to meaning.

Remember that only REVISE and ACCEPTED essays will be taken for a grade, so submit your IWA early, rather than at the last minute to ensure that your essay will count!

*** More than 5 careless spelling mistakes and 5 careless punctuation errors will result in a REDO grade***

All essays must be typed and adhere to the MLA formatting requirements (see below). All essays must be submitted with the draft in the LEFT pocket (inside front cover) of a 2-pocket portfolio folder. Failure to meet these minimum requirements will result in the draft being returned to the student unevaluated and with no score recorded.

• Type your paper on a computer and print it out on standard, white 8.5 x 11-inch paper.


• Double-space the text of your paper (paragraph settings). Use Times New Roman (Garamond if you're “fancy”); the font size should be 12 pt. (font settings).


• Leave only one space after periods or other punctuation marks.


• Set the margins of your document to 1" on all sides.


• Indent the first line of paragraphs one half-inch from the left margin. MLA recommends that you use the Tab key as opposed to pushing the Space Bar five times, or set your paragraphs to indent the first line 0.5". Do not skip a line (i.e., leave a blank line) between paragraphs.

Drop-Dead Deadline: Thursday, May 26, 2011.
(If no work is received by 5/13, a "Missing" grade (counts as a 0) will be entered into the grade book; some work may receive a temporary "Incomplete" grade (no effect on grade), but that will be replaced with a "Missing" on 5/20.)

Suggested Outline for IWA

When writing your IWA, please consider the following outline. You may adapt it to your individual needs, but all the information must be there.

1. Thesis with the two literary devices you'll be analyzing in essay


2. Book 1 (either Anthem, Fahrenheit 451, or Lord of the Flies)


1. Message of Book 1


2. Description of society


1. How Lit Device #1 (from thesis) helps create the book's society so author's message gets through


1. Text evidence #1


2. Text evidence #2


2. How Lit Device #2 (from thesis) helps create the book's society so author's message gets through


1. Text evidence #1


2. Text evidence #2


3. Same as II, but for second book


4. Same as II and III, but for final book


5. Summary Conclusion

Pre-AP: "Harrison Bergeron" and the IWA Prompt

After reviewing Kurt Vonnegut's "Harrison Bergeron," plan an approach for the addressing this six-weeks' IWA prompt:

In some literary works, the author creates a unique society or community in order to make an important point about humanity. Examples of such works are Lord of the Flies, Anthem, and Fahrenheit 451. Discuss how the authors of these novels use their fictional society to convey important ideas about mankind and society in general. Be sure to clearly identify the “important ideas” they express.

Look at diction, metaphor, imagery, setting (time and place), etc., and how the author’s use of these techniques contributes to meaning.

Things to include:

• Author's "message" about humanity


• Literary device #1
• How it addresses the prompt (what it "means")
• Text Support #1a
• Text Support #1b


• Literary device #2
• How it addresses the prompt (what it "means")
• Text Support #2a
• Text Support #2b

IWA #6: Fahrenheit 451, et. al.

Write a well-developed essay on the following prompt:

In some literary works, the author creates a unique society or community in order to make an important point about humanity. Examples of such works are Lord of the Flies, Anthem, and Fahrenheit 451. Discuss how the authors of these novels use their fictional society to convey important ideas about mankind and society in general. Be sure to clearly identify the “important ideas” they express.

Tips to success:

Extensive plot summary will result in a REDO grade (no points), not a REVISE (85 points). Look at diction, metaphor, imagery, setting (time and place), etc., and how the author’s use of these techniques contributes to meaning.

Remember that only REVISE and ACCEPTED essays will be taken for a grade, so submit your IWA early, rather than at the last minute to ensure that your essay will count!

*** More than 5 careless spelling mistakes and 5 careless punctuation errors will result in a REDO grade***

All essays must be typed and adhere to the MLA formatting requirements (see below). All essays must be submitted with the draft in the LEFT pocket (inside front cover) of a 2-pocket portfolio folder. Failure to meet these minimum requirements will result in the draft being returned to the student unevaluated and with no score recorded.

• Type your paper on a computer and print it out on standard, white 8.5 x 11-inch paper.


• Double-space the text of your paper (paragraph settings). Use Times New Roman (Garamond if you're “fancy”); the font size should be 12 pt. (font settings).


• Leave only one space after periods or other punctuation marks.


• Set the margins of your document to 1" on all sides.


• Indent the first line of paragraphs one half-inch from the left margin. MLA recommends that you use the Tab key as opposed to pushing the Space Bar five times, or set your paragraphs to indent the first line 0.5". Do not skip a line (i.e., leave a blank line) between paragraphs.

Drop-Dead Deadline: Thursday, May 26, 2011.
(If no work is received by 5/13, a "Missing" grade (counts as a 0) will be entered into the grade book; some work may receive a temporary "Incomplete" grade (no effect on grade), but that will be replaced with a "Missing" on 5/20.)

Pre-AP: IWA #5

Choose one of the following prompts:

Compare and contrast the traitors Iago and Brutus. Pay attention not only to what they say about themselves and others, but to the trustworthiness of what others say about them, as well. Ultimately conclude whether Iago or Brutus (or both) were justified in their actions against the title character of their respective plays. Focus
on the literary devices (simile, metaphor, etc.) Shakespeare uses, not just plot summary—diction may be addressed, but it must be discussed in terms of tone/mood rather than simple vocabulary; no more than a third of your IWA may focus on diction.

(Alternatively, you may enter the Ayn Rand/Anthem essay contest. Deadline March 20 (the day you return from Spring Break.)

Tips to success:

Extensive plot summary will result in a REDO grade (no points), not a REVISE (85 points). Look at diction, metaphor, imagery, etc., and how the author’s use of these techniques contributes to meaning.

Remember that only REVISE and ACCEPTED essays will be taken for a grade, so submit your IWA early, rather than at the last minute to ensure that your essay will count!

*** More than 5 careless spelling mistakes and 10 careless punctuation errors will result in a REDO grade***

All essays must be typed and adhere to the MLA formatting requirements (see below). All essays must be submitted with the draft in the LEFT pocket (inside front cover) of a 2-pocket portfolio folder. Failure to meet these minimum requirements will result in the draft being returned to the student unevaluated and with no score recorded.

• Type your paper on a computer and print it out on standard, white 8.5 x 11-inch paper.


• Double-space the text of your paper (paragraph settings). Use Times New Roman (Garamond if you're “fancy”); the font size should be 12 pt. (font settings).


• Leave only one space after periods or other punctuation marks.


• Set the margins of your document to 1" on all sides.


• Indent the first line of paragraphs one half-inch from the left margin. MLA recommends that you use the Tab key as opposed to pushing the Space Bar five times, or set your paragraphs to indent the first line 0.5". Do not skip a line (i.e., leave a blank line) between paragraphs.

Drop-Dead Deadline: Friday, April 8, 2011.
(If no work is received by 3/25, a "Missing" grade (counts as a 0) will be entered into the grade book; some work may receive a temporary "Incomplete" grade (no effect on grade), but that will be replaced with a "Missing" on 4/1.)

Meaning in Anthem

Didn't copy down the graphic showing how to explain the meaning of Anthem based on your analysis of literary devices?

Download it here.

You're welcome.

IWA Deadline Shift

Because I'm not at school today to collect IWA #4, the February 4th "no work equals 'Missing' grade" deadline will now be Tuesday, February 8th.

The February 11 "'Incomplete' equals 'Missing' grade" deadline remains in force.

If you want me to review the content of your IWA, e-mail me your .doc or .rtf file. Your essay will still have to meet formatting standards when it's printed out, but I'll give you feedback on the content, whether you're on the right track or not.

Pre-AP: IWA #4

Choose one of the following prompts:

Novelists and playwrights often use the names of their characters to add meaning to their work. In a well-organized essay, analyze the significance of character names and name-changes in Anthem, and explain how they contribute to the novella’s meaning.

Darkness and light have long been used to symbolize ignorance and knowledge or sin and redemption. In a well-organized essay, analyze Rand’s use of darkness and light in Anthem, and discuss the way these symbols contribute to the overall meaning of the novella.

Tips to success:

Extensive plot summary will result in a REDO grade (no points), not a REVISE (85 points). Look at diction, metaphor, imagery, etc., and how the author’s use of these techniques contributes to meaning.

Remember that only REVISE and ACCEPTED essays will be taken for a grade, so submit your IWA early, rather than at the last minute to ensure that your essay will count!

*** More than 10 careless spelling mistakes will result in a REDO grade***

All essays must be typed and adhere to the MLA formatting requirements (see below). All essays must be submitted with the draft in the LEFT pocket (inside front cover) of a 2-pocket portfolio folder. Failure to meet these minimum requirements will result in the draft being returned to the student unevaluated and with no score recorded.

• Type your paper on a computer and print it out on standard, white 8.5 x 11-inch paper.


• Double-space the text of your paper (paragraph settings). Use Times New Roman (Garamond if you're “fancy”); the font size should be 12 pt. (font settings).


• Leave only one space after periods or other punctuation marks.


• Set the margins of your document to 1" on all sides.


• Indent the first line of paragraphs one half-inch from the left margin. MLA recommends that you use the Tab key as opposed to pushing the Space Bar five times, or set your paragraphs to indent the first line 0.5". Do not skip a line (i.e., leave a blank line) between paragraphs.

Drop-Dead Deadline: Friday, February 18, 2011.
(If no work is received by 2/4, a "Missing" grade (counts as a 0) will be entered into the grade book; some work may receive a temporary "Incomplete" grade (no effect on grade), but that will be replaced with a "Missing" on 2/11.)

IWA #3b: “How Much Land Does a Man Need?” / “The Necklace”

Please write an essay based on the following prompt (this graphic organizer may help):

Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “Money often costs too much.” Both “How Much Land Does a Man Need?” and “The Necklace” explore the paradox that wealth can carry a great cost to an individual, a family, and/or a community. In a well-developed, two-page (minimum) essay explore the literary strategies Tolstoy AND Maupassant use throughout their short stories to communicate this idea to the reader.

A REWRITE/70 grade will NOT be awarded for this IWA. Please submit a draft early in the post-ACP study hall week so you can get a REVISE/85 grade by the end of the 3rd Six Weeks (1/14).

Tips to success:

Do not simply recount the tragedies the characters encounter. Extensive plot summary will result in a REDO grade (no points). Substantial focus on plot summary will result in a REWRITE (also no points). Look at diction, metaphor, imagery, etc., and how the authors’ uses of these techniques changes over the course of the story to help you explore the subject of the cost of wealth/money.

Do not personalize with first-person POV (I/me/my) commentary.

Focus on both of the short stories equally. Do not write more than 60% on either one or you will be directed to REWRITE (accruing 0 points in the process).

All essays must be typed and adhere to the MLA formatting requirements (see below). All essays must be submitted with the draft in the LEFT pocket (inside front cover) of a 2-pocket portfolio folder. Failure to meet these minimum requirements will result in the draft being returned to the student unevaluated and with no score recorded.

• Type your paper on a computer and print it out on standard, white 8.5 x 11-inch paper.


• Double-space the text of your paper (paragraph settings). Use Times New Roman (Garamond if you're “fancy”); the font size should be 12 pt. (font settings).


• Leave only one space after periods or other punctuation marks.


• Set the margins of your document to 1" on all sides.


• Indent the first line of paragraphs one half-inch from the left margin. MLA recommends that you use the Tab key as opposed to pushing the Space Bar five times, or set your paragraphs to indent the first line 0.5". Do not skip a line (i.e., leave a blank line) between paragraphs.

Double-Dog-Dare-Drop-Dead Deadline: Friday, January 14, 2011.

Pre-AP: Things for Tomorrow

Tomorrow is the drop-dead deadline for IWA #3. Find the prompt and details on formatting here. You've known about this since Nov. 16th, 2010. If you have questions, ask them before 10:30 tonight. If you need me to print your IWA for you, it must already be properly formatted; I won't fix it for you this time.

For tomorrow's 6-Week Exam, you should know:

• Definitions of Christmas Carol vocabulary


• Literary Terms from this semester


• Tolstoy's use of literary devices in "How Much Land Does a Man Need?"

The vocabulary and story questions will be multiple choice. You must be able to define the literary term and provide a creative example in Section II of the test. (Using or modifying the examples I have provided takes no creativity and will not result in receipt of credit.)

Pre-AP: IWA #3

Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “Money often costs too much.” Both The Pearl and A Christmas Carol explore the paradox that wealth can carry a great cost to an individual, a family, and/or a community. In a well-developed essay explore the literary strategies Steinbeck or Dickens uses throughout his novella to communicate this idea to the reader.

This is the final IWA where a REWRITE (70 point) grade will be awarded. Please submit a draft early in the six weeks’ grading period so you can rewrite/revise and understand what is expected of you during the 4th Six Weeks.


Tips to success:

Do not simply recount the tragedies the characters encounter. Extensive plot summary will result in a REDO grade (no points), not a REWRITE (70 points). Look at diction, metaphor, imagery, etc., and how the author’s use of these techniques changes over the course of the story to help you explore the subject of the cost of wealth/money.

Focus on only one of the novellas. If you want to use A Christmas Carol, you must complete reading it in time to proceed through the IWA process.

All essays must be typed and adhere to the MLA formatting requirements (see below). All essays must be submitted with the draft in the LEFT pocket (inside front cover) of a 2-pocket portfolio folder. Failure to meet these minimum requirements will result in the draft being returned to the student unevaluated and with no score recorded.

• Type your paper on a computer and print it out on standard, white 8.5 x 11-inch paper.


• Double-space the text of your paper (paragraph settings). Use Times New Roman (Garamond if you're “fancy”); the font size should be 12 pt. (font settings).


• Leave only one space after periods or other punctuation marks.


• Set the margins of your document to 1" on all sides.


• Indent the first line of paragraphs one half-inch from the left margin. MLA recommends that you use the Tab key as opposed to pushing the Space Bar five times, or set your paragraphs to indent the first line 0.5". Do not skip a line (i.e., leave a blank line) between paragraphs.

Drop-Dead Deadline: Friday, January 7, 2011.

IWA: Last Chance

Because Ms. Perry was administrating P.A. this afternoon, you have until 11:59 P.M., Central Time, to email me your IWA. Because district email is iffy right now, attach the file (.doc or .rtf, only -- .docx will not be accepted) to an email to my personal account: chris-dot-mikesell-at-gmail-dot-com (where -dot- is a . and -at- is an @).

This will not be allowed for IWA #3.

Alternate Email Address for IWAs

On my school email account tonight I've received several emails that were sent a week ago. It is possible that IWAs may be being held up, so please send them to my personal account: chris-dot-mikesell-at-gmail-dot-com (where -dot- is a . and -at- is an @).

Thank you.

Chapters of Lit/Prof That May Help IWA #2

If you're stumped on how to support your IWA #2 thesis -- and/or if you want to write an awesome paper -- consult these chapters from How to Read Literature Like a Professor:

• 2 - "Eating"
• 7 - "The Bible"
• 11 - "Violence"
• 12 - "Symbols"
• 13 - "Politics"
• 14 - "Christ Figures"
• 16 - "Sex"
• 22 - "Blindness"

Remember, all IWA submissions must be typed; see the guidelines.

Also, the Drop-Dead Deadline is November 5th. Turn in early drafts by Nov. 1st so you will have an opportunity to rewrite or revise.

Pre-AP: IWA #2

Drop Dead Deadline: November 5th

Write an in-depth character analysis on one of the four (4) major characters in William Golding's Lord of the Flies (Ralph, Piggy, Jack, or Simon). Do not merely summarize the character, but profile him based on the rhetorical strategies Golding uses.

As you write, consider the following:

1. Symbolically, what role does your character play in the novel? (religious: saint, martyr, demon, etc.; political: despot, counselor, pacifier, etc.; or religious/political allusion) – This should be your thesis.


2. What are the traits, activities or objects associated with the character that lead you to determine this role?


3. What are his motivations?


4. How does he react to the situation on the island? What does this reveal about character?


5. How do the other boys treat him? How does this reveal character?


6. Does he die? If so, how and why? If not, why not? What deeper meaning is there to his death (or reason for him to remain alive)

Use as much textual evidence as possible to strengthen your claims. Lack of significant textual evidence will result in a “rewrite,” rather than a “revise” grade.

“Diction” should be used for its connotative—not denotative—value.

NO: The boy was a bully. (This is direct characterization and will result in summary.)

YES: He sneered at us like a Roman emperor about to consign Christians to the lions. (This is indirect characterization and can be analyzed based on diction (sneered), allusion (Roman emperor executing Christians), alliteration (hard /c/ sound) and allows plenty of room for interpretation.)

You may use your notes from class, the Professor book, and the articles we have read together, but your writing MUST be your own. Do NOT quote the Professor book; restate Foster’s ideas in your own words.

All drafts/submissions MUST be typed and take the entire novel into account. The sooner you finish reading the novel, the more time you will have to write your IWA. Remember to submit early so if/when you have to rewrite or revise you will have time to maximize your grade.

MLA Standards for IWAs

Please observe these MLA Standards when formatting your Independent Writing Assignment essays:

• Type your paper on a computer and print it out on standard, white 8.5 x 11-inch paper.


• Double-space the text of your paper, and use Times New Roman (Garamond if you're "fancy"). The font size should be 12 pt.


• Leave only one space after periods or other punctuation marks.


• Set the margins of your document to 1 inch on all sides.


• Indent the first line of paragraphs one half-inch from the left margin. MLA recommends that you use the Tab key as opposed to pushing the Space Bar five times. Do not skip a line (i.e., leave a blank line) between paragraphs.

Independent Writing Assignment #1

Both "Musée des Beaux Arts" and "Landscape with the Fall of Icarus" were written as a response to Breughel’s Landscape with the Fall of Icarus. While the poets’ inspiration was the same, their use of the subject matter in their writing is different. In a well-constructed essay contrast the uses of rhetorical strategies and poetic elements employed by Auden and Williams. Consider poetic form, focus, and mood/tone through diction.

You may use your class notes and Foster’s How to Read Literature Like a Professor as a starting point for your analytical essay, but your writing must be your own.

William Carlos Williams' "Landscape with the Fall of Icarus"

This is one of the poems you'll be using for this six weeks' IWA:

Landscape with the Fall of Icarus
William Carlos Williams

According to Brueghel
when Icarus fell
it was spring

a farmer was ploughing
his field
the whole pageantry

of the year was
awake tingling
with itself

sweating in the sun
that melted
the wings' wax

unsignificantly
off the coast
there was

a splash quite unnoticed
this was
Icarus drowning

W.H. Auden's "Musée des Beaux Arts"

This is one of the poems you'll be using for this six weeks' IWA:

Musée des Beaux Arts
W.H. Auden

About suffering they were never wrong,
The old Masters: how well they understood
Its human position: how it takes place
While someone else is eating or opening a window
     or just walking dully along;
How, when the aged are reverently, passionately waiting
For the miraculous birth, there always must be
Children who did not specially want it to happen, skating
On a pond at the edge of the wood:
They never forgot
That even the dreadful martyrdom must run its course
Anyhow in a corner, some untidy spot
Where the dogs go on with their doggy life and the
     torturer's horse
Scratches its innocent behind on a tree.

In Breughel's Icarus, for instance: how everything turns away
Quite leisurely from the disaster; the ploughman may
Have heard the splash, the forsaken cry,
But for him it was not an important failure; the sun shone
As it had to on the white legs disappearing into the green
Water, and the expensive delicate ship that must have seen
Something amazing, a boy falling out of the sky,
Had somewhere to get to and sailed calmly on.