Sunday, December 4, 2011

Semester Exam Study Guide

Do not be dismayed; we shall cover all of the material included on the study guide in depth this week. I must stress the importance of studying prior to the night of the test. I will try my best to make the necessary steps for acing this test as transparent as possible, but there is a great deal of information covered on the exam and some preparatory work must be completed outside of class. Without trying to increase test anxiety, I must remind all of you that this grade constitutes twenty percent of your final grade. Do not underestimate its importance. 

One more thing: sorry for the crazy formatting. I will provide hard copies of the study guide. For some reason the text always appears beautiful and symmetrical when I type it and then after it is posted, the words appear as if I flung them on the screen. Perhaps one of you technically-savvy students could provide me with a tutorial?  Okay, I will stop the incessant blahging (newly coined word?) and let you scroll on down to see what's on the test. Hmmm...for those of you who were patient enough to read my little message, I just might provide a bonus on the test that asks you to write the newly coined word that appeared on my blog. Here's a followup bonus: when two morphemes are blended together to make a newly constructed word, it is called this. Yes, I enjoy watching Jeopardy. No that was not the answer. And just so we are clear, if I ask you to use the word "jeopardy" in a sentence on the vocabulary section of your exam, you will not receive credit for using it as the name of the TV show. Cheerio, Mrs. M

Vocabulary
benevolent     hedonist         lassitude         incredulity     providence     omnipotent
urbane           elusive            dictum                     gestate            intrinsic          disseminate
inimical           insatiable       narcissistic     harbinger       mute               concord
suppressed    valor               treachery       suppressed    congeal           vain                            
mortal             subdue           tempest          doom              tread               alteration
peril                doleful                        jeopardy         brandish

Literary Terms
epic                 dystopia         ballad             sonnet                        simile              metaphor
tone                octave             couplet           sestet              quatrain         literary ballad
folk ballad      legend                        mystery play  morality play            
irony (situational, dramatic, verbal)           conflict (external and internal)
                       
Application & Historical Context
How might the rise of Christianity affected Britain’s literary history?

What events contributed to the shift from Old English to Middle English?

What historical events ignited the change from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance?

Draw the model for Joseph Campbell’s journey of the hero and label the steps necessary for the transformation.

A brief excerpt from a non-fiction book will be provided. Following MLA citation methodology, complete the following tasks: 1) Cite the source as it should appear on the works cited page. 2) Write a context sentence using the information. 3) Compose a sentence paraphrasing and citing the information. 4) Compose a sentence incorporating the information in a direct quotation and cite the information appropriately.

Reading Comprehension
There will be a multiple choice section that requires you to answer questions based on the literature we have covered. Because transfer students were not required to read the assigned reading for summer, 1984, it will not be covered. We will be generate most of these questions in class as we review this week.

Essay: Respond to one of the following questions in a thesis-driven essay.
Using Plato’s “Allegory of the Cave” relate the prisoner’s journey to enlightenment to your own growth this semester.
Using Joseph Campbell’s model for the hero’s journey, select a protagonist from one of the pieces of literature we have studied and argue whether he or she meets the criteria necessary to be classified as a hero. Remember to support your assertion with specific references to the text.
Geoffrey Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales is an estates satire, a type of medieval literary work that makes fun of the professions and classes in society. What flaws is Chaucer exposing in secular society and within the church?


Thursday, November 10, 2011

AISA Hospitality Room

The AISA needs all varsity cheerleaders, football players, and volleyball players to bring a baked good that can be served in the hospitality room at the state play-offs on November 18.

If you are unable to provide a snack, send $5.00 so that items can be purchased. Turn in baked goods or money to Mrs. Hinson no later than noon on November 17.

Veterans Day

For extra credit, students can interview an active or retired member of the military this weekend. The interview must be documented in a report that is at least 500 words in length, approximately one and a half typed, double spaced pages. Remember to provide information concerning the person's rank, wars fought, responsibilities or special training, and dates of service.  Ask them how they feel about your generation. What did they gain by serving our country? What does it mean to be a patriot? How did serving in the military deepen their love for America? What advice do they have for your generation?

Don't forget to take a photo with your interviewee or provide some sort of proof that you conducted the interview. I am not trying to complicate the assignment. I remember some students in my class who fabricated an interview for a similar assignment. Completing this assignment should be a memorable, meaningful learning experience. 


Assignments are due on Monday, November 14. Once the report is approved, a major grade of 100 will be added to your grade.

Congratulations!

I forgot to announce the winners for the school oratorical competition!

1st place - Meredith Caddell
2nd place - Lauren Wiggins
3rd place - Conleigh Gilmore

Meredith and Lauren went on to compete at the district competition.
Here are the results from district:
2nd place - Meredith Caddell
3rd place - Lauren Wiggins

The speeches were outstanding in both the local and district competitions. I am so proud of everyone who participated!

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Study Guide


Le Morte d’Arthur
 
1.     Know what happens in both of King Arthur’s dreams.
2.     How does he respond to each dream?
3.     After the battle, whom does King Arthur blame for the deaths?
4.     What is King Arthur’s chief concern after he kills Mordred?
5.     After King Arthur’s death, how does Sir Bedivere decide to live?
6.     Why did Sir Bedivere defy King Arthur’s wishes concerning Excalibur?

Ballads
7. Why does the king choose Sir Patric Spens?
8. What is Spens’s attitude toward the trip?
9. How does the ballad about Spens end?
10. Why does Barbara reject Graeme?
11. Why doesn’t the wife bar the door?
12. How does the wife respond to the husband when he finally speaks to the gentlemen?
13. What do John Graeme’s dying words reveal?

Page 208 & 209 - Know the difference between a folk ballad and a literary ballad.

Know how to identify iambs and feet.

Use the vocabulary words in a meaningful paragraph. Your use of the words should indicate whether you know the definition. 
Doleful                         Peril                            Jeopardy                   
Brandish                      Dwell                          Foremost

Monday, October 31, 2011

A Friendly Reminder

Your art project based on your favorite Canterbury Tales character was due today, but I will allow you to turn it in tomorrow. For each day that a major assignment is late, ten percent of the total points is deducted.

Your essay based on "The Wife of Bath's Tale" is due at the beginning of class. Try to follow the standard five paragraph essay format.

How does “The Wife of Bath’s Tale” show her commitment to the church, despite her earthy view of marriage and life? Remember to write a thesis-driven essay. Organize your thoughts before you write and remember to include the context sentence at the beginning.

Senior News

Don't forget to bring your money and purchase form this Wednesday, November 2 for your cap and gown! 
Remember: checks will not be accepted!
Senior yearbook pages are due November 4th! Make sure that you have your photos and any copy that you want on your page. Refer to the handout that Mrs. Duncan gave all of you if you have any questions. I have extra copies if anyone needs one. 

Monday, October 17, 2011

British Literature Announcements





There is an open-note test on the prologue from The Canterbury Tales this Friday.






Make sure to keep track of the different characters' personalities, appearances, and actions. Note whether each character is a commoner, a member of the court, or a clergyman. Remember that Chaucer, through his descriptions of people, made comments on society. Make sure you have the vocabulary words defined. Note the information on pages 90-94 that provide a historical background for the story. Pay careful attention to the characters that I listed on the board.


Make sure to identify your favorite character for the art project that we will complete next Monday!

Sunday, October 16, 2011

Announcements

The senior class photo will be made on Wednesday, October 19 at 9:30 a. m. Wear sunday attire. Girls, wear a dress-code approved dress; boys, wear khakis and a navy sport coat, a button-up shirt and tie.

Seniors will vote for who's who on Wednesday during first period.

On Friday, October 21, seniors who are not athletes will be dismissed at 12:30.

Keep in mind that next week is Red Ribbon Week!
Prizes will be awarded to the classes with the most participation, so please take part.

Monday: Be RED-Y when asked! Wear red.
Tuesday: Don't be mixed up with drugs! Wear mixed up, or mismatched, clothing.
Wednesday: Be twice as strong! Dress as twins, triplets, quadruplets, etc.
Thursday: Don't be scared to take a stand! Wear your halloween costume.
Friday: Be comfortable with your decision! Wear pajamas. No spaghetti straps on tops, girls!

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

9 Weeks Test Review

Dear Seniors,

Your 9 weeks test is scheduled for Thursday, October 6.

1. Know the MLA formula for citing a newspaper article that is printed-not an online version. Be able to create a context sentence, a paraphrase, and a direct quote using the article. Remember to set up the direct quote. Don't forget to include the necessary information in the parenthetical citation. I will give you a very short article to use on the test. We practiced doing this in class today. All of you should have mastered this skill. If you have questions, please come see me after school or before school.

2. Draw the diagram that explains the hero's journey according to Joseph Campbell's model.

3. Review Beowulf and Plato's "The Allegory of the Cave." There will be ten basic comprehension multiple choice questions based on the literature. Do not stress. If you have read the stories, you will be fine. Consider this section a reward.

4. The vocabulary section for the 9 weeks test will be matching or multiple choice. My definitions come from the New Oxford American Dictionary. Listed below are the vocabulary words that we have covered; please excuse the wacky formatting.


1.     formidable
2.     urbane
3.     vapid
4.     debauchery
5.     palpable
6.     sordid
7.     pugnacious
8.     lackey
9.     benevolent
10. lassitude
11. fatuous
12. incredulity
13. impudent
14. pathos
15. prodigious
16. austere
17. adulation
18. spurious
19. respite
20. omnipotent
21. copious

22. lethargy
23. servile
24. sententious
25. insidious
26. despotism
27. erroneous
28. abject
29. hedonistic
30. nostalgic
31. marionette
32. vessel
33. felicitate
34. confer
35. beatific
36. paltry
37. impediments
38. providence
39. contrive
40. lament
41. forged
42. shroud
43. infamous
44. writhing
45. elusive
46. forebear
47. intrinsic
48. disseminating
49. epochal
50. pundit
51. concomitant
52. harbinger
53. vaunted
54. grist
55. nimbus
56. insatiable
57. gestate
58. engender
59. inimical
60. dictum
61. mystifying
62. effluvium
63. portends