English I Assignments:

Please read the following assignments carefully. Any assignment plagiarized in whole or in part will receive a "0". Do NOT use Sparknotes, Shmoop, Quizlet, gradesaver, or any other online sites. We are not interested in what the writers of these sites have to say. We ant to know what YOU think!

 

Assignment #1: Annotations

--Mandatory for ALL students--

Annotate the novel, writing questions AND comments in the margins. Ideally, you should read the novel once, and annotate the novel upon a second reading. Annotations consist of TWO PARTS:

A. Highlighting or marking with sticky notes specific lines or phrases in the text you wish to comment on. These should be color-coded (see below). Do not mark entire paragraphs.

B. Notes written in the margins of the book commenting on a specific idea such as character, plot, style, etc. You should have at least 5 annotations per chapter. This minimum will earn you a passing grade, NOT guarantee an "A".

 

Your annotations should reflect a CLOSE reading of the novel. If you have never annotated for a close read before, Google "How to annotate literature".

 

Use the following code to guide your comments:

-BLUE HIGHLIGHTING/STICKY NOTES: IDENTIFY MOTIFS

--a motif is a dominant idea in an artistic or literary composition. In a motif, you may have any literary element that repeats and forms a pattern that gives the audience a feeling of unity, recognition, or completion. 

Regular level classes must complete only Assignment #1.

Honors and Gifted classes must complete BOTH Assignment #1 AND Assignment #2.

 

Repeated elements may include but are not limited to characterization, conflict, verbal expression, symbols, action, and setting.

 

-YELLOW HIGHLIGHTING/STICKY NOTES: IRONY (verbal, situational, dramatic). Where do you see the author using irony, and what kind of irony is being used? What does the reader learn about human behavior? If you do not understand irony, watch this video: What Is Irony? Three Types of Irony Lesson

*If highlighting or sticky notes are not available, record your annotations in a journal or Google Doc.

 

Assignment #2- WRITING TASK--Honors classes

 

Write a 500 to 750 word literary analysis that discusses the significance of at least two of the motifs used in the novel. Be sure to include details (evidence) from your annotations to support your claims. This composition should be typed and double spaced, using Times New Roman 12-point font. MLA heading should be used, including your full name and the due date.