Here are the time slots you signed up for to complete your IB oral.
Tuesday June 15th:
2:30pm-3pm: Shin
Monday June 21st:
10-10:30am: Nicola
10:30am-11am: Katie
12-12:30pm: Nick
12:30pm-1pm: Matt
2:30-3:00pm: Rajnihant
Tuesday June 22nd
1-1:30pm: Parbattie
1:30pm-2pm: Jessica
2-2:30pm: Jason
2:30-3pm: Okenya
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Friday, May 21, 2010
TTTC discussion questions #2
Post responses to the following questions. This discussion should be beneficial to your final assessment options.
The story Rat tells in "Sweetheart of the Song Tra Bong" is highly fantastical. Does its lack of believeability make it any less compelling? Do you believe it? Does it fit O'Brien's criteria for a true war story?
In "Good Form", O'Brien casts doubt on the veracity of the entire novel. Why does he do so? Does it make you more or less interested in the novel? Does it increase or decrease your understanding? What is the difference between "story truth" and "happening truth"?
On the copyright page of the novel appears the following: "This is a work of fiction. Except for a few details regarding the author's own life, all the incidents, names, and characters are imaginary." Why do you feel O'Brien chose to write this book as fiction? Why does he call the book fiction when so many of the stories seem autiobiographical? What is the relationship between facts and truth?
The story Rat tells in "Sweetheart of the Song Tra Bong" is highly fantastical. Does its lack of believeability make it any less compelling? Do you believe it? Does it fit O'Brien's criteria for a true war story?
In "Good Form", O'Brien casts doubt on the veracity of the entire novel. Why does he do so? Does it make you more or less interested in the novel? Does it increase or decrease your understanding? What is the difference between "story truth" and "happening truth"?
On the copyright page of the novel appears the following: "This is a work of fiction. Except for a few details regarding the author's own life, all the incidents, names, and characters are imaginary." Why do you feel O'Brien chose to write this book as fiction? Why does he call the book fiction when so many of the stories seem autiobiographical? What is the relationship between facts and truth?
Thursday, May 13, 2010
TTTC discussion #1
Post responses to the following questions. This discussion should be beneficial to your final assessment options.
According to O'Brien, how do you tell a true war story? What does he mean when he says that true war stories are never about war? What does he mean when he writes of one story, "That's a true story that never happened?
How do the stories in the book help you in understanding the frustration and/or disillusionment of so many U.S. troops who fought in Vietnam? Similarities/parallels to war in Iraq?
According to O'Brien, how do you tell a true war story? What does he mean when he says that true war stories are never about war? What does he mean when he writes of one story, "That's a true story that never happened?
How do the stories in the book help you in understanding the frustration and/or disillusionment of so many U.S. troops who fought in Vietnam? Similarities/parallels to war in Iraq?
Monday, May 3, 2010
Coffee House Poems
We had some great selections read at our coffee house. Please post the poem you performed to share with others.
Monday, April 26, 2010
On the Road Discussion Questions #2
Respond to the following questions and reply to classmates. Check back and add to the conversation!
Is Dean a hero, a failure, or both?
Some critics have claimed that the world Kerouac depicts in On the Road glorifies the deeds of uneducated, criminal young men leading irresponsible lives, committing sacrilegious acts. Given today's low tolerance for youthful rebellion, particularly drug use, do you find the behavior of Dean Moriarty and Sal Paradise repugnant and totally inappropriate? Do you think Kerouac is approving or critical of his characters' behavior?
Why do you think On the Road, after more than fifty years since its original publication, still maintains a magnetic hold on American youth culture? Is the novel's significance to your generation different from its significance to younger and to older generations? How has the meaning of On the Road changed for you since your first encounter with it?
Is Dean a hero, a failure, or both?
Some critics have claimed that the world Kerouac depicts in On the Road glorifies the deeds of uneducated, criminal young men leading irresponsible lives, committing sacrilegious acts. Given today's low tolerance for youthful rebellion, particularly drug use, do you find the behavior of Dean Moriarty and Sal Paradise repugnant and totally inappropriate? Do you think Kerouac is approving or critical of his characters' behavior?
Why do you think On the Road, after more than fifty years since its original publication, still maintains a magnetic hold on American youth culture? Is the novel's significance to your generation different from its significance to younger and to older generations? How has the meaning of On the Road changed for you since your first encounter with it?
Monday, April 12, 2010
On the Road Discussion Questions #1
Please respond to the following questions and to classmate responses. Feel free to check back and post again once the discussion has started.
How is On the Road written that is different from earlier, more traditional novels? What kind of effect does this have on traditional plot? Does the form help to express the themes of the novel?
Is Sal an honest narrator? Are there any inconsistencies in his narration? If so, what effect do they have on the story?
How is On the Road written that is different from earlier, more traditional novels? What kind of effect does this have on traditional plot? Does the form help to express the themes of the novel?
Is Sal an honest narrator? Are there any inconsistencies in his narration? If so, what effect do they have on the story?
On the Road presentation dates and topics
Friday April 16th
Shin: key players of the Beat Generation
Rajnihant: Impact of the 1940s and 1950s on the Beat Generation
Jessica: lead a class discussion on the American Dream
Monday April 19th
Nick: lead a class discussion on individualism
Savahna: impact of Jazz on the Beat Generation
Maeanna: Lead a class discussion on pop culture
Thursday April 22nd
Jason: impact of Buddhism on the Beat Generation
Anthony: lead a class discussion on social rebellion
Katie: lead a class discussion on artistic freedom
Friday April 23rd
Parbattie: Beat Poetry
Nicola: feminist perspective and the Beats
Mattew: lead a class discussion on personal identity
Okenya: Beats and impact on the 1960s and modern society
Shin: key players of the Beat Generation
Rajnihant: Impact of the 1940s and 1950s on the Beat Generation
Jessica: lead a class discussion on the American Dream
Monday April 19th
Nick: lead a class discussion on individualism
Savahna: impact of Jazz on the Beat Generation
Maeanna: Lead a class discussion on pop culture
Thursday April 22nd
Jason: impact of Buddhism on the Beat Generation
Anthony: lead a class discussion on social rebellion
Katie: lead a class discussion on artistic freedom
Friday April 23rd
Parbattie: Beat Poetry
Nicola: feminist perspective and the Beats
Mattew: lead a class discussion on personal identity
Okenya: Beats and impact on the 1960s and modern society
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Grapes of Wrath Discussion Questions #2
Assignment: Post comments to the following questions and reply to classmate responses. Check out what was added to our past discussions!
1. Discuss the ending of the novel. Does it fit aesthetically with the rest of the book? Is it believable for Rose of Sharon to assume the role of a transcendent giver of life? Does the ending effectively embody thematic trends within the novel’s development? Does it provide hope, or does it leave the reader unsettled?
2. What are some possible biblical allusions in the novel and what connections can you make? (Consider: The Book of Job, Noah and the Flood, the Promised Land, Jesus and Casy, Tom and the apostles, Rose of Sharon)
1. Discuss the ending of the novel. Does it fit aesthetically with the rest of the book? Is it believable for Rose of Sharon to assume the role of a transcendent giver of life? Does the ending effectively embody thematic trends within the novel’s development? Does it provide hope, or does it leave the reader unsettled?
2. What are some possible biblical allusions in the novel and what connections can you make? (Consider: The Book of Job, Noah and the Flood, the Promised Land, Jesus and Casy, Tom and the apostles, Rose of Sharon)
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Thursday, March 4, 2010
World Lit. Conference Times
Don't forget your World Literature paper is due the date and time you signed up for your conference.
Tuesday March 23rd
Mod 3: Parbattie
Mod 4: Savahna
Mod 8: Jason
2:50-3:35: Nicola
3:35-4:20: Nick
Wednesday March 24th
Mod 3: Okenya
Mod 4: Raj
2:50-3:35: Katie
3:35-4:20: Matt
Thursday March 25th
Mod 3: MaeAnna
Mod 8: Anthony
2:50-3:35: Shin
3:35-4:20: Jessica
Tuesday March 23rd
Mod 3: Parbattie
Mod 4: Savahna
Mod 8: Jason
2:50-3:35: Nicola
3:35-4:20: Nick
Wednesday March 24th
Mod 3: Okenya
Mod 4: Raj
2:50-3:35: Katie
3:35-4:20: Matt
Thursday March 25th
Mod 3: MaeAnna
Mod 8: Anthony
2:50-3:35: Shin
3:35-4:20: Jessica
World Literature Thesis Statements
Assignment: Please post your thesis statements. Feel free to check out what books and topics classmates are writing about and make any appropriate comments.
The Grapes of Wrath Discussion #1
Assignment: Post comments to the following questions and reply to classmate responses.
Many characters in The Grapes of Wrath are at the bottom end of the social ladder, their language is often vile, and their behavior is sometime as coarse as is their language. What was Steinbeck's purpose in portraying this group of Americans? What would be the effect on the reader if the Joads spoke "proper" English and did not curse?
Half of the chapters in The Grapes of Wrath focus on the dramatic westward journey of the Joad family, while the others possess a broader scope, providing a more general picture of the migration of thousands of Dust Bowl farmers. Discuss this structure. Why might Steinbeck have chosen it? How do the two kinds of chapters reinforce each other? How would the elimination of those chapters affect the meaning and impact of the novel?
Many characters in The Grapes of Wrath are at the bottom end of the social ladder, their language is often vile, and their behavior is sometime as coarse as is their language. What was Steinbeck's purpose in portraying this group of Americans? What would be the effect on the reader if the Joads spoke "proper" English and did not curse?
Half of the chapters in The Grapes of Wrath focus on the dramatic westward journey of the Joad family, while the others possess a broader scope, providing a more general picture of the migration of thousands of Dust Bowl farmers. Discuss this structure. Why might Steinbeck have chosen it? How do the two kinds of chapters reinforce each other? How would the elimination of those chapters affect the meaning and impact of the novel?
Monday, February 22, 2010
World Literature #1 Brainstorm
Assignment: Please respond to the following questions. Feel free to check back to see classmate ideas and to further comment.
What connections can you make between the novels Candide, Thousand Cranes, and Chronicle of a Death Foretold?
Compare and constrast the writing styles of Voltaire, Marquez, and Kawabata. Feel free to reference past discussions we've had about author organization, voice, sentence fluency, ideas, and conventions.
What connections can you make between the novels Candide, Thousand Cranes, and Chronicle of a Death Foretold?
Compare and constrast the writing styles of Voltaire, Marquez, and Kawabata. Feel free to reference past discussions we've had about author organization, voice, sentence fluency, ideas, and conventions.
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