- 1 - Syllabus: Language Arts IV 12 Semester, Elective Strongly recommended for students who will enter any area of Liberal Arts, this course blends composition and a survey of classical and traditional literature into a cohesive whole. In addition to reading and analyzing major literary pieces, of the Classical Period, British Literature and American Literature, students will hone their writing and critical analysis skills through a variety of writing including one major research paper. Instructor: Mrs. Jan Rychnovsky Phone # 641-342-6505 ext. 519 Email jrychnovsky@clarke.k12.ia.us
- 2 - Attendance Policy and Grading A substantial portion of the semester grade is based upon your individual participation in discussions, in-class writing projects and other activities related to the objectives of this course. Exceptions to this policy are made only for school-sponsored absences, serious illness or other emergencies. Late Work Late papers will not be accepted more than five school days past the original due date. Grading Policies Your writing efforts will be assigned a numerical grade. For grading written work and to translate the numerical grade into an eventual letter grade, the following grading scale will be used: A 100-96 A- 95-90 B+ 89-87 B 86-84 B- 83-80 C+ 79-77 C 76-74 C- 73-70 Texts and Supplies The Brief Prose Reader, Essays for Thinking, Reading and Writing (Flachmann, Flachmann, Benander and Smith) BPR Prentice Hall Literature: Timeless Voices, Timeless Themes, The British Tradition- PHL Prentice Hall Handbook- PHH In addition to books supplied you will need to bring Paper, blue or black pen Jump drive---for backup *see attachment for journal styles and research paper *all essays should be typed in 12 pt. size using a plain style of font, double space and use the following format: Name Class period Type of essay Title (the title should reflect the subject of the essay) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - Schedule of Reading/Writing Assignments (class announcements supersede this schedule) Read High School to College: How Smooth a Transition?
- 3 - prepare to discuss in class from The Transition to College Writing: Footstools and Furniture prepare to discuss in class Assessment: Begin to fill your toolbox BPR Looking at purpose/style Writings/topics of discussion Five part essay Writing for diff. purposes (science, history, health, etc) blue book essays: how to identify the question(s) and pick a format to best show what you know. MLA/APA style PH American Literature The Puritan Influence Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God 108 The Crucible 1230 Journals Fireside and Campfire 258 Irving Longfellow Lowell Wittier Shadows of Imagination Poe- The Fall of the House of Usher 308 Transcendentalism 384 Emerson Thoreau In Class Writing blue book style Poetry Dickinson 420 Whitman Langston Hughes A Nation Divided 476 Stephen Crane Frederick Douglass 496 Lincoln, Gettysburg Address Emancipation Proclamation 530
- 4 - Comparing/contrasting view points 536 Chesnut Goss McKim Jackson Turner Sojourner Truth Writing: Abstract/Précis Read information on Abstract/Précis (see attached) choose a 2000+ word article from a magazine; this can be your choice but follow school policies. RD 650-750 word abstract/précis due, prepare copy for in-class peer review. Living in a Changing World Chopin 634 Wharton Dunbar Robinson Masters Cather Facing Trouble Times 729 Williams Cummings Hemingway Welty Sanburg Faulkner Frost Harlem Renaissance 910 Hurston Hughes McKay 1946-present Tan 1136 Baldwin Hersey Brooks O Brien Persuasion Read Argument and Persuasion pp 373-386 BPR prepare for class discussion. RD 800-900 word persuasion due, prepare copy for in-class peer review
- 5 - Peer Review Worksheet (Persuasion) To be developed by class Packet Reading: From Sumaria to Rome *Complete a dialogue journal due at the end of the packet reading See page for details The British Tradition -The Beginnings of English and the Anglo-Saxon Period Background A.D. 449-1485 The Seafarer From Tristia: Ovid From Beowulf: translated by Raffel From the The Iliad: Homer * one individual journals due at the beginning of next unit Part 3: History of the English Church and People: Bede The Anglo Saxon Chronicle,From the Canterbury Tales: selections from The Prologue, The Pardoner s Tale: Chaucer * one individual journal due at the beginning of next unit Part 4: Medieval Period Read background Arthurian Legends From Sir Gawain and the Green Knight: translated by Borroff From Morte d Arthur: Malory Ballads * one individual journal due at the beginning of next unit Unit 2 Celebrating Humanity Sonnets Background: More and Elizabeth I From Utopia: More Speech Before Her Troops: Queen Elizabeth I From A Man for All Seasons: Bolt Drama Hamlet or Macbeth: Shakespeare use dialogue journaling, at least 4 entries per person Unit 3: A Turbulent Time Background Selected works: John Donne, Ben Johnson, From Paradise Lost: Milton
- 6 - Part 3 Background Selections works: Pepys, Defoe, Swift, Pope, Samuel Johnson, James Boswell. In-class writing blue book style Unit 4: Romantics and Fantasy Background Selected works: Burns, Blake, Shelley, Wordsworth, Coleridge, Lord Byron, Shelley and Keats Unit 5: Victorian Background Selected works: Tennyson, Browning, Barrett, Dickens, Bronte, Tolstoy, Arnold and Kipling Writing: Critical Analysis of Literature A critical analysis of literature is the ultimate writing and thinking activity. Use MLA style Process and points to include Choose a book, play or collection of poetry by one author Discuss the selection(s) with instructor In the first paragraph, introduce the piece or collection and give a brief summary. You must include a thesis statement and your thesis statement must be supported with discussion and examples. Considerations for analysis choose 1 to write about in depth Theme Characterization could be one character in depth or compare/contrast of two (perhaps the protagonist/antagonist) Conflicts Symbolization Individual Journal Entry Requirements *You will be expected to keep a journal with your reactions to stories we have read and/or stories of your choice. Use the reading strategies outlined in the introduction and revisit the example on the Thomas essay in the BPR.
- 7 - Date Title of piece Each entry should be a minimum of 250 words----typed Use the checklist provided in the book to help you begin; however, the following information is required to receive the full number of points. (10 pts) What is the subject of the piece? Why did you choose this piece how do you feel about it, what was your mood as you read it, did you like it? o Use a direct quote with page # to support your answer How do you interpret the meaning of the selection; what was the author s theme or purpose? Can you compare or contrast this piece with any other selection we have read: consider style, hallmarks, etc. Dialogue Journal Entry Requirements Choose a partner for the section we are covering. Engage in written dialogue about anything pertaining to the reading. Use this technique to clarify and enhance your reading. This mini-project is worth 50 points for each writer. Some considerations: *Help your partner understand the piece or present a different point of view. *What did you see as you read perhaps the piece reminded you of a painting, or a place you have seen or visited? (Sketch or attach a picture) *What mood comes through the piece; consider the adjectives, verbs, and colors. * Did you like the piece---why or why not? Final Independent Research Essay-2000 word minimum 2500 word max *Read information about Documented (research) essays pp 411-425 BPR Class will develop the peer review worksheet This is a formal, report style essay; you must use statistics. Your resources must be credible and timely. Except for background information, resources should not be older than 2 years. (depending on topic) Pick a topic closely related to your career pathway, The style of paper should reflect the pathway Citation style should reflect pathway
- 8 - Hand in formal outline first, and conference with instructor Include a title page on final draft only Attach peer evaluation with RD *Independent Research Essay to be completed by dates shown below; it is your responsibility to complete this on time. Your grade will go down by 1 for every day you are late. You also need to plan for the peer review and instructor conference well in advance. The reviewer will need at least 2 days to read the essay and make comments. *To begin, conference with instructor about desired topic and check the list on page 6 for requirements. You will be responsible for turning in the RD with a peer review on or BEFORE *Final research essay due