Stroud's House

Romeo and Juliet Blog Journal

2008-11-09T15:53:43Z

Instructions:

As you complete the following blog entries, please name each entry consistently. For example, the blog entry title for Act One's writing assignment would be: Romeo and Juliet, Act One (Diary Entry 1 - Act 1, Scene 5). Do NOT complete the entire assignment in one entry. You should be working on this assignment continually as we read the play.

Writing conventions will be considered when grading this assignment, so proofread and revise. Please be sure to meet the minimum length requirements and cite references to the play with Act/Scene/Line numbers. You may want to compose your entries in a word processor and then paste them on your blog so you will have access to word count and spellcheck.

Act One

1. Start keeping the diary that either Romeo or Juliet might have kept from the time they met (Scene 5). Keep adding entries as the play progresses. When you are finished, you should have at least 6 entries. For each entry you need to note which act and scene to which you are responding. This will be due at the end of the reading of the play (6 entries / 50 words per entry).

Act Two

1. By now you will have begun to develop some strong reactions to the characters you have met in the play. Write responses to two of the following statements (2 responses / 300 words per response):

a. The character I would most like to meet is . . . because

b. What puzzles me most about Romeo and Juliet's love scenes is

c. My initial impression of Friar Laurence is

d. What I enjoyed/disliked about Scene ___ was

e. My impression of . . . has changed the most because of

Act Three

1. Make a list of ALL the hateful names Juliet calls Romeo and explain each.

2. Write a letter to Romeo or Juliet offering your advice on what they should do (100 words).

Act Four

1. Write two responses that complete two of the following statements (2 responses / 400 words):

a. I believe that Juliet has/has not changed significantly since the beginning of the play because...

b. Friar Laurence's plan for Juliet is/is not likely to succeed because...

c. I would/would not consider doing what Juliet decides to do because...

d. When Juliet was discovered "dead," I felt . . . because...

e. What I find most difficult to understand in this act is...

f. What I have discovered so far about Juliet is...

Act Five

Scene 2 Assignments:

1. Write the delayed letter to Romeo from Friar Laurence as Friar Laurence might have written it. Consider the information Friar Laurence would find most important to relay to Romeo (200 words).

2. Make a list of 6 things Romeo will miss after he takes his life and explain why.

Scene 3 Assignment:

1. Who are the people in the play who contributed in some way to the deaths of Romeo and Juliet? Make a list of them, and explain how they were involved. Write your opinions of the actions of each person. You should list at least 5 people with explanations.

This assignment was adapted from an assignment created by Leslie Bradley (Century High School, Ullin, IL)

Google Earth Odyssey Hunt

2008-10-25T00:26:03Z

Using only Google Earth (see my previous post) follow the path of Odysseus and answer the following questions on your own paper.

1. What is the size and population of Ithaca?

2. Based on the photos of Ithaca posted by people who have visited, how would you describe the terrain of Ithaca?

3. What is the modern name of the island where Nausicaa lived?

4. What creatures can be found on an island that is now called Isola di San Pietro (St. Peter's Island)?

5. What journey took Odysseus the furtherest from his home?

6. What can we determine about Helios based on the painting of him found at his marker?

7. What is the only stop where Odysseus visited twice after leaving Troy on his journey home?

8. What famous Homeric location can be found in the modern country of Turkey?

9. How did Odysseus attract the dead during his visit to the Underworld?

10. What is the modern name of the country where Odysseus and his men were enticed by an addictive flower?

11. Based on the route of his journey, who likely told Odysseus of the whereabouts of Hades?

12. What adventure took place on Malta?

13. What direction did Odysseus travel after leaving Troy?

14. What is the name of one of the world's largest active volcanos located near the suspected site where Odysseus met the cyclops?

15. What does the location of Scylla and Charybdis reveal about the possible origin of the legend of the "rock and a hard place?"

16. On what continent was Odysseus and his men terrorized by cannibals?

17. What was Odysseus' first adventure after leaving Troy?

18. What is the modern name of the Island of Aeolus, and what did he receive there?

19. In what modern country can Hades be found?

20. At what point in his adventures, did Odysseus come closest to getting home before being returned to the very place he had previously been?

Google Lit Trips

2008-10-24T17:57:27Z

I found this cool site and we'll be using it on Monday. Please visit the site and download the file for The Odyssey so your computer will be ready for the assignment. Thanks!

Greek God Project

2008-10-13T17:45:28Z

Here are the presentation ground rules:

1. Use PowerPoint and the internet

2. Must have at least 6 slides including: 1. title slide, 2. responsibilities/occupation, 3. relationships, 4. attributes/abilities, 5. five "strange but true" facts, 6. sources)

3. No complete sentences on slides! I want your presentation to be presented in bullet points! Cut and Paste presentations will receive failing grades!

4. Every picture and fact must be cited on the "sources slide" at the end of your presentation

5. Your presentation should be about 5 minutes long (Try for 1 minute per slide)

6. You also need to prepare a script (Your script should expand upon your bullet points)

7. Rehearse your presentation! (No easy grades! You and your group will receive an F for a test/project grade if you do not take this presentation seriously.

Odyssey Lit. Terms

2008-10-01T14:29:39Z

Use Wikipedia (or another suitable web site) to develop your own definitions for the following terms related to the Odyssey. Give an example for all terms marked with an asterisk. Write your definitions and examples on your own paper.

1. Epic *

2. Epic Hero *

3. Epic Cycle

4. In Media Res

5. Muse

6. Myth

7. Epithets *

8. Flashback *

9. Metaphor *

10. Simile *

11. Homeric Simile *

12. Personification *

Do you know Homer?

2008-10-01T13:33:37Z

No, not that one!

Complete the two tasks referenced on the hand-out provided in class (if you did not receive one, you may download the handout here). Use the handout to record your notes. Be thorough and detailed as you jot down your findings. Anything you write will be yours to use on an upcoming "open-note quiz."

I promise that lazy note-takers are going to suffer greatly while taking the quiz.

Here are the links for each task:

Task 1

Task 2

"Earnest" Quotes -- Literary Analysis Paper

2008-09-29T13:49:32Z

OK, I've compiled a bunch of quotes sorted by the four topics we discussed in class at the conclusion of the play. I'd advise you to use this file as you write your literary analysis essays that will be due this week.

Notes about the file:

-The quotes are listed in the order they occur in the play.

-You'll need to provide the act in parentheses at the end of each quote.

-Be sure to consult the handout I provided when incorporating these into your essay.

Lit Analysis Template

2008-09-25T18:00:03Z

Download me

The Importance of Being Earnest

2008-09-19T12:56:19Z

You will be required to write a literary analysis essay in the next few days. I'd strongly suggest you analyze Wilde's use of satire in the play to ridicule some of society's worst characteristics (if you choose another topic, clear it with me first). You'll need to identify Wilde's satirical targets and locate quotes from the play that will support your conclusions.

Here is a digital copy of the play you may download. Cutting and pasting quotes into your essay is much easier than retyping them.

For those of you who prefer to locate quotes directly from an online edition, you'll find the entire play here.

Check out these very serious web sites!

2008-09-12T02:25:40Z

Take the time to peruse all of these sites, and then pick five of the sites to answer the two satire questions at the bottom. By the way, one of these sites is not satire; it is a legitimate web site. I just wanted to see if you are paying attention.

Free your dogs from bondage. Send them to Dog Island!
We must all unite to rid the world of Dihydrogen Monoxide!
RYT Hospital-Dwayne Medical Center is synonymous with the world's most innovative and extraordinary healthcare.
This site has the guts to tell The TRUTH About "Belgium."
Won't you do your part to help save the endangered Pacific Northwest Tree Octopus?
Panexa! Ask your doctor for a reason to take it!
As the father of a bald daughter, it's about time for small wigs for small people.
Why pay an animal shelter to take your unwanted dog, when this site will pay you!
Christian Women's Wrestling: a non-profit, Bible-believing, Spirit-filled ministry taking Satan to the mat! Whooo!

Answer both satire questions below for each of the 5 websites you select.

What is being made fun of in the website? Name as many targets of the satire as you can.
What is the point or message of the webmaster? In other words, what lessons does the satirist attempt to teach the reader?

Satire Terms (Do this first)

2008-09-11T04:47:54Z

Define the satire terms listed below and provide an example for those marked with a asterisk. Usually an example will be provided after the definition.

1. Satire
2. Sarcasm*
3. Verbal Irony*
4. Situational Irony*
5. Pun*
6. Understatement*
7. Hyperbole*
8. Parody
9. Caricature
10. Double entendre*

Here are some sources I found with Google. I searched for "literary terms" in quotes.

tnellen
uncp
VirtualSalt
tnellen2

If all else fails, you can always try wikipedia, but be sure the definition is the one that has to do with literature. Don't just write the first definition you see.

I'll check your terms and examples soon and might let you use them on an upcoming quiz. Don't lose them!

Recognizing Satire (using The Onion)

2008-09-11T04:39:33Z

After you have defined the satire terms, let's see if you can apply that information. Below you will find links to 6 satirical articles from a hilarious (and often inappropriate) news parody website called The Onion. Read each of the articles and answer the following 2 questions after reading each article.

What is being ridiculed in the article? Name as many targets of the satire as you can (there are almost always more than 3 targets).
What is the point or message of the author? In other words, what lesson does the satirical author attempt to teach the reader?

To make this perfectly clear, you'll neatly write down the title of each article on your own paper and answer the same two questions for each article (read 6 articles and answer 12 questions).

Satire article links:

Note: If any of these articles are blocked by the school firewall, use the PDF links to the right of the articles.

Democracy in the Dark

2008-08-31T05:05:12Z

Roger Ebert has posted a fascinating system for anyone who wishes to attempt "read a movie" in a classroom setting. One man referred to the process as "Democracy in the dark." I'd love to try something like this in my freshman literature class, but I have no idea what film to use. A few great films come to mind, such as this, this and this, but I'd love to hear your suggestions. I'm all ears.

Oh No, You Didn't

2008-08-31T04:20:48Z

The commercial below caught my eye, ear and imagination over the weekend. I have watched it at least 50 times and continue to notice new touches every time. It's a great conversation starter for a discussion about tone and irony. Evidently, the song has become so popular, that Pandemic Studios has released an extended version of the song that can be downloaded here.

Double-click to launch video:

In what film did this painting hang on the wall?

2008-08-30T01:00:15Z

There's extra credit in it for you if you know.