Let's practice some SPA writing. Yippie!

Some process to analytical writing:

1. Do you understand the prompt? Turn it into your own words.

2. My thesis statement

Often the hardest part of coming up with a thesis statement is making sure that you are making an argument, and are not just stating a fact.  Here are some ways to turn an observation (or fact) into an argument (or interpretation):

o   Identify a cause or an effect.

o   Answer how or why.

o   Evaluate / make a distinction between the two things being compared.  (Say who is more isolated, or who is affected most by internalized oppression, or decide whose need for absolute power led to greater negative consequences.)

o   Take a stand on a controversial issue. (Answer a question like one of these:  Is the creature truly a monster? Does Victor really change by the end of Frankenstein?)

3. The checklist

_____ accurately answers the question asked.

_____ makes an argument rather than states an observation or fact.

_____ presents the argument of my essay in one complete sentence.

_____ expresses just one main idea – my argument is focused and can be answered thoroughly and well in a 1-2-paragraphs.

 _____ is original – my argument aims to present a new idea or conclusion, and doesn’t just repeat what we’ve already talked a lot about in class.

 _____ uses active, engaging, and specific words.

Some things to avoid ...
1. Speculation (could/would/should are not your friends; use cause and effect instead)
2. Summarizing rather than analyzing the evidence (don't tell me what the quote says; tell me how it proves your thesis statement)
3. Wishy washy statement (maybe, sort of, likely -- all are words to avoid; take a stand and run with it!)
4. I. Yes you are important, but there's no need to write, "I think" or "I believe." I know it's what you believe because YOU are making an argument and YOUR name is on the paper.

Some things to know ...

1. Proper text citation

2. Proper context (no dangling quotes!)

B block: take a look at F block's essay.
F block: take a look at B block's essay.

Frankenstein: Vol 3, 1-3

1. New Sentence

2. Check books and vocab whilst you free write:

Must a person experience desperation to know the true meaning of joy? Must a person know hunger to really understand the concept of being full? In other words, must we experience opposite emotions to truly understand life?

Discussion Questions

1. Where does Victor travel in Chpts 1-2? In what way does the journey further develop Victor's character? Clerval's?

2. Close reading p. 168-169. What is the tone created on these pages? What is the mood? Remember, when we talk about tone we use adjectives. Mood is a feeling created by the language as well.

3. At the close of Chpt 2 Victor says, "I looked towards its completion with a tremulous and eager hope, which I dared not trust myself to question, but which was intermixed with obscure forebodings of evil, that made my heart sick in my bosom" (169). Remember that Victor is telling a story. Using only this passage, what does Victor want the listener/reader to think of him?

4. At the start of Chpt 3 the creature says, "Shall each man ... find a wife for his bosom, and each beast have his mate, and I be alone? I had feelings of affection, and they were requited by detestation and scorn" (172). Is the creature's argument a reasonable one? If so, in what way does this develop Victor's character and the creature's?

Frank: Vol 2, Chpts 8-9

1. A new sentence!
2. Check books & review vocab

Discussion
Let's look at the creature and Victor through the lens of Erikson. Some basic info on the guy.

Big question to answer:
1. At what stage is Victor?
2. At what stage is the creature?
3. At what stage did Victor encounter struggles?
4. At what stage did the creature encounter struggles?

As time permits ...
Empathy versus sympathy. What's the difference?

Personal responsibility ...

Frankenstein: Vol 2, Chpts 5-7

1. New sentence pattern! Yes, a new one.

2. Check books & vocab

3. Vocab review

Let's do a close examination of the creature. We've heard his story and know the path he took to meeting up with Victor again. Now it's time to dissect him a bit.

Your assignment, should you choose to accept it, is to write the Creature's "Where I'm From" poem. There's one catch, all of your evidence and all of the details you fill in must be connected to and sourced from the text. Have some fun with your poem, but really dig into who the creature is and where his identity comes from. Please work in pairs, and follow the structure of the original.

“Where I’m From"
by George Ella Lyon

I am from clothespins,
from Clorox and carbon-tetrachloride.
I am from the dirt under the back porch.
(Black, glistening
it tasted like beets.)

I am from the forsythia bush,
the Dutch elm
whose long gone limbs I
remember
as if they were my own.

I’m from fudge and eyeglasses,
from Imogene and Alafair.
I’m from the know-it-alls
and the pass-it-ons,
from perk up and pipe down.

I’m from He restoreth my soul
with a cottonball lamb
and ten verses I can say myself.

I’m from Artemus and Billie’s Branch,
fried corn and strong coffee.
From the finger my grandfather lost
to the auger
the eye my father shut to keep his sight.

Under my bed was a dressbox
spilling old pictures,
a sift of lost faces
to drift beneath my dreams;
I am from those moments -
snapped before I budded
leaf-fall from the family tree

In-class

1. What makes a good discussion question good?

• Engages in the morals and ethics of the novel
• Specific but relatable to big picture
• Not too abstract
• Arguable/debatable/invites opposition

2. What are the components of a good discussion?

• Freedom to express opinion/contradict others
• No domination from one person
• Speak AND listen
• Articulate opinion before you voice it (think before you speak)
• Textual evidence to support ideas
• Stay on topic
• Everyone gets involved
• Be engaged
• Stay open-minded
• Build off each other rather than repeating
• Have fun

Questions for now ...

1. Who is the real monster in Shelley's Frankenstein: Victor or the creature?

2. How did the creature's rejection by Felix and Agatha enforce the ideas that were introduced by the books he read?

Questions for later ...

1. Why do you think the creature gave humans a second chance after his unfortunate experience with the villagers?

2. What does it say about society when the creature is rejected by Felix & Agatha for his outward appearance?

3. In what ways has the creature's encounter with the old man taught him about humanity?

4. Should the creature be known as human or animal and why?

5. In what way has the cottagers' attack on the creature altered his views of humans and himself?

6. How does the creature's connection with the DeLacey's inform his identity?

F Block Writing! You are amazing

If you'd like to document in a pretty package, click HERE.

Or

Look below ...

Victor’s Disposition (books allowed yet needed!)

In a clear and cohesive PARAGRAPH, answer the following question:

In what way has Victor’s hubris* brought about the death of Justine?

Be sure to begin with a strong thesis, use textual evidence to support your claims (citing page numbers in parenthetical notation at the end of each piece of evidence), and proofread when you are finished. A paragraph is NOT an essay. It is simply a paragraph with one idea presented. Your job is to be complete, concise, and insightful. You can do it!

Writing an Effective Analytical Paragraph

1. Thesis The paragraph’s main idea. Must be arguable.
2. Transition:  Guide your reader to your first idea.
3. Statement:  Supports your thesis.
4. Context: Introduces quote or summary sentence or phrase that indicates the situation from which the quote was taken.
5. Proof:  The quote (with author & page number in parentheses at the end of the quote).
6. Analysis:  Interpret the quote.  How does this quote prove the thesis?
7. Transition:  Provide another guide or link to second idea.
8. Second Statement: supports thesis
9. Context for second quote.
10. Proof 
11. Analysis of second quote.
12. Commentary/Conclusion:  Relate topic back to larger thesis of paper.

*extreme arrogance or pride


Instructions for electronically handing in your paper

1. When you are finished with your paper, save it as a PDF to the desktop.
2. Open a web browser and go to www.dropbox.com.
3. Sign into your dropbox account.
4. Find the folder you share with me, and me alone!
5. Drag your paper from the desktop into our shared folder.
6. Check in with Mary to make sure she has access to the paper.
7. Log out of dropbox.
8. Quit the web browser
9. Throw essay in trash
10. High-5 self for being so awesome.

B block writing! You can do it!!

If you'd like to see the prompt in a complete document, click HERE.

OR

Here it is ...

Victor’s Disposition (books allowed and needed!)

In a clear and cohesive PARAGRAPH, answer the following question:

In what ways are Victor and Robert Walton similar?

Be sure to begin with a strong thesis, use textual evidence to support your claims (citing page numbers in parenthetical notation at the end of each piece of evidence), and proofread when you are finished. A paragraph is NOT an essay. It is simply a paragraph with one idea presented. Your job is to be complete, concise, and insightful. You can do it!

Writing an Effective Analytical Paragraph

1. Thesis The paragraph’s main idea. Must be arguable.
2. Transition:  Guide your reader to your first idea.
3. Statement:  Supports your thesis.
4. Context: Introduces quote or summary sentence or phrase that indicates the situation from which the quote was taken.
5. Proof:  The quote (with author & page number in parentheses at the end of the quote).
6. Analysis:  Interpret the quote.  How does this quote prove the thesis?
7. Transition:  Provide another guide or link to second idea.
8. Second Statement: supports thesis
9. Context for second quote.
10. Proof 
11. Analysis of second quote.
12. Commentary/Conclusion:  Relate topic back to larger thesis of paper.

Instructions for electronically handing in your paper

1. When you are finished with your paper, save it as a PDF to the desktop.
2. Open a web browser and go to www.dropbox.com.
3. Sign into your dropbox account.
4. Find the folder you share with me, and me alone!
5. Drag your paper from the desktop into our shared folder.
6. Check in with Mary to make sure she has access to the paper.
7. Log out of dropbox.
8. Quit the web browser
9. Throw essay in trash
10. High-5 self for being so awesome.

Frankenstein: Vol 2, Chpts 1-4

1. Sentence review!

2. Check books and vocab

3. Review vocab

From last class ...

1. Who is at fault for William's death? Is anyone other than the murderer responsible for what happened?

2. In chapter 7, what statement suggests that Victor views the creature as part of himself?

3. In what ways does Victor's guilt affect his health? What is Shelley's purpose in this recurring plot device?

Discussion questions

1. At the close of chapter 1, in what ways has Victor changed? How does Shelley use Victor's fascination with nature to remind us of his actions against nature?

2. Close reading: p. 100 ("The ascent is precipitous, ...) — what is the tone of this paragraph? Is this Victor's way of expressing remorse for his actions?

3. "You accuse me of murder, and yet you would, with satisfied conscience, destroy your own creature. Oh, praise the eternal justice of man!" (103). Victor believes in an eye-for-an-eye. Is that justice or revenge?

4. How does the tone and language change from chapter three to chapter 4? What does this reveal about the creature's development?

NOTE: track the language of the creature. Pay close attention to when it is overtly negative and overtly positive. What's the correlation between his language and his sense of self? And the correlation between nature and Victor's sense of self.

Frankenstein: Vol 1, Chpts 7-8

1. Sentence time! Last one before we review the different ones we've learned.

2. Check books and annotations

3. Review vocab words

4. Review denotation and connotation

From last class:

• Chpt. 5: Close reading of passage on pp. 58-59 beginning with "How can I describe". Review connotation (an idea or feeling that a word invokes in a person in addition to its literal/primary meaning) and denotation (the literal/primary meaning of a word, in contrast to the feelings or ideas that the word suggests).
• Step 1: read passage out lout.
• Step 2: read silently and circle/underline all words with negative connotations/denotations.
• Big question: What kind of tone is Shelley trying to create around the the Creature's creation and creator?

Discussion questions

1. Who is at fault for William's death? Is anyone other than the murderer responsible for what happened?

2. In chapter 7, what statement suggests that Victor views the creature as part of himself?

3. In what ways does Victor's guilt affect his health? What is Shelley's purpose in this recurring plot device?

Frankenstein: Vol 1, Chpts. 4-6

1. Let's learn a new sentence (#3)
2. Check books and vocab
3. Free write for five minutes: Looking at the passage on p. 54 ("Learn from me ... than he who aspires to become greater than his nature will allow.) In what ways does Victor's warning relate to all mankind?
4. Introduce SPA structure

Discussion questions

• Victor and God: p. 54

• In what ways does Shelley display Victor's hubris? Look particularly at the contrast in Victor's desire to conquer nature yet ignore its beauty.

• Chpt. 5: Close reading of passage on pp. 58-59 beginning with "How can I describe". Review connotation (an idea or feeling that a word invokes in a person in addition to its literal/primary meaning) and denotation (the literal/primary meaning of a word, in contrast to the feelings or ideas that the word suggests).
• Step 1: read passage out lout.
• Step 2: read silently and circle/underline all words with negative connotations/denotations.
• Big question: What kind of tone is Shelley trying to create around the the Creature's creation and creator?

• Themes thus far?

Frankenstein: Vol. 1, Chpts 1-3

1. A new sentence!
2. Check book
3. Check and review vocabulary


VICTOR

• In what ways does Victor's statement that "the world was to me a secret which I desired to divine" (38) serve as characterization? What is characterization? Think about Walton!
• Is Victor's fascination with the Philosopher's Stone an admirable one? Look closely at the passage on page 42: "Under the guidance of my new preceptors, I entered with the greatest diligence into the search of the philosopher's stone and the elixir of life; but the latter soon obtained my undivided attention. Wealth was an inferior object; but what glory would attend the discovery, if I could banish disease from the human frame and render man invulnerable to any but a violent death!" What is Hubris?
• What does Victor's search for a like-minded thinker tell us about human nature? Why might Shelley have portrayed this characteristic in both Victor and Robert? How are Victor & Robert alike in ideation (formation of ideas/concepts) and language?

HENRY

• In what ways do Henry & Victor differ? Why might Shelley be setting them up as foils? (**A character in a work whose behavior and values contrast with those of another character in order to highlight the distinctive temperament of that character (usually the protagonist)) (Bedford St Martins Press).

ELIZABETH

• In what way does Shelley characterize Elizabeth when she writes "the saintly soul (who) shone like a shrine-dedicated lamp in our peaceful home?" (39). What role does this characterization set for Elizabeth?

THEMES: what's come up so far?

Frankenstein: The Letters

1. Let's learn a new sentence pattern! You love the semi-colon!
2. Check books
3. Check and review vocab
4. Some background.

• Who was Mary Shelley? What is this Frankenstein we speak of?
• Some major themes we'll see: fate vs free will, personal responsibility, loneliness, nature, family, knowledge (it's power and the acquisition of), madness, hubris, and science. This is not an all-inclusive list, but these ideas will pop up quite often.

A little writing: What is wonder? "This appearance excited our unqualified wonder" (25). Think about the denotation (actual definition) and the connotation (the idea or feeling the word evokes).

Discussion questions: use text evidence to support your claims

1. What is Walton's attitude toward his quest? What does his attitude reveal about his character?

2. Why do you think Walton feels lonely even though he is on board a ship with a full crew? Why do you think Walton is attracted to the stranger?

3. What details suggest that both Walton and the stranger are willing to make big sacrifices in the search for knowledge? Look at similarities and differences. Does knowledge promise immortality?

4. Why do you think Shelley chose to lead into the stranger's story by starting with a frame story about Robert?