Introduction to Literature
Welcome to 9th Grade English! This year, we will be exploring literature and various perspectives to get your feet wet for what lies ahead in your academic pursuits in English language arts. I want you to always do your best and believe that nothing is impossible. I want your priorities to be based on intrinsic interests and your own desire to learn more and attain wisdom about yourselves, other people, and the world around you at large. I want your experience in my classroom to be an entertaining interlude in life. I want you to try things- try a new writing style- try reading from a different genre than you are accustomed to reading. I want you to be creative and dare to be divergent. My class is an opportunity to experiment, consider new perspectives, formulate your own perspectives, develop your tastes in literature and writing styles, and express your voice. We will be studying various works and exploring many writing styles. The different forms of literature include: novels, poems, and short stories. We will have writing assignments, presentations, and projects that correspond and enhance what we are reading in and out of class. In addition, we will focus on vocabulary building and grammar. We have a lot to cover this year and my job is to make it interesting- that is what I aspire to do.
Syllabus: English 9
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Texts to be Discovered
The purpose of this course is to introduce you to a high school level literature and composition. You will be provided with a foundational basis of knowledge in both reading and writing skills. Novels, short stories, poems, and song lyrics will be analyzed throughout the duration of this semester. You will be expected to convey knowledge through completing projects, papers (writing assignments), varied assessments, and small group and independent presentations. In addition to literary analysis, you will be expected to improve upon writing skills, presentation skills, and basic vocabulary usage. I award hard work and effort. Do your best and this class will prove beneficial to you in the future.
The Independent Reading
The Independent Reading Assignment (IRA) is designed to give students an opportunity to explore different pieces of literature that are intrinsically motivating for them to read. Every Friday, I provide sustained silent reading time (SSR). In addition to the reading assignment each nine weeks, they are expected to create a self-selected vocabulary guide and a book report reflecting on the text that they selected. There is a presentation component as well. This varies in form depending on the quarter. The first presentation will be in the form of a book poster and small group discussion questions. In this presentation format, students will share what they read with one or two other students. Each student will take a turn answering discussion questions revolving the text they selected. In this way, other students might be interested in reading that book for the next quarterly assignment. One independently read novel is a minimum expectation. Students are always encouraged to read more than one text in addition to the text covered in class.
I.R.A. Book One
Independent Reading Assignment expectations: Students are expected to type and print the assignment. They have nine weeks to complete this out-of-class. However, I am more than happy to stay after school or come in before school and let students use my computer or the English lab to type up the assignment. Computer problems is not an excuse. Proactive students will finish the assignment early on and troubleshoot last minute tragedies due to technological difficulties and procrastination.
DUE: TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29th
DUE: TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29th
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I.R.A. Book Two
Below is the handout regarding the Independent Reading Assignment expectations. Students are expected to type and print the assignment. They have nine weeks to complete this out-of-class. However, I am more than happy to stay after school or come in before school and let students use my computer or the English lab to type up the assignment. Computer problems is not an excuse. Proactive students will finish the assignment early on and troubleshoot last minute tragedies due to technological difficulties and procrastination.
Remember to avoid plot summary when integrating textual support in paragraph two. Focus on using that textual support to back your personal opinion of the novel.
DUE: FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4th
Remember to avoid plot summary when integrating textual support in paragraph two. Focus on using that textual support to back your personal opinion of the novel.
DUE: FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4th
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I.R.A. Book Three
Once again, here we are, third time around. For the independent reading assignment, you are expected to follow the same guidelines. This time, I want you to really focus on the structure of the writing, the word choice, and the literary devices employed by the writer. Consider how these literary techniques add to your experience as a reader. Be sure to type up the assignment. The assignment is due at the start of class. Once again, learn from past mistakes (and/or past successes) and do not procrastinate… I will not be happy and your grade will suffer as well. Be on your A game and get the assignment done. The level of difficulty in this course will only increase as the semester progresses. Keep working hard.
DUE: FRIDAY, MARCH 4th
DUE: FRIDAY, MARCH 4th
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I.r.a. book four
The expectations for this independent reading assignment stand the same. Remember, this is your fourth time following this format, so I will not be tolerant of any excuses. Find a book that really sounds interesting. Think about how you might teach the book if you were the teacher. Pay attention to characterizations, plot twists, and the implementation of literary techniques that we have studied in other works as well. This is the home stretch. Finish strong.
Due: friday, may 6th
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Book Recommendations
Caveat: Some of these texts may be covered in the high school classes that you take in the future. Please be prepared for that. I teach Life of Pi, Kindred, The Color of Water, and The Glass Castle in my English 10H class. I know that junior year you will more than likely read Of Mice and Men and The Great Gatsby (facets of classic American literature). However, if you are okay with reading the same book more than once (potentially) then feel free to read them.
Vocabulary
Throughout the school year, you will be responsible for learning and employing a diverse collection of vocabulary terms. We will have vocabulary quizzes every other week. We will go over the words once in class. However, you will be responsible for learning the words before the quiz. Below is an example of the type of words and definitions you will receive every two weeks. Refer to Vocabulary page for each unit and accompanying PPT.
1. Vernacular- common or everyday language
2. Epiphany- a great moment of insight
3. Abyss- the unknown
4. Collective- formed together
5. Postulate- to think about or concern and express
6. Articulate- to explain or speak about something
7. Convergent- coming together
8. Divergent- drifting from the norm, average, or status quo
9. Anomaly- unique; different from the rest
10. Perpetuate- to continue
2. Epiphany- a great moment of insight
3. Abyss- the unknown
4. Collective- formed together
5. Postulate- to think about or concern and express
6. Articulate- to explain or speak about something
7. Convergent- coming together
8. Divergent- drifting from the norm, average, or status quo
9. Anomaly- unique; different from the rest
10. Perpetuate- to continue
Point-of-View
Narrative Perspectives
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Schools of thought
Within the field of literary study, there are several schools of thought. These schools of thought put forth certain guidelines for how to make sense or derive meaning from a particular text. There are several schools of literary thought or literary criticisms. If you take a class in college, you will probably go into more depth. However, we are going to learn about a few very popular schools of literary thought in this class. Each literary criticism or literary school of thought provides you with a critical lens. When you use the critical lens, you see the text in a certain way. Some different criticisms include: Reader-Response, Archetypal Criticism, Feminist Criticism, Critical Race Theory, Marxist Criticism, New Criticism, and Psychological Criticism. These are simply fancy terms that encompass an idea or a set of ideas that help you make sense of what you are reading. It gives you options for interpreting a text.
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Literary Devices
Let's pretend that literature- all forms of literature- compose one big story. This one big story is the compilation of all the stories that there ever were. Every story has a foundation. So, let's pretend that literature is our neighborhood and each story is a house in our neighborhood (it's a really big neighborhood). It is a neighborhood where all the houses are unique and different. Each house has its own homeowners or renters. Each person brings to the house their own style, their own tastes, and their own way of living. The house is characterized by the people who live in it and by the style that encompasses it. (Just like books are characterized by the relationships in it, the atmosphere, and the author's creative twists). So, every house, like every story seems different… however, they are all very similar too. They are built with 2x4s and they have a foundation. They all have roofs, windows, doors, floors, etc. They all have the same basic elements, even though they might be seemingly different. They are all very similar. In our neighborhood (all literature), each house (a story in the grand story of stories) has a foundation of basic essentials. We call these basic essentials: literary devices. A literary device is a technique used by the author to create a special effect. Just like the difference between carpet and wood floors in a house. They both have a different effect on the way the house looks and the way the floor feels on our feet. Both the hard wood floor and the carpet are literary devices. They create a special effect. When we read a story, I want you to look for these literary devices. I want you to keep an eye on what the author is doing behind the words or with the words.
Drumroll: Here they are
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Build a Home
Decision Point No. 1: Foundation
Before you begin writing a piece of literature, you must decide which format you would like to employ. If we are pouring a concrete foundation, how many square feet are we looking at? What kind of house do you envision? Is this going to be a giant house? A novel? Is this going to be a small cottage? Maybe a novella? Is this a little hole-in-the-wall place? A poem? Is this a small shotgun house? A short story? Is this going to be an apartment? A series? So, we start by pouring the foundation.
Decision Point No. 2: Walls
Let's build the walls. We are going to use 2x4s, but where do you want the walls? How do you want to divide up your house? Are we going to do crazy angles? Are we going to have large grandiose rooms with high ceilings? Are we going to use chapters or stanzas? Or is this going to be prose? What do you want? How do we want to break up the space? How do we want to group it?
Decision Point No. 3: Windows, Doors, Etc.
Plot Development. What kind of lighting are you looking for? Are you going more for the dark, sinister, emotions? Or maybe the light, jovial, emotions? Or maybe a complication of both? How do we envision the basic plot? What doors will be opened? What doors will be closed? Where will there be conflict?
Decision Point No. 4: Who Will Live Here?
Character Development. These are two very important words in literary analysis. We've got two things going on in a text. The first is the aesthetic of recognition. We need to somehow relate to the text in a way that piques our interest. Then, comes the aesthetic of exploration. This is the parts in a piece where we experience feelings and encounters that maybe we could not or have not experienced. When you build a home, you want to have in mind the type of people you picture living there. It is the same way with a text. What type of characters do we have? What type of audience will be able to identify with this?
Decision Point No. 5: Fixtures, Furniture, Style
Atmosphere & Writing Style. Each piece of literature has a tone to it, much like a house. Each house has a different decorative style, different hues (colors), and different fixtures. Each piece of literature has its own literary devices- like maybe I want a couch, a coffee table, and fire place in the living room- so I am going to throw in an extended metaphor (a conceit), an oxymoron, and some irony. But, maybe Sarah wants a flat screen TV, a futon, and a side table in her living room- so she is going to throw in a simile, a hyperbole, and an understatement. These styles are different, but they are still fundamentally similar. There is still something to sit on, something to sit in front of, and something to sit your stuff on- same structure- different technique or style.
Your Turn: Build a Home
While building your home, be sure to include at least 250-300 words. You also need to include at least six (6) literary devices. Be creative and critical. You need to have a plot line. You need to have a character. You need to have a tone and create an atmosphere in your piece. Remember to include the two aesthetics: recognition & exploration.
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"Everyday Use"
by Alice Walker
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Types of Characters
Dynamic Characters
Dynamic characters develop, evolve, and change throughout the text. In "Everyday Use," Maggie and Mama are examples of dynamic characters. Mama comes to her senses and gives Maggie the quilts. Maggie smiles for the first time. Dynamic characters are often protagonists in the text (however, not always).
Static Characters
Static characters remain the same in a text. We see little development. In "Everyday Use," John Thomas and Aunt Dicie are examples of static characters. Typically (not always), static characters are supporting characters that do not have big roles in the text.
"The Most Dangerous Game"
By Richard Connell
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Types of Characterization
Direct Characterization
Direct characterization occurs when the author directly gives us information or details about a character in the text.
Indirect Characterization
Indirect characterization occurs when the author hints at characterizations, but does not come out and directly tell us in the text. Therefore, readers make inferences and assumptions about a character based on the details provided.
"The Scarlet Ibis"
By James Hurst
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Symbolism
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Above is a collection of slides (borrowed from Slideshare) that exemplify the points covered in class. We discussed foreshadowing, the connotations that revolve around the concept of pride, the mood and tone of the story, and the symbolism inherent in the text.
To Kill a Mockingbird
Author Background knowledge |
To Kill a Mockingbird Character List |
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Background Article |
Background Article |
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TKAM Philosophy |
TKAM Reference Guide |
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Dynamic & Static Characters |
Stereotypes & Prejudices |
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Prevalent Themes
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Inherent Symbolism
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TKAM Review PPT.
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"Harrison Bergeron"
by kurt vonnegut
The Dystopian Preface
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the exemplary story
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English 9 Fall Semester
Exam Study guide
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Romeo & Juliet
By: William Shakespeare
Shakespeare Biography
Close read Sonnet 18
Discussion Questions
Character Casting
Final Review PPT.
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Background info.
The Art of brevity
Character Chart
Multi-Media Literacy
R&J Study Guide
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Further Resources for studying:
(Quote Identification)
https://quizlet.com/12265680/quotes-from-romeo-and-juliet-flash-cards/
https://quizlet.com/81164136/romeo-and-juliet-quotations-flash-cards/
https://quizlet.com/81164136/romeo-and-juliet-quotations-flash-cards/
The Odyssey by homer
The Odyssey Pre-test
tragic hero chart
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tragic hero ppt.
literary terms ppt.
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the reading guide
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extended responses |
Unit Assessment:
Wednesday, March 16th
For additional studying: https://quizlet.com/_23tlzq
Native American Literature
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian
Sherman Alexie
Biography & More:
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"Hard To Take"
By Luci Tapanhonso
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Banning the Redskins Mascot A.O.W.
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Congress of American Indians Video |
Literary Terms 1-20 Review
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literary_devices_terms_21-40.pptx | |
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Literary Terms Quizlet Review:
https://quizlet.com/130555259/just-a-few-literary-devices-flash-cards/
https://quizlet.com/130555259/just-a-few-literary-devices-flash-cards/
Photo Credits: tumblr.com