New Year!

Hello! My website is a very simple blog where I can post assignments and review what we did in class each day. In year's past, this website has been little used by my students. When the students don't use it, I tend not to use it either. I will try to start out updating frequently. If it seems it is doing no good, I will let it languish once again. Please post a comment or tell me if you feel like you will use this resource. I am excited for a great years of 9th and 10th Grade Honors English, AP English Language, and Film Literature. Thanks for your help and support.

The Great Gatsby Research Paper Assignment

This will be a sophisticated topic and a difficult paper. Not only that, but it will require you to do outside research on your own. If you procrastinate this until shortly before the due date, it will be very difficult to get a good grade. This paper is the culmination of a year of studying and experimenting with writing. It should involve maximum effort. I am not even going to make you write in a specific format. That is up to you. Find and search through articles and other books, absorb the novel, and wrack your brain for the best way to organize and present your information.

BOTTOM LINE: BEGIN TO ORGANIZE YOUR THOUGHTS AND JOT DOWN NOTES AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. THIS WILL NOT BE AN EASY ASSIGNMENT. PREPARE FOR 100% EFFORT!

The prompt:

After researching, discuss how understanding F. Scott Fitzgerald’s real life is key to understanding The Great Gatsby. How did he use his own life experiences in plotting and writing the novel? You must look beyond the obvious similarities and try to discuss more deeply what Fitzgerald may have been saying about his life. You must also include a discussion of “The American Dream.” What is Fitzgerald saying about it in Gatsby? How does THAT relate to his own life?

The requirements:

1. Cite at least two quotes or paraphrases from The Great Gatsby.

2. Cite information or quotes from at least three other legitimate sources. You must cite least one book – use our library or a public library. If you anticipate difficulty finding a book, start NOW.

3. Address the prompt – do not leave out a discussion of his perspective on The American Dream.

4. Create an accurate “Works Cited” page.

5. Write AT LEAST 2 pages.

6. Use everything you have learned so far this year: this is a tough one.

DON’T JUST PUT THIS AWAY AND FORGET ABOUT IT UNTIL THE PAPER IS ALMOST DUE. GET YOUR BRAIN WAVES FLOWING AND KEEP IT IN THE BACK OF YOUR MIND AS WE FINISH READING THE GREAT GATSBY.

DUE May 10th (B) or May 11th (A)

Sample Outline and Format Examples - By Request

I. Block Format

Introduction
Begin with a sentence that will catch the reader's interest. This might be a question, a reason people find the topic interesting or important, or something the two subjects have in common. Then name the two subjects and say they are very similar, very different or have many important (or interesting) similarities and differences.

For this paragraph, you will want to introduce what your perception is of the racial “situation” (attitudes, discrimination, prejudice) TODAY based on the five articles, your experiences, and your overall perception. You can decide if you want to introduce the compare and contrast aspects this early or wait to transition to that later.

Paragraphs 2 - ?
The next paragraph(s) describe features of the first subject. Be sure to include examples proving the similarities and/or differences exist. Do not mention the second subject.

Make new paragraphs to avoid very long paragraphs.

Continue to use your articles and quotes from them as a way of discussing the race issue. I am not looking for deep, deep analysis, nor asking you to change the world. I just want you to use the articles to have a relevant discussion. It is difficult and I am asking you to tackle a hard topic, but you can do it. Read the articles and think about what you’ve seen on the news, in your own life, and in others’ conversations.

Paragraphs ? - ?
The next section must begin with a transition showing you are comparing the second subject to the first.

For each comparison, use compare/contrast cue words such as like, similar to, also, unlike, on the other hand.

Be sure to include examples proving the similarities and/or differences exist.

Make new paragraphs to avoid very long paragraphs.

This is where you especially compare and contrast. Now, using To Kill a Mockingbird as your guide, mention similarities and differences between race relations and discrimination in the past and now.

If it were me, I would use a final paragraph to talk about your own experiences with prejudice, if they are not race related. You might also choose to just have those in the conclusion.

Conclusion
In the final paragraph, give a brief, general summary of the most important similarities and differences. End with a personal statement, a prediction, or another snappy clincher.

Summarize very briefly. Add any final thoughts. Now might be a good time to bring up related experiences if you haven’t already. Your final line should give your audience something strong and intriguing to think about.

II. Feature by Feature (or Point by Point) Format

Introduction
Begin with a sentence that will catch the reader's interest. This might be a reason people find the topic interesting or important, or it might be statement about something the two subjects have in common. Review opening sentences in your English text for additional ideas.

Then name the two subjects and say that they are very similar, very different or have many important (or interesting) similarities and differences.

Paragraph 2
Transitions beginning each paragraph are made by repeating ideas, phrases or words. Without transitions, the essay will sound choppy and disjointed.

Discuss how both subjects compare on feature one.

For each comparison, use compare/contrast cue words such as like, similar to, also, unlike, on the other hand.

Be sure to include examples proving the similarities and/or differences exist.

Paragraphs 3 - ?
Transitions beginning each paragraph are made by repeating ideas, phrases or words. Without transitions, the essay will sound choppy and disjointed.

Continue the pattern set in paragraph 2 discussing a new feature in each new paragraph.

For each comparison, use compare/contrast cue words such as like, similar to, also, unlike, on the other hand.

Be sure to include examples proving the similarities and/or differences exist.

Conclusion

In this paragraph, give a brief, general summary of the most important similarities and differences.

End with a personal statement, a prediction or another snappy clincher.

SAMPLE OUTLINE

I. Introduction

A. Racial attitudes today – often discussed.

B. Lots of finger pointing

1. Article quote about dialogue

C. Thesis: It seems that we, as a world, like to pretend that we have moved past racial prejudice, when the truth is that we have become much better at ignoring it. Without confronting the problems head on and learning from our past mistakes, we will never get to the enlightened place that we want to be.

II. Discuss Article Quote #2

A. Why it’s intriguing

B. How the nation could learn from it

C. (OR: Why I can’t fully agree with this man or woman)

III. Compare and Contrast Past with Today

A. TKAM Quote and Plot Versus Article #3 Quote

1. What the book told me about prejudice in the 1930’s

2. What I know about prejudice from the 60’s

3. Article Quote

4. What we should learn

IV. My Experiences and How they Relate

V. Conclusion

A. Brief overview

B. We are doing much better than in the past, of course

1. But we can’t improve without acknowledging flaws and not ignoring issues.

2. Closing Statement: America is seen as arrogant by many other countries. It is a label that we are not comfortable with for many reasons. The problem is that it is these types of issues that we are arrogant about. We can’t ignore potential large problems like this. If we continue to put on a happy face, we will see a lot more sadness in the end.

Now Trying to Stay UPDATED

It has been requested that I keep the blog up again. So I am going to do my best to update it every B Day and every weekend for those parents and students who would like to use it to keep up with assignments. So, I want to do a brief update of where the classes are at so that we can start over fresh. :)

NINTH GRADE: Right now, the main thing that we are focusing on is the students' personal narratives. Most of the assignments that they have been completing have been geared toward getting their rough drafts ready. We have given credit for the opening paragraph, a rewrite of the opening paragraph, the second paragraph, and an outline of their entire narrative.
The rough draft of their personal narrative will be due October 6th (B Day) or 7th (A Day).
The final draft of their personal narrative (WHICH WILL BE GRADED AS TMT #3) is due on October 13th (A Day) or 14th (B Day). I will accept A Day papers on the 14th as well. It is imperative that the personal narrative is not late, as it is a TMT and if it is late, it will NOT pass. Most of the homework from now until then will be working on the narrative.
TMT #2 is this Thursday or Friday. It is on Plot Structure and how conflict, character, and plot work together.

TENTH GRADE: The next few class periods, the students' homework will continue to be reading pages from "The Crucible." They should either have a book checked out or be reading it on the internet. Everyday we have a short quiz to check that they read. On October 12th (B Day) and 13th (A Day), we will have TMT #2 on "The Crucible." It will involve application and ideas rather than regurgitation of events. On October 13th (A Day) or 14th (A Day), the students will have an essay due on "The Crucible." As this is an Honors class, this first essay (WHICH WILL BE GRADED AS TMT #3) will be pretty loose as far as guidelines go. I am trusting the students' prior teaching about essays and papers. I will judge what some things are that we need to review or teach based on these first essay scores. So "The Crucible" from here on out during this term.

FILM LIT: The students have picked a clip that they will analyze a total of five times. They will look at the same clip and analyze the five different elements that we have focused on during the term. After we cover each element fully in class, then they have a one page analysis due. In that analysis they should discuss how that element has been used to affect the meaning of the movie. They have already turned in cinematography and writing. The next three will be Production Design, Music, and Acting. The due dates will depend on when we finish each element in class. We have TMT #2 on Friday, this week. It is on the Six Traits of Writing, writing in film, and production design in film.

Please feel free to email if you need clarification or have questions. I hope this has helped catch up and I will try to keep updating for those that want to keep up.
Thanks.
-Mr. Durham

Assignment DUE September 17th/18th - 10th Honors

Your assignment is to find an online article about Joseph McCarthy and the Red Scare of the 1940's and 50's. McCarthy tried to find all the "Communists" within the American government and ended up becoming somewhat of a laughingstock. Summarize your article and write down the web address of where you read the article. This will help familiarize you with what Arthur Miller is condemning in "The Crucible." The two paragraph to half a page summary is due at the beginning of class. Gracias!

Assignment for English 10 Honors

For Wednesday (B Day) and Thursday (A Day), you need to come up with THREE PAIRS of words that mean basically the same thing. Only, one of the words must have a generally negative connotation and the other word must have a generally positive connotation (like our examples in class - don't worry about a neutral connotation, though).

Also, list TWO words that have a different connotation (negative or positive) for you because of events that have happened in your life. These would be words that bring an image into your mind that other people would probably never think of. Explain why they have that connotation in your life (in other words, tell me the story that gave that word that connotation).

Stop by or email (cdurham@alpine.k12.ut.us) if you have any questions or are confused.

NEW SCHOOL YEAR!!!!

Welcome to Mr. Durham's English class blog. This will be a place where I will post assignments. Then if you miss class or need clarification or reminding, this will be here for your help and perusal. Last year I did get behind sometimes on my posts. I will try to be a better updater. Of course, hardly anyone ever checked the blog so I didn't have a lot of motivation to keep it updated. If you let me know that you have been using it, it will help me to keep it current.

I think this will be a GREAT year! It's very exciting to be involved in the first year of a new high school. I hope you all feel the same way. See you soon!