The Winter’s Tale – Extra credit questions

Due by Friday, January 27

Title: The Winter’s Tale

Must include proper MLA heading at top left.

Question #1: In your own words, what was the play about?  Do not quote another source or say you don’t know.  Tell me as much as you understood. (4-5 sentences)

Question #2: What was effective about the play?  What could have been more effective?  Be specific for credit. (4-5 sentences)

 

Vocab Terms – Week of 1/23/12

Vocab quiz: Friday, January 27

 

plundered v. took goods by force, looted

 

squall n. brief, violent storm

 

dispatched v. finished quickly

 

mammoth adj. enormous

 

titanic adj. of great size or strength

 

assuage v. calm; pacify

 

bereft adj. deprived

 

ardor n. passion; enthusiasm

 

insidious  adj. characterized by craftiness and betrayal

 

Herculean adj. of extraordinary power, extent, intensity, or difficulty

Fall 2011 Final Study Guide

Fall Final Study Guide 2011 (click for printable version)

Parts of Speech

Noun:  person, place, thing, or idea – ex. teacher

Proper Noun: names specific people, places, or things – ex. Mr. Bresden

Pronoun: a word that stands for a noun or a proper noun – ex. him

Adjective: describes a noun or a pronoun – ex. large

Verb: a word showing an action, a condition, or the fact that something exists – ex. ran

Adverb: modifies a verb, an adjective, or another adverb – ex. quickly

Conjunction: connects similar kinds of words or groups of words – ex. and

Interjection: expresses feeling or emotion and functions independently of a sentence –

  ex. Wow!

Preposition: relates a noun or a pronoun that appears with it to another word in the sentence – ex. before

Prepositional Phrase: a group of words that includes a preposition and a noun or pronoun that is the object of the preposition – ex. below the counter

Appositives

An appositive is a noun or pronoun — often with modifiers — set beside another noun or pronoun to explain or identify it.  Here are some examples of appositives:

My brother’s car, a sporty red convertible with bucket seats, is the envy of my friends.

He is driving my dream car, a 1970 Dodge Challenger.

Parallel Structure

Parallel structure is the repetition of a chosen grammatical form within a sentence. By making each compared item or idea in your sentence follow the same grammatical pattern, you create a parallel construction.

Example:

Not Parallel:

Ellen likes hiking, the rodeo, and to take afternoon naps.

Parallel:

Ellen likes hiking, attending the rodeo, and taking afternoon naps.

 

Figurative Language

Simile:  a figure of speech in which like or as are used to make a comparison between two unlike ideas

Metaphor: a figure of speech in which one thing is spoken of as if it were something else

Hyperbole: a deliberate exaggeration

Personification:   a type of figurative language in which a nonhuman subject is given human characteristics

Allusion: a reference to well-known people, places, or events from myths or literature

Narrative Forms

First-person:  the story is relayed by a narrator who is also a character within the story, so that the narrator reveals the plot by referring to this viewpoint character as “I” (or, when plural, “we”)

Third-person: every character is referred to by the narrator as “he”, “she”, “it”, “they” or by their specific name.

Literary Terms

Allusion: a reference to well-known people, places, or events from myths or literature

Antagonist: a character or force in conflict with the protagonist

Aside:  a brief remark by a character revealing thoughts or feelings to the audience, unheard     by other characters

Autobiography: a form of non-fiction in which a person relates his or her own life story

Biography: a form of non-fiction in which a writer tells the life story of another person

Dialogue: conversation between characters

Dramatic Foil:  a character who highlights the traits of another character through contrast

Dramatic Irony: a contradiction between what a character thinks or says and what the audience or reader knows to be true

Flat Character: a one-dimensional character, embodying only a single trait

Foreshadowing: the use of clues that suggest events that have yet to occur

Genre: a category or type of literature

Monologue: a lengthy speech addressed to other characters on stage, not to the audience

Paraphrase: restate in one’s own words

Plot: in a story, the sequence of events, involving a conflict, or problem, that one or more characters face

Point of View: in a story, is the vantage point from which the story is told

Protagonist: the main character in a literary work

Round Character: has many personality traits, like a real person

Setting: the time and place of the action

Soliloquy:    a lengthy speech in which a character – usually alone on stage – expresses his or her thoughts to the audience.

Theme: central message or insight into life revealed through a literary work

Tone:  the writer’s attitude toward his or her audience or subject

Tragedy: a work of literature that results in a catastrophe for the main character

Poetry Terms

Rhyme in a poem is the repetition of sounds at the end of words.

A stanza is a formal division of lines in a poem, considered as a unit.

In a poem, rhythm is the pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables in each line.

Downloadable copy here

Iambic Pentameter:

Ten syllables in each line

Five pairs of alternating unstressed and stressed syllables

The rhythm in each line sounds like:
ba-BUM / ba-BUM / ba-BUM / ba-BUM / ba-BUM

Expository Essay

Due Wednesday, December 7

Directions: Write an expository essay on one of the following prompts:

• Explain the likely consequences of requiring students to wear uniforms.
• Describe two ways computers have affected your life.
• Explain how to take care of a pet.
• Explain the popularity of digital cameras.
• Choose an invention that has had an important impact on how people live, work, or play. Explain why it is important.

Notes:

Your essay should be divided into three sections:

• An introductory paragraph that establishes what your essay will be about. The last sentence of your first paragraph should be your thesis statement.  (Minimum three (3) sentences)
• Two body paragraphs that offer details.  Each should have a topic sentence and four detail sentences, for a total of five (5) sentences each.
• A conclusion paragraph that restates your thesis and offers your final thoughts (Minimum three (3) sentences)

Your essay must be double-spaced and typed using any of the three following fonts: Times New Roman, Arial, or Cambria. (12 pt. Times or Cambria, 11 pt. Arial)

Your essay must have a proper heading in the upper left hand corner.

Spelling, punctuation, and grammar count!  Do your best work.

Your title should appear on the top of the first page, centered, but it should not be in quotes or underlined, and it should be in the same size font as your essay. Make the title original and creative!

IMPORTANT:  No emailed essays will be accepted for this assignment.  You must type and print the essay.  You will lose one letter grade for each day your essay is late. 

Weekend Homework: Fri, Nov. 18

Before class Monday:

Read Chapters 5-7

Romeo and Juliet Final Project

Due Monday Nov. 21st

Assignment: On your own or with one partner from your class, write and perform a scene from Romeo and Juliet that does not exist in the actual play.

Format: Your scene is to be typed and formatted in the script form below:

GREGORY: I will frown as I pass by, and let them take it as they list.

SAMPSON:  Nay, as they dare. I will bite my thumb at them, which is a disgrace to them if they bear it.  [bites his thumb]

*Note the character names are in caps and the non-dialogue notes are in brackets.

Length: Your scene should last no less than three minutes and no more than five minutes.  Time yourselves reading it to ensure proper length.

Scene ideas: Your scene should be one that could reasonably exist in Romeo and Juliet, so no spaceships or ninjas, please.   You are not limited to these ideas, but examples of a scene you might write include

• Something that would change the outcome of the play, such as Friar John arriving in Mantua and delivering Friar Lawrence’s letter to Romeo

• Something that reveals information about a character, such a Rosaline talking with a girlfriend about Romeo while at Capulet’s party

• Something that foreshadows something that happens in the play, such as a soliloquy or conversation involving Friar Lawrence expressing his concerns about what might go wrong with his plan

Grading: You will be assessed on the following:

1.      Creativity/Effort

2.      Demonstrating understanding of The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet

3.      Proper script formatting

4.      Met time/length requirements

Additional notes:

• Have a creative title and proper heading.

• If working in pairs, make sure both names are on assignment.

• If working in pairs, it is expected that both partners are contributing equally to the work.

• Bring enough copies to class so that each performer and Mr. Bresden have a copy.  (If two people are performing, bring three copies to class.)

• If working alone, but writing for two or more characters, you may have others perform with you.

• You will lose one letter grade for each day your project is late.

R&J Act V Quiz Study Guide

blank verse: Unrhymed poetry written in iambic pentameter

iambic pentameter:

• Ten syllables in each line
• Five pairs of alternating unstressed and stressed syllables
• The rhythm in each line sounds like:
  ba-BUM / ba-BUM / ba-BUM / ba-BUM / ba-BUM

rhyme scheme: a regular pattern of rhyming words in a poem, indicated by using different letters of the alphabet for each new rhyme

Example:

I wandered lonely as a cloud  A
That floats on high o’er vales and hills,  B
When all at once I saw a crowd,  A
A host, of golden daffodils;  B
Beside the lake, beneath the trees,  C
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.  C

soliloquoy: a lengthy speech in which a character – usually alone on stage – expresses his or her thoughts to the audience.

aside: a brief remark by a character revealing thoughts or feelings to the audience, unheard by other characters

monologue: a lengthy speech addressed to other characters on stage, not to the audience

paraphrase: restate in one’s own words

round character: has many personality traits, like a real person

flat character: a one-dimensional character, embodying only a single trait

dramatic foil: a character who highlights the traits of another character through contrast

allusion: a reference to well-known people, places, or events from myths or literature

dramatic irony: a contradiction between what a character thinks or says and what the audience or reader knows to be true

Also know:

• William Shakespeare’s hometown was Stratford-on-Avon.
• Most of William Shakespeare’s plays were performed in the Globe Theater in London.
• William Shakespeare was the principal playwright for Lord Chamberlain’s Men, later renamed The King’s Men.
• William Shakespeare lived from 1564-1616.

Vocab Terms – Week of 10/24/11

Quiz is on Friday.

 

1. precipitate: v. to cause to happen

2. vehement: adj. described by strong feelings

3. fathom: v. to understand

4. auspicious: adj. successful

5. pensive: adj. engaged in deep thought

6. caustic: adj. sarcastic words

7. oscillate: v. to move back and forth

8. repugnant: adj. distasteful; offensive

9. opaque: adj. not allowing light to pass through

10. eclectic: adj. made up of material from various sources

 

1.      A rude comment may precipitate an argument.

2.      The artillery hit the enemy’s trenches vehemently.

3.      It was difficult to fathom the reason for closing the institution.

4.      The campaign had an auspicious start, foreshadowing the candidate’s win.

5.      My hours alone are often more pensive than the time I spend with friends.

6.      The girl harmed her mother with her caustic remarks.

7.      The oscillating sprinkler system covered the entire lawn.

8.      The repugnant actions of the man made others lose trust in him.

9.      All light was shut out of the room by the opaque shades.

10.  The eclectic collection of furniture did not match.

Romeo and Juliet Test – Wed., Oct. 26

There will be a test on Acts I & II on Wednesday, Oct. 26.

Bring a #2 pencil.

A link to the full text of the play can be found here.

Narrative Essay Assignment

Due Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Directions: Write a four (4) paragraph essay on one of the following prompts:

• You are walking home from a late movie and you have to cut through a cemetery. Describe your experience.
• Write a story about what happened one time when someone helped you.
• Write a story about what happened one time when you had to wear something you did not want to wear.
• You won $10,000,000 from the California State Lottery.  You have just cashed your check in Sacramento, CA.  Write about the first place you go and the first thing you do.
• Imagine you are on a magic carpet that takes you anywhere you choose. Think about where you would go and what you might do. Write a story about your adventure.
• You are home babysitting your little brother/sister. When you go out to get the mail, the door shuts and locks. Your baby brother/sister is alone inside. Write about what you do.
• Think back to your first day in school (first grade/kindergarten) and relate what happened that day.
• Tell what happened when you felt most proud of yourself.

Notes:

Your essay should be divided into three sections:

• An introductory paragraph that establishes what your story will be about, who is involved, and the setting.
• Two paragraphs that tell your story.  Be descriptive, use dialogue to keep things interesting, and share how you felt during your experience.
• A concluding paragraph resolves your story and shares your reflections on your experience.

Each paragraph must be a minimum of five (5) sentences.

Your essay must be double-spaced and typed using any of the three following fonts: Times New Roman, Arial, or Cambria. (12 pt. Times or Cambria, 11 pt. Arial)

Your essay must have a proper heading in the upper left hand corner.

Spelling, punctuation, and grammar count!  Do your best work.

Your title should appear on the top of the first page, centered, but it should not be in quotes or underlined, and it should be in the same size font as your essay. Make the title original and creative!

6.       IMPORTANT:  No emailed essays will be accepted for this assignment.  You must type and print the essay.  You will lose one letter grade for each day your essay is late.