Wednesday, February 15, 2012

The Catcher in the Rye - Project

Requirements for the book cover project:
Front Cover:
-Illustration
-Title and Author

Spine:
-Title and Author

Back Cover:
-Summary
-Reviews

Inside Flap:
-About the Author


Option #2:
Create a comic book which tells the whole story of The Catcher in the Rye
Due 2/28/2012

Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Research Paper - Presentation - Eng. 3

You will be scheduled for a day and must be ready to present on that day.   IF YOU ARE ABSENT THE DAY OF YOUR SCHEDULED PRESENTATION, YOU WILL PRESENT ON THE DAY IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING YOUR RETURN TO SCHOOL.  Additionally, you must have a note from your parent stating why you were absent.

This presentation should be taken seriously because it is a TEST grade for the 3rd marking period.
 

POWERPOINT REQUIREMENTS


  • 10 slides
  • 1st slide must be the introduction page or cover page which includes your name and topic
  • the Last slide must be the reference page or a Works Cited page
  • Music and/or sound effects must accompany each slide
  • Each slide must have a heading and all information on the page must stay on topic
  • Appropriate pictures or images should be included on each slide



OTHER PRESENTATION (if you choose not to do a Powerpoint)

·         1 well prepared visual aid must accompany the presentation

·         Prepared note cards to help you through the presentation should accompany the presentation

·         Since I can not give you an amount of slides that must be included … I can require  this presentation to be at least five minutes in length


BASIC REQUIREMENTS FOR THE PRESENTATION

·         You will be graded on:

*  Voice projection

*  Poise and Posture

*  Originality

*  Professionalism

*  Gesticulation (hand movements)


EXTRAS … you can receive extra points for any of the following during your presentation

  • Handouts
  • More than 10 slides
  • More than 1 visual aid

Thursday, January 26, 2012

Themes - The Catcher in the Rye

  • Youth and Innocence
  • Loneliness and Isolation
  • Sexuality and Sexual Identity
  • Madness, Depression, and Suicide
  • Wisdom, Knowledge, and Academic Success
  • Lies, Deceit, and Phoniness
*  “Phony” is the most frequently repeated word in this novel. Holden applies “phony” to anything hypocritical, shallow, superficial, inauthentic, or otherwise fake. “Crazy,” “madman,” and “depressed” rank close behind it.

Sunday, December 11, 2011

English 3 - Research Paper Topic Selection

What to consider when looking for a research paper topic?

Use the card catalog or search through the shelves for books; write down topics and titles as you find them.

If you can answer YES to the following questions, you may submit your research paper topics to me for approval.
  • Are you interested in this topic?
  • Will you be able to interview someone with knowledge of your topic?
  • Can you locate 5 sources (varied sources - they can not all be from the internet) in addition to your interview?
  • Can your topic be converted into a thesis question? 
  • Will you be able to write 6-8 pages on this topic and provide your opinion about the topic?
  • Does the Media Center have any information on your topic, so that you will be able to do some of your research at school?

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Symbolism in The Crucible

The Doll: The doll found on Elizabeth Proctor's shelf is a traditional symbol of voodoo and witchcraft. In The Crucible, the doll (as well as Rebecca Nurse) symbolizes the transformation of good to evil: dolls, in a normal society, represent childhood innocence and bring happiness. In Salem, dolls represent evil. This extends to the Puritan government and church, both being entrusted to protect its citizens, yet both doing the opposite.

The Stones: Giles Corey refuses to make an official plea in court. In order to persuade him to make a plea, officials of the court stack concrete stones on him and eventually crush him. The stones symbolize the weight of Salem's sins that are crushing the good in its society.

Elizabeth Proctor's Pregnancy: Elizabeth's execution is stalled on account of her pregnancy. This represents hope that the future may be different.

The Boiling Cauldron: The controversy begins with Salem girls running wild through the forest around a cauldron of boiling water. This cauldron symbolizes the wildness of the girls, or more specifically, their repressed sexual desire bubbling over.

John Proctor's Leaving the Courtroom: This occurs in the movie. After Proctor is accused of witchcraft, he runs into a small pond and with arms spread shouts, "God is dead." Proctor is in water, symbolic of baptism, and his arms are spread, symbolic of the Biblical Christ on the cross. Proctor sacrifices himself for the good of Salem and to honor those saints (Rebecca and Martha) who refuse to lie.

The Witch Trials: In addition to the similarities between McCarthyism and The Crucible already discussed, the trials symbolize the effect of intolerance, extremism, and hatred.

The Forest: Puritans believed that the forest was the devil's dominion. They failed to recognize, however, that Salem's evil and destruction came from within. The forest, therefore symbolizes the evil present in all humans.

Similarities between McCarthyism and The Crucible

Understanding symbolism in The Crucible means understanding the similarities between McCarthyism and The Crucible.

McCarthyism: In the 1940s and 1950s Americans feared the encroachment of Communism. The Soviet Union was growing in power and the threat of a nuclear holocaust was on the forefront of American minds. Eastern Europe had become a conglomerate of Communist satellite nations. Throw in China and Americans began to feel they were surrounded by a Communist threat. Paranoia ensued.
The Crucible: Salem established itself as a religious community in the midst of evil. Salemites considered the forest the domain of the devil. Salem was surrounded by forest. Paranoia ensued.

McCarthyism: Joseph McCarthy, U.S. Senator, made unsubstantiated claims that more than 200 "card carrying" members of the Communist party had infiltrated the United States government. He had no proof.
The Crucible: Delusional girls make unsubstantiated claims about the existence of witches in Salem. They have no proof.
 
McCarthyism: McCarthy's unsubstantiated claims ruined lives and led to increased hostility.
The Crucible: The girls unsubstantiated claims ruin lives and lead to increased hostility in Salem.

McCarthyism: Those who were accused were assumed guilty, put on trial, and expected to divulge the names of other Communist sympathizers. Failure to do so led to sanctions.
The Crucible: Those who are accused are assumed guilty, put on trial, expected to confess, and expected to accuse others of being witches. Failure to do so leads to death.

McCarthyism: The media were not willing to stand up to Senator McCarthy for fear of being accused of being a Communist.
The Crucible: Townspeople are not willing to stand up to the court for fear of being accused of being a witch.

McCarthyism: Arthur Miller was called before the House Un-American Activities Committee and subsequently blacklisted.
The Crucible: Arthur Miller wrote it.

 

Saturday, November 26, 2011

The Crucible Review - Acts 1 & 2

Things You Need To Know:
  • Setting of the play - time and place (exact location of each act)
  • Relationship between John and Elizabeth Proctor
  • Mary Warren's present to Elizabeth
  • Who has been accused and arrested because of witchcraft
  • Why has Abigail been fired from the Proctors
  • What's Abigail's role in the trials
  • Why does John hesitate to tell the court what Abigail told him
  • What would the court accept as evidence of witchcraft
  • What group of characters are against the court
  • Why does Hale come to the Proctor's house
  • How does Proctor respond to Mary Warren's claim that Abigail will charge Proctor with lechery