Wednesday, November 17, 2010

What side is Dickens on? The peasants or the revolutionaries?

ATOTC Response #4

For this fourth and final post, you need to analyze something specific in Part 2, Ch. 21--Part 3, Ch. 3.

Make us think about this reading!

ATOTC: Analyze a chapter's first line

ATOTC: Analyze the use of mythology in the novel

ATOTC: Analyze the organization of a chapter

ATOTC: Why does the French Revolution=ocean in Ch. 21?

ATOTC: Analyze footsteps

ATOTC: Analyze echoes

ATOTC: Analyze chapter titles

ATOTC: Analyze Mr. Defarge

ATOTC: Analyze Madame Defarge

ATOTC: Jarvis Lorry

ATOTC: Analyze Sidney Carton

ATOTC: Analyze Dr. Manette

ATOTC: Analyze Charles Darnay

ATOTC: Analyze the "doubling" in the novel

ATOTC: What is the significance/role of the plane tree?

ATOTC: Why all of the nicknames in the novel?

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Let's Practice ANALYZING!!!!

Analysis=Amazing.

Analysis=Awe-inspiring.

Analysis="A" level thinking.

Ok, let's start with the basics:
1. When you analyze, you must say something that can be disagreed with.
2. The more thought-provoking, original, and surprising the analysis, the better.
3. The key is supporting your argument with text. In literary analyses, the support comes from the text you are analyzing. In media analysis, the support comes from the ad.
4. The closer you study the text, the better. Question every word choice, every sentence structure, every literary device. Assume there is meaning under the surface.
5. Summary=death of analysis. Your analysis dies a long, slow death when you summarize. Don't do it.

Now I want you to try to analyze some element of ATOTC. Respond to the prompt on the slip of paper you pulled by diving into the text, studying relevant quotes, and then assembling your insights into a coherent argument about the topic. Make us think. Make us want to argue with you--but, of course, we will eventually be persuaded by your keen use of the text. No matter what you do, TAKE A STAND. Teach us something that we didn't get just from reading the text. Make connections between quotes. Question word choices. Push surface conclusions.

This is where the fun begins. Sure, we could discuss the plot all day long, but analysis is where we begin to see how literature is art.

Good luck.

Thursday, November 4, 2010

Blog Post Feedback

1. Analyze, don't summarize.
2. Analysis must be supported by a close examination of the text.
3. Hook and closing sentence must be thoughtful.
4. Eliminate wordiness.
5. Read previous posts; don't repeat earlier points.
6. Cite correctly. MLA format.
7. Dickens's not Dickens'
8. Top Ten Rules apply!

Challenge us! Try to teach us something!

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Media Analysis Outlines

Remember: you want to do both a Part-by-Part outline AND a thematic outline.

Check Bb for a sample part-by-part outline.

Good luck! Go deep!

Monday, November 1, 2010

ATOTC: Part 2, Ch. 1-6

Remember: you want to challenge us with your insightful ideas and observations. Help teach each other this book. You can do it!