Monday, March 27 - Thursday, March 30

Thursday

Take a pencil to lunch...

1. Time to get cracking on that essay!

Wednesday

1. Reading time - give me your essay practice sheet from yesterday for feedback.
2. Thesis development for tomorrow's essay.
3. Edit sheet based on text responses? Quiz will be next week.
4. Mark poetry quiz?

Help for writing a thesis statement:
A good way to create a thesis is to come up with a question that you can answer about the book and its film. What are the author's views about society; does the film capture this? How does the author deliver their views about society; does the film do the same thing?

A bad thesis statement will result in a bad essay with either too many ideas and no focus, or too few ideas and no depth/insight.

For example:

1. Start with a question...

•    Is the adaptation a straight or a loose interpretation of the novel? 
2. Answer the question...
Yes, it is a faithful adaptation because like the novel, it is in two parts. Initially its the tale of childhood friendship and betrayal in pre-war Afghanistan. Then, it becomes the story of how that relationship plays out when the characters become adults. 
3. Now turn the answer into a them statement...

The film for Kiterunner is a faithful  adaptation of  the friendship and betrayal depicted in the novel. 

•    Can the adaptation stand alone, or is it necessary to have read the novel to understand the film? 
This question could lead to the following thesis: The film adaptation of The Life of Pi can only be truly appreciated if the viewer has also read the novel. 

•    Does the adaptation respect, enhance and expand upon the original text? 
Thesis: The film adaptation of The Book Thief not only respects the original text, it enhance and expands it.

•    Does the adaptation capture the novel’s formal elements: the theme, characterization, style, tone, and plot of the novel?
Thesis: In the film version of Shakespeare's King Lear, the play's formal elements have been  completely lost. 

•    When the screenwriter and/or director changes any of the formal elements of the novel, is the overall message retained?

Thesis: George Orwell's theme that language is of central importance to controlling a society's behaviour, is completely lost in the film version of 1984. 

Here is another technique to try:

http://www.billstifler.org/en111/theses.pdf
http://writingcenter.unc.edu/handouts/thesis-statements/

Tuesday

Something on a Stick Day - March 28th, 2017

1. Reading time.
2. Essay structure: review - to help with your book/film essay.
3. Edit sheet based on your most recent text responses. QUIZ tomorrow. Comma usage: http://www.businessinsider.com/a-guide-to-proper-comma-use-2013-9

4. Mark poetry quiz.


Monday
1. Reading time - we will be in the lab on Thursday. This will be your opportunity to begin writing your essay about your book and the film adaptation. I will not be providing you with extensive feedback on your essay unless you come to see me outside of class time. Essay good copy is due on Thursday, April 6.
2. Essay structure: review - to help with your book/film essay.
3. Edit sheet based on your most recent text responses. QUIZ tomorrow. Comma usage: http://www.businessinsider.com/a-guide-to-proper-comma-use-2013-9
4. Mark poetry quiz.

A reminder...

Term novel assignment -  Novel/Film adaptation

ASSIGNMENT

Based on your analysis of the novel and its film adaptation, you will write a synthesis essay of about 2 typed, double-spaced pages (minimum 500 words).

Your essay must adhere to standard essay format (which we will review in class):

• Introduction (with thesis statement at the end of the introduction),

• at least 2 body paragraphs (preferably 3),

• a conclusion (that begins with a restatement of your thesis).

Make sure your essay covers the following questions:

•    Is the adaptation a straight or a loose interpretation of the novel?

•    Can the adaptation stand alone, or is it necessary to have read the novel to understand the film?

•    Does the adaptation respect, enhance and expand upon the original text?

•    Does the adaptation capture the novel’s formal elements: the theme, characterization, style, tone, and plot of the novel?

•    Is the adaptation a quality film in its own right?

•    When the screenwriter and/or director changes any of the formal elements of the novel, is the overall message retained?

Make sure you mention the title of the book, the author’s name and the publication date; for the film, include the screenplay writer’s name, the director’s name and the release date.

One class will be provided for you to work on this piece. During this class, or sometime prior to submitting the final draft, see me if you wish to have feedback on your work in progress.

RUBRIC

6

The six response is superior. It shows a deep and complete understanding of both texts. It exceeds expectations on a variety of levels, such as depth of discussion, effectiveness of arguments, or level of insight. It exhibits an effective writing style and a sophisticated use of language. Despite its clarity and precision, the response need not be error-free.

5

The five response is accomplished and reflects a strong grasp of the text. It completely meets expectations and shows a solid understanding of both texts.  The references to the texts may be explicit (blended quotes) or implicit (paraphrases) and convincingly support a thesis. The writing is well organized and demonstrates a strong command of the conventions of language. Errors may be present, but are not distracting.

4

The four response is competent. It meets expectations in a satisfactory way and shows a basic understanding of both texts. The assertions tend to be simplistic; there are no significant errors in understanding. There may be some relevant ideas or areas of analysis that have been left out. References are present and appropriate, but may be limited to only part of the text. The writing is organized and straightforward. Conventions of language are usually followed, but some errors are evident.

3

The three response is barely adequate. It just barely meets expectations. Understanding of the task and the texts may be partially flawed. Support may consist of long references to the text which are not clearly connected to a central idea or may be meagre or repetitive. The response may show some sense of purpose, but errors may be distracting.

2

The two response is inadequate. While there is an attempt to address the task, understanding of the texts or the task may be seriously flawed. Errors are recurring, distracting, and often impede meaning.

1

The one response is unacceptable. Although the response attempts to address the task, it is too brief or there is a complete lack of control in the writing.