Tuesday, September 30, 2014
Basic Outline Template
Par 1: Main idea/thesis
Par 2: Topic
Example / quote
Analysis
Example / quote
Analysis
Par 3: Topic
Example / quote
Analysis
Example / quote
Analysis
Par 4: Topic
Example / quote
Analysis
Example / quote
Analysis
And so on, until...
Conclusion
Final thought
Tuesday, September 23, 2014
Essay #1
ANALYSIS ESSAY #1
Please write an essay that:
• Analyzes one scene in the novel Dracula, explaining how that scene representsone of
the three critical interpretations of blood discussed in the
introduction to the novel. The three interpretations are religious,
psychoanalytic/sexual, and race/class. This essay will require close reading of the text, with specific examples cited from the novel to prove your points. Please
note that you may not analyze the novel from the straight literal
perspective, as there is nothing to analyze--you would simply be
summarizing.
*Your thesis should be composed the
two main factors connected above. Several specific examples of thesis
statements will be provided in class.
*While you may analyze
one of the scenes you were assigned to analyze in class (such as the
blood transfusion scenes or the three vampire women dream sequence), you
may not simply rehash what we already discussed about these scenes. In
other words, if you choose to analyze one of these particular scenes I
will expect serious, thoughtful, original analysis. You may find it is actually easier to analyze a scene that we did not already cover in class.
*You are required to provide plenty of evidence and examples specifically from Dracula and from at least two outside scholarly sources to support your argument. Reference sites, such as Wikipedia, Bookrags, Sparknotes, dictionary. com, or any dictionaries or encyclopedias whatsoever, are not acceptable as
“outside sources.” Instead, consult the library’s research databases
and free e-periodicals (available through the library’s website); you
may also use the introductions to other editions of Dracula. If
you are uncertain about the validity of a source (particularly
websites), please email your professor ASAP. Please ask your peer
mentors for additional library research help.
*You are required to meet with one of your peer mentors prior to turning in the final draft of your essay. You will receive participation points for fulfilling this requirement.
*Since this is an academic
analytical essay, only the use of the removed 3rd person perspective is
acceptable (no “I,” “we,” “our” “your” or “you,” please). Use academic
language throughout; avoid talking about your personal experiences or
opinions about the novel. A good “tone” for the writing is to mimic the
tone of the introduction to Dracula.
Length: 4-6 pages, double-spaced, Garamond or Times New Roman font
Your essay should include the following components:
A good title that
is not too long or too vague. The title should capture the essence of
your essay in an interesting and compelling way. It should also include
the title Dracula as well as the name of your character—but should also
indicate what exactly your essay is focusing on. For example: Blood Transfusions as a Form of Ethnic Cleansing Bram Stoker’s Dracula is a sufficient title.
- An introductory hook that captures the reader’s attention in a strong, but not over-dramatic way. Short and succinct statements go a long way. You may want to open with an image of or quotation from the scene you are analyzing. You will then want to quickly and naturally move into a clear presentation of your thesis statement.
- A thesis that makes your position on the topic unambiguous (clear), appropriately qualified, and clearly arguable. The thesis should come at the beginning of the essay. Repeat it throughout the essay when the reader might become lost; repeat it as well at the end of the essay, though don’t necessarily repeat it word for word. The thesis is the most important part of your essay, and everything that comes after should exist to prove its validity.
- Clear transitions between paragraphs or topics, and topic sentences (mini-theses) at the beginning of each paragraph.
- An awareness of the historical time period and social context in which the novel was written. This ties into understanding the critical interpretations of blood in the novel. You will likely need to do some further outside research into Victorian England (and possibly Stoker’s Irish background) to understand this aspect of the essay fully. Your outside source(s) will be invaluable in this regard, as “proof” for the validity of your arguments. Always, always, always tie in your observations to the cultural context of the novel.
- Plausible reasons and convincing support for your thesis. You must have at least two or three specific and compelling reasons for your argument. Your support for these reasons should be taken firstly from the novel itself, as well as your outside research (both are crucial). Don’t forget that you will need to provide evidence from the scene itself in order to interpret it critically. In other words, you should use clear examples from the text as often as possible to back-up your arguments. If, for example, you are writing about Jonathan Harker’s shaving / mirror scene with Dracula in the bedroom through the lens of the pyschoanalytic interpretation, you could utilize the quote: “The whole room behind me was displayed, but there was no sign of a man in it, except myself” (Stoker 36).
- A logical order of organization that will guide the reader through your argument in a clear, convincing way.
- An awareness of your audience. You are speaking to a general academic audience, who may or may not have read Dracula. You need to give context to the quotations you take from the text, and not assume that your reader knows the book as you do. Your audience is also secular, so if you choose to write about Dracula via the religious perspective, do not bring in your personal spiritual beliefs.
- Proper MLA documentation. Your final draft should include a Works Cited page with a list of all sources used in the paper (likely just the one outside source as well as the novel Dracula). In addition, you may use more than one outside source if you so choose.
- If you have trouble filling up 4 pages with your scene, you may choose to analyze two corresponding or related scenes (for example, two scenes with Renfield, or two blood transfusion scenes, or a scene with Lucy's sleep-walking and another scene where she is getting a blood transfusion).
*Remember when using resources the
goal is not to simply plop them into the essay and hope the reader
understands their purpose. It is the job of the writer to smoothly
integrate short pieces of information into his/her prose according to
proper documentary style, as well as to discuss the research’s
significance to your essay.
Also, remember you will not impress a reader by presenting huge chunks
of quotes and that there will be a significant grade penalty for using
block quotes (quotes longer than five lines). Finally, don’t forget to introduce your resources!
Thursday, September 11, 2014
Tuesday, September 9, 2014
Thursday, September 4, 2014
Syllabus
Syllabus and Welcome
ENGL 120: Why Read?
Fairy Tales and Monsters
Fall 2014
E-mail: katedurbinteacher@gmail.com (NOT MY WHITTIER)
Moodle: I don't use it
Required Texts:
The Norton Fairy Tales
The Bloody Chamber and Other Stories by Angela Carter
Dracula by Bram Stoker
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
I Am Legend by Richard Matheson
I Am Legend by Richard Matheson
Readings via links on Class Blog (check syllabus)
*Make sure you have the EXACT copies of the books that are in the Whittier College bookstore. You can order them online, as long as they are the same editions of the bookstore copies and they arrive early enough (I recommend 2-day shipping on Amazon). If you order and your book doesn’t arrive, that’s not going to fly as an excuse for skipping your reading. Make it happen.
Course Description:
“Reading a book is like re-writing it for yourself. You bring to a novel, anything you read, all your experience of the world. You bring your history and you read it in your own terms.” –Angela Carter
“Give me a man or woman who has read a thousand books and you give me an interesting companion. Give me a man or woman who has read perhaps three and you give me a dangerous enemy indeed.” –Anne Rice
In a time when literary reading is on the decline, what might the value of reading be? Might it be possible, as Anne Rice suggests, that it is dangerous not to read? A question like this is further complicated when it comes from the writer of horror stories, stories that are seen as “dangerous.” There are different kinds of dangers in this world--some good, some bad. Why might it be valuable not only to read in an era of vast inattention, but also to read “dangerous” narratives? What might these narratives, of our monsters and fairy mythos, reveal to us about our cultural fears, desires, and what we believe it means to be human?
*Make sure you have the EXACT copies of the books that are in the Whittier College bookstore. You can order them online, as long as they are the same editions of the bookstore copies and they arrive early enough (I recommend 2-day shipping on Amazon). If you order and your book doesn’t arrive, that’s not going to fly as an excuse for skipping your reading. Make it happen.
Course Description:
“Reading a book is like re-writing it for yourself. You bring to a novel, anything you read, all your experience of the world. You bring your history and you read it in your own terms.” –Angela Carter
“Give me a man or woman who has read a thousand books and you give me an interesting companion. Give me a man or woman who has read perhaps three and you give me a dangerous enemy indeed.” –Anne Rice
In a time when literary reading is on the decline, what might the value of reading be? Might it be possible, as Anne Rice suggests, that it is dangerous not to read? A question like this is further complicated when it comes from the writer of horror stories, stories that are seen as “dangerous.” There are different kinds of dangers in this world--some good, some bad. Why might it be valuable not only to read in an era of vast inattention, but also to read “dangerous” narratives? What might these narratives, of our monsters and fairy mythos, reveal to us about our cultural fears, desires, and what we believe it means to be human?
Fairy tales are narratives that have shaped the culture we inhabit, as well as cultures around the world. They are often seen as "kid's stuff" but their origins are much more adult and complicated. We will trace the history of the fairy tale, examining some of its most enduring, provocative, and horrifying permutations, examining what these reveal about what it means to be a human in society at a specific moment in time.
This class will serve as an introduction to the aesthetics and critical reading of fairy tales, and their contemporary spin-offs, the monster narrative. The primary goal of this course is to help you become a better reader of literature, with an enhanced ability to analyze, discuss, and write about literary texts. By the end of the course, you will have garnered new skills and intensified old ones to help you appreciate the joy and complexity of literature, and the gifts only it can offer you.
This course satisfies the Liberal Education requirement COM 2. INTD 100 is a pre-requisite. It is assumed that you have a basic working knowledge of grammar, paper formatting, and MLA style.
Course Requirements:
For this class you will write three papers, one paper revision, and do one solo presentation. The papers will be 4-5 pages in length, and you will receive separate instructions for all of them. One will be an in-class essay. You will also have short exercises and quizzes throughout the semester.
All papers must be typed and carefully proofread. Papers should always have a title. If you have grammatical or stylistic questions consult reference guides such as A Writer’s Reference or the OWL @ Purdue website. If you are using a computer lab, always be sure to give yourself extra time, and to save your material frequently.
Plagiarism—claiming ownership of ideas and language that are not your own—is simply unacceptable. Plagiarized papers will result in a failing grade for the course, and a report will be submitted to the office of Student Life.
Participation and Attendance:
There will be moments when I will lecture. Aside from these times, class should operate like a seminar. This means that it is imperative that you read the material--on time--and are prepared to discuss this material in class. Part of your grade is participation-based, and it is required that you speak up in class in order to receive full credit with participation. You will also be quizzed regularly on the reading, and failing to do the reading will severely harm your class score.
Always be prepared, and always come to class on time. Classes for which you are more than ten minutes late will count as absences, and two tardies count as an absence.
This class will serve as an introduction to the aesthetics and critical reading of fairy tales, and their contemporary spin-offs, the monster narrative. The primary goal of this course is to help you become a better reader of literature, with an enhanced ability to analyze, discuss, and write about literary texts. By the end of the course, you will have garnered new skills and intensified old ones to help you appreciate the joy and complexity of literature, and the gifts only it can offer you.
This course satisfies the Liberal Education requirement COM 2. INTD 100 is a pre-requisite. It is assumed that you have a basic working knowledge of grammar, paper formatting, and MLA style.
Course Requirements:
For this class you will write three papers, one paper revision, and do one solo presentation. The papers will be 4-5 pages in length, and you will receive separate instructions for all of them. One will be an in-class essay. You will also have short exercises and quizzes throughout the semester.
All papers must be typed and carefully proofread. Papers should always have a title. If you have grammatical or stylistic questions consult reference guides such as A Writer’s Reference or the OWL @ Purdue website. If you are using a computer lab, always be sure to give yourself extra time, and to save your material frequently.
Plagiarism—claiming ownership of ideas and language that are not your own—is simply unacceptable. Plagiarized papers will result in a failing grade for the course, and a report will be submitted to the office of Student Life.
Participation and Attendance:
There will be moments when I will lecture. Aside from these times, class should operate like a seminar. This means that it is imperative that you read the material--on time--and are prepared to discuss this material in class. Part of your grade is participation-based, and it is required that you speak up in class in order to receive full credit with participation. You will also be quizzed regularly on the reading, and failing to do the reading will severely harm your class score.
Always be prepared, and always come to class on time. Classes for which you are more than ten minutes late will count as absences, and two tardies count as an absence.
More than three absences may result in a lower grade; more than six may result in a failing grade. Any absences at all can only mar your performance in the class. Inform me in advance regarding major religious holidays or other significant reasons for being excused.
Class Policies:
No laptops unless I approve them for notetaking (ask first). I don’t want to see your phones out—if I do, I will take them away, no exceptions. If it seems you are not paying attention or you are talking while I am talking, you may be asked to leave the classroom and take an absence for the day. If you show up without having done your work, you may also receive an absence for the day. On workshop days, it’s absolutely necessary that you come prepared with your drafts of your papers. On those days if you come unprepared you will be asked to leave, no exceptions.
Class is only 50 minutes long, so you should have no reason to get up and leave the room unless it’s an absolute emergency. That also means that you should not have more than one or two emergencies in an entire semester, as emergencies by their very nature are rare. Please use the facilities and get drinks of water before class—it’s your job to be in class on time as you would for a job. Please do not show up to class then ask if you can leave to get a drink of water or use the restroom. If you do so, you are tardy.
Abiding by these policies will allow us a pleasant, productive class session. Anyone who repeatedly abuses these policies is treating his or her peers with disrespect, and will be subject to appropriate disciplinary action.
Communication (Blog):
I will communicate with you regularly via this class blog, so check it for updates here. I ask that you check it every 24 hours, and in the mornings before class. I will also post any updates to the Course Schedule here. You don’t need to print the syllabus out, but you may want to.
Class Policies:
No laptops unless I approve them for notetaking (ask first). I don’t want to see your phones out—if I do, I will take them away, no exceptions. If it seems you are not paying attention or you are talking while I am talking, you may be asked to leave the classroom and take an absence for the day. If you show up without having done your work, you may also receive an absence for the day. On workshop days, it’s absolutely necessary that you come prepared with your drafts of your papers. On those days if you come unprepared you will be asked to leave, no exceptions.
Class is only 50 minutes long, so you should have no reason to get up and leave the room unless it’s an absolute emergency. That also means that you should not have more than one or two emergencies in an entire semester, as emergencies by their very nature are rare. Please use the facilities and get drinks of water before class—it’s your job to be in class on time as you would for a job. Please do not show up to class then ask if you can leave to get a drink of water or use the restroom. If you do so, you are tardy.
Abiding by these policies will allow us a pleasant, productive class session. Anyone who repeatedly abuses these policies is treating his or her peers with disrespect, and will be subject to appropriate disciplinary action.
Communication (Blog):
I will communicate with you regularly via this class blog, so check it for updates here. I ask that you check it every 24 hours, and in the mornings before class. I will also post any updates to the Course Schedule here. You don’t need to print the syllabus out, but you may want to.
Papers
All papers, other than rough drafts, will be submitted electronically ONLY via email. I will give you a specific time that they are due, and anything after this time is considered late. For every half hour your paper is late, your grade is lowered one whole letter score. Do not turn in late papers.
All papers, other than rough drafts, will be submitted electronically ONLY via email. I will give you a specific time that they are due, and anything after this time is considered late. For every half hour your paper is late, your grade is lowered one whole letter score. Do not turn in late papers.
I ask that you submit your paper both as an attachment in .doc or .docx form, as well as copy and pasted in the body of your email. Please do your best to maintain proper MLA formatting when you copy and paste. I will send you a "receipt" when I receive your email, usually within 12 hours--provided you turned your paper in on time. If you don't receive the receipt, I didn't get your paper.
Your grades and my notes on your papers will also be returned to you electronically via email—so check for them there.
Literally the only papers you will turn in hard copies of are your rough drafts for workshop. You are usually required to bring two copies. DO NOT JUST PRINT ONE COPY IF I REQUEST TWO.
Your grades and my notes on your papers will also be returned to you electronically via email—so check for them there.
Literally the only papers you will turn in hard copies of are your rough drafts for workshop. You are usually required to bring two copies. DO NOT JUST PRINT ONE COPY IF I REQUEST TWO.
You may NOT bring your laptops instead of hard copies for workshop. There are very few things you have to print in this class, so please be considerate when it’s time to actually print something.
Email:
I do not check the Whittier email address EVER so please contact me via katedurbinteacher@gmail.com. I do check this email address several times a day, and will get back to you asap. I recommend this over any other means of contacting me. Please do not send me facebook messages related to class concerns. Thank you.
Email:
I do not check the Whittier email address EVER so please contact me via katedurbinteacher@gmail.com. I do check this email address several times a day, and will get back to you asap. I recommend this over any other means of contacting me. Please do not send me facebook messages related to class concerns. Thank you.
Also, if you have quick questions re homework, I recommend asking each other before asking me, in case I am not able to respond to you as quickly as you might require.
Grade Breakdown:
Paper 1: 20%
Paper 2: (in-class) 20%
Presentation & Paper 3: 25%Paper Revision: 15%
Grade Breakdown:
Paper 1: 20%
Paper 2: (in-class) 20%
Presentation & Paper 3: 25%Paper Revision: 15%
Attendance, participation, reading quizzes, and brief assignments: 20%
Students with Disabilities:
Students desiring accommodations on the basis of physical, learning or psychological disability for this class are to contact Disability Services. Disability Services is located in the Library building, first floor, room G003 and can be reached by calling extension 4825.
Students with Disabilities:
Students desiring accommodations on the basis of physical, learning or psychological disability for this class are to contact Disability Services. Disability Services is located in the Library building, first floor, room G003 and can be reached by calling extension 4825.
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