Reading Assignments

Meyer: Introduction 1-6

Meyer: Ch 1 and 2

AND 

Chapters Three-Ten explain and exemplify elements of fiction that are important to consider when interpreting literature.  Each chapter covers one element and provides and analyses an excerpt from a piece of fiction that exemplifies that element.  In the regular semester, students read excerpts from all ten chapters, but for the summer class, I'm giving you guys a break!  I think Plot, Character, Setting, and Symbolism are essential elements of literature that you will use again and again as you work through all of the units in the text, so I have selected excerpts from those chapters to prepare you for writing Essay One.  Still, be aware that there is a lot of reading!  For each chapter, you will read the "lecture" on the literary element, the example, and interpretation that follows.  You will also read selected short stories from these chapters.  Follow page #s carefully.

Ch. 3 (on plot) pp. 64-74
Ch. 4 (on character) pp. 98 - 108
Ch. 5 (on setting) pp. 134 - 142)
Ch. 7 (on symbolism) 198 - 201 and "The Hand" 206 - 207

Essay Assignment # 1

Chapter 46

Purdue Handout on Writing About Fiction 
(the tips on this handout will help you feel more comfortable about getting started on your Journal assignments, but it is not meant to replace the extensive reading provided in our text on writing about fiction) 

Discussion Assignments 1and 2 (Find  links to Discussion Boards in the menu at the left of this page)

Each entry will be a minimum of 10 sentences.

(1) based on Ch 1 (due Wednesday 6/8 at 10 PM)
I will post three prompts on the Chapter 1 Discussion Board 
Choose one of the three prompts to participate in and post your response as a reply to my prompt.  To get participation credit, make sure you stay in the right thread.

(2) based on Ch 2 and the Essay One Writing Assignment 
(due Friday 6/10 at 10 PM)
Keeping in mind that you will be writing your own comparison and contrast assignment soon, post a paragraph discussing what aspects of the Sample Paper in Progress in Chapter 2 of Meyer you find most helpful in terms of the writing process.

Discussion Replies  

(due Monday June 13  by 10 PM)

Post a thoughtful reply of at least 5 sentences to the entries above and below yours in both discussion assignments.

Writing Assignments

Reading Journal 1 (due Friday 6/10 at 10 PM)

Reading journal # 1: 250 words minimum.

This journal gives you practice in comparing and contrasting two stories, the formula fiction "A Secret Sorrow" and Gail Godwin's "A  Sorrowful Woman."  

To write this journal, choose either question 4 or 5 on pages 39-40.  Practice writing without using "I" or "you" anywhere in the journal. Also practice introducing the two texts by title and author at the beginning of your journal.  You should make a habit of this, never beginning with the vague reference: "these stories" Make sure your journal entry is closely grounded in the readings.  (In other words, do not go off on a personal tangent.)

Essay 1 (due Thursday 6/16 at 10 PM)

Reading Quiz  available now but due (it will disappear) Thursday 6/16 by midnight

This quiz includes details from the assigned short stories in Chapters 1, 3, 4, 5 and 7, and also covers the elements of fiction you will study in those chapters: plot, character, setting, and symbolism.   Warning: do not launch the quiz until you are ready to take it as there are absolutely no retakes.  The quiz will lock you out and will not record any items if you exceed the allotted time.

Take the Unit One Quiz on Blackboad (look under Course Documents).

Reading  Ahead

The smart bet is to begin reading The Awakening, our semester novel bit by bit as you complete the rest of the semester units.  The essay for The Awakening is 2000 words, so take notes as you read.

You may order the novel online
OR you may read the novel online