Vocabulary--Difficult Words

Quiz Thursday, April 6, over words 11-20: "circumlocution" to "avant-garde"

How to do Commentary/Explication of a passage (see handout)
Analyze the last two pages of the novel (handouts)
Choose any passage from the novel and type a 2-page+ commentary on the passage.
To do this you need to:

• Introduce the topic for 2-3 sentences
• State a theme(s)
• Summarize your interpretation as it relates to the theme (thesis)
• Cite details (quote words and phrases) from the passage that support your interpretation and explain how those details lead you to your interpretation
• Think in these terms:
• IF YOU CAN TALK FOR TEN SENTENCES DISCUSSING THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT WORD EXPLAINING HOW IT TIES IN WITH THE REST OF THE PASSAGE AND THE NOVEL AS A WHOLE, YOU'RE ON THE RIGHT TRACK. I'm not saying that you have to do that, but this is the kind of detailed analysis you need to do. Quote an example (word connotation, maybe) and discuss its effect in detail 2-5 sentences, quote another detail (image, maybe) and discuss for 2-5 sentences, quote another detail (metaphor, maybe, or another word connotation) and discuss for 2-5 sentences, etc.
• Recommended:  think in terms of symbolism and deeper meaning; look for irony

Commentary due at the end of the period Friday
You may do this assignment at home and spend Friday working on your Hemingway/Fitzgerald Rewrite, which is due on Monday, April 16th
HOMEWORK:
1. Memorize vocabulary for Friday's quiz
Vocabulary--Difficult Words:  words 11-20: "circumlocution" to "avant-garde"
2. Start studying for the Gatsby test, which is Monday, April 9
3. You may type your commentary at home, if you prefer
Friday we will work on commentaries and then finish the movie (students who would rather finish commentaries may do so in the hall)
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Optional:
For you general edification, if you're interested:
The opening lines of The Great Gatsby: The Power of Money and Privilege
If we don't have time to get to this, read it on your own!
Is Gatsby Indeed Great? -- written by a high school senior!
The Greatness of The Great Gatsby
Hand back PSAT
SAT Practice Test 3

Monday, March 5
Vocabulary--Difficult Words
Learn the first 10 words for a quiz Monday

Gatsby reading time--Finish the novel
Gatsby movie--Is the film true to the text?

The opening lines of The Great Gatsby: The Power of Money and Privilege
If we don't have time to get to this, read it on your own!

Hand back PSAT
SAT Practice Test 3

FRIDAY

30 minutes Reading Time
GATSBY AUDIOBOOK AND TEXT for students who like to listen and read along
HOMEWORK: Read chapter 7
Finish novel for discussion March 7

TODAY:
Plato, Gatsby's Platonic conception of himself, Ernest Renen's Life of Jesus comparison
Color Symbolism in The Great Gatsby Prezi Presentation
Color Symbolism in Gatsby (more in-depth)

Gatsby Vocabulary, chapter 8
Gatsby Vocabulary, chapter 9

Fitzgerald--Great American Dreamer--A&E Biography of F. Scott Fitzgerald

Friday we will discuss the novel, do vocabulary, and watch the movie :}

Take notes of Fitz' style--
Passages:
68-"Over the great bridge . . .The Queensboro bridge . . ." Imagery mentally processed for reader
90-"I love it, but I don't see how you live there all alone . . ." G is hollow trying to be something he is not, yet his dream is admirable
109--"He wanted nothing less . . ."  G's hope makes him great, but it is also his tragic flaw