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