English 110

Last Minute Thoughts

Megan — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 08:26:49 +0000

Your essays are marked!

I didn’t realize how excited you all were about Beowulf and Bilbo, but then I learn something new everyday.

Things to consider:

Avoid starting an essay with a sweeping generalization like: “In the history of literature there are many different types of heroes.” Instead, tell me something specific about the text(s), state an opinion, describe a particular scene from a work.
Outlines are fantastic! Really. You have the time on Wednesday to create a plan, so spend ten minutes organizing your thoughts and make sure that your ideas relate to one another. Avoid jamming a whole bunch of ideas together in one paragraph – separate each point and explain your ideas fully.
Do you have a thesis?
Keep asking yourself why and how: why does this matter to the text? how do the examples you’ve selected support your ideas?
Keep it simple. Elaborate constructions and high diction can obscure your thought process – write clear sentences that are easy to follow.

Other words of advice:

If you don’t know it by Tuesday night at 10:00pm, don’t go searching desperately through your notes.
Focus on your strengths – do you know the Arthurian material backwards and forwards, but can’t remember the name of the pregnant lady with the sword in the Eirik the Red Sagas? Write on what you know and what you can do well.

Try and sleep the night before the exam, I know it’s difficult what with NHL playoffs and all. Kidding aside, it’s important to be well rested before you write and be sure to eat something before the exam – three hours is a long time to be thinking about second breakfasts, lunch, or tea.

Exam Preparation

Megan — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 06:32:07 +0000

The exam for our section is on Wednesday, April 16 at 12:00 at SRC B

If you need a map go here.

Yes, we can ask you anything – but we won’t ask you everything. The exam is designed for you to show us how smart you are. The questions will give you lots of room to bring in your own ideas and what you’ve learned in the course.

11 April Review

Megan — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 03:53:59 +0000

Post your questions here for review. You might want to bring that grid of heroes we started on early in the term. Big and small questions are welcome – we’ll try and touch on everything as we prepare for the final exam.

Formatting!

Megan — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 06:57:23 +0000

Because MLA is new to some of you, be sure to consult the helpful OWL website that tells you pretty much everything you need to know.

I’m also posting an essay about formatting here for you to consult.

110 Essay Formatting

The Sandman Chronicles

Megan — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 20:06:13 +0000

Because we won’t have much time in discussion to talk about Neil Gaiman’s work, feel free to comment here or post any questions you have.

Further to Sian’s question today in lecture: is the The Sandman: Preludes and Nocturnes a text worth teaching in a literature course?

Take-Home Essay

Megan — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 20:01:32 +0000

As Sian has mentioned you can find the essay topics listed on the course syllabus page.

If you have ideas you want to talk about or outlines that you would like me to take a look at, come and visit during office hours or make an appointment.

Typo on Poetry Handout

Megan — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 23:16:00 +0000

Apologies for a typo in the first passage:

6 lines from the bottom

Shall stand sore chanrged for the wasteful vengeance

should read:

Shall stand sore charged for the wasteful vengeance

Office Hour March 12th Cancelled

Megan — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 22:34:21 +0000

If you want to talk to me about the in-class assignment make an appointment for Monday or Tuesday of this week. I’m available by email too, so if you have specific questions you want to ask you can send them to me before the assignment on Friday.

In Class Assignment #2

Megan — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 22:32:19 +0000

If you missed the discussion group on March 7th, make sure you pick up the assignment from me at lecture on Monday. You will need the hand-out to write your essay on March 14th.

You are allowed to mark up the sheet, identify figurative language, and make notes about what you will write in-class. Remember though, identifying figurative language is only half the battle – you should be able to present an analytical interpretation of the passage that is supported by your annotation of the poem.

In Class Assignment #2

Megan — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 01:06:10 +0000

IMPORTANT DATE CHANGE!

The second in-class assignment will take place on March 14