1. Setting : temporal and geographical
2. Subject/Theme
3. Genre : sonnet, balad, lyric, ode, epic............
4. Voice/persona
5. Distance from the poem : historical and cultural
6. Diction/Use of words : imagery, symbolism, figures of speech(simile, metaphor, alliteration, assonance, personnification, consonance), pun
7. Structure
mercredi 25 février 2009
The Civil War
-1861-1865 opposing north against 11 southern states
-The south wanted to form a confederacy by fright of abolition of slavery
-Over 500 000 americans were killed
-The south wanted to form a confederacy by fright of abolition of slavery
-Over 500 000 americans were killed
Book report
1.Tell what happened/ Plot= Storyline
2. Describe your favorite part
3. Write a letter to the author
4. Tell how you would react if you were one of the characters in the novel
5. Copy down a quote from a character and tell why think it's meaningful.
6. Why the book is awesome or not
7. Suggest a different ending or continue the story
2. Describe your favorite part
3. Write a letter to the author
4. Tell how you would react if you were one of the characters in the novel
5. Copy down a quote from a character and tell why think it's meaningful.
6. Why the book is awesome or not
7. Suggest a different ending or continue the story
mardi 17 février 2009
More movie questions
1. Storyline - Is the storyline believeable? Did you find yourself lost in it as if you were there? For the most part, I think the story was very believable. Many people during Word war II were illiterate.
2. Screenplay - Was the dialogue forced? Was it believeable?
3. Acting - Which actors / actresses stand out and which don't? Why, in either case? David Kross, as the young Michael Berg really stood out to me. i thought his performance was outstanding. The fact that he was nude in a few scenes while being only 18 is amazing.
4. Special effects - Are they realistic? Do they blow you away, or are they only mildly effective? There weren't much special effects .
5. Music - Was it overpowering/distracting? Did it evoke emotion?
6. Editing - Was the movie's pace slow? Was it over-edited? I thought the movie was moving fine. Some might think the beginning was long but we needed to really grasp the feelings of Anna and Michael for each other.
7. Main theme/purpose - Do you agree with it? Why or why not?
8. Overall apprecation - What specifically did you like/dislike? Did the author/actors/director do a good job? Why or why not? How could the film be improved? Why would particular changes help? I absolutely loved the movie. The thing I would change though are the love scenes. They were too many and while they were done tastefully, it got annoying after 3 times.
2. Screenplay - Was the dialogue forced? Was it believeable?
3. Acting - Which actors / actresses stand out and which don't? Why, in either case? David Kross, as the young Michael Berg really stood out to me. i thought his performance was outstanding. The fact that he was nude in a few scenes while being only 18 is amazing.
4. Special effects - Are they realistic? Do they blow you away, or are they only mildly effective? There weren't much special effects .
5. Music - Was it overpowering/distracting? Did it evoke emotion?
6. Editing - Was the movie's pace slow? Was it over-edited? I thought the movie was moving fine. Some might think the beginning was long but we needed to really grasp the feelings of Anna and Michael for each other.
7. Main theme/purpose - Do you agree with it? Why or why not?
8. Overall apprecation - What specifically did you like/dislike? Did the author/actors/director do a good job? Why or why not? How could the film be improved? Why would particular changes help? I absolutely loved the movie. The thing I would change though are the love scenes. They were too many and while they were done tastefully, it got annoying after 3 times.
Movie reviews
Positive reviews:
1) "Law versus morality is at the chilling heart of this potent film whose complex themes begin with a young man's first sexual encounter and traverses uncomfortable territory including that of harrowing war crimes."
2) "The Reader is one of my favorite movies from the year 2008. It is incredibly complex in the way you react to the characters of the movie. It carries many emotions from sensuality to anger all the way back to that of sympathy and resolution. Many moves advertise themselves as unbiased and fair but nothing gets close to that like The Reader which is able to build sympathy for a character you would never think you could feel towards."
3) "Underage desire converges with perverse passions of the political sort, where in the case of one's country, love is basically blind. A remarkably brilliant and subversive guilt by erotic association thriller. "
Negative reviews:
1) "Just went to see this film. I was amazed to see how bad/clumsy the entire movie was. Obviously I wasn't the only one to think so according to the poor rating at Rotentomatos.com. Is the Oscar so easily influenced by Harvey Weinstein? That's an insult to all cinema fans! As for Winslet's performance, sure she bares and wears make-up. But so what? I was not impressed by her performance here at all. Her turn in Revolutinary Road was far more impressive. I love Kate Winslet, but I'd rather see her winning the Oscar for a better movie. She is still young and I am sure it will happen soon.Oscar should be given based on performance. Not based on campaigning or a sentiment for never winning. That said, Best actress this year should go to Meryl Streep for Doubt. "
2) "After watching this movie i wish i had not seen it. This movie is very boring.The story was OK but somehow the movie seemed extremely boring.There are some things that are not revealed during a film but one hopes that they would be at the end of the film, but that is not the case here,after watching the movie i had many questions racing through my mind.But the answers have not been given in the movie.i am actually surprised how this movie was nominated for Oscars. i would not recommend anyone to watch this movie."
3) "But leaving the repulsive nudity aside, one struggles to find an actual film. Unless of course you consider the subtle (not really) message shoved down our throats a "film". Yes, we get it: The Nazis were imbeciles, and Jews are Gods. Anything else? Hanna is shown as an example of the imbecile Nazi who struggles to understand the Judge's point that she should not have left those people burn to death. She can only think that opening the door would mean their escape, and she is such a retard following orders she could not change her priorities when they were facing death. She is not portrayed as a cold hearted woman who decided that death is better than escape, she is just so stupid she does not get why they wanted her to open the door."
1) "Law versus morality is at the chilling heart of this potent film whose complex themes begin with a young man's first sexual encounter and traverses uncomfortable territory including that of harrowing war crimes."
2) "The Reader is one of my favorite movies from the year 2008. It is incredibly complex in the way you react to the characters of the movie. It carries many emotions from sensuality to anger all the way back to that of sympathy and resolution. Many moves advertise themselves as unbiased and fair but nothing gets close to that like The Reader which is able to build sympathy for a character you would never think you could feel towards."
3) "Underage desire converges with perverse passions of the political sort, where in the case of one's country, love is basically blind. A remarkably brilliant and subversive guilt by erotic association thriller. "
Negative reviews:
1) "Just went to see this film. I was amazed to see how bad/clumsy the entire movie was. Obviously I wasn't the only one to think so according to the poor rating at Rotentomatos.com. Is the Oscar so easily influenced by Harvey Weinstein? That's an insult to all cinema fans! As for Winslet's performance, sure she bares and wears make-up. But so what? I was not impressed by her performance here at all. Her turn in Revolutinary Road was far more impressive. I love Kate Winslet, but I'd rather see her winning the Oscar for a better movie. She is still young and I am sure it will happen soon.Oscar should be given based on performance. Not based on campaigning or a sentiment for never winning. That said, Best actress this year should go to Meryl Streep for Doubt. "
2) "After watching this movie i wish i had not seen it. This movie is very boring.The story was OK but somehow the movie seemed extremely boring.There are some things that are not revealed during a film but one hopes that they would be at the end of the film, but that is not the case here,after watching the movie i had many questions racing through my mind.But the answers have not been given in the movie.i am actually surprised how this movie was nominated for Oscars. i would not recommend anyone to watch this movie."
3) "But leaving the repulsive nudity aside, one struggles to find an actual film. Unless of course you consider the subtle (not really) message shoved down our throats a "film". Yes, we get it: The Nazis were imbeciles, and Jews are Gods. Anything else? Hanna is shown as an example of the imbecile Nazi who struggles to understand the Judge's point that she should not have left those people burn to death. She can only think that opening the door would mean their escape, and she is such a retard following orders she could not change her priorities when they were facing death. She is not portrayed as a cold hearted woman who decided that death is better than escape, she is just so stupid she does not get why they wanted her to open the door."
mercredi 11 février 2009
Sentence Pattern #1
Sentence: Complete idea/ subject + verb.
Clause: incomplete/ subject + verb (part of a sentence)
Phrase : preposition(in ,on, at) / No verb
Participle: present (ing)
past (ed)
Ex: [CSL] [has] [3200 students] [in different programs] [which are all interesting].
S V object prepositional phrase dependant clause
s v semicolon ic
Ex: CSl has 3200 students; may are smart and talented.
Frank Stockton's most famous story is "The Lady or the Tiger".
It's about a young man being judged for his illicit affair with a princess.
1a. IC semi-colon+ conjuctive adverb + comma + IC
Ex :FS started as a wodd engraver; however, he became a famous writer.
1b. IC+Comma+Coordinating conjuction(fanboys)+IC
Ex: The story has no ending, so the reader is left wondering what happens.
Sentence Pattern #2
IC + Colon (:)
Statement : Explanation (specific)
Bernard Shan told a writer
Ex1: "There are three things I disliked about your story : They are the beginning, middle and end."
Ex2: "There is one key rule in my life : live and let live."
Ex3: Darwins' The origin of the species staded a harsh truth : only the fittest survive.
Simile : The comparison of two unlike things using like or as. Ex: It's about as easy as striking a match on a mirror.
Metaphor: Comparison of two unlike things using the verb "to be" and not using like or as as in a simile.
Ex: Type 1, A=B : The sky is a blue tapestry
Type 2, a) The young goaler skyrocketed to fame but now he's crashed
b) In playing the Bruins, the Habs are hitting a stone wall
c) Koivu used to have cat-like moves
Analogy: The comparison of two pairs which have the same relationship. Ex: The Grande Bibliothèque might hold the key to your future; it unlocks many doors to knowledge; it opens the way to numerous opportunities.
Ex: The human brains resembles a computer; it has incredible memory; it is made of differents parts that are connected to each other.
Allusion: A brief reference to a person, event, or place, real or ficticious, or to a work of art. Ex: His Achille's heal was his lack of personnality
Ex: The fieing of Carbonneau opened up a Pandora's box of problems for Gainey
Ex: Toto, I have a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore
Ex: She played Barbie to his Ken
Personnification: Giving human qualities to animals or objects.
Ex: Dogs say cat loves too much
Ex:Sun flowers nodded in the afternoon sun
Clause: incomplete/ subject + verb (part of a sentence)
Phrase : preposition(in ,on, at) / No verb
Participle: present (ing)
past (ed)
Ex: [CSL] [has] [3200 students] [in different programs] [which are all interesting].
S V object prepositional phrase dependant clause
s v semicolon ic
Ex: CSl has 3200 students; may are smart and talented.
Frank Stockton's most famous story is "The Lady or the Tiger".
It's about a young man being judged for his illicit affair with a princess.
1a. IC semi-colon+ conjuctive adverb + comma + IC
Ex :FS started as a wodd engraver; however, he became a famous writer.
1b. IC+Comma+Coordinating conjuction(fanboys)+IC
Ex: The story has no ending, so the reader is left wondering what happens.
Sentence Pattern #2
IC + Colon (:)
Statement : Explanation (specific)
Bernard Shan told a writer
Ex1: "There are three things I disliked about your story : They are the beginning, middle and end."
Ex2: "There is one key rule in my life : live and let live."
Ex3: Darwins' The origin of the species staded a harsh truth : only the fittest survive.
Simile : The comparison of two unlike things using like or as. Ex: It's about as easy as striking a match on a mirror.
Metaphor: Comparison of two unlike things using the verb "to be" and not using like or as as in a simile.
Ex: Type 1, A=B : The sky is a blue tapestry
Type 2, a) The young goaler skyrocketed to fame but now he's crashed
b) In playing the Bruins, the Habs are hitting a stone wall
c) Koivu used to have cat-like moves
Analogy: The comparison of two pairs which have the same relationship. Ex: The Grande Bibliothèque might hold the key to your future; it unlocks many doors to knowledge; it opens the way to numerous opportunities.
Ex: The human brains resembles a computer; it has incredible memory; it is made of differents parts that are connected to each other.
Allusion: A brief reference to a person, event, or place, real or ficticious, or to a work of art. Ex: His Achille's heal was his lack of personnality
Ex: The fieing of Carbonneau opened up a Pandora's box of problems for Gainey
Ex: Toto, I have a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore
Ex: She played Barbie to his Ken
Personnification: Giving human qualities to animals or objects.
Ex: Dogs say cat loves too much
Ex:Sun flowers nodded in the afternoon sun
Ex: The Canadian rockies volted into the sky
Thesis Statement
What is a thesis statement :
1. A thesis statement declares what you believe and what you intend to prove. A good thesis statement makes the difference between a thoughtful research project and a simple retelling of facts.
2. It should be contestable, proposing an arguable point with which people could reasonably disagree. A strong thesis is provocative; it takes a stand and justifies the discussion you will present.
3. It tackles a subject that could be adequately covered in the format of the project assigned.
4. It is specific and focused. A strong thesis proves a point without discussing “everything about …” Instead of music, think "American jazz in the 1930s" and your argument about it.
5. It anticipates and refutes the counter-arguments .
6. It has to make a claim.
7. It passes the "so what" test- Provocative.
8. Reflects what the text is about (main idea).
9. Directs the structure of the argument.
10. Introduces an essay.
11. Determines what kind of paper you write.
12. Uses literary elements and quotations
The thesis statement has three components :
1)What : Claim about the text (interpretation)
2)How : The litterary elements (figures of speech, symbolism, theme)
3)Why : The significance of your claim answers the question : so what?????
A bad thesis statement is :
1)This poem shows the narrator comparing his love to a summer day
This thesis statement is wrong because it's a plot summary
2)The poem presents the power of love to conquer death
It 's too universal
3)The poem shows how narratives can last while narrators cannot
It's too general
4)The poem proves that the pen is mightier than sword
It's too cliché
5)The structure, character and dialogue in the poem show us how human search for knowledge (UST)
A good thesis statement :
Despite its emphasis on love and physical beauty, the poem reveals the ways in which humans can triumph over the vagaries of nature
Images
Specific/arguable
Provides a stucture for your arguments
It goes beyond «so what» (provocative)
1. A thesis statement declares what you believe and what you intend to prove. A good thesis statement makes the difference between a thoughtful research project and a simple retelling of facts.
2. It should be contestable, proposing an arguable point with which people could reasonably disagree. A strong thesis is provocative; it takes a stand and justifies the discussion you will present.
3. It tackles a subject that could be adequately covered in the format of the project assigned.
4. It is specific and focused. A strong thesis proves a point without discussing “everything about …” Instead of music, think "American jazz in the 1930s" and your argument about it.
5. It anticipates and refutes the counter-arguments .
6. It has to make a claim.
7. It passes the "so what" test- Provocative.
8. Reflects what the text is about (main idea).
9. Directs the structure of the argument.
10. Introduces an essay.
11. Determines what kind of paper you write.
12. Uses literary elements and quotations
The thesis statement has three components :
1)What : Claim about the text (interpretation)
2)How : The litterary elements (figures of speech, symbolism, theme)
3)Why : The significance of your claim answers the question : so what?????
A bad thesis statement is :
1)This poem shows the narrator comparing his love to a summer day
This thesis statement is wrong because it's a plot summary
2)The poem presents the power of love to conquer death
It 's too universal
3)The poem shows how narratives can last while narrators cannot
It's too general
4)The poem proves that the pen is mightier than sword
It's too cliché
5)The structure, character and dialogue in the poem show us how human search for knowledge (UST)
A good thesis statement :
Despite its emphasis on love and physical beauty, the poem reveals the ways in which humans can triumph over the vagaries of nature
Images
Specific/arguable
Provides a stucture for your arguments
It goes beyond «so what» (provocative)
mardi 10 février 2009
Occurence at Owl Creek Bridge
Information about the author, Ambrose Bierce (1842-1914?)
1. He was born in Ohio, America
2.He was the tenth of thirteen children
3.He and his wife had three children; Day, Leigh and Helen.
4.He was in the army until 1865.
1. He was born in Ohio, America
2.He was the tenth of thirteen children
3.He and his wife had three children; Day, Leigh and Helen.
4.He was in the army until 1865.
Occurence at Owl Creek Bridge
1. Where does the story take place?
2.Who are the main characters?
3. What is the point of view?
2.Who are the main characters?
3. What is the point of view?
The Lady or the Tiger?
Information about the author, Frank Stockton (1834-1902).
1.He was an american writer
2.He was the son of a minister
3.He was born with one leg shorter than the other
4."The Lady or the Tiger" is Stockton's most memorable piece.
5. He wrote stories mainly for children
6. He wrote a sequel to "The Lady or the Tiger".
1.He was an american writer
2.He was the son of a minister
3.He was born with one leg shorter than the other
4."The Lady or the Tiger" is Stockton's most memorable piece.
5. He wrote stories mainly for children
6. He wrote a sequel to "The Lady or the Tiger".
The Lady or the Tiger?
1. How does the king administer justice?
2. Why was the young man on trial?
3. Who was chosen to stand behind the door at the trial?
The story revolves around two dilemmas. The first conflict is the external one between the young man and the two doors. The second conflict is internal involving the princess's feelings : jealousy or love (selfishness or selflessness).
Vocabulary :
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
2. Why was the young man on trial?
3. Who was chosen to stand behind the door at the trial?
The story revolves around two dilemmas. The first conflict is the external one between the young man and the two doors. The second conflict is internal involving the princess's feelings : jealousy or love (selfishness or selflessness).
Vocabulary :
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
mercredi 4 février 2009
The Tell-Tale heart
A) Author
Edgar Allan Poe
-His parent died before he was three years old
-He married his thirteen year old cousin when he was 26.
-He was the first American writer to try to live by writing alone.
B) Plot
This short story is about a man who had an accute hearing. Out of the blue, he decided to kill a certain old man. He wanted him dead because he could not stand the sight of his eye. Every night, he would sneak into the old's man home to watch him. He was always very careful but one night, he made a sound. The old man screamed in fear and stayed up, because he knew someone had broke into his home. After an hour, the man decided he had enough. The beating of the old man's heart was driving him crazy. He killed him and put his body below the floor.
Later that night, the police came saying the neighbors heard a scream and were concerned. The man reassured them. He said the scream was his own; he had nightmare. The officers believed him but the man started hearing the old man's heart louder and louder. The sound drove him so insane he admitted to murdering the old man to the cops.
C) Analysis
1) Settings : The story probably takes place in the 1940's during 8 days. It's mostly happening in the old man's home.
2) Characters: The main character is unnamed. The story does not directly state if it's a man or a woman. The old man, the neighbors and the police officers.
3) Themes : a) A human being has a perverse wicked side -another self- that can provoke him to doing evil things without an apparent motive.
b) Fear of discovery can lead to being discovered.
c) The evil within is worse tan the evil without.
4) Point of view
1st person narrative
5) Sentence style
"Object, there was none. Passion, there was none. I loved the man."
6)Anaphora
"I heard things in heaven. I heard things in hell."
7) Personification
Death becomes a person¸
8)Simile (comparison using "like")
"A single ray of light like the thread of a spike"
9)Alliteration
"Harken. Observe how heartily, how charmly."
10) Irony
"I was never kinder to the man during the week before I killed him"
Edgar Allan Poe
-His parent died before he was three years old
-He married his thirteen year old cousin when he was 26.
-He was the first American writer to try to live by writing alone.
B) Plot
This short story is about a man who had an accute hearing. Out of the blue, he decided to kill a certain old man. He wanted him dead because he could not stand the sight of his eye. Every night, he would sneak into the old's man home to watch him. He was always very careful but one night, he made a sound. The old man screamed in fear and stayed up, because he knew someone had broke into his home. After an hour, the man decided he had enough. The beating of the old man's heart was driving him crazy. He killed him and put his body below the floor.
Later that night, the police came saying the neighbors heard a scream and were concerned. The man reassured them. He said the scream was his own; he had nightmare. The officers believed him but the man started hearing the old man's heart louder and louder. The sound drove him so insane he admitted to murdering the old man to the cops.
C) Analysis
1) Settings : The story probably takes place in the 1940's during 8 days. It's mostly happening in the old man's home.
2) Characters: The main character is unnamed. The story does not directly state if it's a man or a woman. The old man, the neighbors and the police officers.
3) Themes : a) A human being has a perverse wicked side -another self- that can provoke him to doing evil things without an apparent motive.
b) Fear of discovery can lead to being discovered.
c) The evil within is worse tan the evil without.
4) Point of view
1st person narrative
5) Sentence style
"Object, there was none. Passion, there was none. I loved the man."
6)Anaphora
"I heard things in heaven. I heard things in hell."
7) Personification
Death becomes a person¸
8)Simile (comparison using "like")
"A single ray of light like the thread of a spike"
9)Alliteration
"Harken. Observe how heartily, how charmly."
10) Irony
"I was never kinder to the man during the week before I killed him"
LEL#2
Grammar Practice 1
1. Interest level: It was long and boring
2. Difficulty level: It was a bit hard and confusing.
3. What I learned (3 points):
- Nationalities and languages take capitals.
- The first letter of a direct quotation takes a capital
-Commas must be used before and after the year when it appears in the middle of a sentence.
4. My score: 24/40
5. Course rating: 6/10
1. Interest level: It was long and boring
2. Difficulty level: It was a bit hard and confusing.
3. What I learned (3 points):
- Nationalities and languages take capitals.
- The first letter of a direct quotation takes a capital
-Commas must be used before and after the year when it appears in the middle of a sentence.
4. My score: 24/40
5. Course rating: 6/10
LEL#1
Synonym & Antonym Practice Exercise 1
1. Interest level:It was fun
2. Difficulty level:The synonym part was very easy for me. I found the second part much harder. There was a lot of words I didn't know.
3. What I learned (3 points):
-I learned tons of new words
-I learned that I should check the dictionnary more often.
4. My score : 90% on synonyms and 50% on antonyms
5. Course rating:9/10
1. Interest level:It was fun
2. Difficulty level:The synonym part was very easy for me. I found the second part much harder. There was a lot of words I didn't know.
3. What I learned (3 points):
-I learned tons of new words
-I learned that I should check the dictionnary more often.
4. My score : 90% on synonyms and 50% on antonyms
5. Course rating:9/10
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