Assignment
For each short story, novel and play you read for this class, you should collect annotated passages/quotes from the work. For short stories, you should collect (and ultimately respond to) a minimum of four quotations; for the major works we study in class, you should collect six; and for your independent study, you should collect eight. In addition to the quotations you choose for the major works and the independent study, you should also choose a "Quote of the Work."
Procedure
Note/mark passages as you read. Every time you encounter a particularly important, provocative, dramatic, surprising, even disturbing passage, mark it. Only when you have completed the work will you look at all those passages and decide which to toss out and which to keep. So, when you are finished reading, you will select the required number of passages from throughout the work. Copy the passages down (including page numbers) and then write about each passage in the following ways:
In a well-written paragraph explain how the passage "fits" into the work (does the passage add to the character development, the plot line, the details of setting, and so forth). Discuss the importance of the passage to the work’s message or meaning or theme. To generate responses, you can consider the following as suggested prompts or questions:
- Why does the passage impress, intrigue, horrify, or puzzle you?
- Do you find the author’s use of language appealing or powerful? Does the passage jump off the page as a great descriptive passage?
- Does it prompt a strong response from you as you read it? Does it present itself as so well crafted that you just love the sound of it? Is the language beautiful, descriptive, graphic?
- Is it particularly meaningful? Is it a high point in the work?
- Do you find yourself in agreement/disagreement with the ideas expressed?
- What does it reveal about a character? a setting? a theme? the narration? the structure?
- Does the passage make you laugh out loud or make you melancholy or make you something else?
- Does the author or the character raise intriguing questions or issues?
You are not limited to the above list, nor do I expect you to answer all of the above. However, your responses to the passages should clearly explain to me WHY these passages mean something to you, WHY these passages caught your attention.
Then, select ANOTHER, DIFFERENT passage as the "Quote of the Work": that one passage or quote that captures the essence – the true meaning – of the work for you, the reader. In a well-written paragraph explain exactly HOW this passage is the one perfect quote from the book (Think of this as the one passage that you would absolutely want saved should your work ever be lost or destroyed.)
Important Stuff
- YOU MUST HAVE A QUOTE FOR:
- Passages/quotes should be at roughly a sentence long and easily memorable.
- Use good quote judgement. Too short isn’t meaningful, usually. Too long is too hard to memorize and difficult to explain.
- Passages/quotes must be from throughout the entire work.
- Choose quotes that speak to a number of elements (character, plot, theme)
- Collect quotes as you read, not afterward. Choose the best at the end of your reading.
- You must type your quotes projects and submit them to Turnitin.com to receive credit for your work.
- All quotes must be in quotation marks. Be sure to type the passage exactly as it appears in your novel. (Copying and pasting makes this easy.)
- All passages must include the page number from which they are taken. Cite page numbers as (235), or (16), or (105) if available or use the following: Short stories, page 1, 2, etc. Novels signify chapter - plays Act, Scene, and Line. (3.2.145) This assignment is due to turnitin by 2:30 pm on the day of the quiz.
- Paragraphs should be a minimum of 100 words.
- On time Quotes will be worth 10 points per quote, which will be recorded in the Formative Category.
- Number your quotes please!
- Total word count guidelines are as follows:
- Short stories—400 words (four quotations with one paragraph about each)
- Major works—700 words (six quotations with one paragraph each and a “Quote of the Work” paragraph)
- Independent study—900 words (eight quotations with one paragraph each and a “Quote of the Work” paragraph)
- Use formal language as if you were writing for the AP exam. (present tense, avoid “I”, “we,” “us” etc.)
- Do not just steal quotes from the Internet. 1. It is plagiarism. 2. You will not be able to remember them because they are not meaningful to you. 3. You are missing the point of the assignment.