Weeks 1-3: Short Story Unit and college essay workt: Joyce, “Araby.” Mansfield, “The Garden Party.” Additional stories may include Melville's "Bartleby," and Edwards, "The Story of my Life." We will also read some essays to help us with the college essay work. Personal narrartive writign unit: student compose two personal narrative essays; the topics on are the college essay page. Then after getting some feedback about their personal narrative work, students consult with their college counselor and a copy of their college essay for close examination.
Week 4: analytical essay on the short stories. College Essay/Short Story Unit Goal: Write as a reader; read as a writer. Topic: Reflect over all of our short stories, and create a topic that centers on two authors and how they illuminate one specific part of their story—the exposition (or hook), their development of complex character, dramatic conflict, or their closing scene with artful poetic devices. Again, your analysis should only focus on one part of the story, and it should develop analytical claims with two poetic devices from each author. This topic is designed to help you reflect on how you are applying the same strategies in your college essay. Notice how I used the word close instead of conclusion. Avoid the five paragraph wrap-up sentence in your college essay. Strive to leave your reader making the conclusion that the “you” in the college essay embodies a new awareness or mindset for moving forward.
Weeks 5 and 6: Poetry Unit: Donne / Shakespeare’s Sonnets. The class will compose explication essays.
Weeks 7-10 Shakespeare’s Hamlet. How can we appreciate how Shakespeare uses poetic language to create dramatic art?
Week 11 Trimester exam. Students will compose two essays: one explication essay on a sonnet as well as a thematic essay on Hamlet.