We will begin discussing Lord of the Flies by Wm. Golding when we return from Fall Break. You may pick up a copy at Gardener’s on the cheap (though they may not have many copies in stock) or at any other fine bookseller in the area.

We will be journaling as we go, so start as soon as you open the book. We’ll be focusing on themes of power and democracy, as well as social interaction. Keep in mind our discussion of money in Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead:

PLAYER: Everything has to be taken on trust; truth is only that which is taken to be true. It’s the currency of living. There may be nothing behind it, but it doesn’t make any difference so long as it is honored. One acts on assumptions (51-52).

Here’s our schedule for the remainder of the semester. Of course, this is subject to change with advance warning:

All missing or reworked assignments must be turned in by Monday, the 26th of this month—there will be no exceptions.

Update: I’ve received a few questions about our plans after my absence. We’ll continue the schedule as laid out, but I’ll be looking over your journals on Monday the 19th. Thanks, JS

Love in the Time of Cholera is not for the faint-of-heart, as I’m sure you’re all aware by now. I’ve posted a reading schedule below. It would be wise to read ahead (and journal all the way) over the weekends and breaks if you’re afraid of falling behind. (For those who find themselves lost in discussions of passages they’ve read beyond, the reading journal is a good way to refresh your memory.)

Journaling is vital to the creation of a solid paper towards the end of this novel. If you scroll to the end of the schedule, you’ll notice that we end the novel on a Wednesday (the 28th) and turn in a final draft of your term paper the next week (the 3rd). By journaling as you go, you are keeping track of patterns that emerge (see “Some things,” below). When you formulate your thesis, you are explaining what these patterns say about the work as a whole. From there, creating an outline is a matter of going through your journal and grouping quotations and insights that support your thesis, then putting them in a logical order. Writing a rough draft should be mostly copying your comments and their accompanying quotations from your journal.

It is not a simple process, but most of the insight work should be done while you’re reading and during our discussions. The writing process is communication work: organizing, working on flow, reinforcing your points.

I’ll work with each of you as we go, but I can’t read/journal for you; I can merely guide you in the right direction.

Possible essay topics:

• Explore the use of water imagery and how it reflects the themes of the novel.
• Contrast the characters of Dr. Urbino and Florentino Ariza using the symbolism that surrounds each.
• Explore the many types of love found in this novel. Are there any commonalities?
• Explain Marquez’s use of setting to reflect the tone of particular scenes.
• Explain the parallels between the city and the characters (particularly Dr. Urbino) as they age.

These are only ideas; let me know if you come up with another one.

Some things to be journaling:

• All liquid imagery (particularly water, but all other fluids)
• Mixed metaphors or images that seem contradictory
• First impressions and sketches of Dr. Urbino, Fermina Daza, and Florentino Ariza
  • As the characters interact, note how they compare or contrast. (“Would Urbino react like Florentino does in this scene?”)
• Keep tracking the different types of love!
• Always
  • Questions
  • Vocabulary
  • Cool passages
  • Your interpretations/reactions of events

We will have a brief quiz on Monday. If you are having difficulties keeping up with the reading, see me and we’ll work it out.

To check your understanding, check out this site, which has a list of basic questions about each section. This isn’t an assignment, though it would be beneficial to read over them after you finish a section.

Reading/writing schedule:

Gotta love Bones. In this scene, we get a great example of deductive reasoning followed by faulty induction:

We took an extra day to go over the outlines, so our new schedule looks like this:

Monday (10/14): Introduction to “Letter from Birmingham Jail” and Project C

We will begin an in-depth study of this turning point in our nation’s history by discussing what we know about the protests in Birmingham during 1962. I’ll review best annotation practices, then give you a copy of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “Letter from Birmingham Jail”—one of the greatest rhetorical works ever written. You should read and annotate it over the break.

Tuesday (10/13): Presentation of final drafts and discussion

We will have a short dance party in honor of our success, and bask in the glory of a job well done. We’ll discuss the issue, content in the understanding that we can all have a thoughtful conversation about this issue.

Bring your final draft stapled with the outline and rough draft.

Wednesday (10/14): PSAT!

I’ll be so lonely…

We decided on this schedule for next week. Note that I have made some changes in order to provide you adequate time to edit and research your topics.

Monday and Tuesday: Presentation of individual arguments

You will each have a few minutes to present your argument and any relevant support. As a class, we will point you in the direction of other helpful information or counterarguments.

Bring your research journal (including an outline of your argument) and sources to class.

Wednesday: Review of rhetorical techniques and editing

We will review the rhetorical techniques we’ve been discussing. I will then illustrate the use of these techniques on examples from your arguments.

I will also give you an overview of what to look for when editing a peer’s paper. We will go over constructive criticism, editing symbols, and what to focus on for this type of writing.

Bring your updated outline, research journal, and sources to class

Thursday: Peer review of arguments

You will each read two rough drafts, using the information from Wednesday as a guide. I will be circulating to answer questions and give advice. I’ll look over the edits at home, and return them Friday.

Bring the rough draft of your argument and your outline, research journal, and sources to class.

Friday: One-on-one discussion and revision

I will spend a few minutes with each of you to answer any last questions and go over the edited draft. While I am working with individual students, the rest will look over the edited drafts and begin the final draft. If there is space, we may work in the computer lab downstairs.

Bring all of your research materials and a copy of your rough draft (on a flash drive or email it to yourself).

Monday (10/12): Presentation of final drafts and discussion

We will have a short dance party in honor of our success, and bask in the glory of a job well done. We’ll discuss the issue, content in the understanding that we can all have a thoughtful conversation about this issue.

Bring your final draft stapled with the outline and rough draft.

Tuesday (10/13): Introduction to “Letter from Birmingham Jail” and Project C

We will begin an in-depth study of this turning point in our nation’s history by discussing what we know about the protests in Birmingham during 1962. I’ll review best annotation practices, then give you a copy of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “Letter from Birmingham Jail”—one of the greatest rhetorical works ever written. You should read and annotate it over the break.

Wednesday (10/14): PSAT!

I’ll be so lonely…

You can pick up your copies of Love in the Time of Cholera at Barnes and Noble. If you’re looking for a deal, Gardner’s may have a few copies as well. Dig in before Monday (read as far as you’d like, but hit at least the first chapter).

Don’t forget to journal. What are your first impressions? What is cholera? We’ll discuss the author’s style on Monday.