Permanent (Reading) Vacation

Did I just allude to Aerosmith - potentially the worst rock band ever? Yes, I did. This is clearly a sign I need a vacation - of reading, that is.

This break you must read Bartleby the Scrivener by Herman Melville. There are alot of options: mp3s, .pdf, etc. It should be free. You can also take it out from the EVL.

You can give the other book back in the meantime.

When we come back from break we'll discuss the novel and begin the world's greatest play - HAMLET.

Naturally

This week, I'd like you to finish our novel and write two blog entries: one about the last chapter and another that resolves some of your questions in earlier entries.

A Discussion of ¨I Know A Man¨

This weekend I´d like you to listen to this twenty minute discussion of the poem we talked about in class. This might give you some other perspectives on it.

POE MMMMMMMMMMMMM

Throughout this week write a total of three reading blogs. I´d like you to start one reading blog using some one else´s blog entry. Stuck for ideas. Why not link this short (and easy) poem to a text?

Also this Writers Workshop we´ll be working on our poems. Bring what we spoke about last week - namely the raw material with which we will construct wonderful poesies.

Cormac on Being McCarthy

Write three reading blogs in the next week. In one of these blog entries, be sure to incorporate this interview with the author.

On Wednesday or Thursday bring in your FINAL draft of your synthetic essays.

Register Exercise

Register Exercise

For each of the following excerpts identify the register (familiar, informal, formal, ceremonial). Circle four words that helped you reach your conclusion.

1. His sir sorry for not attending your class last week but I was very sick. I arrived today from a trip I was for the puente. I wanted to let you know that all my blogs are completed until last week. Furthermore I will talk to you tomorrow for anything else i am missing. Please take a look at them so you can grade them.

thanks,

2. And tonight, let us think back to the sense of unity that prevailed on 9/11. I know that it has, at times, frayed. Yet today’s achievement is a testament to the greatness of our country and the determination of the American people. The cause of securing our country is not complete, but tonight we are once again reminded that America can do whatever we set our mind to. That is the story of our history. Whether it’s the pursuit of prosperity for our people or the struggle for equality for all our citizens, our commitment to stand up for our values abroad, and our sacrifices to make the world a safer place.

3. OMG! I love lit. Holy mole, I want to be a poet, yo. J

4. In Brooklyn days, I wanted to be Carlos Ortiz, lightweight champion
of the world from Ponce, Puerto Rico. I gazed at the radiance
of the black and white television till it spoke to me in tongues,
a boy spellbound by the grainy spirits who stalked each other in the ring.

5. I pointed out that his force had overthrown the government that issued visas. But, in this kind of a stalemate, the guy with the gun wins. And that was Ayman.

Eventually, he came up with a solution. I would give him a ride to his hometown, Zawarah, and the visa requirement would disappear. I gritted my teeth and told him to jump in.

That incident points to a fear that many Americans have of the Libyan rebels. Are they just goons who will create their own tyranny or chaos?

Particularly after we embraced Hamid Karzai in Afghanistan, only to see him engulfed by corruption, it’s fair to ask whether the Libyan rebels will do any better. The uncertainties are real. But, after my recent visit to Libya, I’m guardedly optimistic.

A Million Visions and Revisions

Be sure to bring in your revised essays this week, either Wednesday or Thursday.

In addition, over the course of this week write two reading blogs. Respond to any two other reading blogs.