Monday, November 18... cumulative vocab test...."The Red Convertible" essay

In class: cumulative test on week 1 vocabulary

             day 1 Louise Erdrich's "The Red Convertible" essay

Please find below a copy of the class handout.

Homework: due Tuesday, November 16-effect / affect work sheet   in class handout / copy below

NOTE: While you are taking the test, I need to check in the graphic organizer on The Red Convertible, if you have not already turned it in. 

“The Red Convertible” by Louise Erdrich  essay

You are writing a text-based, evidence  essay on Louise Erdrich’s short story “The Red Convertible.”  Use the following as a guide line.

1.     Begin with an MLA heading

2.     Now review the following information on dramatic irony:

     An example of dramatic irony is in a movie where a detective does not know that the criminal responsible for the crimes in the city is his partner. The audience however is already aware of this fact and waits anxiously to know what will happen once the character finds out what they already know.

            There are three stages of dramatic irony:

a.      installation – audience is informed of something the character does not know about

b.      exploitation – using this information to develop curiosity among the audience

c.      resolution – what happens when the character finally finds out what is going on?

NOTE THAT THE FOLLOWING IS A GUIDE LINE. COMBINE IDEAS. You do not want a series of short, choppy sentences. REMEMBER TO INCORPORATE TEXT.

3.     Write the following introduction, which provides the genre, title, and the author and thesis statement.

In the short story “The Red Convertible,” by Louise Erdrich uses a first person narrator, Lyman, to recount a narrative with a poignant and ironic resolution. To heighten the mystery of the story as it unfolds and to foreshadow the dramatic irony of its ending, Erich plays with time within the narrative structure.

Paragraph 2. Put the narrative in context. Who are Lyman and Henry? Describe their relationship and use textual evidence to support what you say.  How do they spend their time together before “the army remember[ed] Henry had signed up to join it?”  Now look back at the paragraph where they find the red Olds. What was their initial reaction? (Incorporate text.) Where do they drive the car and for what reason? Was there a purpose to their journey?  What happens when they decide to leave? (weave in text from this scene). To close the paragraph you need an analysis statement. Answer this:  What has been portrayed in the two scenes you just wrote about that foreshadow something ominous might occur? (think about repose and flowing hair).

Paragraph 3. What is ironic about Lyman saying they were on to “greener pastures.”  In this paragraph you will talk about Henry’s return from Vietnam.  What was Henry’s experience in Vietnam? (quote). How did Henry behave when he came home? Give a specific example and quote. How does Lyman try to engage Henry with life again? Paraphrase what he did and how Henry seemed to respond? (insert text in your sentence.)

Paragraph 4. Describe the day Henry and Lyman drive the restored Olds to the river.  Incorporate text. How was the trip over there and how did the river appear. (Incorporate text). How does Erdrich foreshadow a tragedy?  Why do the brothers play fight? How does Henry behave after? (incorporate text.) What is ironic about his shouting, “Got to cool me off!?”  Make a connection with resolution.  Give a sentence describing the scene in the river; incorporate a few words from the text.  What previous scene does this bring to mind?

Conclusion.

  What is ironic about Henry’s death? What does he actually find? Why does Lyman let the Olds “plow softly into the water?”  Why does Erdrich end the story with “there is only water…running?”

copy of accept / except handout

Accept and Except

Accept

To hold something as true.  The officer accepts your point and has decided to let you off with a caution.    I accept she may have been tired, but that's still no excuse.

To receive something willingly.  I accept this award on behalf of the whole cast.   Do you accept dogs in your hotel?   Please accept my resignation. I don't want to belong to any club that will accept me as a member.  (Groucho Marx)

To answer yes (especially to an invitation).  The minister would love to accept the invitation to your ball, but she has a prior engagement.

Except

Except as a preposition means apart from, not including or excluding.  I can resist everything except temptation.  (Oscar Wilde)  I have nothing to declare except my genius.  (Oscar Wilde)

Except as a conjunction means but or 'if not the fact that'.

 I would go swimming, except I am scared of big fish. Except as a verb means to exclude.

 You are excepted from the ruling. 

Exercise : Accept/Except Spelling Exercise

Fill in the blank with either accept or except.

1. The whole army is out of step _______________ Fred.

2. I'll _______________ no money from that cheapskate.

3. Please _______________ this pot of Mama's chicken soup.

4. It will cure anything _______________ flat feet.

5. Rip could do anything _______________ make money.

6. I had to _______________ their negative evaluation.

7. All the girls went to the game _______________ Mary.

8. Howard could not _______________ the job.

9. __________ when there's a classic movie playing, Pete seldom watches TV.

10. I will _______________ your gift if you let me pay for my lunch.

Bonus: Name the typhoon that had had the highest wind velocity in recorded history and hit the Philippine Islands last week. It's all over the internet.