Since we lost Tuesday because of power and internet outages, we’ll just shift all of this to WEDNESDAY.
Prose Prompt “Peregrine Pickle”
(Try saying that headig five times fast. I did. Try it. See if you don’t say “prickle” like I keep saying. Dang. I said “prickle” again.)
In yesterday’s post I assigned you to write your own Cheat Sheet of Definitions–the literary terms that most frequently occur in these prose prompts. Those definitions are due Tuesday before midnight.
Today, I’m going to assign you another essay to actually write, not just create an outline for. This one was in 2017 exam, and over our Zoom Meeting, I’ll read it out loud, have you follow along, then we’ll discuss how to answer this.
Here’s the Question #2 (on page 3)
Let’s look closer at the prompt terms: “In a well-developed essay, analyze how the author explores the complex interplay between emotions and social propriety in the passage. You may wish to consider such literary techniques as dialogue, narrative pace, and tone.”
They’re nice in this one to give us some direction:
- “interplay between emotions and social propriety“–this reminds me of “Earnest” and how people were supposed to behave, even though they wanted to act in ways other than they should. So what do these words mean, really? How are these two characters feeling?
- “dialogue, narrative pace, and tone”–just because they list these does NOT mean you have to discuss all three, according to some AP Readers I’ve been stalking online. Chances are, you won’t have these suggestions on your exam, but since they’re apparently in this piece, let’s try to find them and see how they relate to the essay.
We’ll discuss this prompt in our Zoom Meeting today (I’ll also try to record it and post it here later for those who can’t join us).
ASSIGNMENT: Turn in your Cheat Sheet of definitions by Tuesday at midnight. WRITE an essay responding to the Peregrine Pickle passage, due WEDNESDAY before midnight. TIME YOURSELF–we spent a lot of time discussing it today, so give yourself no more than 30 minutes to write this up. Shoot for two pages, double-spaced, on Google Docs.
Looking Ahead: A few people have asked what we’re doing in the next few days. Here it is: Wednesday I’ll give you something more to read, but I won’t assign another essay until Thursday. We’ll go through another prose prompt and have you write that essay for Thursday/Friday.
THE GREAT GATSBY–YES! We’re doing this! And I will assign you to read it over spring break. If you wish to start now, you certainly may. If you want to wait until they weekend, that’s fine too.
I have 24 paperback copies which I will leave at the front office if you wish to pick one up. You realize what that means, right? Some of you WILL have to read it online. I’m sorry I can’t purchase additional copies; we have a freeze on spending at the school right now (they’re trying to keep the budget stable since nothing else is–understandable, and appreciated).
So if you REALLY want a paperback, it’s first come, first served. Come to the school, let Mr. Reynolds know you’re out there, and he’ll run it to your car. (You can return Huck Finn at the same time, if you remember to.)
There are several places to read it online, like here: https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=sites&srcid=bWVubG9hdGhlcnRvbmhzLmNvbXxtcnMtYmVyZ2hvdXNlLWVuZ2xpc2gtMjAxM3xneDo0MjM5ZDNlNjFlNjExM2Ey (You can download this to your phone, tablet, computer.)
I want you to have read this book by MONDAY, April 20. You do NOT have questions to answer or logs to do, but a CREATIVE PROJECT which I want to see the results of by Monday, April 27.
There are a lot of options on this creative project. I tried to find ideas to appeal to each of your varying interests. If you have another idea, let me know and we can come up with some strategies for it.
You will SHARE your projects with me, and I will PUT THEM ON THE WEBSITE, so both classes can see what you’ve come up with. I expect this to be FUN and DIFFERENT!
We will do a writing task over the book AFTER spring break–another timed essay–so yes, you really should read the book.
Questions? Suggestions? Please let me know. Again, you do NOT have to begin Gatsby or the project just yet, but for those of you who have been asking and want to get a jump on things, here you go.
AP Lit, Washington Academy 