Questions for Brad: Test Preparation

Post any questions or concerns here for the upcoming final tests. I will answer them promptly!

Poetry Activity Due Tuesday December 18

Link to document: Poems by Szymborska (six poems, including "The Kindness of the Blind") The document also includes links to information on the poet and to five more poems.

Blog Activity:

Choose one of the poems (one you like for whatever reason).

Identify the poem by title in a comment. Write a short paragraph (150-200 words) that explains why you like the poem chosen. You may comment on poetic elements, on theme, on images or whatever else you notice.

1984 Essay: Why Nineteen Eighty-Four?

NEW: Link to four drafts of "Why Nineteen Eighty-Four? I'm done as of Tuesday morning.

Sources referred to in my draft:

CIA destroyed video of 'waterboarding' al-Qaida detainees (Guardian News; UK)

Wikipedia Definition of "Unlawful Combatant"

Apologetic, Facebook Changes Ad Program (New York Times)

And for information on what "highs" are doing in face of climate change:

Homeland security: the hot new sector (The Georgia Straight)

1984 Setting Assignment

Post your setting paragraphs here by 6 p.m. on Tuesday, December 4. Please read your fellow students' essays before coming to class on Wednesday.

NEW: The Depths of Degradation; a sample setting answer at Writeboard. Fourth draft is now available to read as of Wednesday night. My apologies: it is the "Outer Party" that is degraded!

Copy of Setting Assignment

Copy of Learning to Search Assignment


English 11 Student Descriptive Essay at The Pearson Buzz: The Mushroom Necklaces

Character Descriptions Exercise: Share Your Best

Put your best, 50-word (only!), description for one of the characters as a comment to this post. Please have it entered before class meets on Friday!

NEW: Read an article on conditions in North Korea. Scary!

The Movie, 1984, and Our Personal Responses

Write a short personal response to viewing Michael Radford's movie version of Orwell's novel. You might want to mention what struck you as most important (shocking, interesting, relevant etc.). How did it feel to experience Orwell's world in a filmed version? Was it as you imagined as you read?

Do you agree with Roger Ebert's statement: "What is remarkable about the movie is how completely it satisfied my feelings about the book; the movie looks, feels, and almost tastes and smells like Orwell's bleak and angry vision."

Use any of the above questions to direct your thoughts. You may, however, let us know your reaction in any form you choose. No need to write more than 150 words or so (paragraph or multi-paragraph)

Link to a Word copy of Nineteen Eighty-Four

Writing about Language and Culture (Short Essay)

NEW: An Editing Checklist you may wish to use. Essays are due, on paper and word-processed Wednesday, November 28.

Read a charming essay on language in the Globe and Mail.

Experiences with Sexist Language for Discussion on Friday

Please write freely about your own experiences with language (any language!) and culture. Be sure to give examples (and translations, if needed) to specific words or sayings. Pay special attention to any sexist biases built into a language.