The lottery conflict and resolution

English Assignments

Hw: 1 (use documents The lottery first five paragraphs and Plot lesson fiction) Unit Check List

· Read Chapter 4, "Writing About Stories” (Only the chapter content – you are not responsible for reading all of the stories in the chapter)

· Read: Plot Notes (below)

· Read and consider: Read the stories listed below and consider their plot and use of plot devices (foreshadowing, conflict, climax, suspense, etc.)

. “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?”

. “The Lottery”

· Discussion board: Write a thesis statement regarding a story's use of plot, and respond to two classmates with constructive advice on improving the clarity, focus, arguability or supportability of their thesis statement

Plot Thesis Statement Discussion Board
This week, you will write a thesis statement that could be used to lead a three-to-five-page fiction analysis essay. Choose a short story we've read during this unit and consider its use of plot elements (climax, conflict, resolution, flashbacks, foreshadowing, etc) and write a thesis statement that includes: (1) the author's name, (2) the story's title, and (3) an arguable, supportable claim regarding the plot of the story. Your claim should emphasize how the plot elements create or reinforce meaning in the story (what purpose do they serve?).

Then, respond to two classmates' postings by provinding thoughtful, constructive advice that would help them make their thesis statement clearer, more arguable, more supportable, or more narrowly focused. Your responses should each be two-to-three sentences in length, and should follow our class guideliness regarding professional communication and netiquette.

Example thesis statement:

In "The Things They Carried," Tim O'Brien uses flashbacks and foreshadowing to illustrate how interconnected the events in the story are, revealing the truth that events from the past continue to affect the present.

Unit Check List (use setting notes)

· Review Chapter 4

· Read: Setting Notes (below)

· Consider and read: Read the stories listed below and consider their setting as you read. What meaning or tone is added through the use of setting?

· "The Storm"

· "This is What it Means to Say Phoenix, Arizona"

· Respond: Complete the "Setting Response" paragraph assignment by writing one paragraph and submitting it.

· Discuss: Complete the discussion board assignment, which includes and original post and two replies to classmates.

Think of your favorite story, book, movie or play. Consider the elements of its setting (time, place, social environment, and weather). In four-to-five sentences, discuss the impact the setting plays on the story. You can discuss how it affects the characters or how it contributes to the meaning of the story. Be sure to include the name of the story, book, movie or play, and to rely on what you've learned about setting during this lesson.

Your original post should be written using academic language (though some use of first person may be appropriate), and be written clearly in complete sentences. Be sure to proofread carefully.

Your 2 responses to classmates should be substantive responses to the meaning and ideas being discussed. You may ask questions or agree or disagree. Be sure to support your statements and to use our netiquette guidelines for respectful communication. Each response should be about 2 sentences in length.

No outside sources should be consulted for this assignment. You are welcome, though, to attach images or links to related items to help your classmates visualize or understand the story. (For example, if you were writing about Harry Potter, you could include an image of Hogwarts.)

Lesson Check List (use note in symbols)

· Read: Chapter 2

· Read the lesson Notes: Symbols

· Read the stories listed below and consider the symbols in each:

· "The Things They Carried"

· "Everyday Use"

· Complete the "Symbol" writing assignment (essay).

Essay 1: Symbol Analysis
For this essay, submit an MLA-formatted Word document (do not copy and paste).

In 500-600 words, explain how symbolism is used in one of the stories you read in this lesson.
Your essay should be a cohesive response (purposeful paragraphs, one unifying thesis, not list-like) to the use of symbolism to create meaning. Questions to consider include the following:

· What symbol(s) did you notice in this story?

· What "big ideas" do the symbols represent?

· How do the symbols relate to the story's meaning or overall theme?

· Can these symbols be interpreted in more than one way?

Your first paragraph should include (a) the name of the story and author, (b) a one or two sentence summary of the story and (c) your thesis statement or main point about the symbols used in the story.

Your essay should be written in academic style (no first or second person, academic language, use of MLA formatting) and include examples or quotes from the story.

Chapters 2, 3 and 4 in your textbook have additional information on developing a thesis statement, using quotations, and citing sources.

Do not consult any source other than the story for this assignment.

Lesson Check List (use theme in fiction)

· Review: Chapters 1-4

· Read: Theme Notes (below)

· Watch and Listen: To the video below, "Understanding and Theme" (captioned)

· Read the story listed below and consider its themes:

· "A Worn Path"

· Respond: Complete the Theme Analysis journal entry.

J: Theme Analysis
Think about all of the stories we've read for this class so far.

· "A&P"

· "The Man Who Was Almost a Man"

· "Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?"

· "The Lottery"

· "The Storm"

· "Everyday Use"

· "The Things They Carried"

· "This is What it Means to Say Phoenix, Arizona"

· "A Worn Path"

For this journal entry, write about two of these stories that either (a) share a theme, which means that both stories essentially make the same point in their own ways or (b) share a topic, but have differing themes, which means they make different points about the same topic. For example, if there are two stories about growing up that seem to make the same point, that would be option (a); if there were two stories that each made a different point about growing up, that would be option (b).

In your journal entry, write about the two stories and their themes. How are they expressed in the story? What other literary elements contribute to the theme (symbol, setting, etc)? What quotes show or emphasize the theme? Is the theme the same as the lesson learned by the main character?

Your journal entry should be about 300 words long, written in an academic style. There's no formatting requirements for journal entries, but be sure you include the names of the stories and authors. If you use quotes from the stories, be sure to include page numbers. Do not consult or use outside sources for this assignment. This is a journal entry, so no introduction or conclusion is required. Just be sure you follow the assignment, answer the questions, proofread carefully, use complete sentences, and include details to support your points.

There is no requirement to respond to you classmates, though you are welcome to read your peers' entries! Remember when you compose your entry that your classmates will be able to read it.