1. Write an analysis of the “Day of Infamy” speech by Franklin Roosevelt. Pay special attention to factors such as the speaker’s purpose and point of view. Explain Roosevelt’s reasoning, points of emphasis, and his use of rhetoric and tone, as well as how he links ideas.
2. Write your own persuasive speech on the classes offered at your school. use these questions to narrow your focus.
Do you feel that the school should offer certain classes that it currently does not offer?
Has the school cut an extracurricular program that you feel is important to student development?
3. PART A>>> Read Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s famous Sonnet 43. Write an analysis of the poem with a special emphasis on its historical background and Elizabeth Browning’s life story (a historical or biographical approach).
PART B>>>Write an analysis of the poem from the New Criticism perspective, closely examining the form and content of the text itself without any reference to the historical or biographical context or to your personal response to the poem.
PART C>>>Write about your own personal reaction (emotional response) to the poem. Try to explain how you approached the poem and how your opinion could shape or change its meaning.
PART D>>>Evaluate your response to part A. Explain the disadvantages of emphasizing background information, such as historical context when critiquing a poem. Be sure to include examples from your analyses.
PART E>>>Now evaluate your response to Part B. List any advantages or disadvantages in using the New Critical approach when evaluating a poem, including examples from your analyses.