Generational Conflict

Why do you suppose there is always conflict between younger and older generations? Why is it that youth needs to question the belief-systems and values of the mature, even if they end up accepting it? Or do you think this isn’t necessarily the case?

Your Social Commentary

If you were to write some sort of social commentary, what would you criticize about your society? And how would you express that criticism? Through art, music, novel, movie, etc?

Alternate Endings

Endings to stories, especially long ones, are extremely important. They end the story emotionally, but they also put the finishing touches on the themes they have been exploring. In Great Expectations, Dickens presents us with two different endings. Explore something else we read this year, and how a different ending would change its thematic level. Be specific about what happens in your alternate ending; be specific about how this changes the thematic level of the story.

Comparing and Contasting Bildungsromans

Compare and contrast Great Expectations to a different story that can be classified as a Bildungsroman. Within this genre, how was Dickens’ novel the same and/or different to others? (You can use a movie or a different novel.)

Persuasive Writing

In writing your persuasive essay, what was difficult for you? What was easy?

Pip's Continual Change

We discussed Pip’s initial change a while back. But since then, he’s changed a lot, perhaps more subtly. How has Pip changed?

Novel as Commentary

As we discussed, Great Expectations is, in part, a social commentary. Using a topic we did NOT discuss in class, explain what you think Dickens is trying to tell his society.

This Week

You have until Sunday 11:59pm to make-up any blogs for the 3^rd marking period. None will be accepted after that,

Social Commentaries

A social commentary is some form of media that makes a critical observation about society, usually by portraying the aspect of society it sees as flawed. It hopes to invite change to society, at the very least by bringing it to the public sphere. Music, art, books, news, TV, and movies all can act as social commentaries

Use this post to share about a social commentary we did not talk about in class. What does this commentary find wrong about society? What methods does it use to persuade the audience? What sort of change does it hope to invite or inspire?

Persuasive Essay Topic

Use this post to share the topic on which you will be writing your persuasive paper. Why did you choose this topic? What sort of significance does it hold for you?

Mid-Marking Period

Since last week was the middle of the marking period, I am affording us this week to "make up" any missed blogs from the third marking period so far.

Appeals

When trying to convince someone of something, what is most important to appeal to: logic, emotion, ethics, or something else? Explain your answer.

Bad Argumentation

A lot of arguments, especially political, are deeply flawed, but covered up by powerful rhetoric. Give an exmaple of "bad argumentaion" that is disguised as truth. It can be an argument you've heard or made up.

Pip's Change

In a Bildungsroman, the protagonist will go through important changes throughout his or her life. Pip is going through one of these right now. How is Pip changing? What about his value system or beliefs is changing?

Social Classes

Social classes in Victorian England were incredibly different than social classes in contemporary America. Explore one of these differences.

The Victorian Era

Find one interesting fact about the Victorian Era (the period during which Dickens wrote). What is interesting and/or different about this period in history?

Charles Dickens

Find an interesting fact or legend about Charles Dickens and/or his novels. Share this.

Practical Self-Help

Last week, you wrote a reflection on your strengths and weaknesses in terms of writing. In this post, explore one practical step you could take to help improve one of your weaknesses.

Commentary

Use this short poem by Langston Hughes to write a mini-commentary. It should be at least one extended paragraph. (PS: Be sure you know what the word “deferred” before you begin.)

What happens to a dream deferred?

Does it dry up

like a raisin in the sun?

Or fester like a sore--

And then run?

Does it stink like rotten meat?

Or crust and sugar over--

like a syrupy sweet?

Maybe it just sags

like a heavy load.

Or does it explode?

Announcement

With the shortened week and the poet project, there are no blogs this week. Please take the time to make up any you have missed.