Class: February 24th and 25th, and due Friday, February 26th

1. Before the Socratic Seminar, we are going to read from The Apology by Plato (246-253). This work of Plato demonstrates the use of dialogues, which Plato found to be the best representation of the truth of a situation, not through his own retelling. Therefore, Plato makes his teacher, Socrates, a "character" in his works, often asking questions, which with the responses, create the dialogic form.

This will refresh us upon the Socratic purpose of asking questions in order to have students to examine their own thinking and concepts in a divergent manner. This specific excerpt of The Apology covers Socrates explanation of what happens if... if we do not look beyond basic ideas and beliefs... if we do not think for ourselves . . . if we remain indifferent. . .

As you read, consider the Socratic seminar format and what it is truly designed to support and encourage.

2. Socratic seminar covering the literary text of The Iliad and the production text of An Iliad. 

3. Google Classroom response/reflection of seminar.

4. Homework for Friday: Read 256-261 in your literature books. ALSO, review over the moral and philosophical school of criticism on the Literary Theory PowerPoint. Make sure the notes of Aristotle's theories of tragedy are in your notes.

Class: February 24th and 25th

You will have a Socratic seminar on The Iliad and An Iliad. You will use the discussion questions from An Iliad to set up the majority of the conversation. What you will be graded on will be your integration of BOTH texts... literary and theatrical. Make sure that you have your notes and your literary text. Review the Socratic seminar requirements and scoring guide before class.

This will be your assessment for all of the work done on The Iliad. It will have a larger point value, but you will have to show your knowledge and analytical capability.

Paper Improvements

1. Textual evidence is a must. General references from the text are not going to cut it anymore.
2. Remember how to indicate a title of a literary work.
3. Remember the thesis formula.
4. When doing analysis of literature, utilize the technique/device of literature and its significant effect.
5. Stay in active voice through out writing.  Subject... action verb... object.  Do not have the subject of your sentence receiving the action of your verb.
6. Remember transitions.
7. Limit ideas and develop thoroughly. Do not introduce many ideas and superficially address sparingly.
8. No "you" in formal writing.
9. Remember your audience.
10. Look through "Rules of Writing".

Due: Tuesday, February 9th

1. In your notes you should have a thesis, 3 supporting points, plus 1 specific textual example from "Sonny's Blues".
2. In your notes you should also have a thesis and 3 supporting points looking for literary comparisons between "Sonny's Blues" and "3 Brothers".
3. Read 162-177 (Ancient Greeks) in World Literature book for class.

Class today: February 3rd

We are going to begin to wade into Formalist Criticism by first practicing a bit and then reading an example of an individual who has mastered the school of theory.

1. You have read James Baldwin's short story "Sonny's Blues". When you are read, you were instructed to utilize the questions from the Formalist school of theory.

This is just the beginning, so any thing that you are noticing when it comes to form and structure and HOW a piece comes together is good!

Sonny's Blues TEXT PDF

2. Review the Formalism link: Formalism Handout
This handout refreshes on the definition of Formalism and it gives a bunch of literary terms for you to look to when doing a Formalist read.

3. In class today, you will look over your notes. Are there any connections? Any theme running throughout the things you were noticing? Groupings? (Think like you are reviewing a Brainstorm). Jot down any informal conclusions that you have.. Just jot them down on the bottom of your notes.. side margins, etc.

4. Read "Light and Darkness in Sonny's Blues" by Michael Clark. This is an example of what is going to be our end result. Clark has developed a Formalist argument from the exact same literary text that you have read. I want you to look at the development of thinking. The manner in which he examines the text, not so much what we can learn about "Sonny's Blues".   How did he look at the short story? What kind of things did he notice?

Take notes on HOW Clark examined the literary text and be ready to talk about it on Thursday.

"Light and Darkness in Sonny's Blues"- Michael Clark  (Starts on 2179)

Due: Monday, February 2nd.

1. Make sure you have submitted the 4 USA TEST Prep practices you were assigned on Monday.
2. Notes on Literary Theory need to be updated through Formalism.

For Tuesday:
Read and annotate "Sonny's Blues" by James Baldwin.  You will be doing a Formalist read.