English 8:
Oral presentations.
Self and peer evaluations.
Please bring novels next day for collection if you forgot yours today.
English 11FP:
Review common essay errors (note taking).
Common essay errors:
-Ensure your reading of a text is correct when writing a literary essay.
For example, details such as the fact that Spokane is located in Washington State, USA is critical. If you wrongly cite it as Canada and go on to discuss Canadian politics or stances on Indigenous justice, your analysis is flawed.
-In a literary essay, don’t review the author’s writing skills unless you have been specifically instructed to. For example, avoid statements like, “Alexie masterfully creates extended metaphors…”
Sherman Alexie is an extremely successful published author. The majority of us aren’t; therefore, while you can comment on the text itself, avoid offering accolades or criticism of his writing ability.
-Be careful with your wording in a literary essay. Many people wrote, “Alexie says…” but this is incorrect.
He writes it, he doesn’t say it. Saying is oral.
-Integrate your quotes smoothly into your writing. We have taken notes on this specific skill twice so far this year. If you were absent or simply chose not to take the notes on this, you will see the negative impact of this on your mark.
If I have commented on your paper that you’re not integrating your quotes properly, you need to come see me in flex ASAP so we can get this skill sorted out for you.
- You must meet minimum length requirements for your paragraphs to demonstrate the ability to write compositions at grade level. Paragraphs that are only 5-6 sentences are not demonstrating this skill.
- Your planning and brainstorming are KEY to your success with this. If you plan your ideas clearly and carefully, you ensure you will have enough to talk about in your paper.
- Effective planning will also help cut down on being redundant in your writing. Some folx were restating a single point multiple times and the impact on your grade is evident.
– Semantics – the story takes place ON a reservation, not IN a reservation.
-You state the FULL name of the author in your intro but then only refer to them by their last name in the body of your essay.
Continuing to refer to him as “Sherman Alexie” throughout your paper demonstrates a lack of understanding and sophistication with literary essay.
-Ensure you use a variety of transitions between the paragraphs in your paper. If they all sound the same, it detracts from the level of accuracy with a paper.
Don’t lose the nifty handout I’m going to give you on some good transitions you can use.
Finish S1, E3 of “Reservation Dogs” and S1, E4 (on Disneyplus). Note taking for scenes you feel relate to the 21 themes and topics for the FP course (notes kept in portfolio).
English 12:
Oral presentations.
Self and peer evaluations.
Please bring novels next day for collection.