Response Writing #1

In-Class Response Writing #1 (on Poe or Maupassant)
URL: http://www.cocc.edu/cagatucci/classes/eng104/RW1.htm

WORTH: 5% of Course Grade. NOTE WELL: Only one (1) missed In-Class Response Writing may be "made up" by arrangement with the instructor. Any additional missed In-Class Response Writings will receive a "O" [i.e. a grade of "F"] (from ENG 104 SYLLABUS on Course Grading & relevant policies).
DEADLINE: Week #5: Mon., 10/21 - Bring: Prep (Notes) & Charters textbook to class, as directed.
COURSE COMPETENCIES: This assignment is designed to help you achieve the following Learning Outcomes (from ENG 104 SYLLABUS) - which will be used in Evaluating your Response Writing:

See Evaluation: Response Writing #1 below.

1. Define and illustrate principal literary elements of narrative fiction (e.g. plot, character, theme, point of view, setting, . . . ), . . . using well-selected examples from representative works.

8. Demonstrate effective writing skills when communicating and supporting literary analysis, interpretation, and evaluation, in graded writing assignments.

9. Select and interpret persuasive specific examples from primary works of narrative fiction, as well as from relevant secondary sources, in order to illustrate and support one's points.

10. Avoid plagiarism by using an acceptable academic style (e.g. MLA) to cite direct quotations, paraphrases (indirect quotations), and summaries taken from primary and secondary sources.

DIRECTIONS:
--Time Limit: You will be given 15-to-20 min. of in-class time to write In-Class Response Writing #1.
--Recommended: Double space [skip every other line] your Response Writing to leave room to Edit [make legible corrections] before you turn it in at the end of the in-class timed writing period.
--Writing Aids: You may use your textbook, notes - i.e. this is "Open Book," "Open Notes"--and anything else that will help you complete the response writing within the timed writing period.
--Label Your Assignment Completely, like this:

Your Name
ENG 104, Prof. C. Agatucci
Response Writing #1 - Topic # [put Topic number here]
21 October 2002

--Title your Response Writing: indicate literary term(s) & short story to be discussed - For example:

Plot Conflict in "The Cask of Amontillado"

--Follow Directions, Choose & Focus Topic Wisely: You must write about either Poe's "Cask of Amontillado" OR Maupassant's "Necklace," and address all parts of one of the assigned topics given below. Choose a topic that you understand well and feel best prepared to write about. Don't try to spill out everything you know or cite every example that supports your interpretation; limit yourself to topic directions & cite/explain only 1 or 2 examples that best support/illustrate your interpretation.
--Parenthetical Citations - when quoting or paraphrasing specific passages from Charters' textbook, follow this example:

The plot of short stories is usually driven by "a conflict or struggle between opposing forces" (1004) introduced at the beginning of the story.

RESPONSE WRITING #1 TOPIC CHOICES:

Take as your subject either Poe's "The Cask of Amontillado" OR Maupassant's "The Necklace."
Then choose one of the following topics - focused on one or more "elements of fiction" that we have been studying - and develop your response as the topic applies to either Poe's or Maupassant's short story.

TOPIC 1: PLOT - CONFLICT
(a) Define "Conflict," and be sure to explain, briefly, the relationship or importance of "Conflict" to "Plot."
(b) Apply and Illustrate your definition by identifying the major Conflict driving the Plot of either "The Cask of Amontillado" OR "The Necklace."
(c) Support and illustrate your interpretation of this major Conflict by citing and analyzing well-selected passages from the short story in question.

TOPIC 2: PLOT - CLIMAX
(a) Define "Climax" of a Plot.
(b) Apply and illustrate your definition by identifying and citing the point at which you think the Climax occurs in either "The Cask of Amontillado" OR "The Necklace."
(c) Support your interpretation of where the Climax occurs in this short story by analyzing this moment in the story to explain how/why it satisfies the definition of "Climax" given in (a).

TOPIC 3: CHARACTER - DYNAMIC vs. STATIC
(a) Define and distinguish "Dynamic" vs. "Static" Characters.
(b) Apply and illustrate your definition by identifying the main character of either "The Cask of Amontillado" OR "The Necklace," as either "dynamic" or "static."
(c) Support and illustrate your interpretation that this main character is dynamic or static by citing and analyzing well-selected examples from early and later in the short story, that demonstrate the character's dynamic or static nature.

TOPIC 4: SETTING
(a) Define "Setting" and be sure to explain, briefly, how and/or why setting can be significant to understanding a short story..
(b) Apply and illustrate your definition by identifying at least one Setting in either "The Cask of Amontillado" OR "The Necklace," that you feel makes a significant contribution to understanding this short story (i.e. its dramatic impact, plot, character, and/or theme).
(c) Support and illustrate your interpretation of the significance of the selected Setting by citing and analyzing well-selected example(s) from the short story in question.

TOPIC 5: POINT OF VIEW & NARRATOR
(a) Classify and (b) Define the type of "Point of View" and "Narrator" used in either "The Cask of Amontillado" OR "The Necklace."
(c) Try to explain or justify the author's choice of Point of View and Narrator, illustrated by well-selected examples from the short story in question.

TOPIC 6: THEME
(a) Define "Theme."
(b) State your interpretation of a major Theme of either "The Cask of Amontillado" OR "The Necklace."
(c) Support and illustrate your interpretation of this theme by citing and analyzing at least two key passages from the short story in question that best explain why you arrived at your interpretation of the story's theme.

Evaluation: Response Writing #1 Name:_____________________________
Worth: 5% of Course Grade
ENG 104, Prof. C. Agatucci, Fall 2002 Grade/Score:________________________

___ Submitted Late - Note: Only one (1) missed In-Class Response Writing may be "made up"

___1. Assignment Labeled correctly (MLA style header) & Title relevant to Topic Choice

___2. Followed Directions: Addressed (all parts of) One Assigned Topic for either Poe's "Cask of Amontillado" OR Maupassant's "The Necklace." Topic Chosen:
1. Plot-Conflict; 2. Plot-Climax; 3. Character:Static vs.Dynamic; 4. Setting; 5. Point of View & Narrator; 6. Theme

___a. Definition of Literary Element
___b. Application of definition to "Cask of Amontillado" OR "The Necklace"
Competency 1. Define and illustrate principal literary elements of narrative fiction (e.g. plot, character, theme, point of view, setting, . . . ), . . . using well-selected examples from representative works.

___c. Supporting development (explanation, analysis, illustration) of literary interpretation
Competency 9. Select and interpret persuasive specific examples from primary works of narrative fiction, as well as from relevant secondary sources, in order to illustrate and support one's points.

___3. Parenthetical Citations correctly given for all in-text quotations & paraphrases (pg#)
Competency 10. Avoid plagiarism by using an acceptable academic style (e.g. MLA) to cite direct quotations, paraphrases (indirect quotations), and summaries taken from primary and secondary sources.

___4. Writing Clarity & Coherence
Competency 8. Demonstrate effective writing skills when communicating and supporting literary analysis, interpretation, and evaluation, in graded writing assignments.

Go to Student Response Writing Examples
URL: http://www.cocc.edu/cagatucci/classes/eng104/RWexamples.htm

Cora's ENG 104 Course Web Site: Index
Fall 2002 Syllabus | Course Plan | Online Course Pack | Assignments Index | Other Links go here

YOU ARE HERE: In-Class Response Writing #1 (Poe or Maupassant) ~ Fall 2002 Assignment
URL of this webpage: http://www.cocc.edu/cagatucci/classes/eng104/RW1.htm
Last updated: 11 September 2003

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