Author & Subject: What is the Relationship?

As you read your biography, it is important to think about the relationship between the author and the subject.  If it is a person writing about his or her own life (autobiograhy), this could be said to be a very close relationship.  If it is a person writing about someone else, he or she must have had a reason for this choice.  Did they admire this person?  Feel compelled to criticize them?  Either way, it is a form of bias. 

What motivations might your author have had for publishing this story?  Money?  Fame?  Respect?  Revenge?  To convince others of a point of view?  Keep these in mind as well.

Read with a cynical eye.  Read with a sympathetic eye too.

Biography Project -- Preliminary Research

The goal is get started on researching topics related to the biography you are reading.  Don't worry about what the research will be used for.  Follow your interests.  Find some sources.  Save the source information so you can easily go back later.

1. Identify topics for research, using the handout

2. Set up a place to save and organize all your bookmarks.  This could be a folder with Safari or Firefox Bookmarks.  Or you may choose to set up an account on Delicious or Diigo.

3. Start identifying sites that are potential resources.  Don't just start with Google. See Wirthportal (right sidebar link) and check out Marvel, Internet Public Library, Google Wonder Wheel, Google News, and Google Timeline.

4. Save your sites you find within your bookmarks folder (or on Delicious or Diigo).

English 12 -- Exam Essay Question

For those who still need to complete the essay portion of the midyear exam, the essay prompt is below:

Part 3:  Hamlet   (33%)                        

Write about a Scene:  Write a 4 paragraph essay in which you discuss the importance of one scene in the play -- and how Shakespeare uses that scene to add to the overall effect of the play.  Your introductory paragraph should include a thesis that introduces 3 main ways the scene is important.  Each body paragraph should provide supporting detail from the text in terms of one of the 3 aspects you are discussing.  (Suggested aspects of literature you might discuss -- choose 3 -- include plot, characterization, theme, mood, irony, symbolism.

(S 1, 2, 3) Meets: Presents plausible well-supported interpretation.  Includes 3 distinct arguments, each supported with detail from the text.  Effectively organizes elements of essay. Exceeds: All of meets, plus:  Examples are well-chosen, specific, and are discussed in detail.  Discussion shows originality and insight.  More than 3 arguments may be included.

English Wide Open Exam -- Online version

Click the link below.  Then copy and paste it into Open Office or Microsoft Word:


https://docs.google.com/document/pub?id=10m03aFg_ghJ3lLCDOa5Y4DG2wg81A_1GzxNcJK4SOLg

Hamlet Quizzes

Sparknotes provides a Hamlet Quiz that provides a good check on your basic understanding of the plot, characters, and background of the play.  A few of the questions are on things we have not discussed, but if you have been paying attention, you should be able to score 20 or more out of 25.  Take the quiz!


Shakespeare Online provides a good quiz that provides detailed answers.  You will end up knowing more than when you started if you take this quiz.  Take the quiz!