Blog #3: Movie Review of "The Third Man" by Graham Greene

If done as an essay: It is a formal paper which must be typed, double-spaced, and include at least FIVE paragraphs. You are required to write a movie review about the movie “The Third Man.”  You will answer #1-3 and analyze ALL three areas below: literary, dramatic, and cinematic sections – (three paragraph body).  Final copy due by: Thursday, April 30, 2015.  

If done as a blog:  This is a semi-formal assignment written on the classroom blog of at least THREE paragraphs and TWO responses (3-5 sentences) to another student. You are required to write a movie review about the movie “The Third Man.”   You will answer #1-3 BUT you only have to analyze ONE of the areas: literary, dramatic, or cinematic sections (one paragraph body).  Final copy due by: Thursday, April 30, 2015.

Include the following elements in your movie review:

1. In the opening paragraph state the title, and BRIEFLY summarize the plot of the movie. Describe how you truly feel about the film. What is your honest reaction to the film? Did you like/dislike it? Was it confusing? Exciting? Suspenseful? Boring?

2. In the next three paragraphs analyze the literary, dramatic, and cinematic aspects of the film. Please use examples from the movie to support your analysis.

Literary – The literary aspects pertains to the story, dialogue and characters. Was there a good story? Believable characters? Good dialogue? Did the main character change throughout the film?  What was the main conflict and how was it resolved? Did the story interest you?  Use specific examples from the movie to support your analysis. 

Dramatic – The dramatic aspects pertains to the acting, sets, locations and costumes. Were the actors good? Was the setting or location interesting? Did the actors wear costumes? Was there a famous movie star in the film?  Use specific examples from the movie to support your analysis.  

Cinematic – The cinematic aspects pertain to the camera angles, composition, lighting, music and sound effects.  Were there interesting camera angles, or cool video and sound effects? Did the music match the film?  Use specific examples from the movie to support your analysis. 

3. In the conclusion, rate the film (Two thumbs up! / A+ / Five Stars! / etc.) and state whether or not you would recommend the film to a friend.

NOTE: The movie "The Third Man" was shown in class. You may watch parts you missed before or after school in Mr. Dawursk's room, rent it at your own expense, or it may be available at putlocker (http://putlocker.is/watch-the-third-man-online-free-putlocker.html).

 

WL Blog #2: Canadian, Mexican, Caribbean, and Puerto Rican Literature, Columbia, Brazil, Argentina

THIS IS A HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT.  THERE WILL BE NO TIME GIVEN IN CLASS.

Assigned: Monday, March 23, 2015

Due: Wednesday, April 1, 2015

IMPORTANT:

• proper grammar, spelling, capitalization and punctuation will be expected and benchmarked. 
  Check your work (proofread) before submitting.
• Choose wisely.  If you do not have access to the internet, then do the essay instead.

If done as an essay: You will answer all 6 of 9 questions below.  Use the standard page layout and proper name/class/period information at the top.  This is a formal paper which must be typed, double-spaced, and include at least a ONE paragraph answer for each question.

 

 Final copy due by: Wednesday, April 1, 2015. 

If done as a blog:  You will choose 3 questions below and 2 student responses.  Begin your blog comment by writing your first name, the first letter of your last name, and your period number (John S. Period 4).  Also, reference the question number at the beginning of each answer. This is a semi-formal assignment written on the classroom blog of at least ONE paragraph per question and TWO minimum responses (3-5 sentences) to two different students.

 

 Final entry due by: Wednesday, April 1, 2015. 

Question:

Tone is the attitude of the author toward his or her subject. 

1.    In the poem “At the Tourist Centre in Boston” (RTW 30-32) by Margaret Atwood, what tone do you identify in the poem?  Who is it directed at?  Why do you think she feels this way?   Explain your answer.

 Theme is the underlying meaning or message in a piece of literature.  It may be stated explicitly by the author’s narration or through his/her characters or it can be implied and require the reader to interpret the universal truth. The theme of a work is usually expressed as a short statement or saying. 

2.    In one sentence, what do you think is the universal truth, the message, the theme of the Canadian short story “Day of the Butterfly” (RTW 33-44) by Alice Munro?  Defend your answer. Identify the acts of cruelty in this story, both deliberate and unintentional.  What do you think is the author’s purpose in using them?  Explain your answer.

Imagery is the use of selected details to describe one thing in terms of another. This helps to suggest additional meanings and feelings within the story and helps to set a mood within the story. Examples of imagery are Hyperbole, Simile, Metaphor, and Personification.

3.    In the Mexican short story “No Dogs Bark” (RTW 46-50) by Juan Rulfo dogs have been barking everywhere, yet Ingacio has not told his father.  Why not?  Explain your answer. Give an example of how imagery in the story creates a specific mood.  Be specific.

A Metaphor is a figure of speech that imaginatively links two objects to each other.  It “is” the object; whereas Simile does the same thing but uses “like” or “as” to describe the comparison.

4.    Give an example of a metaphor in the Mexican poem “Two Bodies” (TRW 51-52) by Octavio Paz.  Explain why the poet used the metaphor; what is it comparing? Explain your answer.

Dramatic Literature occurs when the audience knows something that one or more characters do not know. 

5.    In the play “Crossroads: A Sad Vaudeville” ( TRW 53-68) by Carlos Solorzano, identify an example of dramatic irony in the play.  What purpose do you think it serves?  Do you agree with the woman when she says; “…there is but one moment to recognize one another, to extend our hands.  One mustn’t let it pass by”?  Explain your answers.

Characterization refers to the ways that an author creates characters.  Writers use repetition to place emphasis on a theme or idea.

6.    In the poem “In Trying Times” (TRW 78-79) by Herberto Padilla, Identify a repeated phrase or grammatical structure in the poem.  In a short paragraph, analyze the impact of the repetition.  Also, give a short interpretation of the title.  Cite passages from the poem to support your interpretation.

The genre of Magic Realism combines elements of realism and fantasy. 

7.    In the story “The Youngest Doll” (TRW 81-87) by Rosario Ferre AND/OR the story "The Handsomest Drowned Man in the World"  (TRW 89-95) by Gabriel Garcia Marquez, find two or three details that represent realism. Then find at least one detail that represents the magical aspect of the magic realism genre.  What truth does the author express through joining realism with the fantastic?  What action or speech by the aunt do you feel represents her main goal in life?  Explain your answer.

A Symbol is an object used to represent a more abstract or general concept. 

8. In the story "The Third Bank of the River" (TRW 98-103) by Joao Guimaraes Rosa, what do the river and boat symbolize?  explain your answer.  What is the significance of the narrator's comment: "...for nobody is crazy. Or maybe everybody"?

The mood or atmosphere of a story communicates a certain feeling to the reader. 

9. Cite passages from the story that hint at the reason the Book of Sand makes its owners so melancholic and dispirited. Explain your choices.

 

 

Blog #1: WL Blog #1: Aztec and Canadian Literature

THIS IS A HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT.  THERE WILL BE NO TIME GIVEN IN CLASS.

Assigned: Thursday, February 26, 2015

Due: Wednesday, March 11, 2015

IMPORTANT:

• proper grammar, spelling, capitalization and punctuation will be expected and benchmarked.  Check your work (proofread) before submitting.
• Choose wisely.  If you do not have access to the internet, then do the essay instead.

If done as an essay: You will answer all 5 questions below.  Use the standard page layout and proper name/class/period information at the top.  This is a formal paper which must be typed, double-spaced, and include at least a ONE paragraph answer for each question.

 

 

Final copy due by: Wednesday, March 11, 2015. 

If done as a blog:  You will choose 3 questions below and 2 student responses.  Begin your blog comment by writing your first name, the first letter of your last name, and your period number (John S. Period 4).  Also, reference the question number at the beginning of each answer. This is a semi-formal assignment written on the classroom blog of at least ONE paragraph per question and TWO minimum responses (3-5 sentences) to two different students.

 

 

Final entry due by: Wednesday, March 11, 2015.

Questions:

A myth is a traditional story, usually set at the beginning of time. Many myths follow the exploits of a cultural hero. In the Aztec Creation Story (RTW 9-14), 

•  1) What moral lessons for humans do you think the creation story myth teaches? Write 2-3 sentences explaining your answer.

A flashback is a break in the flow of a narrative, taking the reader back to events that occurred before the opening scene of the story. In the story Borders by Thomas King (RTW 17-29), 

•  2) Describe the flashback in the story then give one reason why you think the author uses this technique in the story.     
•  3) Based upon your reading so far and your general knowledge, generate two or three questions about Canada and Canadian literature which you could answer through additional research.

Tone is the attitude of the author toward his or her subject. 

• 4)  In the poem “At the Tourist Centre in Boston” (RTW 30-32) by Margaret Atwood, what tone do you identify in the poem?  Who is it directed at?  Why do you think she feels this way?   Explain your answer.

Theme is the underlying meaning or message in a piece of literature.  It may be stated explicitly by the author’s narration or through his/her characters or it can be implied and require the reader to interpret the universal truth. The theme of a work is usually expressed as a short statement or saying. 

• 5)  In one sentence, what do you think is the universal truth, the message, the theme of the Canadian short story “Day of the Butterfly” (RTW 33-44) by Alice Munro?  Defend your answer. Identify the acts of cruelty in this story, both deliberate and unintentional.  What do you think is the author’s purpose in using them?  Explain your answer.