Blog group 1: Sierra, Brian, Kerri, Jeremy, Janiya
Blog group 2: Freddie, Fahima, Ayshe, Afeisha
Blog group 3: Katie, Angel, Christina, Fareena
For each session, I’ll post a set of prompts for the assigned reading. When it’s your blog group’s turn, decide which members will address which prompts. Post at least 250 words by 11 am the day of the session, and come to class prepared to discuss your post.
Edit 9/17: Guiding the class through your post is a powerful way to participate in discussion (particularly if you’re shy about coming up with spontaneous contributions).
Prompts fall into 1 of 3 categories: Connect, Clue, and Create. Each member of the group should rotate through these categories, so that no 1 person is always doing Connect, for example. I advise you to confer with your group to ensure rotation through the categories throughout the semester.
Whatever category you choose, your critical response should stay anchored in the text. Use quotes as evidence to support your analysis. The best responses will push beyond mere summary, paraphrase, or describing your initial response. Interpret the text in terms of setting descriptions, characterization, changes in point of view, symbolism, and other aspects of literary analysis.
Use the tip sheet to guide your analysis if you’re feeling overwhelmed.
To post, follow these steps:
- Place your mouse over the “+” icon at the top of the screen
- Click “Post”
- Write your post in the textbox, proofreading for grammar and expression
- When you’re done, select the correct category. In the lower right hand side of the screen, find the category that matches the text you’re writing about.
- Post!
Even if you’re not writing a critical response for a given session, I recommend reading all prompts before you begin your own reading. They highlight themes and motifs that are particularly worthy of attention.
All students not writing prompts for a particular week are required to write 2 comments, 20-30 words each, by 5 pm Friday of that week. Comments should go beyond mere agreement/disagreement and thoughtfully engage with the post(s).
To read the prompts and responses for particular readings, click on the subheadings for each text. (Thus, the critical response prompts for “The Castle of Otranto” be available under “The Castle of Otranto.”)
