On Camelot and Dying Elephants

Welcome to this two part post in which I expound upon the homework for 2/12 and on the paper you're undoubtedly eager to begin.

Paper: The paper assignment is taken from our book on page 57. Yes, you may use the sample thesis as your own. The paper requirements are as follows:

• 900-1200 words (3-4 pages, Times New Roman, double-spaced, 1 inch margins)


• MLA format (check out the MLA at OWL link to the right) Exceptions: omit the name/page numbers designation on the first page and use block paragraphs rather than indenting your first line


• Your paper will be graded based on the content requirements from the book we discussed in class as well as organization, voice, word choice (diction), sentence fluency (syntax), and conventions.

The JFK paper will be due on February 25th. I know that seems like a long time from now, but such is the effect of Mid-Winter Break. We will have a peer review day in the computer lab on February 22nd, so you will need to bring electronic copies of your papers in .doc, .docx, or .rtf format so they can be read by the software in the computer lab. Happy writing! ^^

Homework: Continue the interrupted reading we began that was, ironically, interrupted by the end of class. Perhaps have your mom or little brother read the 2nd and 3rd paragraphs of George Orwell's Shooting an Elephant and note the following on the handout I gave you in class:

• ¶ 2 -- Diction, tone, selection of detail, narrator's attitude, qualifications, and explain the assumptions of the author


• ¶ 3 -- Ditto plus the development of the narrative

After that, finish reading the rest of the essay found on page 979 of our textbooks, making notes on style, rhetoric, plot, character, and theme.