4HV- ELIC - Essay Prep -Auth questions

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• havo
• Leerjaar 4

Reading time

What is a literary essay ?

Literary essay

A literary essay is really an analysis of a literary work, in this case: our book Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close.

It is not merely a summary. Instead, it is an argument about the work that expresses a writer's (that's you guys) personal perspective, interpretation, judgment, or critical evaluation of the book.

It should have these 3 elements:

1. An introduction that tells the reader what your essay will focus on.

2. A main body, divided into paragraphs, that builds an argument using evidence from the text.

3. A conclusion that clearly states the main point that you have shown with your analysis.

Literary analysis

> What the?

> Asking good questions

> Coming up with answers

Authentic Questions

An authentic question is a question without a prespecified answer. 
NOT: Where does he live? What's his name? type questions.

For instance:
Why does he/she ....?
What will happen when he.....?
What would I do in that situation?

Let's get curious...

 In groups of 4 take a closer look at the "odd / different / unusual" pages in the book.

Pick 1 scribe from your group:  This person will write things down.

Ask REAL authentic questions about those page(s)

Discuss your interpretations

What kinds of questions came up for your group?
Try to focus on making them authentic

So let's reflect...

What happened when you were trying to invent authentic questions?

Next up: 4 rounds of discussion questions

First, take a few minutes to formulate your own answers. 

Then, discuss these questions in a small group 
Take notes so you don't forget

Discussion questions chapter 1: what the?

Oskar's Personality

How would you describe Oskar's personality? Use examples from the chapter to support your answer.

Why do you think Oskar invents so many gadgets and ideas? What does this tell us about him?

Narrative Style

How does the way Oskar speaks or thinks make him unique? Were there any parts of his narration that confused or surprised you? Why?

Themes and Symbols

What do you think the key represents? Why is finding out about it so important to Oskar?

What might the theme of "loss" or "grief" already suggest in this chapter? How does it connect to Oskar's actions or thoughts?

Family Relationships

How does Oskar describe his relationship with his dad? How does this relationship seem to affect him?

Chapter 2: Why I'm not where you are

Shifting Perspectives

This chapter shifts from Oskar’s narration to a letter written by another character. How does this new perspective change the tone or mood of the story?

How do you feel about the way the writer of the letter expresses their emotions? Is it clear, or does it feel complicated? Why?

Communication and Silence

The letter mentions that the writer "stopped speaking." Why do you think this happened, and how does it affect the way they express themselves?

Do you think writing letters is a good way to communicate emotions? Why or why not?

Family Dynamics

How does the letter-writer’s relationship with their child seem different from Oskar's relationship with his dad?

Why might this parent feel regret or guilt? What clues from the text support your answer?

 

Connections Between Chapters

What connections can you see between Oskar’s chapter and the letter-writer’s chapter? How do they both deal with loss or emotions?

General Questions to Build Essay Skills: choose one of these. 

Character Focus

If you had to write an essay about Oskar as a character, what would your main argument be? What three examples from the text would you use?

Theme Focus

How does the theme of grief/loss show up in both chapters? Why is it important to the story?

Structure and Style

How does the author use different types of narration (Oskar’s perspective vs. the letter)? Why do you think Jonathan Safran Foer chose this structure?

Reading time! 

Keep reading the book
or
Do research on LITERARY ESSAYS.
Try to find examples. Read them. Make a checklist. 
or
Elaborate on what you've just discussed and write down your reflections in a word file.

See you next week!

Enjoy your weekend!

English class - ELIC / essay
17th of January

> reading time
> discussing the homework: practise writing
> discussion questions first half of the book
> looking at a sample essay: what works well, what is missing?

Reading time

General Questions to Build Essay Skills: discuss your writing 

Character Focus

If you had to write an essay about Oskar as a character, what would your main argument be? What three examples from the text would you use?

Theme Focus

How does the theme of grief/loss show up in both chapters? Why is it important to the story?

Structure and Style

How does the author use different types of narration (Oskar’s perspective vs. the letter)? Why do you think Jonathan Safran Foer chose this structure?

Practise writing

First half of the book

Choose a question and write an essay draft.

Example student essay

Read and analyse:
What works well, what needs work?
How can it be improved?

Your own draft: rewrite it

Based on what you have learnt by looking at the example, go back to your own draft and improve it. 

Peer feedback

Give each other feedback
What works well?
What needs work?
Suggestion?

Exam idiom: quizlet

Go to quizlet
Study one of the chapters

Exam Idiom: Taboo game

1) Groups of 4-6 students  (choose a Team name.)

2) Place a set of cards face down on the table.

3) A team member (the clue-giver) is chosen from the first group and brought to the front of the class.

4) A fact checker is chosen from the other team to make sure that the clue-giver is keeping to the rules. This person will also become the cluegiver for their team when the turn is over for the first team.

5) The clue-giver takes the first card and describes it to their teammates (the guessers) without using any of the taboo (forbidden) words in it. The fact checker will make sure of this. If the guessers guess, they score a point for their team, Then, the card is set aside and the clue-giver picks another one to describe.

6) If the clue-giver says a forbidden word, the other team scores a point.

7) Buzzer the timer after 90 seconds, count the number of words correctly identified and list them beneath the team name on the board.

8) When time runs out, the fact checker becomes the cluegiver to continue the game.

Reading time

Second student essay example

highlight what works well 
&
what could be better

Do you agree with the writer or not?