Sweat by Lynn Nottage

*This play is on the Cambridge AICE Course Syllabus. The play will be on the AICE Literature Exam.

THE JOURNALS:

Read through the entire assignment so that you understand each part of the assignment before you begin.

1. Complete journals as you read. Since the assignment requires a close reading of the text, the information you must collect cannot be found in movies, plot summaries, or SparkNotes. USE OF THESE AIDS IS NOT ALLOWED.

2. THERE IS NO NEED TO COMPLETE THE JOURNALS IN ORDER. Journal #2, for example, will probably not be the first you complete. Since the symbol you choose must be important to the overall work, this journal should probably be one of the last you complete. You may find a striking image in the beginning of the play and complete journal #5 first.

3. Journals must be typed.

4. Make sure you title each journal. However, journals do not need to be on separate pages.

5. Cite act and page numbers for the text in each journal.

6. Journals must cover the entire span of the play.

7. For journals with word counts, the text that you cite should NOT comprise the majority of the journal. Your response to the text is what we want to see.

Prepare your journals as follows:

Journal #1: VISUAL SYMBOL/MOTIF. Find a visual symbol/motif important to the work. Explain the symbol and explain why you think the author chose to use that symbol/motif and explain its significance to the overall work. Be sure to cite at least three instances in the text where this symbol/motif appears. (100-150 words)

Journal #2: SETTING. Identify at least 5 phrases or descriptions that identify the setting of the play. They may describe time, place, region, or atmosphere. Use bulleted phrases and cite the page number. Then, explain how the text you have cited creates the setting(s) you’ve identified. (100-150 words)

Journals #3, #4, and #5 (3 journals): STRIKING IMAGES, IDEAS, EVENTS, OBJECTS, PHRASES, WORDS. From the work, choose three items that seem significant or striking – for example, an image, an event, an idea, an object or thing, a phrase, a word. For each, state the context of the item (what it refers to) and why you think it is significant. (Example: “paper-mache Mephistopheles” (p 23) –refers to the bricklayer who never lays any bricks; Marlow describes him as empty and shallow—the devil’s agent, representing the evils of imperialism.) You must do three (3) journals. Each of which must be 100-150 words. Each journal must address a separate image, idea, event, object, phrase, word.

Journal #6: FIGURES OF SPEECH. Find three examples of figures of speech in the play (metaphor, simile, personification, onomatopoeia, oxymoron, irony, hyperbole, symbol, allusion) (A) Record the example and cite the page number, (B) identify the technique, (C) explain its meaning in context of the play. The explanations should each be a minimum of 50 words, for a total of 150 words minimum.

Journal #7: STRUCTURE. Explain how the work is put together (the architecture of the work) and what effect this structure has on the work as a whole. Think acts, scenes, stage directions, etc. (100-150 words).

Journals #8, #9, and #10 (3 journals): KEY PASSAGES. Find three (3) key textual references (phrase, sentence, paragraph, excerpt) that you find significant. Copy the passage correctly (quotation marks, cite page number) and explain the significance of the passage to the play as a whole. Make sure to represent the beginning, middle, and end of the book (example: “he had the pose of a Buddha” (p.4) – allusion. The allusion describes Marlow’s sitting position and even his trance-like state while he is telling his story. It also identifies him as someone unusual and different from the rest of the crew.). (100-150 words for each journal).

Journal #11: PERSONAL RESPONSE. Write about your impression of the play after you have completed the reading and the journals. Consider your emotional reaction, positive and negative factors, connections to your own interests and experiences. DO NOT SIMPLY GIVE A THUMBS-UP, THUMBS-DOWN RECOMMENDATION! (100-150 words)

***This assignment will be collected during the first week of class.

***If you have questions over the summer, you may email Ms. Bernstein – sarvisp@duvalschools.org

***You will also need to make sure you save a copy of these journals, as you will be required to submit them to turnitin before they will be scored. You will submit the document the evening of the first day of class.

***Please also be prepared for a reading quiz on the text during the first week!

***Please be aware of the following:

1. Any plagiarism, from Internet sites, other students, or ANY other resources will result in a zero on the assignment, and a Class II referral. This includes the use of AI. No additional assignment shall be given.

2. You must turn in a paper copy of this assignment the first week of school (the date will be given on the first day of class).

3. You will not receive credit for your assignment unless it is submitted to Turnitin.

4. There should be no revisions of your journals- the paper copy you turn in should be identical to the copy you submit to Turnitin.

1. Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

*This novel is on the BEST list for the state of Florida. (Page 122 of this document: ELA B.E.S.T. STANDARDS: ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS)

2. Two articles of your choice (MUST be related to a General-Paper topic)

You may email Mrs. Strickland at stricklanh@duvalschools.org with questions over the summer. Please remember that email is checked less frequently during summer break. ☺

THE NOVEL (FAHRENHEIT 451):

•If you lose your copy of this assignment, please print out another copy from the Fletcher AICE Website or email me for the file.

•Be prepared for a multiple-choice comprehension quiz in the first week of school.

•It is expected that you will take notes on the following as you read. (You may take other notes as well.) Use one sheet of paper for each topic as you find evidence of that topic in the novel. Each example MUST be cited using MLA formatting. THESE NOTES WILL BE CHECKED THE SECOND CLASS DAY!

1. Technological Advances

2. The Importance of Independent, Critical Thought

3. Knowledge/Ignorance/Power

4. The Purpose of Literature and Reading

An entry may look like this:

Knowledge/Ignorance/Power

Montag says “It shocked me to see Mrs. Phelps cry. Maybe they’re right, maybe it’s best not to face things, to run, have fun. I don’t know” (77)

Articles:

1. Look over the list of General Paper topics (below) and pick two topics that are present in/relevant to Fahrenheit 451.

2. Choose articles from sources that are reliable, well-known publications. Be cautious of articles that seem overly biased or contain little evidence (you are looking for more ethos and logos than pathos).

3. Complete the attached form (found at the end of this document) with information from each article. You MUST use a blue or black pen. Be sure to include the word count for your summary in the proper space!

4. Include the proper citation information for the articles (there is a space on the form). You can use the orange MLA citation handouts from freshman year. If you still need help, there are many online guides to help you. One can be found here.

General Paper Topics

1 Economic, historical, moral, political and social

Suggested areas to explore:

• The role and value of history in modern society

• Wars, conflicts and terrorism

• The state and its institutions

• Political systems, leadership, nationalism and forms of government

• The role of international organisations

• The provision and politics of aid

• Justice and the justice system; prison and rehabilitation

• The role of the individual in society

• Family, marriage and partnerships, social pressure, class and social attitudes

• Globalisation and its impacts

• Wealth and equality in society

• Population and migration

• Education

• Welfare

• Sport and leisure

• Work and employment

• Industry and commerce

• Freedom of speech, thought and action

• Human rights

• Animal welfare

• Matters of conscience, faith and tolerance

2 Science, including its history, philosophy, ethics, general principles and applications; environmental issues; technology and mathematics

Suggested areas to explore:

• Medical and scientific advances and their ethics

• Drug testing, manufacture and provision

• Diet, health education and provision of healthcare

• Space exploration and its associated industry

• Information and communications technology

• Surveillance and privacy

• Environmental concerns

• Natural disasters including mitigation and management

• Rural and urban concerns

• Food and water security

• Transport, travel and tourism

• The uses and applications of mathematics

3 Literature, language, the arts, crafts, and the media

Suggested areas to explore:

• Literature

• Non-fiction writing

• Language

• Performing arts

• Visual arts

• Applied arts

• Arts institutions and venues

• Traditional arts and crafts; heritage

• Print and digital media

• Advertising

• Censorship and freedom of the media and the arts