Speaking of Courage + Notes

Read Speaking of Courage and Notes:

Respond to the following:

1.Describe three methods O’Brien uses to amplify the loneliness of Norman Bowker.

2.What purpose is there for the shift of perspective between Speaking of Courage and Notes.

3.Finish the following statements

 

  The ________ of war is(better verb) ________.

         

  The ________on/ of a soldier is(better verb)_______.

“The Man I Killed” and excerpts from Goodbye Darkness

Read "The Man I Killed" & excerpt from Goodbye Darkness (WARNING: Both very graphic violence)

•          How do both men react immediately after shooting the enemy?  What is similar in their reactions and thoughts?

•          How do both soldiers fit in with the other soldiers in their platoon?  How do other soldiers react to the kill?

•          Analyze the emotional pain and baggage both soldiers experience after their kills: What sticks with both men still?

•          What do both of these passages reveal about war and the preconceived notions of heroism and duty?

•          Compare the storytelling devices and narrative structure used by both O’Brien and Manchester in their accounts (patterns, descriptions, organization, rhetorical devices, etc.).

Stockings + Church

For Wednesday: Read Stockings and Church

Response to the following:

1. What elements of these two chapters fit the criteria of a true "war story?"
2. Which passage emerges as representative of O'Brien's style?  Explain.
3. While we are told not to look for a moral in a war story, a chapter titled Church begs for a response to its possible interpretation.  What could be a possible understanding of this brief chapter?

Q-H-Q- Sweetheart of the Song Tra Bong

 

Reading / Writing Activity in Response to TTC- Sweetheart of the Song Tra-Bong

QHQ - Question - Hypothesis - Question

A QHQ will provide you an opportunity to think (on paper) more analytically and critically than you might have had the opportunity to during class. We encourage you to take this assignment seriously and to use it to foster your own intellectual growth.

 Here's how it works -

Q - The first "Q" stands for Question:

            You must pose an analytical/ provocative question to yourself.  These questions may not be 'yes or no' questions, but instead must desire a thoughtful response.  Questions as simple as "Who did _____?" or "what is the point of… ?" are inadequate and will receive no credit.  Rather, your questions might make comparisons between concepts or ideas between chapters: "Who can we trust as our speaker?" or ""Why does gender matter in this chapter?"

H - The "H" stands for Hypothesis:

            This is the most extensive written portion of this response.  You should write approximately three well-defined paragraphs that answer your question.  "Answer," in this case, might be misleading - in fact, if you come to a definitive solution too easily, your question was probably not very thoughtful.  This space is for you to try some analysis - it is a space for independent thinking.  Points will only be deducted if you do not make a considered effort. 

Q - The second "Q" again stands for Question:

            Obviously, this will not be the same question as the first one you asked.  Rather, this question will be a follow up.  Any good question, which is followed by a good answer should also provide several avenues for future consideration.  This second or follow up question should take your answer in a different direction. 

This writing exercise is just like having a mini conversation with yourself - except it's on paper and you're getting a grade for it.  In essence you are writing a short dialogue.  Our hope is that through this type of dialogic practice the skills you employ when writing this responses will transfer over into our class discussions.  Being able to converse effectively is a high-powered skill useful not only in the classroom but in life generally.

Pose your question in moderator so we can discuss on Monday.

Period 2    Period 3   Period 7/8

The Things They Carried- Enemies/Friends- Wednesday-

For Wednesday-

• Read "Enemies" +"Friends"
• Written Response- Describe how O'Brien's stylistic approach to these two chapters helps shape a particular point about war. Though the chapters are brief, you will have plenty to consider about how style amplified theme in this coupling.

For Thursday: Read "How to Tell a True War Story."  

7/8...you got away with it...

The Things They Carried Military Vocab

Military Acronyms

AO- Administration Officer

RRVN- Army of the Republic of South Vietnam

AWOL-Absent without leave

CID – Criminal Investigation Unit

CO – Commanding Officer

DZ – Demilitarizes Zone (either side of the 17^th parallel)

 KIA – Killed In Action

LT - Lieutenant

LZ – Landing Zone

MP – Military Police

NCO – Non-commissioned Officer

NVA – North Vietnamese Army

PFC – Private First Class

RF – Reserve Force

R&R – Rest and Recuperation

RTO – Radio/Telecommunication Officer

SOP – Standard Operation Procedure

VC - Vietcong

USO – United Service Organization

The Things They Carried

Misc. Terms

Boonies – rural country or jungle

Claymores – explosive mines activated by a remote

Dustoff – helicopter lift off or evacuation

Green Berets – elite US Special Forces nicknamed by their dress

Napalm – soap of fatty acids that, when mixed with gasoline, makes a jelly used in bombs and flam-throwers

Platoon – a subdivision of a company of troops, two or more squads or sections commanded by a lieutenant

Vietcong – Vietnamese belonging to the (communist) National Liberation Front of South Vietnam

Tuesday-Love + Spin + On The Rainy River

For Tuesday- Read "Love", "Spin" and "On The Rainy River".
With special focus to On the Rainy River:

• Most symbolic
• Most psychological
• Most representative of O'Brien's style
• Most surprising/troubling

As always, be patient with your elaboration of why you selected these sentences.

In case you want to re-live the exciting events of 3rd hour, actual footage of me spilling coffee...or how I think I looked when it happened.
#sorrydarcy

Rhetorical Triangle of Love- Friday!

With so much talk about war, it appears we are leaving out what else "all's fair in..." (sounds better in my head) Friday is the day before our favorite Hallmark Holiday after all!
So here is the challenge( If you choose to accept):

• You send me an appropriate clip from a film when the Lover A attempts to win back the affection of Lover B.  
• You walk us through the context (audience/exigence) appeals, and devices.
• Create Slide presentation via Google Drive
• You will be rewarded...I'm thinking IRP extensions for solid analysis.

From Mr. T- Before Sunrise, Notting Hill, Love and Other Drugs

Kendra- 17 Again

Veli- The Proposal

Katie S- Notebook

Amanda D- Pretty Woman

Shruti N- Ross & Rachael Friends

Brenna- She's All That

Belle P- He's Just Not That Into You or Lot Like Love

Aimee- Along Came Polly

The Things They Carried- Get book by Wednesday...

• School bookstore
• Any local book store
• On-line book seller- New or used or Kindle or e-book
• Borrow...(ask...)

Motivational Speech- ReDONK!

For Tuesday:

We have adequately drilled down on the rhetorical formula for battle speeches.  So let's try making our own... with an ironic twist.  Here are your potential audiences:

• Eating Contest (Ghost chili)
• Scrapbooking conference
• Pokemon tournament 
• Toddler tee-ball
• Shuffleboard match in retirement home (Emily R h/t)
• Connect 4 (Jake W h/t)
• Some other ironic situation.

Your first step is to brainstorm your audience's unique needs and consider the various metaphors and word choice (diction) that will activate their emotions.  

Requirements:  

1. Pull exclusively from our list of appeals. 
2. Consider which rhetorical devices from previous speeches will best fit this particular audience.
3. Word Count-350- Roughly "Gettsburgh"
4. Make me laugh

Unless you want to live in a van down by the river... Classic SNL skit!

Phase One IRP-Posts on MBC

I am encouraged to see many of you reading your IRP book with genuine interest.  One goal of this project is that you engage a relevant non-fiction text and begin the process of critical thinking of the book's central issues and improve your close evaluation of the style of the author.  As you continue to read your book, we want to foster an academic/ intellectual discussion of your book on MBC.  There will be five discussion topics per book (three posted now).  You will post in all five and we hope to see you tease out discussions beyond your post.  The first three discussion boards are simply tied to a particular section of the book.  Directions follow:

Here is your space to discuss the events of this part of the book. What shocked you? Confused you? Disappointed you? Inspired you? Are you making any bigger connections to ideas beyond the book? Post an original comment or feel free to engage in a discussion with your book partners. Remember that your posts must include direct evidence from the book and provide a patient/thoughtful explanation of this observation

So what might a quality post resemble?

Quiet

I was enthralled by by Cain's description of the persuasion and atmosphere of the Unleash the Power Within Conference.  Be it the added value merchandise, enrichment materials, or seating arrangements, every aspect of the event was designed to maximize a sales opportunity.  Cain openly wondered, "I can't help but wonder why none of the other UPWers seem to mind, or even notice these upselling techniques."(41)  After all, these are consenting adults at this event and they no doubt have option of simply not participating in such "upselling."  The net takeaway for the majority of these participants may be positive and "life altering"; however, I can't shake the feeling such "upselling" during an emotionally unhinged moment (even though positive) is blatantly manipulative.  Yes, this conference provides positive outcomes for its participants (real or illusory) but it sure looks like heart and pockets are getting picked.

• genuine personal reaction (positive or negative)
• textual evidence
• patient discussion that elaborates observation/ concern
• could serve as starter for discussion.

 Post #1- Wednesday February 11th
 Post#2- Thursday February 19th
Post #3- TBA
Post #4-TBA
Post #5-TBA

Follow up posts/response are on-going.