English 1A

Journal format Essay Assignment 1: Observing the Ordinary Mid-term Self Evaluation Tower of Power: The Power of Language Research Paper Assignment Research Paper Worksheet Possible Research Paper Topics Year-end self-evaluation This I Believe recordings: Spring 09 Sanders essay Paragraph models Analysis of Narrative Elements Annotated bibliography model Essay Assignment 1: Observing the Ordinary Proofreading Tips Research project Oral presentations

Analysis of Narrative Elements Always ask yourself: How do I know? Setting: Where and when does the story/poem take place? How do you know? a. Time b. Place Characters: Who is in this story/play/poem? What do you know about them? How do you know it? Point of view: Who is the narrator? Is it first person or third person? (Remember: It usually is not the author). Plot: What happens and in what order does it happen? How is the plot order meaningful? Theme: What are the writer's overall points in this piece? State this specifically in a full sentence. This answer cannot be expressed in one or two words. It must be a full idea. Language: What is special/noticeable/interesting about the words and how they're used? Is there figurative language? Where? How is rhyme used (if it is)? Does the poem have a rhythm about it? Does the writer use repetition? How does that affect meaning? Tone: What emotion is expressed in the poem/story? Is it sad? Sarcastic? Happy? Angry? Amused? Symbolism: does the writer use concrete items to stand for more abstract ideas? (The American flag symbolizes freedom or patriotism, or in some cases, oppression and violence. a wedding ring symbolizes eternal love, or in some cases, a ball and chain; colors symbolize many different things depending on the cultural agreement.)

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