HAAS | ENGLISH - 3950

Does Macbeth Have PTSD?

2007-12-10T08:00:00.000-08:00

Summing up today's class, as you revise your Macbeth essay make sure that you include proper citation, both inline parenthetical references and bibliographic information at the end of the paper, in the form of a works cited page or bibliography. Additionally, make sure that you have a clear and pointed thesis that takes a position.

Regarding citation and MLA Formatting here are a handful of links that will help you:

Purdue University’s Online Writing Laboratory – has a great article about MLA formatting and all other issues regarding MLA citation, including links at the bottom of the page for different kinds of sources
St. Cloud State University – some more specific information on inline parenthetical citation
Long Island University – includes a simple color coded guide to bibliographic information for a works cited list

Shakespeare's text online:

MIT's Complete Works of Shakespeare - every play by the Bard, although no line numbers

Finally, make sure that you have proofread your work and addressed all known standard conventions of the written English.

Remember, the new deadline is Thursday, December 13.

Introductions and Openings

2007-12-06T10:00:00.000-08:00

Introduction or openings are usually the hardest part of writing anything. In your essays, you need to develop some kind of hook and then get to your thesis in an interesting and compelling way. Since they’re at the beginning of any written piece most people think that is where they have to begin writing, which is not true at all. Why put that pressure on yourself? However, you have to craft one sooner or later, so here is some thoughts as you begin. A lot of this material is adapted from a book called Spunk & Bite, which has the best explanation and ideas on openings I have ever found.

Ideally, every opening should be a promise to the reader. It should say, “I promise that something will interest you if you keep reading.” But how do you anticipate what will interest a reader, real or imagined? This is where notions of writing for an audience come into play. If you know who the audience it is a whole lot easier. If you are not sure what should you do?
People are always interested in the truth. The truth is inherently stimulating and compelling. So that is what you always need to pursue, the truth. By truth I mean that which is real and sincere, undeniable. It may even be the first thing that interested you about the subject on which you are writing. That which is sincere and real rings true with everyone, because everyone has a connection to truth. This may seem a little abstract and hard to understand, which is what makes it so challenging.

Here are some types of promises. The trick is to use them boldly and take risks.

Symbolism: small detail with grander meanings
Understatement: less that implies much more
Contrast: tension between multiple elements
Foreboding: hints of trouble ahead
Force: Sensual image and powerful verbs
Intimacy: establish a connection with the reader

Make sure that the type of promise you choose sets the tone and the direction of the piece. In the beginning of the writing process, it is always best to just slap something down and get to the writing. As mentioned previously, you don’t have to start writing the introduction first. Writing can be hard enough without the added obstacle of forcing yourself to tackle the most difficult part immediately.

Still, the most important aspect of any introduction or opening is always be sincere. Here are six specific techniques:

someones remark, quotation
an intriguing or amusing question
a striking or startling statement
a description or stage setting
use of storytelling, narrative
one line attention getter, “capsule”

Finally, try to strike quickly. However you choose to open your writing do it with boldness and fearlessness. Take risks in your efforts. Sometimes you will fall. Yet, sometimes the best way to learn what works is to learn what doesn’t work, especially with different forms of writing, because the variables of the pieces you are writing are always changing.

Notes on Achilles as the Greek Warrior Exemplar Essays

2007-10-29T11:00:00.000-07:00

Now that I have finally had a chance to finish grading the essays on Achilles as the exemplar of Greek culture, I have a some general comments to share with you. First, these were an interesting mixed bag of writing that addressed a difficult prompt given the strict and rigid lens we initially used in interpreting Achilles actions in Homer's Iliad. Far more fascinating was the evolution of interpretation that began to take place when a new lens, ideas presented in Shay's Achilles in Vietnam, was used to examine the same material. This should give you all rich material with which to revise these papers in future.

One of the most significant challenges is the need to be consistent about your verb tense. However this is difficult in a paper of this kind, because when writing about literature you are to use present tense, but when writing about history you are to use past tense. The trick is to be consistent about your use within the correct context. The easiest way to do this is to group ideas in the two categories, literary and historical.

Many of you wrote pieces that lacked significant development of your ideas. Instead you chose to simply settle for stating claims but not backing them up with evidence, bit more importantly thorough commentary and analysis. Consequently, there are a number of papers where there were a lot of words but not much substantive really stated. The simplest way to remedy this is to follow a simple pattern for each body paragraph: state your claim directly and explicitly, support it with textual evidence, develop deep and thoughtful commentary and analysis that explains both the evidence and basis for your claims. This means that you need to focus on the how and why your ideas and claims are relevant to you thesis.

Other than that, here is alist of things to consider in your revisions:

Use standard MLA format - read this resource
Avoid contractions in formal papers
Use 3rd person through your paper
Avoid ending phrase, clauses, and sentences with prepositions
Develop a thesis that has a clear point that directly addresses the prompt
Review the uses of a comma

If you have any questions about your particular paper, please schedule an appointment with me. I will be happy to assit you as you consider your revision.

From The Iliad through Vietnam to Iraq:Charting Warrior Experience and Crisis

2007-10-22T16:00:00.000-07:00

Having read The Iliad and the selections from Shay’s Achilles in Vietnam, it is clear that our understanding of the texts, warrior culture, and the warrior’s experience are being reshaped. We have gained new insights into the trauma’s that may be experienced by a warrior. As we draw connections from that ancient text into the present, we are introduced to the contemporary realities of that experience, especially the mental health profession’s diagnosis of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

National Public Radio (NPR) investigation that began in late 2006 and carried into the spring of 2007 chronicled the mental health care of soldiers returning to Fort Carson, Colorado. To date there have been ten installments following this evolving story.

Please listen to the following radio reports by Wednesday, October 24:

Achilles in Vietnam

2007-10-19T10:57:00.000-07:00

Read chapter 5 "Beserk," from Achilles in Vietnam, and mark-up the text in preparation for discussion next class Monday, October 22.

Iliad Review

2007-10-11T14:30:00.000-07:00

As you review I would consult these sites that have different kinds of summaries of the epic:

Study Guide for Reading Homer's Iliad - more generalized plot notes in paragraph form
Homer's Iliad: Summaries - specific events noted by line in the poem

Keep in mind the lens that we were using to view the poem involved the Greek cultural values (arete, honor, obligation of the suppliant, and gods vs. humans). It is essential that you understand these values and can explain what they are, how they work, and where the occur in the story. You will be assessed on your ability to clearly articulate your understanding of that material as part of the test.

Also, there are ten short answer questions that are designed to identify your overall understanding of the story and what it reveals about the ancient Greek understanding of their own cultural values. Some questions are plot related but most are are how and why kinds of questions that require you to thoughtfully respond, making connections and drawing conclusions about what you have read.