12th Grade English - Belonging
Powerpoint slides: Essay Writing 1
week_2_film__essay_writing2.ppt | |
File Size: | 38 kb |
File Type: | ppt |
The Shelter
An excerpt from 'The Shelter,' from the old T.V. series The Twilight Zone.
Excellent example of film techniques in narrative; note the use of dim lighting,
mid-level camera shots, and reaction shots in conveying the panic and brutality
of the frightened characters.
Excellent example of film techniques in narrative; note the use of dim lighting,
mid-level camera shots, and reaction shots in conveying the panic and brutality
of the frightened characters.
Metaphor in Film - Double Indemnity
A metaphor is a physical object or image that stands, specifically, not generally, for something else. The metaphor
embodies one or more characteristics of what it stands for, but is distinct and literal in itself. Examples of metaphor
in film can be hard to find -- a good one can be found in the noir classic Double Indemnity, which features two fine
actors - Edward G. Robinson and Fred MacMurray. Robinson plays a detective, and MacMurray, an insurance fraud
investegator. The two are close friends, and the film uses a metaphor to portray the subtle nature of their friendship:
MacMurray always lights Robinson's cigarette for him. Please note that a metaphor stands for something specific, not
abstract (a symbol stands for something abstract), and so the lighting of the cigarette stands for their friendship, not
friendship in general.
Caution! Spoiler ahead!
The clip below is the final scene of the film. Robinson (the detective) has discovered that MacMurray is the guilty suspect of
a murder case he has been trying to solve. MacMurray has confessed to Robinson and attempts to escape, but due to a
gunshot wound he received from an accomplice, he collapses. The dialogue is memorable--as MacMurray is dying, and
waiting to be arrested, he affirms his friendship with Robinson. As MacMurray fumbles to light a cigarette, Robinson takes
the lighter, and in a gesture of both sadness and affection, lights his cigarette for him.
embodies one or more characteristics of what it stands for, but is distinct and literal in itself. Examples of metaphor
in film can be hard to find -- a good one can be found in the noir classic Double Indemnity, which features two fine
actors - Edward G. Robinson and Fred MacMurray. Robinson plays a detective, and MacMurray, an insurance fraud
investegator. The two are close friends, and the film uses a metaphor to portray the subtle nature of their friendship:
MacMurray always lights Robinson's cigarette for him. Please note that a metaphor stands for something specific, not
abstract (a symbol stands for something abstract), and so the lighting of the cigarette stands for their friendship, not
friendship in general.
Caution! Spoiler ahead!
The clip below is the final scene of the film. Robinson (the detective) has discovered that MacMurray is the guilty suspect of
a murder case he has been trying to solve. MacMurray has confessed to Robinson and attempts to escape, but due to a
gunshot wound he received from an accomplice, he collapses. The dialogue is memorable--as MacMurray is dying, and
waiting to be arrested, he affirms his friendship with Robinson. As MacMurray fumbles to light a cigarette, Robinson takes
the lighter, and in a gesture of both sadness and affection, lights his cigarette for him.
Homework for Monday, 4/9/2012
1) Expand your thesis statement into an opening paragraph (rework your thesis first)
2) Write an outline for the essay you would write from that opening paragraph. You may use bullet points, and titles for each paragraph. List the points you would make in each paragraph, and include evidence/scenes/film techniques from "Rabbit-Proof Fence" to support your points.
Choice of Prompts:
1) “Explore how perceptions of belonging and not belonging can be influenced by connections to places. Refer to the text Rabbit-Proof Fence in your response.”
2) “Rabbit-Proof Fence” explores critical issues relevant to Australian society today which speak forcefully to us all. Discuss how Phillip Noyce makes a powerful statement about humanity’s insatiable drive to belong in his award winning film.
2) Write an outline for the essay you would write from that opening paragraph. You may use bullet points, and titles for each paragraph. List the points you would make in each paragraph, and include evidence/scenes/film techniques from "Rabbit-Proof Fence" to support your points.
Choice of Prompts:
1) “Explore how perceptions of belonging and not belonging can be influenced by connections to places. Refer to the text Rabbit-Proof Fence in your response.”
2) “Rabbit-Proof Fence” explores critical issues relevant to Australian society today which speak forcefully to us all. Discuss how Phillip Noyce makes a powerful statement about humanity’s insatiable drive to belong in his award winning film.
Practice Essay Assignment: Due Wednesday 4/25/2012
To prepare for the in-class timed essay on "Rabbit-Proof Fence," you will be writing a practice essay. You will expand the thesis
statement and outline you have started into a full-length critical essay. Your essay should analyze the film techniques we discussed in class, and show how they contribute to a main idea, (your idea ... about belonging!) The requirements for the practice essay are:
1) An opening paragraph with a lead sentence, brief summary of the film, and a well-developed (i.e. re-written) thesis statement. *Make sure your thesis statement answers the question.
2) Three body paragraphs that use analysis of the film to support your thesis statement, (your main idea).
3) The essay needs to be typed and double-spaced.
*If you have questions about writing, or are struggling, make sure you ask for help - either Mr. Curtis or Mrs. Karla. Ask sooner, rather than later. Good luck.
statement and outline you have started into a full-length critical essay. Your essay should analyze the film techniques we discussed in class, and show how they contribute to a main idea, (your idea ... about belonging!) The requirements for the practice essay are:
1) An opening paragraph with a lead sentence, brief summary of the film, and a well-developed (i.e. re-written) thesis statement. *Make sure your thesis statement answers the question.
2) Three body paragraphs that use analysis of the film to support your thesis statement, (your main idea).
3) The essay needs to be typed and double-spaced.
*If you have questions about writing, or are struggling, make sure you ask for help - either Mr. Curtis or Mrs. Karla. Ask sooner, rather than later. Good luck.
Coming soon - Powerpoint slides on Writing Body Paragraphs
Good luck with the listening section tomorrow! (Use your listening ears.)
Essay Writing Slides (With sections from Sample Essay)
essay_writing__writing_about_film_part_3.pptx | |
File Size: | 242 kb |
File Type: | pptx |
Revision Assignment - Due Wednesday, May 2nd
1) For Wednesday, you will be revising (or re-writing) your opening paragraph and one of your body paragraphs. Be sure to avoid the common areas / areas of concern: literal summary, not giving context or details (who, what, when or where we are in the story) or analyzing the obvious. Connect your details to beloning and/or place in a way that demonstrates how meaning is constructed in the film. Good luck.
2) This should only be one page total of revision and you will turn it in (printed out) on Wednesday.
3) Read the comments from Mr. Curtis or Mrs. Karla and then use them to improve your essay.
2) This should only be one page total of revision and you will turn it in (printed out) on Wednesday.
3) Read the comments from Mr. Curtis or Mrs. Karla and then use them to improve your essay.
Slightly updated slides (with advice on in-class essay writing)
essay_writing__writing_about_film_part_3.pptx | |
File Size: | 260 kb |
File Type: | pptx |
Australian Visions in Poetry
Indonesian Vision Assignment (Due Monday 14th / Tuesday 15th)
You will be writing a poem, or prose-poem that conveys your own vision of Indonesia--what you love about its enviornment, culture or history, and also what needs to be changed for the better.
-Use poetic devices (i.e. imagery, diction, alliteration, assonance, metaphor, a rhyme scheme, personification…) to convey your vision.
-Should be a page in length
-Please type and print your poem -You may illustrate it if you so wish : ) .
-Use poetic devices (i.e. imagery, diction, alliteration, assonance, metaphor, a rhyme scheme, personification…) to convey your vision.
-Should be a page in length
-Please type and print your poem -You may illustrate it if you so wish : ) .
Poems: Municipal Gum
By Oodgeroo Noonuccal
Gumtree in the city street,
Hard bitumen around your feet,
Rather you should be
In the cool world of leafy forest halls
And wild bird calls
Here you seems to me
Like that poor cart-horse
Castrated, broken, a thing wronged
Strapped and buckled, it's hell prolonged,
Whose hung head and listless mien express
Its hopelessness.
Municipal gum, itis dolorous
To see you thus
Set in your black grass of bitumen --
O fellow citizen,
What have they done to us?
Gumtree in the city street,
Hard bitumen around your feet,
Rather you should be
In the cool world of leafy forest halls
And wild bird calls
Here you seems to me
Like that poor cart-horse
Castrated, broken, a thing wronged
Strapped and buckled, it's hell prolonged,
Whose hung head and listless mien express
Its hopelessness.
Municipal gum, itis dolorous
To see you thus
Set in your black grass of bitumen --
O fellow citizen,
What have they done to us?
The Snow-Gum, found in the mountains of South Australia
Homework for Monday 5/21
1) Complete both the word matching and the fill-in-the-blank activity regarding The Snow Gum. You do not need to complete the questions below the word-matching.
2) On a separate piece of paper, use several of the images and details (BOTH physical and abstract) that we discussed in Stanza 1 to explain Stewart’s tone towards his subject.
(You get a break : ) - number two doesn’t need to be typed!)
2) On a separate piece of paper, use several of the images and details (BOTH physical and abstract) that we discussed in Stanza 1 to explain Stewart’s tone towards his subject.
(You get a break : ) - number two doesn’t need to be typed!)
Homework for Monday 5/28
1) Create a section in your English notebook to be designated as your "Poetry Journal." This section should be several pages and can even be a seperate, small notebook. You will be writing a series of personal responses to the poems we read in class. These responses will be collected and graded at the conclusion of the module Australian Visions
2) For Monday, you will have written your first journal entry -- select one image, or line of poetry from either The Snow Gum or Lady Feeding the Cats; select an image that stands out to you. Describe the image, and how it fits into the vision presented by the poem. What does this image mean to you, or what does it cause you to contemplate?
2) For Monday, you will have written your first journal entry -- select one image, or line of poetry from either The Snow Gum or Lady Feeding the Cats; select an image that stands out to you. Describe the image, and how it fits into the vision presented by the poem. What does this image mean to you, or what does it cause you to contemplate?
ANNOUNCEMENT - The Beginning Acting Workshop is Confirmed!
For 11th and 12th graders who are interested, Mr. Miller will be offering a free Listening, Speaking and Beginning Acting workshop. The dates / times of the after-school workshop are:
Monday, June 4 3:15 - 4:30 PM
Monday, June 11 3:15 - 4:30 PM
If you are interested in signing up, talk to Mr. Miller or visit the Acting & Drama page on this website for more info.
*Workshop will be capped at twenty students.
Monday, June 4 3:15 - 4:30 PM
Monday, June 11 3:15 - 4:30 PM
If you are interested in signing up, talk to Mr. Miller or visit the Acting & Drama page on this website for more info.
*Workshop will be capped at twenty students.
Homework for Monday, June 4th (Will be collected)
You will write two personal responses that combine analysis of the poems we have read with your own thoughts and opinions. The responses can be hand-written and they will serve as content for your three to four minute spoken recording. For the two responses, follow the prompts below:
1) Select one image, or line of poetry from either The Snow Gum or Lady Feeding the Cats that stands out to you. Describe the image and how it fits into the author’s vision. What does this image cause you to contemplate?
2) Second response: choose any of the three poems we read in Mr. Curtis’ class and briefly discuss the author’s vision of Australia. What does the poem cause you to think about Australia?
1) Select one image, or line of poetry from either The Snow Gum or Lady Feeding the Cats that stands out to you. Describe the image and how it fits into the author’s vision. What does this image cause you to contemplate?
2) Second response: choose any of the three poems we read in Mr. Curtis’ class and briefly discuss the author’s vision of Australia. What does the poem cause you to think about Australia?
For Monday, June 11 - Be ready to access the powerpoint you are creating for your final assessment
We will be working in the computer lab on your powerpoint.