Troll Island Notes 23: Tuesday, April 21, 2020

Literature 7-8
Today we begin a new unit in your anthology, a unit on nonfiction writing.  In nonfiction writing, people give an account of events that actually happened, either to themselves or to others.  The selections in this unit are intended to give you a taste of what good factual writing can be like.  The first selection, "Forest Fire," begins on p. 366.  Before you read the selection, respond to the following in a paragraph of no fewer than 100 words. If you have ever personally witnessed a forest fire, tell me about it.  If you have not, watch a video here of a Colorado fire that took place several years ago. In either case, use the sense of a) sight, b) hearing, c) touch, d) smell, and even e) taste to convey to the reader what the experience was like or what you think it would be like.  A good description will provide concrete details about the experience.  Impress me with the quality of your work, not how fast you can rush through it.  Due no later than noon tomorrow, Wednesday, April 22. 


American Literature
Paul Laurence Dunbar was a writer who was a contemporary Stephen Crane.  Respond to the following in complete sentences, except #10.  1.  Read the biographical note on p. 480 of your anthology.  Write 5 things about Dunbar that are worth knowing.  2. "About the Selection."  Write 3 things that are worth knowing about the background to this poem.  3.  Read the poem aloud or listen to it here.   a) Which did you do? b) What are your first impressions about it?  4. The lines are not all of the same length, but most of them are.  How many strongly-accented syllables are there in most of the lines?  5.  Write out the line that is an exception to this.  6. Give the rhyme pattern for all 15 lines of the poem.  7.  Why might someone say that this poem is a kind of prayer?  8.  Who do you think the "we" refers to, and why?  9. What sort of mask does the speaker mean?  10. Give the meaning of the following words: a) guile, b) myriad, c)subtlety, d) vile.  Due no later than noon tomorrow, Wednesday, April 22. 

British Literature
The Power and the Glory needs to be finished by tomorrow at 5:00 pm.  Chapter responses should be sent one at a time.  I don't want summaries.  I do want you to respond to what you have read--things questions you have, thoughts about what you have read, feelings about characters and events, connections with other books you have read or real-life experiences you have.  Always include a sparkle and a comment on it. 


C. S. Lewis
See earlier posts.


Luke and Acts
Read Acts 15:22-41 and respond to the following in complete sentences.  1. Review: What was the question the church leaders were discussing? 2. Who made the decision about how to respond to the question?  3.  Four men were sent with a letter.  To whom is the letter addressed?  5. Why were Judas Barsabbas and Silas sent with Paul and Barnabas, according to the letter?  6.  What do you think that means?  Put it in your own words.  7.  What are the four rules that they want to make sure the Gentiles follow?  8.  Does the letter tell the Gentiles to get circumcised and become Jews?  9.  How did the church in Antioch respond to this letter?  10.  How did Judas Barsabbas and Silas help the church there?  11. What did Paul and Barnabas continue to do in Antioch?  12.  Tell in your own words the dispute that developed between Paul and Barnabas, and what ended up happening.  Due no later than noon tomorrow, Wednesday, April 22. 


Poets and Prophets
Read Is. 37:21-38 and respond to the following in complete sentences.  1.  Summarize Hezekiah's response in your own words.  2. According to Isaiah, how will the Virgin Daughter of Jerusalem act?  Explain this image. 3.  At whom has Assyrian pride been directed?  4.  Compare and contrast v. 24 with Isaiah 2B.  5.  Compare and contrast v. 25 with Is. 11:15-16.  6.  Why does Isaiah start talking about grass?  Be specific.  7.  Quote another passage from the Bible that is similar.  8. Why does Isaiah talk about a hook?  Be specific.  9.  What is the main thought in verses 30-32?  10.  Connect this to Is. 11:1.  11. What is the main thought of verses 33-35?  12. Summarize in your own words what happened: vv. 36-38. Due no later than noon tomorrow, Wednesday, April 22. 


French Classes: I am going to start communicating with all of you directly by email.  Watch your inboxes.