You're bound to find something you like . . .

in the Times Summer Reading edition of the Sunday Book Review.

"The Summer We Read Gatsby"

Jay, Daisy, Nick and Cassie

By LIESL SCHILLINGER

Published: May 27, 2010

In this plucky homage to Fitzgerald, “Gatsby” functions less as literature than as a status symbol for two women husband-hunting in the Hamptons in 2008.

Proof-reading checklist.

Before submitting your Gatsby essay, proof for:

• correct formatting (heading, header, margins, etc.)
• correct spelling and consistent tense
• active voice and third person formal language
• correct punctuation usage, especially comma splices
• omit fragments and run-ons and pare down wordy sentences
• smooth transitions between sentences and paragraphs, logical organization of ideas
• correct quotation integration and citation usage
• clear, focused, and concise thesis
• omit any excessive plot summaries
  
• appropriate length

Q4, week 8 skedj.

Monday
In Class: Quotation integration revisited.
Homework: Continue working on first draft.

Day 2
In Class: Complete full first draft by end of class.
Homework: Self and peer edit.

Day 3
In Class: Writing workshop.
Homework: Complete final draft. Submit via Turn It In before class meets on Friday.

Friday
In Class: TBD.
Homework: Read a few good books, get outside, play, laugh, write, avoid misusing the term "irony," eat popsicles (but not in bed), use Facebook to have a sophisticated and intelligent conversation about something worthwhile, go to a drive-in theater, learn new words, start a band, call a friend from class in the middle of the night and rehearse lines lines from an American Lit book, buy a Slip n' Slide, and support your local lemonade stand. Have other ideas? Post them below.

Q4, week 7 skedj.

Monday
In Class: Filling in the narrative gaps.
Homework: Gatsby ch. 9, pp. 163-180 (18).

Day 2
In Class: Gatsby's funeral.
Homework: Close annotation of last passage.

Day 3
In Class: Final discussion re: last passage. Discuss Gatsby passage analysis essay.
Homework: Close annotation of selected passage.

Friday
In Class: Intro & thesis.
Homework: Begin first draft.

"ABC" author in town.

The Hennepin County Library and the Loft Literary Center present a Graphic Novel & Comic Writing and Illustrating Conference, featuring American Born Chinese author, Gene Yang. The events--which are free, though registration is required--will take place at Open Book in downtown Minneapolis. See flyer for details.

Q4, week 6 skedj.

Reminder: Your summer reading choice is due this Wednesday. Find the list of selections here. Once you've made your selection, sign up in my classroom.

Monday
In Class: "[Daisy:] The colossal vitality of his illusion."
Homework: Gatsby ch. 6, pp. 97-111 (15).

Day 2
In Class: Inventions and incarnations.
Homework: Gatsby first half of ch. 7, pp. 113-125 (13).

Day 3
In Class: Fitzgerald cranks up the heat. (A shame they didn't have air-conditioning in the 20s.)
Homework:

• Close annotation of "He wanted nothing less of Daisy than that she should go to Tom and say: 'I never loved you'" . . . "But they made no sound and what I almost remembered was uncommunicable forever" (109-111).
  
• Read second half of ch. 7, pp. 125-145 (21).

Friday
In Class: "[A] rotten crowd."
Homework: Gatsby ch. 8, pp. 147-162 (16).

Keep your books!

If you are planning on taking the AP English test next year, it is a good idea to keep your tenth grade texts until then because you'll want to review them in preparation. Plus, keeping them on your bookshelf makes you look smarter.