American+Literature

Current Novel: //The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian//, by Sherman Alexie
 * American Literature **



5.14.12--Short story "Doing Life" with worksheet. 5.15.12--Finish "Doing Life"? Work on research papers. 5.17.12--Final Exam, Part One: The Essay. Work on research paper. 5.18.12--Research papers DUE!! Turn in books. Review for final exam (5.22.12)
 * Week of 5.14.12 **

**Major Grades for this Semester**

Personal Narrative A short story about an event in your life. We have been talking a great deal about the pursuit of happiness. For your personal narrative, you will tell about an event in your life that made you happy. Also begin thinking about the extent to which it is acceptable for you to pursue your own happiness. Controversy makes a good story. Was there a time in your life you pursued your own happiness at the expense of someone else? Or was there a time when someone blocked your pursuit of happiness?
 * Due 2.22.12 **

Rough draft is fine. Be sure you have your exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution. Each of these parts should include your thoughts and feelings and sensory details (description through one or more of the five senses).

Oral Analysis of //Their Eyes Were Watching God//
 * Due 4.12.12 **

Choose a topic related to //The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian//. Research that topic and write a paper summarizing what you learned.
 * Research Paper **
 * Due 5.18.12 **

Course supply list, information, and syllabus

__Participation__ You will receive a participation grade each week. Each person gets five points per day. You will lose points for the following things: unexcused absences (-5 points), sleeping in class (-3 points), not participating in an activity (-2 points), tardy (-2 points), leaving class for a "bathroom break" that lasts longer than 15 minutes (-2 points). Any behavior that results in my having to ask you to leave class or my having to call security and have you removed from the class will be -5 points. These behaviors include refusing to do what I ask, deliberate meanness, or aggression toward others. If you come to class on time every day and do what you're asked to do, your participation grade will boost your overall grade