Author+with+Criticism+Unit

AP Author Summary Assignment Page

WRITING ABOUT AN AUTHOR WITH LITERARY CRITICISM AP English 2010

You have read two books by the same author. Now it is time to read what the experts say. Over the next three weeks, you need to find articles by different critics that discuss your book. Then you need to find one more source that is not about your books or author, but can lend insight. For example, though Freud isn’t discussing Frankenstein directly, an article by him about dream theory can help me to understand the affects of Victor’s nightmares. Additionally, you need to know the basics about the author’s life and something about the relevant history when the author was writing. What influences surrounded your author?

Please read 40-50 pages of criticism. Some articles are long, while some are short. For three of the writings, I ask you to write a 1 page, single-spaced typed analysis that includes 1) summary of main arguments 2) something surprising or interesting learned 3) agree/disagree with the ideas and then apply this to a scene or example from the book (one not mentioned by the critic). Please try to disagree at least once with a critic. At the top, include how many pages, the bibliography information, which summary.

Don’t forget that you can use the critics from the library, questia, and other sources. However, you need to be cautious about “good” critics from the net.

Today: Brainstorm about topics you could write on concerning author. Look into author’s life, something concerning time period, document these, find a questia source, and maybe also book from the library.

Summary Dates

B Block D Block

January 28, Thursday January 28, Thursday (no class, just turn in)

February 2, Tuesday February 3, Wednesday

February 8, Monday February 8, Monday

Are you ready for this? You are never going to hear me say this in another place. You can miss ONE of the due dates. Just turn in double at the next date. If you miss the last date, you have up to two days to make it up. Of course, if you finish early, you may always turn them in early.

Paper This criticism and reading is leading to a paper, surprise, surprise. You will need to write an analysis using both books, your own opinion, and the integration of at least 3 outside sources (one must be the source not based on your book).

The thesis will look something like the following: The development/growth/understanding/ effect/ tone of the theme / type of character/ stylistic device/ point of view can be seen by comparing two scenes from two works of Mary Shelley.

Some really tentative paper dates

Thesis and outline – February 8 (10-15 points) (First rough due 11,12) First 4 pages due and workshop – February 22 Individual Meetings -- February 24-26 Workshop and Peer Editing of paper – March 4 Paper finished -- March 11