All the King's Men, Ch. 5-10

Willie Stark did so many great things for his state and even the nation; how he achieved some of those things can be seen as controversial. Was he a corrupt character throughout the entire novel? Support your response with evidence from the novel.

Your response should be approximately 50-words in length. Be sure to use textual evidence when appropriate. Going over or under the suggested word count is acceptable as long as your response is detailed and direct. Also, please review your response for correctness before posting--nothing is worse than an error-ridden post.

You are required to post a minimum of (2) comments. One must respond to the above prompt, and the other should challenge or defend a comment from a classmate.

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All the King's Men, Ch. 1-4

Based on what you have learned about Jack through the first four chapters, is he a good or a bad person? Please reference sections of the novel to support your response.

Your response should be approximately 50-words in length. Be sure to use textual evidence when appropriate. Going over or under the suggested word count is acceptable as long as your response is detailed and direct. Also, please review your response for correctness before posting--nothing is worse than an error-ridden post.

You are required to post a minimum of (2) comments. One must respond to the above prompt, and the other should challenge or defend a comment from a classmate.

To comment, simply click on the "comments" link below. Be sure to either login, or type your full name by clicking on the "Name/URL" option.

The Great Gatsby, Ch. 8-9

Daisy did not wait for Gatsby when he went overseas for the war. Based on what you know of the characters, would it have benefited Gatsby if Daisy did wait for him, or would things have turned out even worse? Please reference sections of the novel to support your response.

Your response should be approximately 50-words in length. Be sure to use textual evidence when appropriate. Going over or under the suggested word count is acceptable as long as your response is detailed and direct. Also, please review your response for correctness before posting--nothing is worse than an error-ridden post.

You are required to post a minimum of (2) comments. One must respond to the above prompt, and the other should challenge or defend a comment from a classmate.

To comment, simply click on the "comments" link below. Be sure to either login, or type your full name by clicking on the "Name/URL" option.

The Great Gatsby Ch. 4-5

(This discussion has expired. If you want your points, contact Mr. Gibbons, but late points will be assessed. You will now have to hand-write your response and physically turn it in.)

When Gatsby finally met with Daisy, he was afraid to even talk to her. How can the attainment of the goal (Daisy) be less satisfying than the pursuit of the goal?

What message is F. Scott Fitzgerald sending to his reader in this chapter? Provide some evidence to support your idea.



Your responses should be approximately 50-words in length. Be sure to use textual evidence when appropriate. Going over the suggested word count or under that word count is acceptable as long as your response is detailed and direct. Also, review your responses for correctness before posting.

You are required to post a minimum of (2) responses. One should respond to the above prompt and the other should challenge or defend a comment from a classmate.

Simply click on "Comments" below to post your comment. Be sure to type your full name by clicking on the "Name/URL" option or login to your Google account and post your comment.

Huck Finn Ch. 21-31

Taking the time period (1830s) into consideration, why are the townspeople so easily deceived by the king and the duke? And explain why people still fall victim to similar tactics using religion as a basis of trust.

Read the Washington Post article about comedian John Oliver starting his own church and attaining thousands of dollars in donations. Then defend why it should be so easy to create a church fund or why it should be more difficult. Use examples from Huck Finn to defend your position.

Provide your own response to the two questions and respond to a classmate's idea.

Federalist 84

 

What is the most effective rhetorical device in "Federalist 84"? Explain why.


You MUST have (2) comments posted to the blog. One should present your argument for the prompt and the second should agree or disagree with a classmate's post.

Catch-22: Chapters 1-8

Discussion 1 of 5

 

Can Characters Depict the Author’s Ideals?

Through characters' conversations and Yossarian’s narration, Joseph Heller is able to capture the futility of war. Most characters within the first eight chapters share a similar view of war with the exception of The Texan. What are some examples that Heller uses to show how the characters view war? Why do you think Heller uses military characters to get his ideas of war across to the reader as opposed to using characters that are known for their anti-war and anti-violent beliefs, such as hippies or a group of religious zealots?

How does the setting affect your interpretation of the war that is going on in the novel? What is the purpose of beginning the novel in a hospital rather than setting the first chapter on a gruesome battlefield? In your opinion, did Heller adequately convince you that war is useless and that all soldiers have their own personal agenda?

Your responses should be approximately 50-words in length. Be sure to use textual evidence when appropriate. Going over the suggested word count or under that word count is acceptable as long as your response is detailed and direct. Be sure to read the “Scoring Rubric” before posting your response. Also, review your responses for correctness before posting.

Respond often and in a timely manner. It is okay to post a response and then check back days later to see if anyone has responded to you or asked you a question. You will be able to (and expected to) respond to this post throughout the course of the summer.

Simply click on "Comments" below to post your comment. Be sure to type your full name by clicking on the "Name/URL" option or login to your Google account and post your comment.

The Scarlet Letter: The Custom House/Introduction

Discussion 1 of 5

This sometimes complicated section of the novel sets up how the story within the novel came to be. More importantly, the introduction introduces the narrator. Some scholars believe that this narrator is not reliable because he is bias and intentionally portrays certain characters in a negative light (mostly because of his Puritan background), while others argue that the narrator uses specific rhetoric and structure to describe each character in enough detail to where the reader can decide for himself/herself if characters are good or evil.

Why is the narrator reliable or not reliable? Support your response with details from the novel.


Your responses should be approximately 50-words in length. Be sure to use textual evidence when appropriate. Going over the suggested word count or under that word count is acceptable as long as your response is detailed and direct. Be sure to read the “Scoring Rubric” before posting your response. Also, review your responses for correctness before posting.

Respond often and in a timely manner. It is okay to post a response and then check back days later to see if anyone has responded to you or asked you a question. You will be able to (and expected to) respond to this post throughout the course of the summer.

Simply click on "Comments" below to post your comment. Be sure to type your full name by clicking on the "Name/URL" option or login to your Google account and post your comment.

The Scarlet Letter: Chapter 4

Discussion 2 of 5

Why does Hester remain in Boston where she is an outcast? Provide textual evidence to support your opinion.

Your responses should be approximately 50-words in length. Be sure to use textual evidence when appropriate. Going over the suggested word count or under that word count is acceptable as long as your response is detailed and direct. Be sure to read the “Scoring Rubric” before posting your response. Also, review your responses for correctness before posting.

Respond often and in a timely manner. It is okay to post a response and then check back days later to see if anyone has responded to you or asked you a question. You will be able to (and expected to) respond to this post throughout the course of the summer.

Simply click on "Comments" below to post your comment. Be sure to type your full name by clicking on the "Name/URL" option or login to your Google account and post your comment.

Catch-22: Chapters 9-17

Discussion 2 of 5

Within these chapters the reader learns of the absurdity that is the United States military. A few examples of the illogical actions of the military include: the accidental yet comical promotion of Major Major Major and the anger it arouses in officers who have to train a superior officer; the fact that Yossarian cannot get grounded from flying bombing missions unless he claims to be crazy, in which case he cannot be crazy and therefore will never be grounded; Yossarian’s obvious statements that people are trying to kill him; and the Glorious Loyalty Oath Crusades enacted by Captain Black in order to make Major Major appear disloyal.

What is your opinion of the way Joseph Heller depicts the United States military? What effect do you think Heller was hoping to achieve through all of the absurd examples within these chapters?

Your responses should be approximately 50-words in length. Be sure to use textual evidence when appropriate. Going over the suggested word count or under that word count is acceptable as long as your response is detailed and direct. Be sure to read the “Scoring Rubric” before posting your response. Also, review your responses for correctness before posting.

Respond often and in a timely manner. It is okay to post a response and then check back days later to see if anyone has responded to you or asked you a question. You will be able to (and expected to) respond to this post throughout the course of the summer.

Simply click on "Comments" below to post your comment. Be sure to type your full name by clicking on the "Name/URL" option or login to your Google account and post your comment.