English III -Frederick Douglass & Harriet Jacobs

Frederick Douglass and Harriet Jacobs narrate two different episodes of slave life. Compare and contrast their situations, their actions, their emotions, and their political opinions. What are the internal and external conflicts and are they overcome? How do their attitudes and views contribute to their credibility? In other Words: What do they believe and do you believe them?

English IV Journal- Things Fall Apart

What do you think is more important to a society and culture’s success, change or tradition? Is a traditional culture that has been outdated still relevant? Why/ Why Not? What groups/ types of people would prefer change and what groups would prefer tradition?

English III Super Journal

In a five paragraph, compare and contrast "To Helen" by Edgar Allan Poe and "Helen" by H.D.
Pay particular attention to each poet's attitude toward feminine beauty and its effects. Be sure to consider how Poe's poem reflects some of the key characteristics of American Romanticism and how H.D.'s poem goes against them.

English II Journal- Macbeth

Free will
The power of acting without the constraint of necessity or fate; the ability to act at one's own discretion. I pursued a modeling career of my own free will.

Fate
The development of events beyond a person's control, regarded as determined by a supernatural power : Fate decided his course for him. His injury is a cruel twist of fate.
The course of someone's life, or the outcome of a particular situation for someone or something, seen as beyond their control : he suffered the same fate as his companion.

Was there a time in your life when someone told you that something improbable would happen and it did? Did the fact that the event was predicted cause you to act differently in order to make the prediction happen? Do people try to make predictions come true? Is this freewill or fate?

English IV Journal- Ozymandias

In an organized, five paragraph essay, compare and contrast the message of "Ozymandias" with the message of Shakespeare's Sonnet 18.
What does each sonnet say about the lasting power of art? Which sonnet do you agree with, and why?

English III Civil Disobedience Research Websites

Research Civil Disobedience and write a 500-700 word summary of the philosophy and descriptions of the notable practitioners who have used it to instigate social change.

English IV Journal Research Websites

After taking two pages of notes on The Romantic Period in class, construct a 500-700 work summary of the genre outlying the notable historical developments, literary developments, changes in thought during this time. Include major characteristics of Romantic writing and why artists reflected this tone in their work.

English IV Journal 2

Do Wollstonecraft's observation about the role of women hold true today, or are her arguments limited to the realities of the eighteenth century? Use her main points, details from the text, and your own observations to support your response.

English IV Journal #1

What is your view/opinion of the value of reading and learning? Why do you feel this way?

English II Journal #1

What does education mean to you? Why?

Freedom & Equality (English III)

Today freedom and equality are guaranteed for you and people of all races, religions, and genders, according to the laws of the United States. Every citizen is guaranteed equal and fair treatment under the laws and freedom to openly express ideas. Every adult citizen is also guaranteed the right to vote. However, this was not always the case. When the Declaration of Independence was written, only white males could vote. Many groups in our country have had to fight long and hard to gain equality.
Take a few minutes and write about what freedom and equality means to you. Are these rights something you take for granted, or do you hold them precious? Comment on how you regard freedom and equality.

Journal #2 English III

How do you account for the depth of human cruelty described in parts of this autobiography? What current world events reveal similar horrors and violations of human rights? How would Olaudah Equiano see the United States in 2008?

Journal #1 English III

Journal #1
What characteristics of Equiano’s autobiography distinguish it from Phyllis Wheatley’s poem? How does the message in his autobiography differ from that in Wheatley’s poem?