Weekly tasks or assignments (Individual or Group Projects) will be due by Monday, and late submissions will be assigned a late penalty in accordance with the late penalty policy found in the syllabus. NOTE: All submission posting times are based on midnight Central Time.
Public Domain or Open-Source Literature
Open-source literature is in the public domain, which means that it is available for use without having to request permission from the author and without having to pay royalties.
Step 1
Use an open-source Web site such as this Web site or this Web site to complete the following:
- Conduct a search to find literature in each of the four main genres:
- Fiction
- Nonfiction
- Poetry
- Dramatic writing
- Choose 1 work from each of the four genres, and identify the title and author using this template to document your choices. Be sure to use proper citations and references.
Step 2: Read the first 2-3 paragraphs of each of the four works chosen, and address the following in your summary for each piece:
- What do you know about the work based on that short passage?
- Are any characters revealed? Who are they?
- What emotions does this piece evoke?
- How does this work relate to your own personal experience?
Please submit your assignment.
For assistance with your assignment, please use your text, Web resources, and all course materials.
References
Bartelby.com. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.bartleby.com/
Project Gutenberg. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.gutenberg.org/
unit 2
Key Messages and Themes
In literary fiction, these elements are sometimes subtle; other times, they are very obvious.
In this assignment, you will explore The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde (accessible through this Web site). Read the first eight paragraphs of Chapter 1 of the story. Then, use the provided templateto create a PowerPoint presentation of 5-6 slides (include speaker notes) that addresses the following:
- Who are the two characters named in this passage? What can you tell about them based on their names alone? Does the author reveal any other details about these characters?
- Based on the details the author provides, what do you learn about the room described? Does this sound like a place you have ever visited? Why or why not?
- Notice the language. Do you think this story takes place in a modern time? Why or why not?
- Based on this passage, are you interested in reading more of this story? Why or why not?
- Who is telling the story? What is the point of view?
Please submit your assignment.
For assistance with your assignment, please use your text, Web resources, and all course materials.
Reference
Project Gutenberg. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.gutenberg.org/
unit 3
Subgenres of Nonfiction
Narrative devices, tone, and content determine the classification of the various literary genres. Complete the following for this assignment:
- Conduct a search using this Web site or this Web site to find examples of memoirs, biographies, or autobiographies, and choose 1 to use for this assignment.
- Read the first few pages. Use the provided template to create a PowerPoint presentation of 5-6 slides (include speaker notes), and address the following:
- What is the title of the work you selected, and who is the author?
- After skimming through this title, what do you know about the subject of this book?
- Is the piece informative, persuasive, or descriptive? Support your answer with a short excerpt from the text.
- Does the author include information about his or her ethnicity, gender, age, or religion?
- If so, how does that inform his or her point of view?
- If not, why do you think the author chose to withhold that information?
Please submit your assignment.
For assistance with your assignment, please use your text, Web resources, and all course materials.
References
Bartelby.com. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.bartleby.com/
Project Gutenberg. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.gutenberg.org/
unit 4
Dramatic Writing
When an author writes a dramatic piece, he or she does so with the expectation that it will result in a performance. Complete the following for this assignment:
- Access The Stronger, a one-act play by August Strindberg, through this Web site. You can read the play, or you can listen to it on this Web site. Note: The audio version is number 9 in the list at the top.
- Write a paper of 1–2 pages, and discuss the following:
- Identify the two characters in this play, and give a brief description of each.
- Identify the protagonist. Support your answer.
- Identify the antagonist(s). Support your answer.
- Where is the setting for this work?
- What can you tell about the characters based on how they react to one another?
- What is the emerging theme or message in this work?
Please submit your assignment.
For assistance with your assignment, please use your text, Web resources, and all course materials.
References
LibriVox. (n.d.). One act play collection 004. Retrieved from http://archive.org/details/oneactplays004_1207_librivox
Project Gutenberg. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.gutenberg.org/
unit 5
Evolving Literary Forms
When the written form emerged, it provided a historical record that showed what life was like during a specific moment in time. The language and descriptions used in literature give insight into the human experience. As the literary canon continues to grow and change, new forms continue to appear.
Research 2 different blogs, and imagine you are a guest writer who has been asked to write an article for one of them about how literature impacts your life. Choose from the list below, or choose 2 blogs of your own liking to compare. If the blogs is formal or casual, be sure to match the tone. Discuss the following:
- How does literature directly impact you in your everyday life, from the screenplays that turn into the movies you like to watch to the books or other forms you read?
- Talk about your favorite genre of literature. What is it about this genre that you like? What is your least favorite genre?
- Discuss elements that are used across genres, such as setting, plot, characters, point of view, and symbolism.
- How does literature provide a reflection of life? Through reading, how do you connect with an author and learn about his or her struggles, triumphs, and what he or she values?
Choose from 2 of the following blogs (or choose 2 that you find on your own):
- Option 1
- Option 2
- Option 3
Please submit your assignment.
For assistance with your assignment, please use your text, Web resources, and all course materials.
References
The Awl. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.theawl.com/
The Nervous Breakdown. (n.d.). Retrieved from href=”http://www.thenervousbreakdown.com/
The Rumpus. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://therumpus.net/
