This document provides information about assignments, exams, and grammar questions for a literature class. It discusses that the last day to submit work on the novel is November 24th and the exam will be on that day at 6pm. It also includes potential reading response journal questions, explanations of subject-verb agreement and indefinite pronouns, examples of fragments and run-ons, and guidance for students to explain themes from their assigned novel.

1. November 22, 2010

2. Housekeeping
• Wednesday Nov. 24th is the last day to hand in
any work on the novel.
• The exam will start at 6 p.m. on Wednesday

3. Reading Response Journal
Respond to one or more of the following questions:
• Why do you think the author wrote this book?
(What was his purpose? To entertain? To
educate? To criticize? To persuade? etc.) Did he
succeed?
• Now that you have finished the book, what is
your overall reaction to it? Give reasons.
• Do you think the title fits the story? Explain.
• Have you ever felt like a “part-time” anything?
Explain.

4. Grammar Questions?
Subject-Verb Agreement - Compound subjects
with “and”
Ex: Jack and Jill walk
(Rule: compound subject with and = plural verb)
Hint: Replace the two subjects with “they” and see what fits
Ex: They walk
with “either/or, neither/nor,” etc.
Ex: Either the students or the teacher writes
Ex: Either the teacher or students write
(Rule: the subject closest to verb determines agreement)
Hint: replace the subject closest to the verb with the appropriate
pronoun
Ex: Either the students or the teacher he/she writes
Ex: Either the teacher or students they write

5. Grammar Questions (Cont’d.)
Indefinate Pronouns (see p. 467)
• one, anyone, somebody, etc.
• the verb is always singular
Everyone wants to do well on the exam.
(he/she wants)
Somebody always leaves the door open.
(he/she leaves)

6. Grammar Questions (Cont’d.)
Fragments
Ex: After the tornado struck the small town. (Fragment)
• Beginning with dependent words like “after” (because, since, although,
etc.) often leads to fragments if the thought is not completed.
• So, make sure you complete the thought:
Fixed: After the tornado struck the small town, many people were homeless.
OR
Fixed: Many people were homeless after the tornado struck the small town.
Ex: Running around the gym. (Fragment)
Fixed:
• Running around the gym, Frank was very tired.
• While he was running around the gym, Frank was very tired.
• Frank was running around the gym. He was very tired.

7. Run-ons
Ex: He was really motivated to get fit he joined a
health spa, it was the right move. (3 ideas run-
together)
Fixed: He was really motivated to get fit, so he
joined a health spa. It was the right move.
Fixed: Since he was really motivated to get fit, he
joined a health spa; it was the right move.

8. BREAK

9. Judging Characters
Share your ideas about the first question with
your table mate.
• In your opinion, who are the three most
important characters in the book (besides
Junior)? Rank and explain your choices.
Did you agree on any of your choices?

10. Judging Characters
• Which characters are most alike? How?
• Which are the most opposite? In what ways?

11. What is Theme?
In fiction, theme is
• the author’s view about life and how
people behave.

12. Theme
A theme is a generalization about life, society, or human
nature that is revealed by the story.
A theme is not a statement about the specific characters or
other details in the story.
NOT
x “The theme of Persepolis is that Marjane is an Iranian girl
confused by the revolution.” (specific)
BUT
 “The theme of Persepolis is that it is difficult to be a strong
young woman during a time of revolution and oppression.”
(general/universal)

13. Examining Themes in The Absolutely
True Diary of a Part-Time Indian
In pairs or small groups, share the work you did
on the theme handout. Explain which theme
you picked and why.

14. Theme (Cont’d.)
• On the exam you will be asked to explain a
theme of the novel.
• When you are explaining a theme, you can
and should describe the key events of the
story that illustrate that theme (illustrate =
show/develop).
x Do not just list the events.
Connect the events to the theme.

15. Explaining a Theme
“The theme of Persepolis is that it is difficult to grow up during a time
of revolution and oppression.”
The author, Marjane Satrapi, describes her own life as a young girl in
Iran during the revolution. In this story, she is an idealistic, strong-
minded, and religious child. During the revolution, Marjane and her
family experience many terrible and difficult things. Marjane no
longer goes to school with boys and must wear a veil. Her mother is in
danger for expressing her opinions against the regime. Family and
friends are tortured or killed. These experiences cause Marjane to
lose her innocece and faith. She has to grow up quickly and often
when she tries to do “normal” teenage things she puts herself in
danger. Eventually her parents send her away to protect her. Satrapi’s
story shows us how difficult it is to come of age while living under a
repressive regime.

16. Theme (Cont’d.)
• Review your notes on the “Theme” handout.
• Did you just list the events? Or did you explain
and connect them to the theme?
• If you just listed events, you should rewrite
your explanation now; make sure you are
connecting the events to the theme.

17. Homework
• Prepare for the exam!!
• Complete any unfinished novel assignments
and hand them in before we write the exam. I
will not accept any novel assignments after
the exam has been written on Wednesday.