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ASSIGNMENT |
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For
The Heptameron readings, read all of the stories told
on the day assigned and jot down some notes on each of them. The story/stories
indicated in parenthesis should be closely analyzed in preparation
for class discussion. For both The Heptameron and The Canterbury
Tales, as I noted under “Requirements,” you will need developed
notes from which you can speak in class. In addition to assigning
a story in our early classes, I've included a few suggestions and/or
questions that you should prepare. Part way into the semester, you'll
be able to come up with these questions yourself. |
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8/28
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Introduction
to the course and discussion of excerpt from Italo Calvino’s If
on a winter’s night, a traveler
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1
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a)
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Introduction
to Dr. Syntax
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C&F:
1-2; 18-19 (These are page numbers, not section numbers.)
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Discussion
of "Some Preliminary Thoughts About Stories” (7-8 in this packet)
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H:
"Introduction, 7-13, 27-37. Please don't read the rest of the
introduction, until you've read at least the stories for the first
few days.
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"Prologue." Look closely at what's established in the
opening two paragraphs. What is the structure (similar to
plot) in the "Prologue"? In what ways are the settings
arranged in relation to one another?
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b)
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Dr.
Syntax 1: Syntax
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C&F:
19-54 (Grammatical Sentences)
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Academic
Honesty Discussion
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Suggested
prewriting: write a brief story (500-1500 words). It can be any
kind of story and, although you may use your own experience, does
not have to be true. Don't spend a lot of time with this writing;
just get something down. Keep working with it during the semester.
A revised version of this story could be the draft of the story
you’ll turn in at the beginning of Week 11.
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2
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a)
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H:
"First Day" (#4, Ennasuite). In a sentence, what is this
story's subject and theme? The statement of a theme
should take what you assert is the subject and predicate something
about that subject; in other words, you have a clause. After you’ve
decided what you’ll defend as an answer to this question, consider
the subjects and themes of stories #3 and #5; for each of these
stories also come up with a clause. How do the three compare on
subjects and themes? Finally, what is the structure of the action
(plot) of #4? Could you come up with a few sentences that
lay out this structure? Your analysis of plot should fit with what
you’ve said about subject and theme.
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Quiz
on definitions in Dr. Syntax 1(10 minutes)
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Dr.
Syntax: Syntactic Analysis Exercise 1
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Discussion
of passage from “The Structures of Literature: A.J. Greimas” in
Terence Hawkes’ Structuralism and Semiotics
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b)
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Dr.
Syntax 2: Kinds of Sentences and Punctuation
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C&F:
100-157 (Punctuation and Mechanics)
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Syntactic
Analysis: Exercise 2
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Argument
#1: In a paragraph of 150-250 words, argue for an analysis of a
topic to be announced.
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3
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a)
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H:
"Second Day" (#13, Parlamente). First, describe the main
characters individually and in relation to one another. Can
you come up with a series of statements that set out those relations?
Next, consider the ring. How does it function in the story? Finally
and more generally, how would you describe the “mechanics” by which
one story in The Heptameron follows another each day?
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C&F:
158-187
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Academic
Honesty Exercise due. For this exercise, use the first two paragraphs
of “3. The Stories” in Chilton’s introduction to The Heptameron
rather than the excerpt given in the instructions for the exercise.
The instructions ask for paragraphs; please write just a few sentences.
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b)
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Dr.
Syntax 3: The Function of Word Order in English & Parallel
Structure
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C&F
72-75 (Parallel Construction)
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Dr.
Syntax 4: Transitions Within Sentences
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Syntactic
Analysis: Exercise 3
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Writing
#1: In a paragraph of 150-250 words, write an argument about the
function of tests in Hircan's story (#18).
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In-Class
Analysis #1: Using a form I give you, do a careful analysis of a
peer's Writing #1. I’ve included an example of the form further
on in this packet.
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4
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a)
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H:
"Third Day" (#26, Saffredent). Analyze plot and
character carefully. Is the story really about (subject
and theme) what Saffredent claims it is?
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Dr.
Syntax 5: The Topic Sentence
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C&F:
4-13 (Clear, Effective Paragraphs: Unity and Completeness)
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b)
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Dr.
Syntax 6: Transitions Between Sentences
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Excerpt
from Fahnestock, “Semantic and Lexical Coherence” (12-14, this packet)
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C&F:
13-17 (Clear, Effective Paragraphs: Coherence)
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Argument
#2: In a 500-word paragraph, argue in support of an analysis of
a topic to be announced.
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5
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a)
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CT:
Reading Middle English. I’ll give you brief instructions on how
to pronounce Middle English–it actually helps in your trying to
read it! We’ll then together read some sections of the General
Prologue.
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Deadline
for choosing to turn in Argument #3 and do the oral presentation
based on that paper at 6b or 7b.
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b)
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CT: The Miller’s
Tale to line 3492. (Also read the Prologue to this tale.)
Look closely at each of the characters and at their relations to
one another.
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Dr.
Syntax 7: The Thesis Statement
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6
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a)
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CT:
The Miller’s Tale from line 3492. In this tale, each
character “rewarded” in the final actions. Does the Miller prepare
you for these rewards? That is, do you find details that make the
ending “fit” what has gone before? Thinking of the “syntax” of the
tale, do you find it coherent?
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Dr.
Syntax 8: The Outline (Be sure to look back to Dr. Syntax 7.)
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Dr.
Syntax 9: The Order and Structure of an Argument
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Instructions
for oral presentations. Be sure to read the checklist on oral presentations
in this packet.
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b)
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Argument
#3 (half of the class): Write a 750-1000 argument about The Miller’s
Tale on a topic that will be announced.
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Outline
due
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Oral
presentations
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7
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a)
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CT:
The Reeve’s Tale. (Also read the Prologue to this
tale.)
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Review
of Dr. Syntax and C&F. In preparation for this review,
go back over the material from both. Come in with any questions
you have; be prepared for a kind of oral quiz in which I’ll ask
you to do a sight analysis, for instance, of syntax in selected
sentences, of kinds of sentence, of semantic transitions within
and between sentences, and of subject and lines of argument in selected
thesis statements.
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C&F:
55-99 (Stylistic Choices: Sentences and Words)
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Discussion
of research projects. See page 17.
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b)
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Argument
#3 (the other half of the class): Write a 750-1000 argument about
The Reeve’s Tale on a topic to be announced.
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Outline
due
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Oral
presentations
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8
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a)
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Dr.
Syntax and C&F exam (20 minutes)
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CT:
The Wife of Bath’s Tale. (Don’t read the Prologue
to this tale.)
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Deadline
for turning in your first and second choices for research topic
on an index card.
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b)
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Writing
#2: In a paragraph of 150-250 words, write an argument about
The Wife of Bath’s Tale on a topic to be announced.
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In-Class
Analysis #2 of a peer's Writing #2. See instructions at 3b.
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Panels
for research projects announced.
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9
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Monday:
first draft of your story (500 words minimum) is due in my office
by noon. During your preregistration conference, we will
take some time to discuss your story before you revise it for final
submission on Friday of Week 13. Further on in this packet, you’ll
find the evaluation form I use for stories. You might want to look
carefully at it before turning in your final version of your story.
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a)
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Preregistration
instructions
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C&F
158-178 (Research Writing and Documentation)
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8:45
AM: Library Research Session I (11/4, Catherine Rod, Associate Librarian
of the College)
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b)
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Preregistration
conferences
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10
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a)
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Work
on your research project and meet with your panel to subdivide your
topic.
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In
class, turn in your topic and subtopic, as agreed with your
panel.
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9:00
AM: Library Research Session II (11/11, Catherine Rod)
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b)
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Preregistration
conferences
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11
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a)
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During
class session, each panel will work out the details of its panel
presentation, choose an order for presentation, and appoint a moderator.
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You
might want to look at the “Evaluation of Research Project and Presentation”
which I’ve included in this packet. You may then go off and complete
work on your part of the research project.
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b)
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Thanksgiving!
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12
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a)
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Panel
presentations of research project
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Typed
list of "Works Consulted" for your subtopic in
the research project is due in class. Put your name, topic,
and subtopic at the top of the list; follow the forms set
out in Corbett and Finkle for “Works Cited” (179-82).
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b)
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Panel
presentations of research
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13
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a)
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CT:
The Merchant’s Tale to line 1866. (Also read the Prologue
to this tale.)
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b)
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CT:
The Merchant’s Tale from line 1866.
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The
final draft of your story is due in my office by Friday 12/12 at
noon.
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14
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a)
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Story-telling,
i.e. oral presentation of paper #4
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b)
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More
story-telling–at my house! Come to 1402 Summer Street for scones
and jam and stories.
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