Blog #4: Trifles: Post Your Blog Here by Monday 6am! (or Sunday evening :)

Blog #3 for English 101:  Perception and ideas of justice in Trifles: Do women and men have different ideas about justice?  Why is evidence different for men and for women?  Explain the differences between ways men and women look at the law in  Trifles. When does it seem right to conceal evidence?  Why do the women in the play seem more "right" ethically, even though the men have the law on their side?  Use at least three examples from the play.

Alternately, you may do a literary analysis by examining one or more of the symbols in the play!  Consider for example quilts and quilting, trifles, hidden boxes, the bird and singing, jar of cherries.  You may "cheat" by looking at notes at end of play but you need to build your own essay around one or more of the symbols and create a thesis related to the main character!

Blog #3d: Bias in the Media Surrounding Trayvon Martin Case

Several of you have noted that the media reported information about Trayvon, Zimmerman and the events of that fateful night in different, contradictory ways and in ways that increased confusion and suggested or supported racial bias.  Find one or two examples and post them here--cite exact source and author if there is one--where possible show contrasting representations to prove the bias you are describing.

Blog#3c: Neighborhood Watches: Post Your Information Here

Step Two of your research is to find one RELIABLE source on this topic: how were neighborhood watches started, why?  who is protected?  what is training? is there screening?  Related issue: what is a gated community and is it true that those who do not live there have no legal right to pass through?

State what the source is, who is author, what are his credentials?  Summarize facts and issues presented and then explain how this article helps us understand more deeply the purpose and role of Neighborhood watches and whether they are good or bad--whom they protect and whom they threaten!

Blog#3b: Stand Your Ground: Post Your Research on this Law Here

Step Two of your Research Process is to identify specific issues about this law: the reason the law was put in place, how exactly the law is being used, whether it is a good or bad law, how it has replaced duty to retreat and why. . .  Post one RELIABLE source here: state what the source is, who the author is and summarize content of article or video.  Explain why/how this piece deepens, clarifies our understanding of this law.

Blog #3a: Stop and Frisk--Post Your Blog Here

Step two of our research process is for you to find one RELIABLE source for this topic.  Post link to this source in blog--state title of article or youtube etc and summarize main point of piece.  Then explain why, how this deepens or clarifies the issues surrounding this policy.  Please complete post by next Tuesday evening, before our Wednesday class.

Blog #2 on Antigone: Choose your Essay Topic and Give Supporting Arguments Here

There are three topics in your course pack on Antigone.  You should choose one and find three scenes in the play that will help you develop your essay.  In your blog (post here at bottom of page)

> state your thesis or claim you are going to argue/defend

>give and summarize three pieces of evidence (scenes) from the play (give quotations, page numbers; explain what the scene is about that you are discussing in your argument)

>include relevant quotes in your blog which should be about 300-400 words.  The final essay due September 26 should be 600-800 words.

Exampleof opening paragraph that announces thesis and explains situation (briefly), providing examples to be developed:

  Antigone is facing a difficult decision: she wishes to bury her brother against the command of the King, Creon. Antigone and Creon have conflicting values: Creon values the laws and the survival of the state; he believes he must take a strong position to be trusted as a new leader.  Therefore he decides that one of the brothers, Eteocles, must remain unburied. Creon, it becomes clear, is concerned about his reputation and his power. Antigone stands up to Creon, announces she is willing to die and commits suicide, all in the name of the gods. Antigone's position is the morally correct one.  First, she is loyal to her family and is guided by her belief that is better to die honorably than to allow her brother to be eaten by dogs.  Second, she believes that the laws of the gods are higher laws than the laws of the state.  Thjird, Antigone's passion for ethical behavior towards her family and obedience to the gods is morally superior to that of Creon.

Blog # 1:Beginning Research on Trayvon Martin

Stop and Frisk: High School Senior Video 

  For your first blog for English 103, The Research Paper, please google the Trayvon Martin case and respond in the blog here in class, September 10.  We will screen the Stop and Frisk Video and discuss it to give you ideas.  Your blogs for The Research Paper may be expanded and included in your essay, so think of each blog as a possible draft of what may become an essay :).

1. Research one of the issues or questions or laws we discussed today: at beginning of your blog state what issue you are researching.
2.  Summarize important points the article or video presents (put link in your blog and include brief quotations).
3. Describe your personal response to the issue and identify what we should consider or question in this case.  For example, what laws, policies, behaviors, attitudes need to change?  For what reasons was Zimmerman found not guilty?  How did Stand Your Ground policy affect what happened in this case?

IMPORTANT:make sure your name appears above your blog (so you are signed in).

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