Portrait of the Artist

If you are posting a summary of the class discussion, please indicate the date of the discussion. Feel free to add comments about the book that you were unable to share in class, and to respond to others' blog comments. You might also post questions that arose from the discussion for consideration in the next discussion.

Discussion Expectations

Please post one expectation for the Socratic seminar that you think will make the format successful and inclusive. Our goals are for everyone to have the opportunity to contribute positively to the discussion, and for the discussion to result in a greater understanding of the literature; your expectation should be one that furthers either of those goals. Please state your expectation in positive terms (that is, behaviors to pursue, rather than behaviors to be avoided), and endeavor not to repeat a previous comment, unless it's to embellish or refine it.

Henry IV, Part 1

If you have discussion responses or other ideas about Shakespeare's King Henry IV, Part 1, please post them here.

Big Idea + Oedipus

Now that you have read and discussed Sophocles' Oedipus Rex, please make a personal connection between the play and your Big Question. For this initial post, please state your Big Question, then go on to explain how Oedipus informs your question. Keep in mind that what connects your question to the play might not be its main themes; perhaps there is a particular quote or a minor character that addresses your question even though it's incidental to Sophocles' main purpose.

Syllable Count Poem

On September 11 you wrote a syllable count poem based on a picture in class. We agreed you would do something with the poem, and one option was to publish it. You may post your poem here as a comment.

Lit Essay #1 Thesis Statement

By midnight, Thursday, August 30, please post the title of the book you will write about and your thesis statement for your first independent study. Before you work on your paper this weekend, you may want to read some of your classmates' thesis statements. As you work on your paper, your thesis statement may change, so don't feel that the one you post is etched in stone (or in this case, in cyberspace).

Ghosts Discussion

Post your comments about Ibsen's Ghosts here if you were assigned as an observer, or if you have ideas that you want to add to discussion. Please post you comment within 24 hours after the discussion, and mention the date of the discussion on which you are commenting.