VIII - Final task: resume

Task: Explain whether you liked or disliked the novel? Consider the following ideas:

- Is the story relevant to you?
- Was it an exciting read? Was there enough tension, drama, conflict, emotion?
- (How did you get along with the technical side of writing a blog?)

VII - Community? Individuality? Acceptance and rejection?

The most common contemporary understanding of theme is an idea or point that is central to a story, which can often be summed in a single word (for example, love, death, betrayal). Typical examples of themes of this type are conflict between the individual and society; coming of age; humans in conflict with technology; nostalgia; and the dangers of unchecked ambition. A theme may be exemplified by the actions, utterances, or thoughts of a character in a novel. - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theme_(narrative)

Task: Pick a main theme in DPS and analyse it. See the first entry of this blog for ideas on themes.


Here's a list with typical themes in literary works.

VI - Pick a task

Choose one of the following tasks:

- Has Mr Keating reached what he wanted? Discuss!
OR
- How has Mr Keating managed to make the introverted Todd (Anderson) more open, confident and positive-thinking? Explain why and how Todd changed.

V - Neil's death - who is to blame?

Mr Keating is a complex character. He used to be a student at Welton himself, but seems to have developed a teaching style and life philosophy fundamentally opposed to Welton's ideals and principles. 

Neil is a all-around happy-faced character fascinated with Mr Keating's ideas and methods. His relationship to his father, however, is problematic: he is intimidated by his compulsory and unaccepting behaviour.

When Keating's teaching methods intrigue the boys (and especially: Neil) and make them delve into poetry and the fine arts, he seems to have triggered something deep within them. The newfound passion clashes with reality at Welton and - perhaps even more significantly - with the ideas of the students' parents. 

In a tragic turn of events, Neil commits suicide. Mr Keating appears to be paralysed by this and gives up his idea of teaching the boys about poetry.

While Todd blatantly exclaims that "Mr Perry killed Neil", the school fires Keating, apparently blaming him for having "misguided" his student.

Task: Discuss: Who is to blame for Neil's death? Don't be quick with your judgement, but assess different answers before you decide.

IV Character analysis

This is a straightforward task. Perhaps you have already picked a favourite character.

Task: Write a characterisation on one of the main characters in DPS. Explain your choice!!!

Please remember the skills file for character analysis.

--> https://www.dropbox.com/s/7w9ixo1x1yw3ti5/Skills%20-%20Characterisation.pdf?dl=0

III Carpe Diem - Seize the Day

You find them on any tacky wallpaper and influencers on social media think it's "deep" philosophy to quote them randomly: proverbs and sayings like "Carpe Diem", which means something along the lines of "make the most out of your day". 

How do you feel about mottos like these? Do you have a personal favourite? Do you think they are relevant? (If not: do you have anything else, a famous author or (book) character that you consider guidance in your life?)

Task: Write a paragraph about your favourite proverb/saying/motto. Explain why it is important to you.

How to add images

I am going to show you how to add pictures to a blog entry.

1. Find and download an image! (Right-click onto an image and save it to a folder).
2. Upload the image, using the little image button.

3. You can then edit the image (size, position, ...) by clicking on it and using the commands below, or by moving it around.
4. Don't forget to test your layout with the "Vorschau" button.

II - SUMMARY - What happens?

You've learned how to write summaries for non-fictional texts. Now I would like you to write a chapter summary for a fictional story.

Task: Choose ONE chapter (not: chapter 1 and 2!!!) and write a summary. Make it short and precise. 

• Try not to write more than 150 words!
• Have a look at your textbook, p.127/128 for help.
• It's a fictional story, so it didn't actually happen --> use the present tense!
• Make sure to write one or two sentences about the context: What has happened in the previous chapters, what is going to happen in the following chapters?
• Use good quality standard English for this task.

I - The 'four pillars'

The first task is based on the first chapters:


Task: Explain and comment on the "four pillars". What do they represent? What role do they play at Welton Academy? How do you feel about it? How does it compare to our school's 'Leitbild'?

Take a look at our school's new 'Leitbild' (guiding principles): https://www.einstein-gym.ul.schule-bw.de/aeg/schule/leitbild/

Let's get you started: your first blog post!

Dear 9e,

Let's get you started on your blog. Write a first entry in which you:

• introduce yourself, 
• explain what your blog is / will be about, 
• tell your readers what you expect of this project and/or how you feel about it

Try and format your first entry. Use a heading (Überschrift), different colours, bullet points, ...

Advanced users may even want to add an image. ;) 

Welcome!

Dear 9e,

Welcome to this reading-blog project. You're supposed to read, analyse and discuss Nancy Kleinbaum's 1989 novel 'Dead Poet's Society', based on Tom Schulman's film with the same name.

I hope you have all familiarised yourselves with how to post and edit, design and organise your blog. Those of you who chose to handwrite a standard reading log, make sure to check this page regularly to keep up to date.

Let's start with the most important things:

• You need to write a total of eight (8) entries.
• BLUE tasks are mandatory, GREEN tasks are optional. This means that you NEED to do the BLUE tasks and can SELECT from the GREEN tasks.
• Your deadline is Monday, October 21, 2019!
• It's YOUR decision and responsibility when to do the tasks. I suggest you start soon, but also take your time and READ before you tackle the more complex tasks.

Let's get to the specifics:

• WHO should you write your blog for: 

1. For your fellow students (make it informative AND entertaining)
2. For yourself - to show yourself that your English has improved over the years.
3. For your teacher (to give you feedback and grade it).

• HOW LONG: You decide how much you write!
• STYLE: Informal English is fine, but it should be good quality English.
• WHEN: Write regularly! Don't do everything at the end!
• INTERACT: Read other students' blogs. You have to comment on at least two other blog entries of other students.