English 10 Honors

It is important for Honors students to recognize that the key element making this class different from "standard" class work is the quality of the work.  Thus, each and every assignment must be approached from this perspective:  how can I produce exceptional work here?  Answers to questions posed in the course syllabus should demonstrate excellence of thought and presentation.  Essays should be thoroughly and thoughtfully written:  there must be a clear, concise thesis sentence in the first paragraph of the essay which communicates the writer's point-of-view and controls the essay; each paragraph must begin with a clear topic sentence; the argument of the paper must progress logically and in an orderly fashion; the paper must conclude with a summarizing paragraph.  Work should be typed.

In addition to the assignments given in the English 10 syllabus, the student will complete the following:

1.  READ John Steinbeck's The Grapes of Wrath.  This book may be acquired at a local book store, borrowed from a local library, or gotten online from a store like Amazon.  After reading this classic novel (for which Steinbeck won the Pulitzer Prize in 1940), prepare a book report.  This report will be two pages long, and will follow this format precisely:  (1) name of author, title, publisher, date of publication, number of pages; (2) a 1/2 to 2/3 page summary of the plot (this will be a real challenge, since it is impossible to re-tell the story in this short space), which skillfully pulls together all of the main threads of the story without any of the details; (3) a 1/2 to 2/3 page evaluation of the novel, discussing its strengths and weaknesses as to plot, style, type size (readability), pictures (or lack of), paper used, character development, effectiveness of symbol, metaphor, figures of speech.  Use examples, but write concisely, with an economy of words; (4) a brief recommendation/non-recommendation of the book, and why.  
        Remember:  two total pages only.
            This assignment will be due after the completion of Lesson 18 in the English 10 course.

2.  This assignment will entail comparing and contrasting two science fiction novels.  READ C.S. Lewis' Perelandra, and Isaac Asimov's The Gods Themselves.  You will analyze these novels along two lines: (1) story line--what is said, and (2) style--how it is said.  Science fiction novelists, as with all novelists, always have a point to make; sometimes this involves a main point and several subsidiary points.  What is Lewis' point in writing his book?  What is Asimov's point?  How do their stories communicate their points?  Are the characters symbolic or allegorical?  Are the events supposed to tell us something about our own world?  These are issues related to the story line.
        Then turn your attention to their writing styles.  How do they compare or contrast?  Think of sentence structure, the descriptive language used, metaphor and simile, figures of speech, possible alliteration, choice of words the capture your attention.
         Begin your paper with a one page (half page for each book) summary of the plots of the books.  Then move to your analysis.  Write several pages comparing and contrasting the story lines and the "point" each author wishes to make (Hint:  these authors have very different points they wish to make, and both are making statements about our own world).  Then write several pages comparing and contrasting their writing styles.  Conclude with a summarizing paragraph.
        It may seem like such a paper would not need a Thesis statement, but this is not true.  You must begin the paper with a brief paragraph introducing your experience of reading the books, and then offer the reader of your essay your perspective on the books.  For example, a good thesis for this kind of analytical paper might be:  While both authors have significant perspectives on our world, Asimov's [or Lewis'] is the most convincing.  OR, Lewis' book was more interesting to read, but Asimov's point about our world was more convincing.  If this is not clear, you must talk to your teacher about the thesis sentence before you begin writing your essay.
        Write a total of 6-10 pages.
            This assignment will be due at the end of the English 10 course.

Remember that these supplementary assignments are designed to supplement excellent work done in your regular course work.  You will not achieve credit for an Honors course unless excellence characterizes your weekly work, and you complete these assignments as given with the degree of excellence expected.