Mastering the Gothic Unit, Take 2: November 15, 2017

Focus: How can you apply what have you learned from the Gothic unit?

1. Warming up with a sample thesis and close reading

Sample Thesis: In The Village, M. Night Shyamalan uses the Gothic element of the forest's uncanny sounds to illuminate that our greatest fears result not from external forces but from our own insecurity and imagination.

In "House Taken Over," here's something to consider: What is being taken over by what?

Using Evidence:
My trick: I use a Level 1 statement (context/plot summary) to lead into the evidence.
I use some Level 2 thinking to lead out of the example (what does it symbolize? What Gothic element is revealed? What role does it play in the text?)
I blow the reader's mind with a Level 3 statement (what larger importance does it have?).

Sample Close Reading of One Quotation:
As "the monsters" descend upon the village, Ivy refuses to hide with her family, insisting instead on standing on the porch and holding out her hand. Her arm in this scene is outstretched into the night, and in the background, a red-cloaked monster approaches. The vulnerability of her hand symbolizes the strength of her hope and her belief in the power of love. It also foreshadows the bravery she will need later to enter the woods to save Lucius. Most importantly, Ivy's willingness to reach into the unknown dark represents that love, no matter how slight it appears or how much it trembles, should always overpower fear.

2. Using the checklist to see what your essay needs

3. Drafting/revising your end-of-unit essay

4. Submitting it to www.turnitin.com

HW:
1. If you have not finished your end-of-unit essay, please finish that tonight and submit it to www.turnitin.com.

2. If you haven't yet entered your final speech topic, take care of that ASAP!

3. Finish preparing your one-minute speech for tomorrow, Thursday, November 16. Use the rubric to guide your preparation.