Name _______________________________________________ Period _____
English 9
by Sandra Cisneros
The following dates are crucial for our work and your enjoyment of this novel. You must have all the reading and assignments completed by these dates. Late work will be penalized. Discussion of the novel will take place on these dates as well.
Schedule:
Dec. 1 Receive Text
Dec. 8 Read Quiz (pp. 3-42) [up to “A Rice Sandwich”]
Dec. 15 Read Quiz (pp. 43-80) [up to “Sally”]
Jan. 4 Read Quiz (pp. 81-end)
Jan. 7 Exam; Notebook due
Notebook
Assignments:
1. Theme Log. Keep track of the themes you perceive and the themes we discuss in class. You should list the themes and explain their significance in paragraph form. You should note page numbers for future reference and study for your exam. This section will be of major concern for your exam. Be very thorough.
2. Character Analysis. Keep track of Esperanza. Note how she develops throughout the novel.
3. Note the importance of the setting. Describe how and why Mango Street is important.
Place all these completed tasks in a notebook that includes a detailed table of contents.
With a partner, carefully examine and explain one of the themes in the book. From this basis, do a presentation on the problems that particular theme presented and how Esperanza dealt with it. Relate it also to real world problems that you have witnessed. For example you may choose the theme of prejudice and note how Esperanza experienced it and handled it in her life. Then relate how this same thing happens at ESHS and the problems of prejudice here.
Possible themes: immigration, prejudice, maturity, sexuality, sexual abuse, gender relations, domination of men, childhood friendships, school-related problems, a sense of belonging, home, etc.
Your presentation may take whatever form you wish. You may write an essay, poem, short story, fictitious diary, create a web page, do a PowerPoint presentation, create a video or audio, write a song, create an album – just about anything. However, you must in your presentation (1) relate a particular theme,(2) show how it affected Esperanza and how she dealt with it, and (3) relate this theme to your own life.
Assigned Dec. 16
Draft 1 Jan. 5
Draft 2 Jan. 12
Assignment on next page.
Book Report Project 2 - Due Jan. 18
Esperanza states, “I will not grow up tame.” In a formal, academic essay, explain what Esperanza meant by this statement. Explain this feeling. Explain how this feeling explains her entire life from beginning to the end of the book. How does this statement represent her entire life?
Exemplary papers will make cogent arguments that are substantiated by citations from the text, manifest a thorough understanding of the themes of this book, and will be free of numerous mechanical errors. The essay will, of course, have an introduction, body, and a conclusion.
Concepts to consider when writing and evaluating this paper:
1. Structure. Does the essay have an effective introduction, body and conclusion? Is there a “hook”? What is the thesis? Does the thesis provide an introduction to the topic and the essay?
2. Tone. What is the tone of the essay? Is it written in formal, academic language? Does the author use non-academic language like second person pronouns, “street” language, colloquialisms or slang?
3. Arguments. Does the essay argue the thesis consistently in every paragraph of the essay? List the main body points of the essay. Are these good arguments? What would make them better?
4. Text Support. Does the essay make effective use of the text? Are direct citations used? Does the essay refer to incidences found within the text?
5. Conclusion. Does the essay effectively offer the results of this study? What conclusion or result is given by the essay?
6. Mechanics. Is the essay free from spelling, grammatical, and writing errors? Are the best words chosen to convey the exact meaning intended?
7. Title. Is the title catchy, and does it reflect the content of the paper?