My primary goal for this paper is to introduce you to inductive research and historical analysis. Put another way: I want to show you that it is possible to write a paper from the bottom up (which is why you started with quotations) and place Frankenstein within its romantic context.

We’ve made great progress with the latter part, but the outlines are requiring more time. So:

Our original plan was to wrap up the rough drafts by Wednesday 28th (tomorrow). Here is the revised schedule:

Wednesday: Continued work on outlines in class, one-on-one outline review with me; begin 1st draft, finish 1st draft for peer review on Thursday.

Thursday: Peer review of essays in Google Docs. (Don’t need to print–just share it!)

If you’d like to move ahead in the process, send me an email and I’ll take a look at your outline. I’ll give you feedback and let you know whether you should begin the 1st draft or continue your outline.

As always, email questions.

You are all (surely) familiar by now with what happens when I make a plan like this, but I keep trying. Call me the little engine that could.

Monday 12th: Outlines¹ (via Google Docs and a hard copy) due. These will be sketchy, but your will benefit from a strong start. Remember the prompt: How is Okonkwo’s identity presented in the novel? We will discuss these in class, sharing ideas and sources. If you come across helpful information that isn’t in a previous post, send me an email with the link and how you used it.

Tuesday 13th: Have a revised copy of your outline on Google Docs and in hand (that is: printed). We’ll have the computer lab to ourselves, so come prepared to work through a peer review of the outlines.

Wednesday 14th: Presentation of outlines. This is a bit new, but will give each of you a chance to talk through your outlines with a group of your peers. Each group will have three students, each student will have 15 minutes to present his or her argument. Peers will be looking for cogency, organization, and support. Each group will have a few minutes at the end of class to present highlights.

Thursday 15th: Computer lab! You’ll have the hour to yourselves to write your paper. With a solid outline chock full of support, citations, arguments, and a mind-melting thesis statement you should be able to wrap up a rough draft before class is over. If not, you can always finish in the evening.

Friday 16th: Peer review in the computer lab. Works Cited pages will be polished, grammar will be corrected, ideas will be organized.

Over the weekend you’ll finish it up for a final due date of Monday the 19th.

1. If you feel your outline skills are rusty, talk to your peers, a Junior in my AP class (we’re covering them now) or see me before class. I’ll be happy to walk you through it if I can see you’ve made an attempt. [↩]

So. Google Docs appears to be down for the time being. Big blow to the credibility of such an awesome tool, huh? Thinking twice about using it again? While I wouldn’t ask you to put all your eggs in one basket, I can vouch for the usual stability of the site.

[Aand we're back.]

Regardless, your final analysis of JFK’s address is due tomorrow. You should turn in the following:

A properly formatted analysis of Kennedy’s argument.

A copy of your outline.

What are the repercussions of not having it in on time? See the previous post. That said, we will have another assignment for Friday, so use your best judgement.

As always, send questions via email.