Writing Homework Help

(1) DUE DATES: Post Part 1 (200 word reaction–80 points) and post Part 2 (50 word peer reaction–20 points) by Thurs 4/29 midnight

(2) OBJECTIVE: To be able to see patterns to identify and analyze theme.
(3) READ FIRST: Finish Constellations, read pages 34-76.

(4) ASSIGNMENT IN TWO PARTS:

PART 1: ASSIGNMENT: In 200 words or more, analyze a theme you saw threaded throughout the play. Use the questions below to guide your analysis. Please note: don’t simply summarize what happens but focus entirely on theme analysis using the questions below as a guide.
PART 2: Respond to one of your classmate’s posts in 50 words or more.

THEME: The theme is an idea or point that is central to a story, which can often be summed up in a word or a few words (e.g. loneliness, fate, oppression, rebirth, coming of age; humans in conflict with technology; nostalgia; the dangers of unchecked power). A story may have several themes. Themes often explore historically common or cross-culturally recognizable ideas, such as ethical questions and commentary on the human condition, and are usually implied rather than stated explicitly.

QUESTIONS ABOUT THEME: To help identify themes ask yourself questions such as these:

· Is the title or are the character names related to the theme? · Does the main character change in any way? Realize anything important? · Does the author or do the characters make any important observations about life, human nature or human behavior? · Are themes revealed through actions, dramatic statements or personalities of characters? · If characters convey conflicting values, which values does the work seem to be defending? · Are there repeating patterns or symbols?

· What image of humankind emerges from the work? How is society portrayed? · Are characters in conflict with their society? · If the society is flawed, how is it flawed? · What control over their lives do the characters have? · What are the moral issues or conflicts in the work? · What did you feel after you read the story? What part of your life connected with the story and where did that connection happen? · What ideas are implied by the total impression of the work?