Preferred Passage

1
Preferred Passage

• More Simply P2

2
What is this?

• The passage you select can be as short as a
  sentence or as long as a paragraph.
• Note this does not have to be dialogue.
• Select a passage from each short story and essay
  that we study (if we are in a novel study, then
  one per chapter).

3
Why would I want to do this?

• By selecting and studying writing that appeals to
  you, you will begin to see two key results
• 1 you will more deeply understand the
  literature
• 2 your own writing will begin to reflect the
  depth and excellence of your preferred passages

4
You picked a passage. Now what?

• 1 Copy that passage word for word.
• 2 Record the page number.
• 3 Discuss why you chose the quote (be
  specific), and how you think it is important. To
  be properly done, this will likely take a solid
  paragraph.

5
Like This?

• Perhaps we feel like that when we die and become
  a part of something entire, whether it is sun and
  air, or goodness and knowledge. At any rate, that
  is happiness to be dissolved into something
  complete and great. (My Antonia 14)
• I selected this quote for its beauty and for its
  conception of death. Cathers words have a poetic
  quality they create a vivid image that allows
  the reader to easily grasp her beliefs regarding
  death. To her, death is not dark and ominous,
  rather it is something natural and fulfilling. It
  is interesting to compare her idea of death,
  which is to be reunited with something complete
  and beautiful, to other conceptions which view
  death as a final separation.

• Complete quote (word-for-word) with the page
  number
• Explanation that includes how and why this
  particular section was selected

6
Not Like This

• Jake nodded at me approvingly and said you were
  likely to get diseases from foreigners.
• Sometimes, people are mean to new people and
  thats not right and people shouldnt do that.

• Answer has omitted the page number
• This answer is incomplete. The writer has an
  opinion (which is good), but the answer is too
  vague. Be as specific as possible avoid
  generalities.

7
Definitely Not

• The part where Jim chases the snake around and
  hits it an stuff and then yells at Anotnia for
  jabbering bohunk. It was cool to kill a snake
  an then yell at people.

• Answer has no quote, no page number, and fails to
  convey its message (if any).

8
Another Good Example

• But I dont want comfort. I want God, I want
  poetry, I want real danger, I want freedom, I
  want goodness. I want sinI claim them all, said
  the Savage at last. (Brave New World 215)
• This passage is significant, because it is the
  Savages refutation of the World Society. He
  entered this world expectantly, believingbased
  on his mothers storiesthat it was a world of
  wonders. Instead, he has discovered that it is a
  world of make-believe, a world where people no
  longer live and no longer know what it means to
  be truly human. All that once made humans both
  awesome and terrible has been removed. The
  passage attracted me because of its passion. I
  think all peopleeven in modern societyhave
  moments where they feel as if they were simply
  slipping through life existing, but not living.

• Again, this example includes a passage (word for
  word) along with a page number.
• The writer clearly explains how the passage is
  significant.
• The writer also clearly explains why he/she
  selected it.
• Using a full, strong paragraph, this writer does
  a good job of exploring a passage that was
  important to the work and also demonstrated that
  he/she had a personal response to the work.
• Note your personal response does not have to be
  positive. You are welcome to argue against
  thoughts presented in the works.

9
Final Thoughts

• Please be sure to copy the passage into your
  notebook (dont just put the page number). Why?
  Because you can use your notes on quizzes
  (occasionally), but you cannot use your book.
  Also, these notes will be very helpful when
  studying for a test.
• Like any other facet of life, you will get out of
  this exactly what you put in. If you make an
  effort, you will likely find meaning and richness
  in the texts we study. If you make little or no
  effort, you will probably be frustrated with this
  activity.
• Questions? Comments?