Welcome!

Hello all,

Welcome to LIT 4333: Literature for the Adolescent. I am excited to begin our semester and I look forward to all of the interesting discussions we are going to have about our texts over the course of the semester. In lieu of traditional reading responses, we will be using this class blog to post our traditional and creative responses to the texts we are reading this year.

Over the course of the semester, you must respond to at least 2 prompts from each category for a total of five posts. You may not respond to the same prompt more than once. You may not post more than one response for the same novel.

                 Category A—Critical (all responses should be roughly 350 words)

a.       Pick one passage that embodies the main concern (theme) of the novel. Write a close reading of the passage exploring how negotiates the main concern.

b.      Identify one of the novel’s motifs. Pick one passage and explain why recognizing the motif complicates your reading of the passage.

c.       Spend some time looking for literary devices. Select one and unpack it. How does this metaphor (foreshadowing, tragic flaw, etc.) impact the passage? The overall text?

d.      Look at the issue of identity—class gender, race, nationality, religion, etc—in the text. Conduct a close reading of one passage and analyze its representation of/ engagement with one of these key aspects of identity.  

               Category B—Creative

a.       Select one of the characters from the text and create his/her Instagram account. Design a handle, choose an avatar, and upload the first three posts. Explain your decisions (roughly 150 words).

b.      Create a collection of memes or gifs for the novel. Focus in on one of the major themes or issues and put a modern spin on it. You should have a minimum of 4 memes or gifs. Explain your focus and the modern interpretation (roughly 150 words).

c.       Select one of the characters from the novel and create his/her Twitter account. Design a handle, choose an avatar, and follow other accounts strategically. Explain your decisions (roughly 150 words).

d.      Pick a passage and choose a song (as if you were creating the movie score). Explain your interpretation (serious/satirical) and how your song highlights important themes/concerns of the passage (roughly 150 words).

Points: 200 (5 posts at 40 points each)

Due Dates: Each Tuesday by noon

Be sure to include your name and which option your post responds to in each post. 

Cheers, 

Kristen Gregory