Expectations for Final Exam on Thursday, May 31 for Periods 1 & 3 (8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. for Period 1, and 10:20 a.m. to 12:20 p.m. for Period 3), and Friday, June 1 for Period 2 (8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.).

 

 

1.  #2 pencil

 

2.  Julius Caesar quotes

 

3.  Your own big, blue literature book

 

 

 

1.  Julius Caesar Literature Test:  Study your Act V study guides for the test. This score will actually go into the Literature Test section of your grade.

 

2.  Julius Caesar Essay:  You have your quotes, but take a second look at them. I saw quotes on "betrayal," for example, on one person's document in which the Plebians were accused by the Tribunes of disloyalty to Pompey, Cassius was accused of betrayal to Caesar, and Antony was accused of betrayal to Caesar. This choice of quotes means the writer must address three different circumstances of betrayal in a 500-word essay. Even if your quotes were approved, try to stick to no more than two circumstances of character-driven loyalty, betrayal, manipulation, etc., which means you may need to add another quote.

 

Also, think about a strong author's message, and a strong hook and clincher. If you have all these aspects of the essay in mind, along with your quotes, you will be well prepared. For the hook and clincher, make sure you look back at your hand-out on writing good essay openings and closings, which should be in the Writing section of your notebook. 

 

 

 

 

1.  Word Roots:  Make flash cards for lists 25-26 and study for the last vocabulary test.

 

2.  Quotes for Final Exam Essay:  On a Word doc, create a document with a proper heading, titling it "Final Exam Quotes." After you have chosen your topic for the Final Exam essay on Julius Caesar, find four quotes that support your topic. Type your topic above the quotes. Your quotes must be cited properly with Act, Scene, and line number/s. At least two of your quotes must contain figurative language or a literary or rhetorical device.

 

Your five choices for topics are: politics, loyalty, betrayal, the manipulation of others, or the personal quest for power. Remember that you are writing about only one.

 

Also, give some thought to an author's message for your topic, but do not type it on the quotes document.

 

Shakespeare's author's message is not about Julius Caesar's fitness as a leader of Rome, or Brutus's failure to observe that he was being manipulated. His message to his audience is broader - it is a message about the human condition and how it applies to all people, not just the people in 42 BC.

 

An author's message is like a thesis statement. It must be arguable, and should be one of the following. After each suggestion I have provided an example author's message appropriate for Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian:

 

1.  It should express an opinion or stance that asserts an arguable conclusion

     "Standing up to adversity is often dangerous, but the alternative is even more

      dangerous."

 

2.  It should point out an arguable cause-and-effect relationship

     "Accepting friendship from others rather than drawing away may not always turn out well,

      but the acceptance makes one a more open and trusting person."

    

3.  It should state a truth that is both universal and arguable

     "Everyone's past, good and bad, has profound and inescapable influences on who they

      become."

 

4.  It should offer advice for living one's life (but usually with a "because" statement

     "Do not be afraid to take risks, because failure to adventure is an even riskier threat to

      one's confidence and peace of mind."

 

5.  It should make an arguable comment or observation on human nature or human

     "Those who give up when life throws them curve balls will never hit a home run."

 

Homework due Thursday, May 24 for Periods 1 & 3, and Friday, May 25 for Period 2:

 

 Julius Caesar:  Study the guides for Act IV to prepare for the Act IV test.

Homework due Tuesday, May 22 for Periods 1 & 3, and Wednesday, May 23 for Period 2:

 

Julius Caesar:  Read Act V, Scenes iii-iv-v, and complete the study guide.

Homework due Friday, May 18 for Periods 1 & 3, and Monday, May 21 for Period 2:

 

Julius Caesar:  Read Act V, Scenes i and ii, and complete the study guide.

Homework due Wednesday, May 16 for Periods 1 & 3, and Thursday, May 17 for Period 2:

 

1.  Julius Caesar:  Study the guides for Act III for the test.

 

2.  Julius Caesar again:  Read Act IV, Scene iii, line 157 to end and complete the study guide.

 

Homework due Monday, May 14 for Periods 1 & 3, and Tuesday, May 15 for Period 2:

 

1.  Word Roots:  Complete lists 25-26.

 

2.  Julius Caesar:  Read Act IV, Scene iii to line 156 and complete the study guide.

 

I have news about an exciting writing contest, for which you could win a plot of land in Scotland! Go here to see:

 

Homework due Thursday, May 10 for Periods 1 & 3, and Friday, May 11 for Period 2:

 

1.  Julius Caesar:  Read Act IV, Scenes i-ii and complete the study guide.

 

Homework due Tuesday, May 8 for Periods 1 & 3, and Wednesday, May 9 for Period 2:

 

Julius Caesar:  Read Act III Scene ii, line 170 to end, and complete the study guide.

Homework due Friday, May 4 for Periods 1 & 3, and Monday, May 7 for Period 2:

 

1.  Julius Caesar:  Read Act III, Scene ii to line 169 and complete the study guide.

 

2.  Word Roots:  Make flash cards for lists 21-22 and study for the quiz.