Pastiche Rough Draft

Some tips and hints for working on your pastiche:

*You want to follow Hurston in an authentic manner, but don't become too consumed with fitting in every technique or your story will lose a natural feel.

*Daydream a little before you start - before you evens start writing, try creating the setting in your head (what do you see, how does it change in different lights, what sounds are present) and imaging your characters (how they walk and the way they move their hands through their hair)

*Plan ahead - identify the climactic moment of your story before you start writing. Confirm that you will have a clear beginning and end.

*Use your language wisely so that you can accomplish all that you want in under 3 pages

*Include the rules of your dialect in the 3 pages

*Confirm that you are using MLA correctly by visiting a reliable website. Click here.

Their Eyes Were Watching God: February 18

1. Study literary terms (test on Tuesday)

2. Finish novel

3. Work on webbing how Hurston develops her theme (due Wednesday)

4. Start planning your pastiche

5. I did not mention this in class, but I would like you to comment on 3 blogs with feedback on their theme. What could they clarify? If you yourself want specific help from others, edit your theme + quote post to include some questions for visitors to answer.

I am changing some of the dates:

Wednesday 23: Web of Hurston's theme development

Thursday 24: Rough draft of your pastiche

Friday 25: Outline of statement of intent

Monday 28: 2nd rough draft of pastiche and 1st rough draft of statement of intent

Wednesday 2: Final paper due

Other dates:

Literary Terms quiz February 22

Journals submitted (copy and paste) to Turnitin.com February 23

• class ID: 3850297
• enrollment password: 1234

Their Eyes Were Watching God: February 17

Read chapters 16, 17, and 18

Journal: Identify a theme within Their Eyes Were Watching God (if you know it still has some weaknesses, make a list of questions or concerns you have about your theme below it - it doesn't have to be perfect yet). Be sure your theme is something that you can commit to writing your own vignette around. Make a list of quotes that inform that theme. Be sure to record the page number and take note of any techniques and or elements present within the quote.

Their Eyes Were Watching God: February 16

Read chapters 13-15

Journal #9: Write a pastiche of Hurston by duplicating a theme that she uses and three stylistic elements. Use these elements with your own characters, setting, and conflict. After you finish your pastiche clarify what theme and techniques you used and how they were used in a way that mirrors Hurston's own use of them.

Their Eyes Were Watching God: February 15

Read: chapters 11 and 12

Journal #8: Find quotations for three different stylistic attributes of Hurston's writing. Explain the context of the passage (where does it occur in the book, what is happening, who is involved). Identify and describe the literary technique used in the the passage, and explain how you think it affects the text and how you read it.

Their Eyes Were Watching God: February 14

Read 9 and 10

Journal #7: create a pastiche, matching Hurston' style and themes as closely as possible. After you complete your pastiche, write a statement explaining some of the decisions you made in order to match Hurston's writing and objectives.

The following post has two examples from past students.

Pastiche Examples

"Then Abby started to ponder on Courage. Courage, that unpredictable presence with the strong will that is often times hard to grasp. The uncertain one that lived deep within the unfamiliar parts of us, often unsure. Why does Courage sometimes shy away, especially when it is needed most? He sits insecurely deep within, unclear of where he belongs. Sits anxiously and patiently while slowly twirling his thumbs, questioning his validity. Was sitting there wondering and waiting and expecting. She was sure she'd find his footprints in the mud one of these days. She needed some encouragement and assistance also. Unfortunate Willie! It's quite diff'cult to help someone stand up for they self if they ain't got the determination for it. Offered Albert's company to mend this diminished confidence but Willie didn't feel it was necessary. Yuh can't always help those that have weakened strength, 'cause they need tuh find that inner fortitude on they own. He'd rise above this if he could just finish his chess game with the words "check mate." He would find the courage. At least that's what he thought. However, Albert suggested otherwise, so she was informed. But, if it had been contrarily, the following afternoon she was destined to figure it out, because he faced the bad-mannered bully in the colorless, spaced-out courtyard behind the school. Students that usually braved the bully's harsh words removed themselves from their usual straightforwardness. Just kneeled on the concrete, questioning. Fear, the overpowering elephant, had trampled over the student body."

"Eventually Nick started to understand Regret. Regret, that conceited one with the ever present eyes who lived always within reach. The unwelcome being who dwelt in the hearts of men without invitation, without permission. What requires Regret to be summoned, and what force can push him out? He slithers around his internal hiding spot that is invisible to the universe. Hides vigilant and camouflaged hour after hour with his fangs ready to pierce, awaiting the call to make himself known. To wrap himself around man and remind him what could have or would have or should have been done. He was bound to find blood from its bite staining her thoughts one day soon. He was sympathetic and scared for her too. Miserable Katherine! She shouldn't have to win this fight on her own. He had Ann bring in others to offer their wisdom, but Katherine declined. These others wuz fine to console themselves, but there was nothing they could do to go back in time. She'd be just fine when the red sea in front of her parted. She wouldn't let herself drown. That was the way she saw it. However, Ann had told him the opposite, so he knew the truth. And even if he didn't, soon enough he was liable to realize, for her home filled with life had been transformed into a holding place for stale memories of a bitter past. Weeds that never would have tried to grow in the gardens before now burst through the dirt defiantly. Simply pushed aside the flowers and begged for judgement. Remorse, that motionless snake, had poisoned another life."

Their Eyes Were Watching God: February 11

Read chapters 7 and 8 and tab: Rereading this book is not optional. You need a second reading to hit the level of analysis and understanding required for your upcoming paper.

Journal #5: Post your thesis statement. Be sure it addresses what stylistic choice Hurston made, what the effect of that choice is, and why she would create that effect.

3 Comment: Visit three blogs and give them some feedback that will help them refine and clarify their thesis statement. You can ask a question or point out a portion of the book that contradicts or clarifies what they are saying. You can offer a rewording that would clarify their point.

Journal #6: Read closely Janie's description of Death in chapter 8. Make a list of the stylistic choices Hurston makes in the passage that begins "Death, that strange bird with the huge square toes..." and ends with "Rumor, that wingless bird..." Along with listing the decisions Hurston makes in this passage, identify the effect of each of each of these decisions. You can do this in list form: technique/stylistic choice, effect, technique, effect, etc

Their Eyes Were Watching God: February 10

Read: chapters 5 and 6

Journal: Identify three patterns that appear in these chapters (but may extend through the entire book) and record the examples for each (include page numbers)

Their Eyes Were Watching God: February 9

Read Chapters 3 and 4 and continue tabbing.

Journal #3: Step 1-research a prominent figure from the Harlem Renaissance and write a short summary of who they are. Step 2-make a list of rules for a dialect of your creation (at least 3 for each category: pronunciation, grammar, and vocabulary). Step 3-pick a setting and create a dialogue between your historical figure and your imaginative figure using at least seven exchanges and correctly punctuated speaker tags. Step 4-read a classmates blog and make a supportive and specific comment about what worked in their writing.

Start working on your literary terms mini-lesson.

Their Eyes Were Watching God: February 8

Today's task:

Read chapters 1 and 2 of Their Eyes Were Watching God. I neglected to talk about tabbing today but I suggest starting a system tonight. Some suggestions for tabbing:

• Pick a different color sticky note for each category on the pink sheet you got today: narrative structure, plot, character, setting, and language. You may also choose to include an additional color for anything else you notice but are unsure of a category for it.
• Pick a different color for the different motifs (repeated patterns). Make your motifs a bit broad so you don't become too restricted. Finding patterns is a good way to start thinking critically about a novel.
• Identify themes and assign colors. Tab anything that contributes to that particular theme using that color.

Journal #1 (Reflective): If you could tell your life story to one person, to whom would it be? Where would you begin (moment that changed your world view)?

Journal #2 (Analytic): Pick a passage from your reading (between one paragraph and half a page). Copy the passage onto your blog and make a list of the decisions that Hurston made in writing that passage. What techniques, what patterns, what questions, what tone, what word choice, etc.

Comment with Blog Address

Once you have set up your individual blog, leave a comment here on this post telling me your name and your blog address.

You also need to sign and return your disclosure document for tomorrow.