This week we presented our What is Literature? projects and it was just as interesting as I expected it to be. I loved the information brought to the table by each of the groups and I found that they were all pretty well done. I hope that the class enjoyed mine as much as I enjoyed theirs. I feel confident in my presentation and the notes I took to make it. I do have a better understanding of analysis and finding the elements of fiction within a piece.
It sounds like we did very little but this week was a very pivotal one. We just finished our first presentation of what I would imagine is of many to come. I feel much more ready for what I'm facing in this coming year as far as what is expected of me. I received very good remarks from Mr. Schoenborn. I'm actually excited to do another presentation in the future.
The theme this week was communication of ideas.

This whole week has been used mainly to create and trim up our presentations for the What Is Literature? project. Today we listed what things we learned from this assignment. My table all agreed that we were figuring out how to refine our thoughts on a piece down to a single, most interesting point for us to make on it. By finding the idea that grabbed you about the piece, you can give an engaging presentation to your audience. Your excitement can flow from you to them. Other things the class has learned include staying on topic, considering the flow of the presentation, and making sure what you are presenting has an evident purpose, or answering the "so what?" question.
Apart from working on the What Is Literature project, I have gotten a hold of my next independent reading book. This marking period will be something much softer than the last, Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. Though there are conflicting attitudes toward romantic literature, it can stand next to the other greats when done correctly. I'll be honest, I love Jane Austen in spite of the more macabre subjects I gravitate toward. I foresee enjoying Pride and Prejudice equally as much as The Trial.
The theme for this week is preparedness for the approaching deadline.

We have made it to the middle of the trimester and things are comfortable. This week was mostly housekeeping leading up to the end of the marking period and working diligently on our project. I've been making my way through the pieces and taking notes all over them. I have filled the blank back pages with my thoughts connecting the work to the element of literature. I'm anticipating seeing the other presentations and hearing their take on the pieces they have, especially those with the same ones as me. 
As well as the progress on the project, I have finally finished The Trial and oh wow what a page turner! The end is a full stop and you can fill in the blanks all by yourself, both a blessing and a curse. Since it was published posthumously, the manuscript is actually unfinished. I'm at odds with myself as to whether I'm satisfied with the ending or not. However, I do think it was a very good book overall. Today, Friday, I will be writing a timed essay on it to practice for the AP Exam. It should be fairly easy given the subject matter. I've chosen a question involving the use of contrast in the book, which provides a pretty vast amount of content for me.
​The theme this week is accomplishment.

Here we are, already week five. The marking period is winding down and I'm working to make sure I'm prepared for what needs to be done. Most of my attention is toward finishing The Trial, my independent reading book. I'm more than sure that this weekend is enough time to accomplish that, as the book is a total page turner and the rising action is coming to a head. The next book I intend on reading is Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. Quite a switch, I know, but love Jane Austen. A sort of guilty pleasure I suppose.
Other than the housekeeping we're doing leading up to the marking period end, we have continued to work on our What Is Literature projects. The elements I chose are Structure and Point of View. I wanted to step away from the focus on theme and symbolism that my group took on our summer reading essay. The piece I'm analyzing for structure is The Story of an Hour by Kate Chopin. I anticipate a twist ending and I'm struggling not to spoil it for myself. The work for point of view is The Boarding House by James Joyce. I need two, but I've yet to decide which I'd like. I just know I enjoy James Joyce's style so it should be fairly easy to pick apart. I just know that I'm in for unhappy endings, but nothing I'm not accustomed to thanks to my typically picking solemn literature. 
On the other hand, our weekly poem was anything but solemn. Bright Star by John Keats is probably one of the most loving poems I've ever read. In it, Keats wishes to be as steadfast as the star he is speaking to. He thinks of how a star gazes upon the earth without ever changing and wishes the same for himself when he's with his fair love. I loved this poem for how Keats describes his situation and uses a connection you wouldn't automatically think of to demonstrate his love.
The theme for this week is wrapping up.