Archives for September 15, 2015

HW12 due 9/17: Man’s Search for Meaning In-Class Essay

September 15, 2015 By

Per Man’s Search for Meaning, what is Viktor Frankl’s view of the human condition?

Ultimately your objective for this essay is to craft a thesis reflecting Frankl’s view of the human condition. TONIGHT, you can write out the thesis for this essay.

The following are major players in his argument:

  1. Frankl titles Part II of his text “Logotherapy in a Nutshell.”  Scholars suggest his thesis here can be reduced to the Freidrich Nietzsche quote (Remember, Frankl himself cites it on numerous occasions):

“He who has a why to live for can bear with almost any how.”

  1. Inner life/value and spiritual freedom
  2. Discovering meaning in life in three different ways:
  • By creating a work or doing a deed
  • By experiencing something or encountering someone (Love)
  • By the attitude we take toward unavoidable suffering

*In this essay do not merely write that Frankl believes we can attain meaning in three different ways. That is a gross simplification of his existential view and logotherapy. While I do not expect to see mastery in this essay, I do expect to see sophisticated control of his argument.

Your essay should demonstrate control/understanding of both Part I and Part II of the text. So both parts of the book should be explored in your essay. This essay is unlike English essays of the past!  Your thesis is actually what you believe to be Frankl’s argument. There should be no critical discussion!

Be sure to bring in your copy of Man’s Search for Meaning and your notes!

HW10 due 9/17 (9/18 for 10A): In-Class Writing Assignment

September 15, 2015 By

EDIT: English 10A, Ignore all references to the poem. That involves a poem that was used in the C band class.

1. Tomorrow you will have your in-class base writing assignment on The Circle. At this point you know you will have to write three paragraphs. You WILL NOT have to write a complete essay. The three paragraphs can be three independent paragraphs or your three paragraphs can be connected to one another. That is up to you.

Tonight, you should identify the three points of analysis that you will represent the subject of each paragraph (i.e. symbolism of _____, characterization of ______, etc.).  Just as we did today in class with the poem, “Reflections…”  For instance, three possible points of analysis from the poem:

1. Symbolism of the jar
2. The tone of the poem (an analysis of language)
3. The bites as a metaphor

Continuing with the example above: In each paragraph I would analyze the authors use of the device. It would be a mistake to begin a paragraph with “John Tobias uses the jar as a symbol.” You should know that that is merely an observation. It lacks an opinion. A more appropriate topic might be “John Tobias uses the jar to symbolize man’s desperate attempts to reclaim the innocence of childhood.” This has both observation and opinion.  Naturally then, I will have to support and develop my topic in that paragraph. You will be expected to have at least one quote per body paragraph.  Again, this is just an example. Tomorrow’s writing assessment is on The Circle, not the poem.

You should bring in your three points of analysis tomorrow. ONLY the three points of analysis. Do not bring in paragraphs prewritten… Bring in your copy of The Circle and any notes/annotations you may taken.

2. Literary Terms–Print this out and place it in your binder.