1. Siddhartha–Read and annotate the chapter Kamala.

2. (Due Friday, 4/7) The Alchemist Essay (2 pages)

I would strongly encourage you to work on this sooner rather than later.

ANYTHING OVER 2 PAGES WILL NOT BE READ. Make every word, every sentence, every paragraph count! Be sure to print out and read the rubric closely. This is a close-reading essay, meaning you should focus on one or two very specific aspects of the novel and build your argument only around that. For instance:

• Symbolism of the sheep
• The dichotomy of the old woman and the old man
• Nameless characters
• Symbolism of the oasis
• The role of the Crystal Merchant
• The role of fate (keeping in mind the great lie)
• Symbolism of the desert
• Etc…

You have just one draft for this essay: the final draft. Any prewriting and editing along the way is up to you. This 2 page essay gives me an opportunity to see just what you have learned thus far this year. So, I expect to see the following:

• Necessary intro that prepares your thesis
• Thesis that clearly articulates point(s) of analysis and a compelling/substantive argument
• Topic sentences that clearly articulate an insightful assertion
• Properly introduced evidence
• Evidence that meaningfully illustrates/illuminates your point and is worth discussing.
• Analysis that is focused on the evidence and is insightful/substantive.
• A writing style that relies on active verbs and very few passive to be or to have verbs.
• Structurally sound sentences.

1. Siddhartha–Short reading assignment! Read and annotate Awakening.

2. (Due Friday, 4/7) The Alchemist Essay (2 pages)

I would strongly encourage you to work on this sooner rather than later.

ANYTHING OVER 2 PAGES WILL NOT BE READ. Make every word, every sentence, every paragraph count! Be sure to print out and read the rubric closely. This is a close-reading essay, meaning you should focus on one or two very specific aspects of the novel and build your argument only around that. For instance:

• Symbolism of the sheep
• The dichotomy of the old woman and the old man
• Nameless characters
• Symbolism of the oasis
• The role of the Crystal Merchant
• The role of fate (keeping in mind the great lie)
• Symbolism of the desert
• Etc…

You have just one draft for this essay: the final draft. Any prewriting and editing along the way is up to you. This 2 page essay gives me an opportunity to see just what you have learned thus far this year. So, I expect to see the following:

• Necessary intro that prepares your thesis
• Thesis that clearly articulates point(s) of analysis and a compelling/substantive argument
• Topic sentences that clearly articulate an insightful assertion
• Properly introduced evidence
• Evidence that meaningfully illustrates/illuminates your point and is worth discussing.
• Analysis that is focused on the evidence and is insightful/substantive.
• A writing style that relies on active verbs and very few passive to be or to have verbs.
• Structurally sound sentences.

1. Siddhartha–Read and annotate With the Samanas and Gotama. Among other things, focus your annotating on connections to The Alchemist.

What a great experience this week, folks! I look forward to the Siddhartha experience and all that that entails as we move ahead. We have come upon a number of Leon traditions: E-Media Fast, Mandala, and………….the One and Done essay:

2. SURPRISE! Keep in mind Right View, Intention, and Speech! 🙂

(Due Friday, 4/7) The Alchemist Essay (2 pages)– ANYTHING OVER 2 PAGES WILL NOT BE READ. Make every word, every sentence, every paragraph count! Be sure to print out and read the rubric closely. This is a close-reading essay, meaning you should focus on one or two very specific aspects of the novel and build your argument only around that. For instance:

• Symbolism of the sheep
• The dichotomy of the old woman and the old man
• Nameless characters
• Symbolism of the oasis
• The role of the Crystal Merchant
• The role of fate (keeping in mind the great lie)
• Symbolism of the desert
• Etc…

You have just one draft for this essay: the final draft. Any prewriting and editing along the way is up to you. This 2 page essay gives me an opportunity to see just what you have learned thus far this year. So, I expect to see the following:

• Necessary intro that prepares your thesis
• Thesis that clearly articulates point(s) of analysis and a compelling/substantive argument
• Topic sentences that clearly articulate an insightful assertion
• Properly introduced evidence
• Evidence that meaningfully illustrates/illuminates your point and is worth discussing.
• Analysis that is focused on the evidence and is insightful/substantive.
• A writing style that relies on active verbs and very few passive to be or to have verbs.
• Structurally sound sentences.

1. Siddhartha–Read and annotate the first chapter, The Brahmin’s Son. Also, be prepared to discuss the Four Noble Truths and The Eightfold Path.

1. Class Forum–Summary of Essay Feedback

2. Siddhartha–Again, it would be great if you can pick up your own copy of Siddhartha. Click the link for the copy we will use in class.

3. Essay Revision–Remember, you are only revising the last body paragraph of your essay. You must highlight all changes made to the paragraph.

4. (Due 3/28) Siddhartha–Print out and read the following links for Tomorrow:
Introduction to Buddhism
Buddhism 5 Minute Introduction
The Four Noble Truths/The Eightfold Path

Have the following printed for midweek next week (Wednesday):
1. Siddhartha Glossary–Print out and familiarize yourself with this list by Monday.
2. Conclusions–Print and keep this in your binder!
3. How to Write a Comparative Analysis–Print this out, Read it, and put it in your binder.