Close Reading

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Reading is both a pleasurable pastime and an academic skill. To get the most out of any reading, whether it is a relaxing novel, a textbook, or a report from your employer, you must be able to read it carefully and comprehend it fully. This is called close reading. For this assignment, you will choose one passage from a piece of literature, just a couple of paragraphs, and do a close reading of it to increase your understanding and hone your abilities to get the most out of anything you read.

 

Instructions: Read Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening by Robert Frost. Choose a section where the writer makes the experience meaningful, striking, or revealing. Examine this section for evidence of revealing a depth that reaches beyond the poem. In 2-3 pages, address the following prompts/questions:

 

  1. Name three literary tools used in this piece and briefly describe how they are used. Examples are theme, tone, mood, symbolism, foreshadowing, irony, imagery.
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  3. 1. What does Frost tell us about the character at this moment? What does he leave out?
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  5. 2. How does the character communicate (through words, gestures, or other means,) and what does he/she say?
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  7. 3. How does the writer convey the character’s identity and culture? What symbols are used to communicate gender, race, class, occupation, and/or other identity categories?
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  9. 4. How does this passage relate to the human experience overall? How do you relate as a reader?

Short stories and the Humanities

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Directions:

The written word has had an impact on the human condition for centuries. We have all been touched in some way or another by literature. This week, you will take a literary journey by searching the Internet for the pieces below. In addition to reading the story, you should find out something about the author of your chosen piece as well. After making your choice, come back and share your impressions of the story and explain how it contributes to our discussion of the humanities.

 

Initial Post: Choose one of the following options (or find a piece of literature of your choosing to report on):

 

  • “A Rose for Emily” by William Faulkner (This memorable short story is about a community mourning the loss of a lonely old Southern woman, who was actually a murderer.)
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  • “Girl” by Jamaica Kincaid (This dramatic prose poem reflects lessons from a mother to her daughter.)
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  • “The Story of an Hour” by Kate Chopin (This short story captures the complex internal conflict of an oppressed wife learning of her overbearing husband’s death.)
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  • “Exodus” by James Baldwin (This gripping short story describes the plight of a young woman in post-slavery America conflicted between family obligations and trying to make a better life for herself.)
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Once you have selected a short story, read the story, highlight interesting parts of the story, and take notes as needed. Research the author to learn more about their writing style and writing features. In about two paragraphs, comment on the following items:

 

  1. 1. What is your overall impression of the story?
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  3. 2. What interesting features did you learn about the author that help you appreciate the story or understand more about the story?
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  5. 3. How does this story advance your understanding of the Humanities?
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  7. 4. Share a unique literary element such as a metaphor, symbol, theme, or simile from the story?
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  9. To whom would you recommend this story, and why?
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Skin Cancer

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Directions: 

The American Academy of Dermatology (2021) states that skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States. One in five Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime. Protecting our skin from harmful ultraviolet rays is imperative. However, the human body does benefit from a mild to moderate amount of UV radiation. 

 

Initial post: What is the best way to protect your skin from sun-related damage? What are the advantages and disadvantages to sunscreens containing common active ingredients such as oxybenzone, octocrylene, and homosalate? Are there benefits to using mineral sunscreens, such as zinc oxide or titanium dioxide? How effective are natural sunscreens, such as coconut oil or shea butter? If a sunscreen product is not regulated by the FDA, how can you determine if the product’s claims are true? 

 

Reference 

American Academy of Dermatology. (2021). Skin Cancer. https://www.aad.org/media/stats/conditions/skin-cancer