Process
What Do You Need to be Prepared for Paper 2?
Follow the directions below, doing as instructed A through C. Read websites carefully and take notes whenever something strikes you as helpful.
A. Review the two links below. Write: what do I need to do for myself to feel confident sitting down to write my Paper 2 in May?
1. The IBO provides one free download and many sample Paper 2 tests from the IBO store for sale. http://www.ibo.org/students/
2. Another sample exam. http://www.asmilan.org/writing_committee/writing_samples/ib_exam_essay_1.htm
B. Evaluate the websites below. Which one gives you the best advice and why? Make a one-page list of your own personal Paper 2 tips.
1. Purdue University provides insight into what makes a good literary essay. http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/618/01/
2. Purdue University recommends ways to write successfully about fiction and lists pitfalls to avoid. http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/616/01/
3. Several sites advise you on how to conduct comparison/contrast analyses.
a. Temple University's guide to comparing and contrasting: http://www.temple.edu/writingctr/student_resources/comparison.html
b. The University of North Carolina's guide to comparing and contrasting: http://www.unc.edu/depts/wcweb/handouts/comparison_contrast.html
c. University of West Florida's detailed advice on structuring the comparison/contrast essay: http://www.uwf.edu/writelab/handouts/comparisoncontrast.cfm
C. The Study Guide. Ideally, when you're absorbed in the act of writing your Paper 2, you want to feel invigorated--not sickened--by suspense. You want to be seized by anticipation for the next dazzling idea that flies from your pen. To reach that state of mind, you'll have to know the novels well. Evaluate these tips on studying, taking notes, and arranging material for review. Which techniques will best help you understand the novels? After exploring the links below, write a one-page explanation of how you are going to make a record of your novel studies for review.
1. Purdue University describes "Reverse Outlining." http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/689/01/
2. Advice for keeping reading journals: http://www.gmu.edu/departments/writingcenter/handouts/puller.html
3. Advice for students of a college-level critical reading course--scroll down to the "The Reading Process" and read on: http://www.vcu.edu/engweb/home/theory.html
4. Sample note-taking strategies and graphic organizers:
A graphic organizer buffet: http://www.ncrel.org/sdrs/areas/issues/students/learning/lr1grorg.htm
A graphic organizer bonanza: http://www.writedesignonline.com/organizers/comparecontrast.html
Cerebral flatulence? http://www.writedesignonline.com/organizers/cerebralflatulence.html
Comparison notes: http://www.greece.k12.ny.us/instruction/ela/6-12/Tools/comparisonnotes.pdf
4. Middlebury College's note-taking tips (apply to reading): http://www.middlebury.edu/academics/tools/olr/study_skills/reading_notes/
5. Note-taking tips (apply to reading): http://www.manc.edu/academics/mabee/kresge/note_taking.php
Know the Novels
Below you will find links to give you insight into the novels. Use these as supplements only. You have three primary tasks:
1. read and reread the novels,
2. identify significant connections among the novels, articulating similarities and differences,
3. create a Study Guide to what you learn, notice, wonder, and realize, arranging the material to meet the evaluation criteria.
Background and Criticism
Explore what scholars have to say. Below you'll find novel-specific links to help you understand the author, the zeitgeist, and the significance of each work. You'll also find something thought-provoking about every author and novel at the Online Literary Criticism collection http://www.ipl.org.ar/ref/litcrit .
Ceremony
1. This site may have links to everything you need. http://www.lang.osaka-u.ac.jp/~krkvls/laguna.html
2. A biography of Silko. http://www.learner.org/amerpass/unit01/authors-7.html
3. An essay about the white impact on Pueblo culture. http://history.hanover.edu/hhr/93/HHR93_2.html
4. Links to links about everything Ceremony. http://cla.calpoly.edu/~smarx/courses/346/Silko/Ceremon.html
5. Literary criticism on Ceremony. http://www.ipl.org/div/litcrit/bin/litcrit.out.pl?ti=cer-484
Heart of Darkness
1. High school teacher Robert Rozema's web quest--go to his "Resources" page, where you'll find links to information on Conrad, this novel, and relevant criticism. http://faculty.gvsu.edu/rozemar/hod/
2. Background on Conrad. http://www.gradesaver.com/classicnotes/authors/about_joseph_conrad.html
3. A host of information on Conrad. http://scholars.nus.edu.sg/victorian/authors/conrad/conradov.html
4. Literary criticism--ignore the "Don't Belong?" window and scroll down to some intriguing analysis. http://www.ipl.org/div/litcrit/bin/litcrit.out.pl?ti=hea-137
5. Discussion questions to prompt your thinking. http://school.discoveryeducation.com/lessonplans/programs/heartofdarkness/index.html
6. Twenty-eight questions for analysis. http://www.ajdrake.com/teachers/teaching/questions/conrad_drake.htm
7. Useful review. http://faculty.arts.ubc.ca/gmbaxter/CONRAD.HTM
The Scarlet Letter
1. Background on Hawthorne, synopsis of novel, some interpretation. http://us.penguingroup.com/static/pdf/teachersguides/scarletletter.pdf
2. Background on Hawthorne. http://www.online-literature.com/hawthorne/
and http://www.uwm.edu/Library/special/exhibits/clastext/clspg143.htm
3. Criticism. http://www.enotes.com/scarlet/s865
4. An introduction to the 1902 edition. http://www.eldritchpress.org/nh/bates.html
5. A literary bloggish thing--try throwing in your two cents. http://www.online-literature.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=1259
Study Guide
Your Study Guide is due at the last session before you leave for your IB exams. Compile it as you read and review the novels.
Include Like Water for Chocolate, relying only on your own observations and analyses rather than any secondary sources.
Refer often to the Evaluation Rubric on this Web Quest to guide the quality of your work, especially as you get started, then again as you prepare to turn it in.
Back up your files frequently. Print at least a day before the deadline.
Your Study Guide should include themes, significant quotes, and at least six other categories of your choice.