V. Preconcieved Notions

Comment on what you already know about either of these novels? Have you read one before? Do you know anything about the authors? Have you ever seen one of the movies? Which one do you think you will like best?

IV. Final novel argument

1. I can only choose one of these novels to read and teach during the school year. After careful, thoughtful consideration, create a 250-word post in which you argue for which novel you think has the most value in my classroom - not necessarily which one you like the most. Please consider this your first essay for my class; it should be formal and well-written. You may reference outside sources - check out this and this if you haven't already - as long as you credit them properly (MLA format), and, because the best arguments always acknowledge their opposition in some way, you should account for what your opposition might say in some way during your response. Choose your words carefully; 250 words will go quickly. Make sure that this is a "new post" and not a comment. You create a new post from your dashboard screen.

III. Literary Criticism and content discussion

After reading this article, create at least two comments in which you discuss what you believe to be the most interesting, controversial, and/or incorrect thing Goldstone says. Why do you think we should read Wuthering Heights? Here is the article again: "Wuthering Heights Revisited"

III. Literary Criticism and content discussion

After reading this article, create at least two comments in which you discuss what you believe to be the most interesting, controversial, and/or incorrect thing Kneedler says. Can you locate holes in her argument? Does she leave anything out? This article was written in 1998; do the issues she discusses still apply in 2008? Here's the article again: "The New Romances in Pride and Prejudice"

III. Literary Criticism and content discussion

Referencing (even quoting from) this article, create at least two comments in which you discuss why you think we should read Pride and Prejudice? Here's the article again: "How to Read Jane Austen"

II. Pride and Prejudice pre-reading

Look at the opening lines of the novel. Paraphrase them. Create at least two comments in which you discuss how might these lines might be considered satirical? What do they mean? Could they give us a clue as to what Jane Austen disapproves of so much?

II. Pride and Prejudice pre-reading

1. Satire is a literary convention in which human folly and vice are ridiculed; it is often created with irony and sarcasm. While satire is often funny - think Saturday Night Live at its best - its primary goal is to highlight a flaw in society that the author deems important and in need of change. Create at least two comments in which you discuss where is the satire in this novel? About what in her society is Jane Austen being most critical? What character do you believe is most ridiculous?