Be sure you are posting at least twice in each forum. Remember, each forum is worth 10 points, but each post within the forum is only worth a maximum of 5 points. I explained all of this during orientation.

One more thing: be sure you know when the due date and time is: 12pm each Thursday. Several posts have been made late. Remember, anything posted after the due date will not count.

I strongly suggest you review “Forum: Some Considerations” and “Forum Top Five.”

In the following forum, consider one of the following for your initial thread posting.

• Identify and discuss a major or minor theme. What is a primary concern of the literary text? How is it identified within the text? What does the text say about this theme?
• Analyze a major or minor character. What is the character like? Why is the character present; i.e., what role does he or she play in the action? How does the character change, or does she? What relationship does the character have with the protagonist?
• Read a passage closely. What are the rhetorical elements of the passage; i.e., how does the author’s choice of words and grammar affect an interpretation? Why is the passage important to the overall work? What ideas are developed in the passage? What particular plot point is developed or made clearer?
• Examine a metaphor, symbol, simile, or motif. Are there any dominant comparisons made in the text? How are they operating? What do these analogies imply? What is being compared?
• Analyze a scene. What scene is crucial to the development of the text? What are the primary components? Who is involved? How do things change for the course of the text after the scene?
• Compare or contrast two elements or texts. Are there opposing or supporting themes within or between texts? Are there metaphors that work together or against each other? What conflicting or supporting roles do two characters play? Does this text remind you of another we’ve read in the class?
• Answer a question. Find questions online about the text you’re reading and answer one. Answer one of your own questions about the text.
• Respond to a critic. Read a critical article about the text (hint: there are many on HumX) and respond to the points the critic makes. Reading criticism is always a good way to begin to understand and then write about a literary text.
• Write a combination of the above. (But be careful not to try to do too much.)

After posting an initial thread, be sure to comment on at least one other thread. Remember: each forum is worth a maximum of 10 points, but each post within a forum (called a “thread”) is worth a maximum of 5 points. To receive full credit for a forum, you must post a minimum of twice.

Before posting, be sure you read around in the forum a bit to be sure you’re not repeating something that’s already been posted. Also, be sure you give your thread a clear and precise title. You might also consult the following before posting, or to remind you the goals of the forum assignments.

• Blogging and Forum: Some Considerations
• Forum Top 5
• Strong Forum Post Example
• Second Forum Example
• Third Forum Example
• Commenting Online

You must write in the forums and supply direct evidence from the texts to support your suppositions. Yes, it’s a conversation, but it has to be a little more formal than “Yes, I believe that Faust . . .”

I recommend that you check your grades. I think that many of you are just doing what you consider the minimum amount of work to pass, but you will be surprised when you see your actual grades. You  must keep on top of this class. I have posted several items on here to help you. I suggest you have a look at them.

As always, contact me if you have any questions or concerns.

1. Not posting enough; you need to post a minimum of twice per forum. Remember that doing the minimum will likely earn you the minimum grade, perhaps lower.
2. Starting a new thread on the same or similar topic. This shows me you’re not reading. If you start a new thread on a topic that already has a thread, you will receive fewer points.
3. Mechanical and grammatical errors. I have begun posting solutions to common errors on the Composition FAQ. Be sure to proofread.
4. Not having a point. Observations are good. Close readings and explications are good. However, be sure you give a reason for doing so. That is: state explicitly what you feel your observation makes obvious. Remember the thesis statement?
5. Not using MLA citation method. This is easy. Just do it. Remember, though, it’s not necessary to have a works cited entry for texts we have in common for class.

Folks, forum grades are still low. I’m about ready to give up on the forums in all classes and start assigning essays.

Let me also remind you that if you use a secondary source, it is not correctly cited unless it has two components: a parenthetical citation within the text, and a works cited entry. The strongest work will always use secondary sources (particularly the ones I assign you to read anyway), but they must be cited correctly. See Basic MLA Citation Style for a reminder on how to cite sources correctly. At best, incorrectly cited sources costs you points; at worst, it is plagiarism.

Finally, many of you are getting better at addressing the primary text critically. I know Pope’s poem is difficult; that’s why I had you concentrate on a single section. The best entries incorporated what we learned about the Enlightenment and Neoclassicism. Here’s an example of a strong entry:

Submit.–In this, or any other sphere,
Secure to be as blest as thou canst bear:
Safe in the hand of one disposing Power,
Or in the natal, or the mortal hour.
All Nature is but Art, unknown to thee;
All Chance, Direction, which thou canst not see;
All Discord, Harmony not understood;
All partial Evil, universal Good:
And, spite of Pride, in erring Reason’s spite,
One truth is clear, WHATEVER IS, IS RIGHT. (l. 285-294)

I thought this passage to be the most important, because it gives a complete summary of Pope’s argument that man should give in to the idea that the order of things is exactly as it should be with respect to the universe and ultimately to man’s position in it…”WHATEVER IS, IS RIGHT.” The underlying theme in the poem is Pope’s attempt to convince man to accept his station and his abilities, which is stated in the passage by telling man that he shall be blessed with what he is deemed to and that all aspects though not concrete are as they should be, but what is even more important about the passage is the fact that also in this conclusion dwells Pope’s contradiction.

If Pope’s argument is true that everything is as it should be, then I see no need for the poem to exist at all. If “WHATEVER IS, IS RIGHT” is in fact correct, then wouldn’t everything that Pope is convincing man not to do like give in to Pride, be correct in the grand scheme of things? That is, if everything about man is correct and as it should be, then wouldn’t man’s battle with pride be as well? It is hard for me to believe Pope in his argument if he is telling man to exclude certain aspects of himself but at the same time give in to their perfection…”Submit.–In this, or any other sphere.”

I also found it to be contradictory in respect to the Enlightenment Era as well. It seems that the poem is written as if the speaker uses the philosophy behind enlightenment by giving reason to the universe and taking the idea of man deeper, but it ultimately is telling man not to give in to reason in respect to the universe, but to accept the world as it is. He tells man to look only in his own realm and what is already known instead of looking beyond for new answers and ultimate understanding, which I think to be the purpose behind the enlightenment era. Because of these contradictions, I found it hard to believe Pope’s argument, but also hard to believe whether or not he truly believes it himself.

Finally, be sure you check your grade on this forum. It is up to you to be sure that you are performing at an acceptable level.

Here is an example of a strong forum post:

Orgon’s reasoning behind offering his daughter, Mariane, to Tartuffe was that of an ultimate gift. Orgon saw so highly of Tartuffe that he was willing to give all of his worldly possessions to him. In this time, the agreement to give one’s daughter was probably of the highest regard, because not only did it offer purity but also permanently gave a position in the family. This would close the gap and bring the two men closer together in a sense. Orgon clearly states this to Mariane in Act 2 Scene 1 when he says, “Yes, Tartuffe shall be/ Allied by marriage to this family,/ And he’s to be your husband, is that clear?/ It’s a father’s privilege…” (l. 27-30)

Tartuffe’s lack of enthusiasm for the marriage to Mariane is simply because his interests do not dwell in her. He wants to satisfy his lust for Elmire. Dorine has the observation that Tartuffe has interest in Elmire and his quick acquiescence to stay and meet with her gives proof to the theory in Act 3 Scene 2 (l. 17-23):

TARTUFFE  Girl, speak more modestly; unless you do,
I shall be forced to take my leave of you.
DORINE    Oh, no, it’s I who must be on my way;
I’ve just one little message to convey.
Madame is coming down, and begs you, Sir,
To wait and have a word or two with her.
TARTUFFE  Gladly.
DORINE    [Aside.] That had a softening effect!
I think my guess about him was correct!

Tartuffe never really disagrees to the marriage of Mariane, he simply mentions that he has a different preference. In Act 3 Scene 3 (l. 47-50) Tartuffe confesses his lust for Elmire. “He did once mention it. But I confess/ I dream of quite a different happiness./ It’s elsewhere, Madam, that my eyes discern/ The promise of that bliss for which I yearn.” I don’t think that Tartuffe would object to marrying Mariane, for it would give him better status and more of Orgon’s possessions, but he truly does desire Elmire. He never denies that he would not marry Mariane, but only that he will keep the affair secret. Because Damis interrupts the conversation, we never hear an agreement that Tartuffe would promote the marriage of Mariane and Valere in exchange for the secret affair. Therefore, we aren’t certain that Tartuffe would be willing to give up the marriage to Mariane, which would preserve his position with Orgon and the ultimate inheritance of which he would be entitled. After all, Tartuffe is cunning, so we must give him some credit, but it is only in Elmire (his true competitor of wit) that lies his ultimate downfall.

While it is not perfect, it does have strong points to make, supports those points with specific evidence, and is relatively free of grammatical and mechanical errors. Be sure to put parenthetical citations at the end of the sentence before the final punctuation, and incorporate all quotations within your own sentences. This post would earn a four out of five.

Be sure to keep up with your assignments. You had two weeks to complete the Tartuffe section of the class, but many did not meet this deadline. Therefore, your grades might not be what you thought or desire at this point.

Finally, we had some political discussion in the forum. I encourage you to make parallels between the texts we read and current events and debates in our society. However, be sure that they are relevant, respectful, and informed. Part of a liberal arts education is to learn how to read texts — all texts we are presented with in our daily lives — and not take anything at face value, including media portrayals of public figures. It’s up to us to be as informed as possible, not just parrot media commentators. Remember: just because we hear someone from the “news” say something, does not make it true, appropriate, or at all informed.

Please post any questions you have below.

Write using paragraphs. No big blocks of rambling text. Yes, this is an informal response, but you must still consider good writing. Have a point to make; this is called a thesis statement in first-year composition. Proofread. Use punctuation. Remember: this is an English class.

You only need works cited entries for secondary texts. Since we’re all using the same primary text, you needn’t list it as a work cited at the bottom of your entry. You must, however, list secondary sources in a works cited section at the bottom of your post. Also, you should still use in-text, parenthetical citations for both primary and secondary texts. See Basic MLA Citation Style.

Your titles should reflect the post content. Remember, a title’s primary job is two-fold: (1) get the reader’s attention, and (2) give some indication as to what your post (essay, etc.) will address. It should be original. Catchy. For example, a poor title for a post in the “Introduction” forum would be “Introduction.” Would you want to read that? Also, a good title will give your fellow students the opportunity to more easily decide whether or not to read your entry — if it will be interesting or useful to them. Consider titles carefully.

Avoid repetition. You should not repeat threads. Why would there be five threads about “hypocrisy” in a Tartuffe forum? Simple, those folks who start a thread have not read the other threads first. This will start earning you a failing grade. Before you post a new thread on a particular topic, read the topics that have already been started. You might not even have to begin a new thread. Remember, the idea is a forum is to communicate with your fellow students. Forum posts are not formal essays. Do not treat them as such.

Your post within a particular forum will never be complete unless you respond to at least one thread. Remember, most forums will be worth ten points, but a thread (post, comment) is worth a maximum of five points. Therefore, you should at least begin a thread and respond to a thread in every forum in the class. However, I recommend doing more than that. If you earn a 4 on one post and a 3 on your second, your final grade for the forum will be a 7 out of 10. Posting one more time will likely make up those three points you are missing. If you want to make the maximum grade, post as much as you are able.

This does not mean quantity trumps quality. The best forum posts have something original to say, use specific evidence from the text, cite secondary sources, and are thoughtful, unique, and personal. Writing on the obvious will, at best, earn you an average grade. Consider a specific portion of the text — a theme, a character, a symbol, a passage — to analyze, to question, to interpret. Stating the obvious or summarizing the plot will not be enough.

Finally, remember what you’re supposed to be writing about in the forum: the primary text for the class, not secondary political, religious, or cultural concerns. I do encourage you to make parallels between the texts we read and current events and debates in our society. However, be sure that they are relevant, respectful, and informed. Part of a liberal arts education is to learn how to read texts — all texts we are presented with in our daily lives — and not take anything at face value, including media portrayals of public figures. It’s up to us to be as informed as possible, not just parrot media commentators. Remember: just because we hear someone from the “news” say something, does not make it true, appropriate, or at all informed.

Remember, the forums are a major part of your grade. This is where I get to see your ideas — your personality, your creativity — more than anything else you will do in the class. Make them the best you can.

Last Updated: 09/01/09

1. address a work of literature, text, or topic you have been assigned to read or discuss for class
2. apply a critical approach that we have discussed in class to interpreting that piece of literature (the most popular will be reader response)
3. refer to secondary supportive materials

A blog is a short piece of writing presented on a web site. Think of blog and forum entries as precise pieces of writing where you argue a specific point about a text and support it with primary and secondary evidence. Blog entries should be no less than 350 words and no more than 1000.

Each blog or forum entry should address a particular text or subject in a number of ways:

1. Your interpretation of the work using any critical method that you would like. See Writing Essays about Literature for some suggestions. Your interpretation of any aspect of the primary text should be your major focus.
2. Secondary interpretations. Since you are new at addressing literary works, you should consult secondary sources for additional interpretations to help you develop your critical approach. Use online sources as well as books from the library to help you with your journal. Be sure to practice correct MLA citation method.

The blog portion of your portfolio is designed to get you thinking and writing about literature in a critical way. It’s OK not to like a piece of literature, but you should investigate why you dislike it critically, not just dismiss it like you would a soggy piece of toast. Remember, you job is to respond to the various literary texts, not provide a book report or summary of the plot. Be sure to consult Blogging: Some Considerations and Commenting Online before beginning this requirement.

Logistics

All student blogs and forums will be kept on the LitMUSE Moodle Server. Sign up for an account, if you have not already.

Evaluation

Students will complete any number of blog or forum responses during the course of the semester. Blog entries are about the critical analysis of texts or writing topic. They should be thoughtful and succinct, and have a minimum of 350-400 words. Strong blog entries will refer to specific portions of the the primary text, will make liberal use of links to external sources, will cite sources correctly, will only summarize when necessary, and will have something unique to contribute to the conversation. Remember to proofread carefully before submitting your blog for moderation. Only the best blogs will be promoted to the front page of the site.

Blog and forum entries will be worth a maximum of 10 points. The maximum score for a blog without citing secondary sources will be 8. A plot summary will earn you a maximum of 6 points. Here is a more precise breakdown:

• 10 and 9 points: precise, thoughtful, focused, original, supported; uses secondary sources (not just links to web sites) and cites them correctly; stylistically and mechanically flawless
• 8 points: precise, thoughtful, supported; may or may not use secondary sources; uses links; stylistically and grammatically sound
• 7 points: generally acceptable, college-level work, but not really original; few mechanical and stylistic errors
• 6 points: plot summary or a re-hashing of what everyone else wrote; minor mechanical and stylistic problems
• 1-5 points: did not follow directions; not proofread; not revised; little to no effort; complaining about the assignment

Examples

The following examples are actual student responses published on this web site with their permission.

• Madness or Evil? A Psychological Critique of “The Cask of Amontillado” by Wanda Pavone for ENGL 1102

Comments should always be thoughtful and considerate. See Commenting Online for a more detailed explanation.