Well Said

Because it just makes sense.

Situational Irony

Because you need to know.

Dramatic Irony

Because you need to know.

Verbal Irony

Because you need to know.

Some History of the English Language

Because you always wanted to know.

Modes of Persuasion

Ethos

Reading for Enrichment

Fiction for First Year High School Students

            Teachers expect a lot from ninth graders.  High school is a whole new, exciting, and intimidating experience.  For the first time, students are tasked with analyzing complicated concepts like: how the influences of genre shape theme, how figurative language relates to its historical context, and how the elements of non-linear plot development shape conflict.  Students need a way to enrich their reading capabilities and gain confidence.  Works of fiction provide that relief.  In addition, serial book series provide a release for students and a way to relax.  Often, young adults find an author, or character they can identify with and begin reading for pleasure for the first time in their lives.  Edgar Rice Burroughs and Mary Stewart provide both a release and an engagement at higher levels of thinking for young adults.  I have chosen Tarzan of the Apes, and A Princess of Mars, by Edgar Rice Burroughs, and Mary Stewart’s Arthurian saga: The Chrystal Cave, The Hollow Hills, and The Last Enchantment. 

Edgar Rice Burroughs engages the reader from the start of each novel.  The exotic settings and heroic-but human characters expose young minds to character conflict at many levels.  Tarzan of the Apes is the first of a twenty two book series.  Each book is around 200 pages, and available in softback from most local libraries.  The length of the book enables young readers to successfully cover the content in a relatively short amount of time.  I selected the Tarzan series because it represents an opportunity for readers at all levels to engage, enjoy, and escape while improving reading and comprehension skills.  Likewise, A Princess of Mars is the first book in a 12 book series.  Again, Burroughs uses rich, evocative language to transport the reader to a different world.  The author models excellent writing skills for students.  Burroughs uses an informal tone to narrate, but models how to write without contractions—except in dialogue.  Overall, I think these books represent an overlooked need for ninth grade students.  They were written in a time where language use in writing was formal, but creative and evocative.

Mary Stewart’s, The Chrystal Cave, The Hollow Hills, and The Last Enchantment give young readers the background and context for British Literature that can hardly be found anywhere else.  The trilogy details the Arthurian Legend from the birth of Merlin the magician to Arthur’s final years as king.  Stewart uses rich historical detail that helps the reader understand the customs and culture of early Brittan.  In addition, readers encounter a variety of character conflicts that force young thinkers to infer and predict the result of foreshadowing.  Mary Stewart guides the reader through history while evoking complex thought. 

                                                                                             

·         Title: Tarzan of the Apes

·         Author: Edgar Rice Burroughs

·         Publisher: Townsend Press Inc.

·         Copyright: 2003

·         ISBN#: 1-59194-010-9

·         Genre: Fiction

·         Library Location: Amarillo Public Library

·         Summary:

The book tells the story of John Clayton.  Born to Lord and Lady Greystoke who are marooned in equatorial Africa, the infant is adopted by a female ape after his parents die.  Clayton is named “Tarzan” and raised without knowledge of his human heritage.

As he grows, Tarzan becomes alienated from his peers because of his physical appearance.  He finds out about his true identity at his parent’s old cabin, where he learns about others like himself.  As he grows up Tarzan becomes a skilled hunter, teaches himself to read, and arouses the jealousy of Kerchak, the ape leader.

A tribe of humans move into the area and kill one of Tarzan’s closest friends.  Tarzan begins an antagonistic relationship with the tribe, and is ultimately regarded as supernatural by them.  Tarzan becomes highly regarded by his ape tribe and because of his heroic behavior ascends to “king of the apes.” 

Subsequently, a new party of explorers becomes stranded, including Jane Porter.  Tarzan aides them and protects Jane from the perils of the jungle.  After Jane and her party are rescued, Tarzan learns how to behave among civilized men and finally travels to Baltimore to meet Jane. 

Upon his arrival in Jane’s home town, Tarzan learns that she is engaged to another man.  Ultimately, Tarzan returns to Africa for the sake of Jane’s happiness.

·         Personal Comments:

Edgar Rice Burroughs’ engaging language keeps the reader’s imagination moving, and active.  For young readers, the book introduces moral dilemmas and cultural situations that stimulate higher level thinking.  The narrator uses a third person active voice that models a formal use of English.  Tarzan is non-threatening fiction that provides an escape from reality. 

·         Suggested Use in Classroom:

This book can be used as an enrichment tool for struggling readers and accomplished readers.  Struggling readers will benefit from the structured, clear language, and the never dull theme.  Accomplished readers will be exposed to higher level thinking processes that stimulate the use of imagination and inference.  In addition, it can be introduced as a text that students should read outside of class for personal enjoyment.

·         Title: A Princess of Mars

·         Author:  Edgar Rice Burroughs

·         Publisher:  Renaissance Classics

·         Copyright:  2012

·         ISBN: 978-0615858111

·         Genre:  Fiction

·         Library:  Amarillo Public Library

·         Summary:

John Carter is prospecting in Arizona when he finds himself on the run from Apaches. He hides in a cave, where he is overcome by toxic fumes.  Sure he has died; Carter is mysteriously transported to Mars. There he meets the Tharks, green Martians who stand fifteen feet tall and have six arms. He discovers that he has incredible strength on Mars because of the lesser gravity, and soon he becomes a respected warrior. Carter meets Dejah, a princess of Mars, who has been kidnapped by the Tharks. He rescues her and falls in love, but must fight to protect her.

·         Personal Comments:

This book introduces the reader to a fictional culture.  Burroughs’s in-depth construction of the Martian civilization makes the reader consider different points of views.  John Carter’s character is impeccable and he, at least, tries to do the right thing when confronted with new societal situations.  Burroughs explores and defines differences in ethnicity in a purely fictional context that makes the reader wrestle with values and principles along with Carter.  This book is considered romantic fiction, and the romantic element is a major part of the work, but I think the book is an excellent way for young readers to be introduced to cultural situations that they may experience later in life.

·         Suggested Use in Classroom:

This book is an excellent resource for oral reading exercises.  The paragraph structure is such that students can read aloud, and follow along, in short well-defined increments.  It lends itself to whole class discussion so that students must make inferences and draw conclusions about a wide variety of moral situations.  The science fiction format enables students to experience a vivid example of creative thinking.  In turn, the creative nature of the book will help students write engaging stories with well-developed characters and conflict.  In addition, the book is an excellent enrichment tool for outside reading.  Some students will read this first book and be attracted to additional works in the series. 

Title: The Crystal Cave

·         Author:  Mary Stewart

·         Publisher:  William Morrow and Company

·         Copyright:  2003

·         ISBN: 0-06-054825-8

·         Genre:  Fiction

·         Library:  Amarillo Public Library

·         Summary:

Mary Stewart brings to life one of the greatest legends ever told.  In the first book of a trilogy, Stewart introduces Merlin, the magician of Camelot and King Arthur.  Stewart uses rich imagery to tell the story of a man with a unique intelligence.  Merlin is perceived as a man of magic who possesses dark, other worldly powers.  However, the reader understands his human concerns as Stewart sheds light on the turbulent cultural influences of 5^th century Britian.  Merlin travels to the Far East and learns chemistry and physics.  In reality, he has no magic powers, only a keen intellect and skilled in logic.  Mary Stewart tells Merlin’s story with great historical detail, so that the reader actually experiences life in the 5^th Century.

·         Personal Comments:

This book is a great introduction to historical fiction.  The author re-creates life in the Middle Ages in vivid detail, so that the reader becomes educated about life during that time.  Stewart creates Merlin’s character as a three dimensional figure that the reader can relate to in a human way.  For me, this book was the beginning of understanding the form and function of courtly love, and the Arthurian legend of Camelot.  Mary Stewart’s use of language to convey imagery and emotion serve as a brilliant model for writing.

·         Suggested Use in Classroom:

This book can be used as an introduction to the vocabulary and cultural concepts of the Middle Ages for ninth graders.  This book prepares the reader for works they will encounter in English 4, like Beowulf, and the Iliad.  In addition, it is the perfect complement to introduce Victorian poetry that references the legend of Arthur.  Also, The Crystal Cave can be used for enrichment reading inside and outside of class. 

·         Title: Hollow Hills

·         Author:  Mary Stewart

·         Publisher:  William Morrow and Company

·         Copyright:  2003

·         ISBN: 0-06-054826-6

·         Genre:  Fiction

·         Library:  Amarillo Public Library

·         Summary:

The Hollow Hills picks up where The Crystal Cave left off, a few years before the birth of Arthur.  Merlin narrates this novel and details the intrigue that surrounds Arthur’s birth and childhood.  Stewart, again, highlights the culture of Britain during the 5^th century with historic accuracy.  For his safety, Uther Pendragon, Arthur’s father, gives Merlin the child to raise.  Merlin gives the child first to Moravik, his nurse, who, after 10 years, sends the boy to Count Ector of Galava to be trained and educated.  Later, Merlin becomes Arthur’s teacher.  As a young man, Arthur fights and wins his first battle against the invading Saxons.  When he is challenged as the next High King, Arthur draws the sword named “Caliburn” from the altar of Chapel Perilous.

·         Personal Comments:

In this book, Mary Stewart personalizes the myth of the sword in the stone by relating it to the first production of quality steel outside of the Far East.  Merlin learns of the process on his travels in Constantinople.  Stewart helps the reader understand the reason behind superstitions of the age and the intricacy of medieval politics.  The characters are whole and real.  For me, this book serves as an excellent example of historical fiction, because it realistically portrays the life style and culture of an era, while making sense of a legend with epic characteristics.

·         Suggested Use in Classroom:

This book can be used as a follow up with The Crystal Cave. It serves as an excellent example for how authors develop complex yet believable characters, and how point of view affects the plot.  In the classroom, students can analyze non-linear plot development and infer the results of foreshadowing.  In addition, students can be challenged with creative and expository writing assignments related to the work.  Perhaps more importantly, this book can serve to stimulate curiosity and help students engage in reading for pleasure.

·         Title: The Last Enchantment

·         Author:  Mary Stewart

·         Publisher:  William Morrow and Company

·         Copyright:  2003

·         ISBN: 0-06-054827-4

·         Genre:  Fiction

·         Library:  Amarillo Public Library

·         Summary:

In the last book of the trilogy, Mary Stewart covers the time of Arthur’s reign in Camelot.  Camelot becomes the center of government in Britain and Arthur faces challenges for his throne.  The story details Arthur’s relationship with Morgause and the birth of their son Mordred, who Merlin foresees as being the cause of Arthur’s death.  Merlin takes on an apprentice named Niniane, and trains her to take his place.  In the end, Merlin becomes a recluse, like his teacher in The Crystal Cave, and Arthur retains his throne and authority.

·         Personal Comments:

I think this book is fascinating and compelling because the storyline is clearly grounded in historical facts.  Mary Stewart’s writing is descriptive and her use of imagery makes the setting come alive.  In addition, Stewart develops complex relationships between characters that force the reader to confront moral dilemmas at a personal level.  The historical accuracy, and the character conflict combine to make this book memorable, and worth reading more than once.

·         Suggested Use in Classroom:

This book can be used to initiate a Medieval Literature unit that includes Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, or to reinforce understanding of the influence of mythic, classical and traditional literature on 20th and 21st century literature. Furthermore, ninth grade students can address the structure and elements of drama in essay work.  This book can also be used as an enrichment tool for struggling, or reluctant readers.

 

Resource

Website Resource:  GrammarBook.com

GrammarBook.com


The website is based on Jane Straus’s, The Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation.  She graduated from the University of California Davis, with a BA in English and majored in rhetoric. She taught English and authored her own materials for courses which then became The Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation, a best-seller, which also led to the development of www.GrammarBook.com. 

Website Design and Ease of Navigation:  

The website consists of a header that links to The Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation on Amazon.com, and a centered column with ads surrounding the site links.  A navigation bar offers users a different way to access site content, and also includes a link to videos focused on each rule and usage tip.  The links are simple, self-explanatory and easy to use.  In short, accessing content is easy because the links are organized well.

Response and Recommendation for Use:

GrammarBook.com simplifies English language grammar and punctuation usage rules in an easy to understand format.  The site uses real world examples to clarify grammar rules like the usage for who/whom, and whoever vs. whomever.  Additionally, punctuation rules are presented in the same straightforward manner, with examples that reinforce proper usage.  The “Other Rules” section clarifies how to use numbers when writing, along with addressing spelling and capitalization questions.  GrammarBook.com is to grammar, what the Purdue Owl is to formatting.  The content is easy to get to, accurate, and relatable. This website is a place where a writer, at any level can learn the utility of grammar and punctuation.  I recommend it to writers at all levels.