great works ii – 2850 jta 12:25-2:05: love letters from the world

GW 2850 Spring 2017 Jeanne Stauffer-Merle

“A Creative Dialogue”

15-20 minute oral, in class, two students for each dialogue.

15% of your final grade.

 

Intent: The purpose of this Creative Dialogue is to produce a meaningful dialogue between two class participants, in which both, together, will generate and an in-depth analysis and interpretation of a creative piece of work (connected thematically to a text we are reading) that you and your partner wrote together (see below for ideas about creative pieces). This oral presentation is called a “dialogue,” rather than a “presentation”, because rather than presenting your points in a traditional formal presentation venue, you will discuss your points, together, as two intelligent, articulate people.

1. 5-7 minutes: reading/presenting a creative piece, based closely or loosely on a theme, literary idea or literary movement, associated with a text that we will have recently read. You may choose from ideas below, but you are welcome to come up with your own ideas. Each pair will sign up for a specific text (see the dates/texts below).
2. 10-15 minutes: discussing your piece in an in-depth, meaningful way. That is, you are to discuss the various aspects of your process, when developing your creative piece.  Some points you might want to consider:  Why you chose this particular theme; how this theme connects to your own work; why you think this theme is relevant; how your attitudes were affected by this theme throughout your process; why you decided on your specific format (text, film, visual art, etc.); how you developed your idea; how you divided the work between yourselves, and anything else you deem important to discuss with the class.  Remember, this is the bulk of your presentation, so make sure you organize your dialogue carefully.
3.   It is a dialogue, and not a presentation, because you are not stating ideas, but discussing them, thinking about them, and fleshing them out, together, in a dialogue format, in front of the class. You may do this in the form of an interview, or as two authors discussing their choices and methods. You may also ask the class questions and bring them into your discussion.  You will most certainly want to create an outline of points to discuss, as you will need to get to some depth here. This is NOT a casual conversation. (There are numerous examples of meaningful dialogues and interviews between professionals on u-tube and elsewhere online, should you feel the need for a model, but I would love to see what you come up with on your own.)
4. The class will spend a couple of minutes asking questions and commenting.

 

Grading:

Scroll down for the rubric, below.  Both students in the dialogue will receive the same grade. You will be graded on how thoroughly you have fulfilled points 1,  2, and 3 above.

All pairs will sign up (you must sign up in class) for a specific date, as dialogues will take place throughout the semester, and be connected to the texts we will have recently read in class (see below, for specific text information).

Possible ideas, although you are welcome to create your own!

• Create a short film in the manner of/in imitation of a text; read it and explain this is terms of an interpretation of the original text.
• Do a piece of original writing in response to the text; explain this is terms of an interpretation of the original text.
• Become a character in a text and write an original dramatic monologue for your character. Explain this is terms of an interpretation of the original text.
• Paint a painting or make a collage of images/structure of a novel; explain this is terms of an interpretation of the original text.
• Write a piece of prose, short fiction, or poem, modeled on a text; explain this is terms of an interpretation of the original text.
• Mime a basic relationship or conflict in a text explain this is terms of an interpretation of the original text.
• Present a verbal collage of striking sentences/images from a work or a collection of poems. explain this is terms of an interpretation of the original text.
• Prepare and present a series of visual responses to a text; explain this is terms of an interpretation of the original text.
• Add a chapter, a prologue, or an epilogue to a text; explain this is terms of an interpretation of the original text.
• Write music and/or lyrics to reflect a text; explain this is terms of an interpretation of the original text.
• Choreograph a dance to reflect a text; explain this is terms of an interpretation of the original text.

 

English 2850 –  Rubric for Oral: A Creative Dialogue

Dialogue Members:

Overall Grade:

Overall Comments:

 

Creative Piece: 25 points:

 

Connection to a theme from the assigned text:

 

Appropriate length (should be close to the prescribed parameters):

 

Originality/Details used to develop the theme (all images and/or text must be original):

 

Discussion: 75 points:

Level of depth in the discussion (see the assignment sheet for help):

 

Appropriate length (see assignment sheet):

 

Dialogue equally shared among members (no one member should go into a lengthy monologue):

 

Managing questions/comments from the class:

 

Dates/Text

Not more than one dialogue per date.

Note: After you sign up (you must sign up on a hard copy, in class) you need to commit to your date. There will be no changes. If you do not present on your assigned date, then both you and your partner will receive one letter grade lower for your presentation grade, when you do present. See the guidelines, above. Remember, this is 15-20 minutes, in-class.

Date                Literary Text/Time                                                                     

Feb 21            Journey to the West/Chinese: 16^th Century

Feb 28            Journey to the West/Chinese: 16^th Century

March 7         Sensuous Woman/Japanese: 1686

March 14        Sensuous Woman/Japanese: 1686

March 28        Bartleby/ American: 1853

April 4             Bartleby/ American: 1853

April 25          The Metamorphosis/German: 1915

May 2              The Metamorphosis/German: 1915

May 2              The Metamorphosis/German: 1915  (Online: discuss with me: you may only sign up for online presentations, after all in-class slots have been filled.)

May 9               Endgame/Irish: 1957

May 9               Endgame/Irish: 1957  (Online: discuss with me: you may only sign up for online presentations, after all in-class slots have been filled.)

May 16              Aura/Mexican: 1962