The Great Gatsby
Nick Carraway begins the novel by claiming he is "inclined to reserve all judgments." However, by Chapter 3, he declares himself "one of the few honest people" he has ever known. What is the literary term for a narrator whose credibility is compromised/put into question?
Unreliable narrator.
Chiasmus
What strategy do we use to help understand the rhetorical situation?
SPACECAT
What is the format of an argumentative essay thesis statement?
Nuance (Acknowledgement of concessions) + Main Argument + 2 Reasons Why
What is the minimum number of provided sources a student must cite to be eligible for full points in the Evidence and Commentary category?
3
In Chapter 5, a "defunct mantelpiece clock" nearly falls, and Gatsby catches it with "trembling fingers." Explain how this specific physical action serves as a microcosm/symbolic theme for Gatsby’s overarching "Hamartia" (tragic flaw).
The defunct clock represents Gatsby’s attempt to stop or reverse time to return to 1917. His "trembling" attempt to catch it symbolizes his tragic inability to accept that time has moved on; he believes that through sheer willpower and wealth, he can "fix" the past and make it stand still.
A pithy observation that contains a general truth, such as, “if it ain't broke, don't fix it.”
Aphorism
What strategy do we use to determine if the flow and organization of our ideas makes logical sense?
Line of Reasoning (LOR)
What should you include after your two main body paragraphs that articulate your two main arguments that defend your position?
Counterargument and Rebuttal
Which part of our body paragraph outline refers to the limitations of our main ideas?
Nuance
In Chapter 2, a pair of "blue and gigantic" eyes look out over the Valley of Ashes from a pair of enormous yellow spectacles. What is the name of the billboard, and explain what it symbolically represents to the characters in the valley.
The Eyes of T.J. Eckleburg. They represent the "eyes of God", staring down at a moral wasteland, or the hollow nature of spirituality in a consumerist society.
A logical fallacy in which the reasoner begins with what they are trying to end with.
Circular reasoning
The "stuff" a writer uses to build an argument, such as diction, syntax, tone, and figurative language, is called:
Rhetorical choices (formerly: rhetorical devices)
What strategy do we use to help generate ideas for the Evidence and Commentary category in an argumentative essay?
CHORES
Group sources together and have them relate to each other in order to support a point/sub-point in a student's argument.
As Gatsby is mentioned or involved in Daisy's life, Daisy begins to display child-like behavior by acting ignorantly and innocently around Tom, Jordan, Nick, and Gatsby. Why does she act this way, and what serves as a reminder/reality check for her behavior?
Daisy acts this way to forget/ignore/avoid the reality of the world/her life, but her daughter, "Pammy", serves as a reminder that she ultimately cannot ignore her reality as a married mother.
An adjective or descriptive phrase expressing a quality characteristic of the person or thing mentioned.
Epithet
What should we mention in order to develop our commentary and earn the sophistication point?
(This applies to all essay types.)
The rhetorical situation/SPACE
What does the acronym "CHORES" stand for?
Current events, History, Own knowledge/experiences/observations, Reading (literature), Entertainment, Science or Sports
Which is the best way to organize our body paragraphs in order to demonstrate line of reasoning in our synthesis essay?
Organize our paragraphs in order of ideas (Idea Organization) rather than sources (Source Organization).
In Chapter 6, Tom observes as Gatsby dances with Daisy at one of Gatsby's party. What does Gatsby call Tom, how does Tom react, and what might his behavior with Daisy say about his character?
Gatsby refers to Tom as "the polo player"; Tom seems insecure, and he asks Daisy if he can talk to other people instead.
Harsh, abusive, or highly insulting language used to express deep-seated ill will, blame, or censure
Invective
How do you develop commentary?
After explaining what your evidence demonstrates, explain WHY it logically connects to your point (Answer), explain HOW it connects to your overall thesis statement (LOR), and answer the SO WHAT question (SPACE).
What should you be wary about when writing your counterargument?
1) Accidentally conceding your position when demonstrating the opposing one, and/or
2) Not justifying your positions after showing limitations.
What are the two approaches that we can use to begin reading and synthesizing information when given six sources?
Hunt and Gather / Examine and Decide