WORD TO THE WISE: Sage Advice from the Class of 2024 to a NEW Generation of DP Language & Literature Scholars! (August Blog, 2024)

 

Well, it is hard to believe, but we have closed yet another year at Odyssey.  Soon, we will be blowing a kiss and waving a tearful farewell to the Class of 2024.  As first and second-year DP Language and Literature students gear up for their summer assessments, the Class of 2024 will be zipping up their gowns, donning their cords, and looking forward to the next phase of their exciting life journey: college, career, military service; wherever their dreams take them...

Class of 2024, you are standing at a precipice, and at

this momentous occasion in your lives, great reflection is in order; a reflection that can help our next generation of upperclassmen--juniors and seniors--as they navigate through unfamiliar and uncertain waters and build upon their knowledge as IB scholars.  Please know I will ALWAYS and  FOREVER be in your corner, cheering you on, through all of life's challenges and celebrations! LOTS of love, gratitude, prayer, and applause for and to YOU from me!

So, DP Language and Literature Students of now and tomorrow, here it is, advice from your seniors to you; those who have successfully reached the summit of DP Language and Literature will give you pieces of the map and a compass to guide YOU on your journey.  They have officially and successfully finished both years of study, so really take their words to heart!  And to you seniors who are quoted here, please know that I have learned just as much, if not more, from working with you as you did in this classroom, and I will miss your intensity and determination through all the seasons.  This advice is quite meaningful in light of the experience, and so...

Buckle up, here we go!

Do your schoolwork on time; the less you procrastinate, the better you feel.  Find someone to do the Lit Tracker with someone will hold you accountable and make it detailed because that makes writing the essays and studying for Paper 2 and the IO so much easier.  Additionally, participating in the class discussions makes class so much more enjoyable and it helps to make the books easier to process and it allows you to become more invested in the book. ~Danica Slack

School makes up roughly 1,900 days of your life--44,928 hours.  That is approximately 30% of all

the hours in 18 years and 0.06% of the hours of the average lifespan.  That is not to say "Don't try in your school work," but rather "Make the most of it."  You only have two years left of high school. Make the most of having friends you see every day, to be kids, with newfound independence.  Being in DP requires a massive time commitment, but I got through it, I graduated full DP with straight A's both years, but I never neglected to also just have fun, be a kid, play D & D, roll down a storm drain in a shopping cart, spend hours in a Peter Piper Pizza arcade, and laugh with my friends.  You need to pay attention to your classes because they can determine your financial health for the rest of your life, but you need to pay attention to your friends because that can determine your mental health for the rest of your life. ~Waylan Perez

Everyone wants advice. Everyone wants a magic solution. Everyone wants to be better at something. And if it was that easy, well, everyone would be. As a senior, I can tell you what I’ve learned to be true in my experience in regard to this class, but every person has to have their struggles, failures, and time spent learning what works for them. So while I can give you generic words that you’ve likely heard before and will hear again, your best tool is going to be to simply immerse yourself in the process and learn what works for you. It’s uncomfortable at times, but that’s what brings the challenge and consequently the satisfaction of eventual success. That being said, here are some general bits and bops I’ve picked up.

1. Read your books. Yes, every teacher tells you to, and no, you won’t always want to. Could you in theory look up spark notes and get by on the bare minimum? Maybe. Probably. However, a lot of the books have deep concepts that I really enjoyed reading about and discussing. Many of the books have changed my perspectives and paradigms, and the subsequent discussions both strengthened and tested my predisposed beliefs. Don't rob yourself of that opportunity. If you do want to make the process easier on yourself (this habit isn’t for everyone- especially those criminally offended by “damaging” books), annotate IN your books. Underline lines that stick out to you, circle motifs, and write mini blurbs on your opinions- heck even the occasional happy or sad face. This helps you recall it better and makes Lit Tracking SO much easier and faster as you’ve already done the worst of the work. As an added bonus, it’s funny to go back and read your old thoughts from the books while rereading/skimming.

2. Pace yourself. There will be times on occasion where you might fall a chapter or two behind on your
reading, and others where you just. can’t. stop. reading. It’s okay to have off days but make sure you always catch up and stay on track with the class. It’ll save you so much stress and allow you to make the most of class time. On the opposite side though, especially towards the end of senior year, THE BURNOUT IS REAL. Don’t bite off more than you can chew. Sometimes when trying to be more productive you overwhelm yourself and inadvertently cause the opposite. Just keep up with what’s assigned and put your best foot forward. Give each piece each piece its due time. These ideas apply to the Lit Trackers too. :)

3. Lit Trackers! Do them with a partner or small group, 10000%. Within that though, what I’ve found works is to divide up the lit tracker work by chapters/sections. You each take alternating chapters (or whatever system you’d like) then you're each responsible for your section. It creates accountability since the work is pre-divided so that one person doesn’t do more than the other (and if they don’t that’s reflected in the color coordinating). Side note: I used the Purple Hibiscus and A Thousand Splendid Suns Lit Trackers the most. DO THOSE WELL, if nothing else. They’ll come in clutch when you have to write a

Paper 2.

Do your best and take as much as you can from this experience. You get back what you put into the class so you have to put the effort in to make it worth your time. Laziness is tempting but not rewarding. Ms. Caraway is a great teacher. She’ll push you but it will help you grow in the long run. And most of all, enjoy it. It’s just a tiny piece of life. An influential piece? Sure. Worth it? Most definitely. But remember to have balance and breathe. Everything has a weird way of working out one way or another.~ Lily Willette

1) Don't take the time you have in class for granted; the heart of this class lies in the discussions that are had and the connections that are made by reading the works and then hearing other's interpretations of them. Everyone has something different to bring to the table and different perspectives are encouraged, as they lead to a deeper understanding for everybody.

2) Actually read the books! Year One might seem a little dry at first (no offense to Persepolis and Taming of the Shrew) but having a deep knowledge of the text and being able to enjoy the readings makes this class so much more fun. Just make sure not to read ahead too much...

3) Do your lit tracker! Not only are they helpful in organizing all the quotes and ideas about a text, but you will thank yourself later when you have good quotes and pairings to use for your IO, Paper Two, and even the HL Essay.

4) Finally, have fun! This class will only give back as much as you put into it, so if you come in with a positive attitude and are ready to participate, you are on your way to success.~ Cam Shepherd

Lowkey just make sure you show up and stay awake!  Don't try to bribe Mrs. Caraway, it doesn't work ;).  Don't stress out about the IO, it's really not that hard."  ~Bayle Rae Johnson

First and foremost, while your high school career will be stressful at times, remember that it’s supposed to be fun! Don’t feel obligated to do things because others are telling you it’s what you should do. Everyone’s high school experience is different, as long as you find a way to enjoy yourself then you’re doing it right. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself!  Specifically for this class, two things will make your life infinitely easier:

First, and this can not be stressed enough, DO NOT PROCRASTINATE. This means don’t hold off until doing your essay until the last minute. Find people to work with on the lit trackers and do them as you are reading the book, not after you finish the unit. I speak from experience, managing your time makes everything less stressful. If you can learn how to do it now it will be a skill you use your whole life. Second, find something about the class that you enjoy. You don’t have to love reading or writing, and you don’t have to be an excellent linguist. This class is more than just those things. It’s about the people and the discussions and learning more about what you believe by exploring different philosophies through literature. It can be really fun if you’re open to new ideas, so be open. Life is what you make it, this class will be as enjoyable as you allow it to be.  ~ Samantha Winn

Check the language arts website!!

Do rough drafts/outlines on time (you WANT the feedback!)

If you think you can 'catch up later', no you don't. Don't ever assume you can do it later because I guarantee you can't. The moment you fall behind you better schedule a time to catch up or you never will. It can be the LIT Tracker, the Blog, notes in class, or reading, you NEED to do it when it's assigned. ~ Hope Dalton

You get what you put in. By showing up to class prepared and actively participating, you will be more aptly equipped for exams. Keep up with your readings and annotations so that your lit trackers can be a beneficial resource. In preparation for your IO, start sooner than later and practice aloud any chance you get so that you feel confident going into it. Remember you signed up for this! - Samantha Pinnell

My sincere advice to you is to prepare and plan according to your courses. Do your IA's ahead of time, setting up times for you to have certain sections completed. Learn what you are going to be doing for your tests. If you know this, you will know what exactly you need to be looking for during class time and what is important to remember. Investing some time into doing this will spare you many all-nighters and much much stress. (I would know...). Another piece of advice is to take things one day at a time. While I do suggest planning, obsessing over all the things you need to do over your year or your month will leave you overwhelmed. Just figure out what is important for that day, do it, and GO TO SLEEP. Tomorrow will worry about itself! ~Serena Cardenas

Upcoming Juniors: keep the end goal in mind. This is a two-year course so what you do this year will impact how your Senior year will flow. The more work that you put in now, the better, as you still have some gas left in the tank that Senior year you probably won't. As far as assignments go, just do your best work and TURN THEM IN ON TIME!!!! Remember the blog post and always update your lit tracker whenever you read because they will sneak up on you at the end of the month.  Upcoming Seniors: 90% of the year goes by faster than you'd think, but the last 10% is as slow as can be. The exams for this class are no small feat and you have to be ready for them ahead of time. The paper 2 especially is a monster and something that you will have to set aside a lot of time to prepare for. My advice is to pay attention during Purple Hibiscus and A Thousand Splendid Suns, especially when discussing the authors' choices. Make sure to schedule your IO during a season that you're not busy, as most of it is independent work (I.e. don't schedule it during wrestling season like I did). Also, try not to let the Senioritis get to you because it always hits the hardest at the wrong time. Lastly, enjoy this time! It's your last year to enjoy being a high school student so make the most of it! ~Gabe Fournier

One very important piece of advice I would give is to prioritize organization, especially in this class. Stay on top of the lit trackers the best that you can and I promise your future self will thank you for it. The lit trackers are one of the many ways that Mrs. Caraway prepares us for DP testing and submissions and are definitely not a waste of time. Learn to write quick and efficient notes and actually take those notes. Keep track of class materials, especially the novels that are read in class. This is an advanced class and with that will likely come some challenges, but the fact that it is advanced allows for deeper, more engaging discussions and high-level work. Don't forget to have fun in this class. There are many fascinating stories you will get to delve into and there is so much to learn in DP English. You guys have got this! :) - Rachael Emmons

My advice: READ THE BOOKS!! It sucks to be assigned the work every day to read, but I promise these books are amazing! These books have turned out to be my favorite ones I've ever read. On that note, when you read make sure to highlight anything you enjoy about the book, and don't forget about the lit tracker! It truly catches up on you if you wait until the day it's due and you will struggle.  ~Analisia Cruz

As I reflect on my years of high school, specifically on my senior year, my word of advice would be to get involved in everything that you can. Keeping yourself busy during your last year of high school may sound stressful, but it is so worth it. It provides you with numerous memories that you will be able to look back on and you form many new connections. These connections are so important, especially in this last year. There will be many times you need a support system and having a network of friends or people you can count on will be crucial. Just have fun, and work to create memories you will be able to happily look back on when you're older.  :~Madison Coates

Don't be afraid to immerse yourself in these books. I know this will just be another one of your classes to some of you, but these books are really profound and definitely worth the emotional investment. Take notes in the margins, connect with the plot and the characters, try to predict the next chapters (but don't read ahead), underline your favorite lines, and focus on every nugget of information the author gives you.  It genuinely makes this class more fun when you're willing to engage with the material. I think my love for these books personally helped me understand their message and the intention of the authors a lot better, which is also incredibly helpful from a Paper 2 standpoint. ~Peyton Stone

Make the most of high school because it goes by fast and do your assignments because you will pay the price if you do not. ~Mayzie Brecke

Find Passion and Joy in YOUR Writing. There is nothing like writing your own, unique poem, story, or essay about something you are passionate about. It will not only make the class more fun, but it will exponentially increase your growth and learning.  ~Jaxon Sauls

Please do not take yourselves so seriously, and don't overwhelm yourselves with the future. Be patient, and your time will come. Work hard for it in the meantime, but do not stress about what has not even happened yet. ~Ashlyn White

#1: Take strong notes at the beginning of the course. While everything you learn is important and you should be sure to retain it, I found myself turning towards the notes I took early Junior year more often than not

#2: LIT. TRACKERS. Coming from someone who slacked on their Purple Hibiscus tracker, and put lots of effort into their Thousand Splendid Suns one, understanding the latter and using it to prepare for my paper 2 came much easier to me. Ms. Caraway will tell you to do them until she is blue in the face, and you SHOULD!!

#3: Attendance. As someone who had a disorder prohibiting them from attending class to the fullest, if you can, you should! The discussions in class are much more insightful than simply reading about it on your own time. IB is all about perspective, so get as many as you can! ~ Madison Banach

My advice for the new students is to focus on the class discussions and take notes. Even though it may seem silly, they do help when you can go back and look at all the quotes and literary devices that can be useful in helping write your papers or essays. ~Nate Rivera

Hello future seniors! My advice for you during your time in DP L&L is to be open to hearing out other perspectives no matter how sure you are of your own. You may learn something new you’d never considered. In L&L I’ve not only read the books and written QPA’s but also learned so much more about the world and different cultures. Take in the amazing lessons you will learn from DP L&L. It’s a lot more fun when you engage in the conversation! You’ve got this!! ~Lauren Strick

Make the most of your high school experience and cherish every moment. These years are a unique opportunity for personal growth and exploration. Immerse yourself in a variety of activities – from sports to clubs to the arts – and find what truly excites you. Step out of your comfort zone and try new things; taking risks can lead to unexpected discoveries and lasting friendships.  It's important to approach challenges with determination and resilience. If something seems daunting or unfamiliar, don't be afraid to seek guidance or support from peers and mentors. Remember that setbacks are a natural part of learning and growth. Stay focused on your goals and maintain a positive attitude, even when faced with obstacles.  Above all, enjoy the journey and make meaningful connections with those around you. High school is not just about academics; it's about discovering your passions, developing skills, and creating memories that will shape your future. Embrace this chapter of your life with enthusiasm and an open mind, and you'll come out stronger and more prepared for what lies ahead.  ~Gabby Fenton

Schoolwork can be overwhelming at times, so don't forget to have fun. The happy memories are the ones that stay with you longest. ~Lily Gordon

First and this goes for every class: find someone who is better than you in one subject so they can help you but also find one subject you are better than them so you can help each other out. Having someone to help you improve on your skills is important and will help you grow. Don’t try to do it all by yourself, have someone to help you but make sure you are also helping them. This is the same with the lit trackers, doing them with someone else will help make them a lot easier especially if you bounce ideas off each other to get the creative juices going. DON’T SAVE THE LIT TRACKERS TILL THE LAST SECOND, it is a lot of work to try and do in one night plus it is a lot easier doing them as you are reading since the information will be fresh on your mind. This is mainly for everyone that is not that big on reading, but try to find something about the books that interest you, something that makes you care about what's happening. It is like with everything in life, if you care about something you are more likely to do it and you will have a fun time doing it.  It is also helpful if you find someone to talk 1 on 1 about the book because then your brain is going to start thinking more and thinking harder.  ~Kallie Daugherty

READ THE BOOKS! It will make your life so much easier and make the class fun!! School is what you make it so make an effort and choose to have a good time and learn stuff!! ~Rayna LaMar

When it comes to your upperclassmen years and high school, as a whole, you must cherish every moment. Go out and try new things, you may end up learning a new skill or developing a love for something you would have never thought of.  These years all go by in the blink of an eye, it is important to stay organized and keep track of the time you have spent and need to make sure it's done the necessary tasks. Take classes seriously, especially if you want to pursue a higher education. All effort applied in class will reflect on you as a student and soon-to-be-adult. There are life skills you will formulate throughout these years subconsciously, and you will not notice until they become a part of your daily routine already. In the end, take these last few years seriously, they are vital when it comes to completing your high school year and beginning a new chapter of your life. However, do not forget to try new things, talk to people, spend time with those you love, and get involved in school events. Your future self will be grateful for all the memories you made in these hectic yet memorable times of your life, and you will give anything to go back to those good old days. ~Kaylee Trujillo

Please read the books. The books we read in class are great and make class discussions much more enjoyable. I never participated in the discussions much, but just listening to everyone made me excited to read what was next in the book and got me thinking of all the different ways the book could twist and turn. ~Keaton Gilbert

I think the best advice I can give to any future DP L&L scholars is to stay caught up in your readings! It really will help you in the long run when it comes to class discussions, essays, and exams. Also, listen to Mrs. Caraway and do what she tells you to because she does an amazing job at preparing you for the DP L&L exams that you will take at the end of year 2. This is a great class and you will get out of it what you put into it. Good luck! ~Morgan Needler

Heyo! There are a couple of experiences I've had in Mrs. Caraway's class that have turned into key pieces of advice for me. Firstly. it's never too late to start something! Do you want to try a new hobby? Go for it! Find a way to pursue it and feed the interest! For example, I've always had a distant love for theatre but barely involved myself in my senior year. I loved being part of Macbeth and helping out a bit with Newsies. Sometimes you just have to get over the anxiety and go for it. Next, never be afraid to reach out. Some of the books we read had difficult moments of interpretation. I wasn't always sure what Shakespeare or Rostand were talking about but I knew I'd be able to discuss it with peers. Don't be scared to reach out if you need clarification on something you read or if you want to seek a different perspective. You don't have to know everything and you definitely don't know everything. There's always something new and different to learn and discuss. ~Meli Calderon

This DP L&L journey you guys are about to embark on, although it can seem intimidating, is honestly one of the most well-structured courses out of every DP course. My advice to everyone is two things, the first being: DO THE WORK! Although doing lit-trackers, or writing 4-6 HL essays will seem like a lot, and maybe even tedious at times, I promise it all has a purpose. If you pay attention in class and do the work beforehand (a.k.a not just the night before the actual DP test), it makes everything so much easier. As for specific advice with classwork, I would say the following things:

- When given information on any literary devices/stylistic devices/types of rhetoric/irony/humor - write it down as well as understand its significance. In general, when Mrs.Caraway says to write something in your notes, just do it. You are going to want to remember the difference between certain things like situational/verbal/dramatic irony (to make you seem as smart as possible on DP exams).

-Take notes of Lit Tracker in your own way - write down what you think will be most helpful to you. For paper two, a few things to keep in mind that you might want to note: a summary (which will need to be shortened) of each of the books you are using, major plot points, character traits/progression, key themes/ideas, and quotes with literary devices within them (which either display strong themes/ideas/messages). Another good thing to keep in mind is the juxtaposition of two of your texts since the Lit-Trackers are built to help specifically with Paper 2. Lit Trackers don't need to be 85 pages long to have strong material in them! Quality over quantity.

-Pay attention to your writing style/how you test take - if you think you need to take more time outlining than what is suggested, and you know you can still write a killer essay that way - do it! On the other side of this, if you realize that you are taking 50 extra minutes to write your paper one, you will need to work towards cutting down your time, and possibly even practicing outside of class.

-Although this is a small thing, when given class time to work on an essay: take it. You won't regret it.

-Lastly, for all that is good in the world, just read the books! (*Especially the last two, don't check out your senior year!) You are going to be tested on four books for your HL essay, your IO (or whatever it is called), and your Paper 2 in total for your IB submission, so remember to stay focused.

For my second piece of advice: remember to have fun! In all seriousness, while trying to improve is always the goal, remember that life is meant to be fun, and this class should not be a significant stressor in your life (maybe at least not until DP testing season) if you do the work in class. Mrs.Caraway is super understanding, so if you ever need anything just communicate with her! I know she is always willing to help you guys out! With that being said, I hope you guys have a wonderful next year/two years: make the most of it, it flies by fast!  ♡ Lauren Kenison

For this class, I would recommend you schedule your classes and assignments and manage your time efficiently. Time management is very important.  Cherish the small moments--the time with friends and family, and try to make as many memories as you can. You want to be able to look back at happy high school memories.  ~Noelani Pacheco

My advice for the incoming scholars is to DO YOUR LIT TRACKER!!! If you don't do the lit tracker you fall incredibly behind. They really help you with your essays, which may not seem that important…which is exactly what I thought but you actually have to select one of those essays to send to IB so try your hardest the first time, that way when it is time to send off your essay, you will have minimal edits. Also, that lit tracker will be your best friend for the IO. The IO seemed very scary to me but honestly, it's cake. Did I get a perfect score, no, but do I even think about it anymore, also no. Once you get it over with it feels like 100 pounds has been lifted off of you. I thought pushing it back to January would encourage me to plan and prep for months. Nope. I actually forgot about it many times lol. So honesty just get it over with and ENJOY LIFE. And lastly, just have fun. L&L became one of my favorite classes because I was actually engaging and not taking anything too seriously (unless it’s the exam then I'm locked), but you’ll make new friends and memories that you’ll look back on and HOPEFULLY laugh! Peace out! ~Jasmine Mysona

Take notes on every chapter (very important!!!). Speak or participate with your classmates often, think critically. Annotation is key as well. And always be prepared for discussions. ~Riley Waznis

One of the biggest things to succeeding in high school I've found is having friends that will support you and you can be yourself around. Having a group like that that you can count on is so important to maintaining good mental health and just enjoying these years so much more. You do, however, still have to focus and pay attention to your classes while having fun!  ~Evan Good

My first piece of advice is to involve yourself in school events and extracurriculars, whether that be stugo, sports, clubs, plays, etc. It really teaches you balance and allows you to make so many memories with the best people. It may seem overwhelming and it can be at times, but it is totally worth it and I am so grateful I did it. I would also suggest finding a method of organization that works for you, DP can feel like there is lots of assignments, but if you can prioritze and keep track of them all it makes life so much easier. For me I started using google calendar, but I know classmates who used a physical planner or a google doc to keep themselves organized, find something that works for you! Enjoy it while it lasts, your senior year will go by so fast so make sure you make the memories, take the pictures, and stay on top of your work. -Makenzie Haringa

Never stop asking questions, researching, and seeking knowledge. Learn to prioritize tasks, set goals, and manage your time effectively. Lastly, find an aspect that you like in everything you do, enjoying it would make it easier and fun! ~Maria Blandon

Remember that every activity has a purpose and they deserve your best effort. Every lit tracker, HL essay, QPA, and creative assignment builds the tools and skills needed for your exams, and each one matters! Mrs. Caraway always says she does not assign busy work and that is the truth. With that, do not let any potential stresses distract you from enjoying the literature explored in class. We are very lucky to have the opportunity to explore such amazing novels and your best work will shine through when you let yourself connect to and get immersed in them. I had so much fun discussing the novels with the other passionate learners in class and, over the course, I quite literally began talking to my books through funny annotations (“No way,” “EEK,” and “haha” can be found on almost every page of my books). I would recommend that you try to find ways that you can develop a love for literature because that is what makes the class so worthwhile :). ~Leeza Rogers

Okay, now it's time to reflect and respond!

Future Year 2 scholars: What piece of advice above really resonates with you? What advice or words of reflection would you like to add?

Year 1 Scholars: Welcome! What words of advice do you find most helpful or interesting? What do you see as your greatest source of anxiety and/or excitement? Why are you here, and what are you hoping to accomplish this year?

HUMOR, HOMAGE, AND HUMILIATION: Explaining and Differentiating Between Literary Intentions (April Blog)

  Ever since Alanis Morissette released her song "Ironic," people have started buzzing about the true

meaning of certain literary terms and whether or not they are truly being used properly in context.
Irony confuses, and like the two p's and satire, which will be addressed momentarily, it depends somewhat on the intention of the writer or speaker.

Irony requires an opposing meaning between what's said and what's intended.  Stop.  Think about that for a long moment.  Even the definition is somewhat head-scratching, so if you often find yourself confused by irony, you're in excellent company.  One of the confounding factors of irony isn't just that its definition is a bit, well, complex, but also the sheer number of possibilities for correct usage.  It's bad enough that irony is hard to grasp but now add to that fact that there are, in fact, a multitude of definitions for different forms of irony, including verbal, dramatic, and cosmic. The sheer plethora of ways ironic can be used meaningfully suggests that is something of a "catch-all" for a situation that seems odd, upsetting or amusing.  Enter Ms. Morissette...

If it rains on your wedding day, that may be seen as a coincidence, but not irony.  However, if you moved your wedding to an indoor venue because the forecast predicted rain, but the day turned out to be sunny, and then the sprinkler system at your venue malfunctioned and doused the ceremony with water, so you all get wet, after all, THAT'S ironic.  If you win the lottery and drop dead before claiming the money, that is simply good luck followed by bad luck.  If you meet the man of your dreams and then meet his beautiful wife, that's just a bummer.  But if, then, a song called "Ironic" contains no irony, is that in and of itself ironic?  Nope...not really.  It may just be an example of ignorance.  It depends on the creator's intent.  So if Alanis purposely wrote a song about irony with no ironic content at all, is THAT ironic?  We are getting closer...

Here are six ways to look at Irony.  The first three are the ones we study and must understand clearly:

1.  VERBAL IRONY:  when a speaker or writer is intentionally using words that literally convey the opposite of their true beliefs, generally for the purpose of "cosmic" emphasis (sarcasm).  In fact, there is a strong overlap between sarcasm and comic irony.  Example:  Saying "Oh, that's just fantastic," when the situation is really poor.  OR Dimmesdale's sermons about how sinful he is, and how he deserves disgust resulting in the congregation loving him and following him even more.

2.  SITUATIONAL IRONY:  A sharp divergence between expectations or perceptions and reality.  Expectations, of course, often differ from results, but to rise to the state of irony, the gulf between them should be vast and the contrast sharp.  (See the wedding example above with Ms. Morissette's song breakdown).

3.  DRAMATIC IRONY:  Perhaps the easiest to understand as its use is so specialized.  The device in which the reader or audience is tipped off to a crucial fact still unknown to one or more of the characters.  Example:  The audience and friar know that Juliet isn't really dead, but Romeo doesn't.

*4.  COSMIC IRONY:  Not very often used.  It denotes the idea that the fates are against us, if not indifferent to us, and that our struggles are the result of higher forces amusing themselves at our expense.  Example:  The owner declared of the Titanic, "God, Himself, cannot sink this ship."  Well, you can infer the rest.

*5.  HISTORICAL IRONY:  Some things become ironic with time.  If the passage of years creates an amusing juxtaposition between a historical event or claim and what has happened since to contradict it.  Example:  Isn't it ironic that the inventor of the machine gun thought his new weapon would end all war?"  Answer:  YES! It is, in fact, historically ironic. :)

*6.  SOCRATIC IRONY:  The pretense of ignorance used to draw an opponent into slipping up or revealing flaws in their argument.  Example:  She used socratic questioning in order to enable him to realize the holes in his emphatic argument.

How's that for confusing?  If that isn't enough, irony is only one way to bring in humor or thought-provoking elements in literature.  There are also parody, pastiche, and satire....Buckle up, here we go!

PARODY:  An imitative work created to mock, comment on or trivialize an original work, its subject author, style or some other target, by means of imitation. Example:  The movie "Airplane" is a parody of 1970's disaster movies.  Example #2: Most everything created by Weird Al Yankovic.

PASTICHE:  A work of visual art, literature, or music that imitates the style or character of the work of one or more other artists.  Unlike parody, the intention of pastiche is to celebrate rather than mock. Example:  Many modern artists seek to produce works of impressionism in homage to Renoir and Monet, who are very much beloved.

SATIRE:  A genre of literature and art in which the vices, follies, abuses, and shortcomings are held up to ridicule, ideally with the intent of shaming individuals, corporations or society, itself, into improvement.  Although funny, its intention is to shame or offer constructive social criticism.  Examples:  The Daily Show, most political cartoons

Just for fun, the definition of cynicism, or cynical, is an inclination to believe that people are motivated purely by self-interest.  It is a form of skepticism that often leads to the production of satire.

There you have it!  Here's to understanding the various ways authors, speakers, poets and artists humor us, pay homage to us, and humiliate us in all sorts of creative and confounding ways!

I have attached the Morissette song for you to evaluate, armed with your new knowledge of irony.  I have also attached two very funny little videos for your enjoyment from parody artist and comedian, Tim Hawkins.  Reply with the following:

1.  Did you find any examples of true irony in the Morissette song?  Give me an example of irony in something you have heard or read.  What type of irony is it?  Why?


2. What are each of the funny little videos an example of and why?

3.  Which of the previous definitions confused you the most?  What literary device do you find most confusing?

Alanis Morissette:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jne9t8sHpUc
Tim Hawkins Video #1:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5R8gSgedh4
Tim Hawkins Video #2:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LO2eh6f5Go0

YOU COMPLETE ME! Finding and fixing fragmented thoughts and ideas in our writing...(March Blog)

 A puzzle that is missing just enough important pieces so that you cannot quite make out a picture.   A film with no sound.   A wink without a smile.  A street with no name.  

Each description above refers to something that is, sadly, incomplete.  They are, also, in and of themselves incomplete thoughts; they do not quite fit the definition of a complete sentence.  They are the pet peeve of English teachers everywhere--grammatical garble--fractional phrases.  

They are (cue the doomsday music) sentence fragments. 

No one escapes any high school Language and Literature course without being penalized for writing the odd sentence fragment, but not everyone remembers what they are and how to fix them.  A sentence fragment is a group of words that rudely resembles a sentence.  It will start with a capital letter and end with a period; however, it is neither an independent clause nor a complete idea.  A sentence fragment can be very confusing for the reader, so usually, the best thing to do is to fix it by adding what is missing from the sentence or joining it to another sentence. 

Here is a glaring example of a sentence fragment:  Because of the rain.    This is not a complete thought on its own.  We, the readers, are left to scratch our heads and wonder, because of the rain....what?  To complete it, we need more explanation:  Because of the rain, the party was canceled.  Now, our fragment, a dependent clause, has successfully attached to a sentence that has a subject (the party) AND a verb (was canceled).  Our idea is complete.

So...is fixing a fragment just making a sentence a little longer by adding details?  Let's take a look at this famous sentence from the Bible:  Jesus wept.  It is famously known as the shortest verse in the Bible, but it is, in fact, a complete sentence.  It offers a subject (Jesus) and a verb (wept).  

Learning to identify, fix, and avoid sentence fragments not only makes your writing easier to read, but it can also make you sound more intelligent and polished as a writer AND earn you higher marks on Criterion D in most of your IB assessments.  

So...how do we go about fixing a fragment?  Fixing a sentence fragment involves one of two things: giving it the components it lacks or fastening it onto an independent clause (complete idea). Consider the following example:  There are many ways to frighten little brothers and sisters.  For example, by hiding under their beds and waiting for dark. 

While this might offer some stealthy ideas, the second statement is NOT a complete sentence.  It is lacking a SUBJECT:  by hiding under their beds and waiting for dark is not a verb or a predicate.  It is actually a prepositional phrase.  Here are two ways you can go about fixing this fragment:

There are many ways to frighten little brothers and sisters; for example, by hiding under their beds and waiting for dark.

Too formal?  No problem.  Try this instead:  

There are many ways to frighten little brothers and sisters.  For example, you could hide under their beds and wait for dark.  

Bingo!  In both cases, you now have a structurally sound sentence:  you have completed them.

Without exception, you should avoid sentence fragments in formal and academic situations, including your HL essay, Paper 1, Paper 2, and any other writing assessment.  That said, a fragment intentionally placed within a clear context can sometimes serve a valid dramatic purpose.  Journalists, bloggers, and fiction writers often use them.  Here is an example:

No one thought that Ethan could make the jump; it was just too high.  All the same, he was determined to astound us.  No matter what.  

And he did.

No matter what is a sentence fragment.  And he did is a sentence beginning with a conjunction, AND it is a one-sentence paragraph.  But if you are writing a story, a few fragments might actually suit your purpose or style well.

REALIZE YOUR TEXT TYPE.  KNOW YOUR AUDIENCE.  KNOW YOUR PURPOSE.  Figure out exactly what it is you are trying to say and how you wish to communicate it, and, of course, to whom.  But make sure that, regardless, you recognize sentence fragments and realize how to complete them.  Then, if and when you discover an appropriate moment to break these rules...

You'll know why.

Now that you are aware of this common problem in IB writing, I hope you will be more mindful of it.  Respond to this blog by correcting the five fragments below and then commenting on what you are hoping to polish in your writing by the end of this year.    

As you go forth into the grand finale of our time together this year (and seniors, as you prepare for exams!), may ALL of your thoughts, ideas, plans, and sentences be complete!  

1. Slammed the door and left.

2. The birch trees with their buttery yellow leaves.

3. Because it was raining.

4. Although she never realized the difference.

5. Required a better reason.

 

TRUE GRIT (February Blog)

 A very long time ago, in a state not so far away (California), I was beginning my teaching career at a very innovative school in Turtle Rock, a community in the city of Irvine.  When I assumed my brand new position, we had a training in a relatively new program that had been launched by parents and educators that was born out of the "Self-Esteem" movement that had first blossomed in the late 1980s. 

As I learned about the program, and how it would be integrated into our teaching and classroom management and philosophy, which proposed lavish praising of kids and handing out trophies just for "trying hard," I felt myself inwardly cringe. At first, I wasn't sure why.

I mean, isn't cultivating a "positive" self-esteem a good thing?  You would think so, but that still, small voice inside of me--you know the one-- that sort of sixth sense or inspired discernment that just "knows" things to be true or not, whether or not you have concrete proof?  That's the one.  That voice whispered to me: "bad idea."  While I couldn't articulate exactly why at the time, I just knew this was not the right approach to cultivate the dedication and enthusiastic engagement of young learners.

As time passed, I learned that, low and behold, that voice was right.  It turned out that subsequent studies showed that kids did NOT try harder as a result of the program.  In fact, it was the opposite: coddled kids became softer, slower, and less likely to persevere.  Why?  Because there was one very important characteristic that past generations knew about and encouraged that was NOT fostered and learned in the process:  GRIT.

Carolyn Adams Miller, an author and speaker on the topic from Bethesda, Maryland, said, "This is not a gritty generation.  They become overwhelmed and stressed easily because they have been protected from failure."(1)  Like Miller, Psychologists now assert that grit, not a positive self-concept, is the best predictor of future success and overall happiness.

So...what, exactly, is grit?  According to the dictionary, it is, in this sense, "courage and resolve; strength of character." (2)  It is a passion and perseverance in the pursuit of long term goals.  It is what determines the survival of the West Point cadet or who makes the cut for the Olympic team; in other words, it sifts out those who can ultimately make it to the finish line of hard goals in life from those who cannot.  Miller says that talent can only get you so far.  It is really your grit that determines whether or not you make it.

In fact, research has shown that grit is completely unrelated to talent. (3) At times, it is even

inversely related!  Those who are not blessed with talent discover they must work twice as hard, and with grit, they develop the skills of discipline and perseverance.   Grit is contagious.  It is inspiring.  It CAN be taught and fostered.  In a Washington Post article, Miller proposed some steps to cultivate Grit, and they largely relate to our thinking and how we view and approach challenges:

1.  When you face a tough problem, don't tell yourself "this is too hard."  Instead, ask, "Why not me?"

2.  When things get hard and you want to quit, mentally change the channel.   Focus on a spiritual phrase, mantra, or image that encourages you on.

3.  Build a team around you.  Encourage each other.  Be sounding boards.  Connect positively as you pursue your long term goals through the achievement of smaller goals.

4.  Instead of offering empty praise and pity in failure, parents should coax their kids through failure.  Point out the lessons and praise the efforts to keep on going through pain and failure.

5.   While it is tough for parents to let their kids experience failure, it is actually the most important KEY in developing Grit!

Back in the 1980s, many communities opted to "soften" neighborhood parks so that kids could fall into a pillow of wood chips.  This seemed, in many ways, very prudent, but as it turns out, it has made kids "softer" as a result.  Creeping grade inflation, allowing kids to take and retake tests that they "bombed," has also shown to erode the development of grit.  Lessening expectations and work load has led to struggles to balance activities and time effectively. Alternately, participation in true, competitive sports and auditioning for roles (and experiencing the disappointment of not always getting the role you want) in theater arts has shown to cultivate grit.

This all really seems to put a spotlight this week on the IB profile attribute of risk-taking.  We have learned through hard experience here that playing it safe, and protecting ourselves from failure doesn't seem to net anything but more anxiety and cowardice.  But taking risks, watching, and learning from those who never seem to quit, will actually encourage curiosity and lead to one feeling truly "alive."

Nancy Wake, an Australian woman who went to fight with the French Resistance against the Nazis during World War Two, once stated that while she was incredibly grateful the war ended as it did and freedom was restored, she never felt more alive and like she was living in her true purpose than during those long, fearful months she spent with troops of thousands of men hiding out in the forests.  At a time of great danger, Nancy chose not to listen to the cautionary pleas and warnings of those around her.  She learned to fight like the men she ended up ultimately leading.  It turns out that her being a woman was not a "weakness" after all; in fact, it made her less likely to be seen as a threat by the enemy!  Several of her fellow fighters were quoted as saying that having one woman named Nancy Wake was like having "five additional men" in their ranks!

Kids with Grit are finishers.  They are the tortoises in the race that keep on

moving towards their own established finish lines.  You may trip and fall in life.  You may experience heartbreaking defeat and failure.  But the kids who ultimately succeed are the ones who take risks and feel alive.  They are the ones who get back up after a blowing disappointment with a sparkle in their eye, and that sparkle? That's GRIT!

Here is a link to a Ted Talk by Angela Lee Duckworth.  Listen carefully to all she has to say:   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H14bBuluwB8

Then, click here to take the Grit test, and see how you score:  https://angeladuckworth.com/grit-scale/

Finally, comment below on how you scored, what you have learned, and how you are going to apply it to your life.  

Don't be afraid to get GRITTY!!

(Footnotes:  1.  Holland, Judy.  Washington Post, "The Key Ingredient to Your Kids' Success."  March 9, 2015.  2. Merriam Webster Dictionary  3.  Holland, Judy.  Washington Post, "The Key Ingredient to Your Kids' Success."  March 9, 2015.) 

WORDS ARE LIFE.

  

"Don't get upset by what he said.  They're only words." 

Does this statement, or any close variation of it sound familiar to you?  How many of you embrace it as your own philosophy?  How many of you would like to give the speaker a nice, firm sock in the arm?  Well, I am going to start this post here by making a bold statement.  Here it goes: Whether you acknowledge it to be true or not, your words have power.  Lots of it.  You may not feel very powerful when you utter them, but they are, as the great English proverb tells us, "Mightier than the sword."

Now, allow me to explain and expand.  For some, the words of others don't sting as much as they will for others, but whether you are tough as nails or a marshmallow when it comes to matters of the heart, those to whom you communicate may not fall into your same category.

For this reason, being a thoughtful, empathetic, yet clear communicator is a precious skill--especially for those of you who plan to be in any form of upper management.  The best leaders in any industry got there because they knew how to communicate.  They were aware of the great power of their words, and they used that power with skill and wisdom.

If not everyone receives the same words in the same spirit, then how do we become astute at the great art of communication?  Well, the answer is in the question:  it is an art, so we practice.  We test the waters.  Observe more than just verbal communication/language.  We communicate who we are to others in many different ways and within many unique nuances.  Reading people --really taking the time and presence of mind to actively listen to not just what they say but how they say it--can really tell you a lot.

In year one and year two of the IB Language and Literature, Diploma Program, we have already done a lot of communicating with one another in various groups and partnerships, as well as all together on our blog.  As Markus Zusak wrote in his masterpiece, The Book Thief, "words are life," figuratively and quite literally.  Combinations of letters create words, the arrangement of words create sentences, these sentences convey meaning.  What the recipient does with that meaning--how they deconstruct it--builds and tears down elements of their very character.  That's power!

This year, you will continue to have many opportunities to observe and learn from each other's communication styles, and practice wielding your language "sword."  The spoken and written word both have their moment on the world's stage, and whether their influence is felt on a small or large scale, it is a moment that carries power for the listener: a moment in the ears can lead to a lifetime on the heart.  In his novel The Name of the Wind, Patrick Rothfus writes: "Words can light fires in the minds of men; words can wring tears from the hardest hearts."  See?  I'm not the only literary person to make those bold statements.

In the link below, you will have the opportunity to read Cat Thompson's article, The Power of Language.  Read through it, maybe even commit some of it to memory as a resource to use when you communicate.  See what happens!

You are powerful.  Whether written or spoken, your words carry the power to build someone up and bring life, or tear them down and bring death.

Just like that mighty sword the English were talking about.

Directions for your response post:
1.  Read the short article by clicking the link HERE.  Then, reflect on what you learned, and what most resonates with you on the topic.  
2.  Go through the quotes below about words and their power.  Pick a favorite, type it up in your post, and write about why it was your favorite.  I would LOVE to hear your thoughts...in your own words.

Quotes about language/words: 
The idea that language has great power is nothing new!  But words by themselves only have as much power as we allow them.  Even though our modern society is much more sensitized and defensive in nature (we seem to have lost the art to debate and replaced it with the great art of mudslinging in the public arena), in ancient times and during the Renaissance, the power of our language was acknowledged, admired, and celebrated.  Here are a few famous quotes, including those collected from Proverbs in the Bible and the great bard, Shakespeare, himself...