gatsby narrator's relationship to daisy

On p. 10 of The Great Gatsby our narrator tells us that, "Daisy was my second cousin once removed."  Some of you asked me what that means -- and I've always had trouble remembering the specifics -- so here is a family tree diagram I found on Lifehacker.

basic essay structure

In case anyone needs a reminder about the basic structure of an essay, please have a look at the newest page on the course blog: Basic Essay Structure.

february 3

AGENDA:
1. We read! (Start The Great Gatsby together.)
2. We write! (Journal and begin writer/essay conferences.)
3. We win! (That's actually self-explanatory.)

JOURNAL TOPIC:

Sometimes when we start a book it's easy to get impatient with all the background information the author gives (on places, characters etc.) before something actually happens.  Why do we get all of this stuff first?  What did we learn in the first few pages of reading today?  How does it help to know these things when the action starts and the plot gets going?  What would we miss if The Great Gatsby started with a chase scene?

something to consider over the weekend

I am curious to know something about the Big Question you talked about in class.  What's in it for you?  What will exploring this topic do for you?  Will it scratch a curiosity itch, or enable you to do something that appeals to you, or move you closer to a life goal, or ease a frustration about something that does not appear to make sense?  Or something else? 

Please take a few moments to write about this on your blog.  (Title: WHAT'S IN MY BIG QUESTION FOR ME)

I hope you have a great weekend.  See you Monday.

january 31

JOURNAL TOPIC:
(today's topic is inspired by yesterday's classes & guest-written by Ms. Anderson :)

Standing for the Pledge of Allegiance is something most of us have done since we entered school.  But, have you thought about why you're pledging allegiance to the flag?  Oftentimes we do things out of obligation, without even thinking about it ourselves.  If no one forced you to stand, would you still want to?  Would you feel social pressure one way or the other?  Please explain your answer.

AGENDA:
1. Journal
2. Post a paragraph to your blog describing Nick, the narrator of The Great Gatsby  (title: MEET NICK).  In the paragraph, describe where Nick is from, where he is now, and 2-3 things about him that you think might be important to know as we get into the story next week.  You are welcome to read together and share ideas together, but please make sure that when you write your post that I'm reading your original thinking and writing. 

january 30

JOURNAL TOPIC:

Choose your own topic.  Write about whatever is on your mind.  (*Be sure to include descriptions and examples of what you're talking about, and shoot for half a page.)

AGENDA:
1. Journal
2. Some of you don't have a blog post to show for this entire decade.  Use today's period to get right with your work and post at least three things to your blog.  If you are a person who is already caught up, post three more things.

our dark patterns

Huh.  I publish a post about technology that affects all of you by routinely cheating you and your family out of money.  And the post gets SEVENTEEN page views?  Ignorance is expensive.  Hope you have it to spare.