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Because English is my second language, I seldomly actively read before, especially on classics.
I have around ten days to read both Catcher in the Rye and The Great Gatsby. This would've been no problem if not for the fact I had to takes notes on the following:
Author's use of sentence syntax
Author's use of diction
Author's effective use of literary elements and techniquies
Author's choices for the development of character
Autor's effective development of themes
Plot development and establishment of autor's purpose
I think I can manage to notice how Fitzerald and Salinger used particular words and how plot develop, but for the rest I have no clue where to start. If anyone could point me in the right direction, I would be grateful.
 
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gradesaver.com or sparknotes can help you with the last four questions for sure. They're free, use them to supplement your reading.
I don't exactly get how your teacher wants you to show examples of their syntax, that's kinda weird
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Meh, I was expecting some profound insights to guide me (since I need to do this for the rest of the year); nevertheless, thanks.
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Is English your major?
Most of these things your teacher request is rather strange. This has to be a specific course like, "writing interpretation" because it's just doesn't suit English courses.
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United States24495 Posts
I love assignments like these. They take 30 seconds to create, and cause dozens of hours of hell for motivated students. Yes I am being sarcastic.
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On August 22 2008 01:23 Wala.Revolution wrote:
Meh, I was expecting some profound insights to guide me (since I need to do this for the rest of the year); nevertheless, thanks.
When I get home from work I'll see if I can help you out a bit, I'm pretty strong in english. I'll be home at like 9pm EST tho
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Korea (South)11568 Posts
man english is my native language, and i never had to do anything like that. wtf is syntax and diction?
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I was an english major in college and I am on my way to teaching english. I haven't read catcher in the rye but I know fitzgerald pretty well. i can give some help if you want. just pick a few sentences that you like from each and i can talk about syntax and diction. really i can help with all. just give me some specifics.
edit: if you're working on them all year i can be more helpful.
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On August 21 2008 23:53 Wala.Revolution wrote:
Because English is my second language, I seldomly actively read before, especially on classics.
I have around ten days to read both Catcher in the Rye and The Great Gatsby. This would've been no problem if not for the fact I had to takes notes on the following:
Author's use of sentence syntax
Author's use of diction
Author's effective use of literary elements and techniquies
Author's choices for the development of character
Autor's effective development of themes
Plot development and establishment of autor's purpose
I think I can manage to notice how Fitzerald and Salinger used particular words and how plot develop, but for the rest I have no clue where to start. If anyone could point me in the right direction, I would be grateful.
In the Great Gatsby pay special attention to the symbols. Most teachers will want something on the big face, the green light, the colour of cars and old money vs new money. These are just what I remember most clearly (its been awhile) but gatsby is a short book. Other than the first 2 questions its basicly just asking you what you think about the book.
But on the first two questions, for TGG, you may want to compare him to other modernists such as Ernest Hemingway. When you juxtapose these two authors you should easily see the modernist method of 'sentence syntax' and 'diction.' And with this you'll also be able to point out some of Scott F's uniqueness.
For some quick Hemingway check out "The Snows of Kilimanjaro" and "A Clean Well Lighted Place." Both very quick stories but should be immensely helpful if you're trying to understand Scott F's style. With 2 points you can draw a line.
I've never read or even glanced at catcher in the rye, sorry.
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Catcher in the Rye is notable as being one of the first (maybe the first?) examples of "Stream-of-consciousness". This means that Salinger is attempting to model Caulfield's thoughts as they happen, rather than explaining events as a narrator. In specific regard to syntax, notice that Salinger uses long flowing sentences with many commas, in an attempt to match the flow of thought. Similarly, in his diction, you'll find he uses more small words, slang, and coarse language than you'll find in Gatsby.
Hope that points you somewhat in the right direction.
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South Africa4316 Posts
Sorry, but Catcher in the Rye is not even remotely close to being the first stream of consciousness novel. Stream of consciousness developed with modernist literature at the start of the twentieth century, and authors like Virgina Woolf and James Joyce were writing stream of consciousness novels from as early as 1915.
However, stream of consciousness is a very important theme in these novels, and as GeneralStan said, it attempts to reflect the way in which we think, rather than presenting the reader with a neutral, objective view of events. The reader is drawn into the novel, and experiences it very directly through the protagonist's eyes. However, this means that there is a tension created between the reader and the narrator, as the reader is never sure whether he can trust the narrator or not.
About The Great Gatsby, you might find it useful to read up more about the Jazz age when studying the novel. It explains much of what happens in the novel, including the unbridled optimism of some of the characters, the careless spending of money, and the sexual roles of characters. I find that in reading any novel, simply understanding the context it was written in gives you more than enough resources to write an essay on.
But seriously, abuse the information on the internet. Both The Great Gatsby and Catcher in the Rye are books with a ton of information on them. Start out at Sparknotes, and then work your way through google after that. Hope this helps 
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Woohoo- Thanks guys, especially to those who gave some specific information.
This was summer reading homework for my upcoming AP Literature and Composition course. I don't know whether I should drop the course or not, but I will see if I can tackle it.
I'll update on what type of notes I take.
Again, thanks!
And this is Korean dicipline; I've been studying around 10-12 hours each day for about 60 days now... only to go to my high school where I'll attemp to take my ap courses...
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On August 22 2008 08:25 Wala.Revolution wrote:
Woohoo- Thanks guys, especially to those who gave some specific information.
This was summer reading homework for my upcoming AP Literature and Composition course. I don't know whether I should drop the course or not, but I will see if I can tackle it.
I'll update on what type of notes I take.
Again, thanks!
And this is Korean dicipline; I've been studying around 10-12 hours each day for about 60 days now... only to go to my high school where I'll attemp to take my ap courses...
You must be pretty slow if you need to study that intensely for high school AP courses..
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Romance, that's not the only subject I'm studying...
I don't know if, "you must be pretty slow" was to be condescending, but I find it offensive.
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some good advice posted. if you take the course and have anything specific u need answered just msg me
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On August 22 2008 08:51 Romance_us wrote:Show nested quote +On August 22 2008 08:25 Wala.Revolution wrote:
Woohoo- Thanks guys, especially to those who gave some specific information.
This was summer reading homework for my upcoming AP Literature and Composition course. I don't know whether I should drop the course or not, but I will see if I can tackle it.
I'll update on what type of notes I take.
Again, thanks!
And this is Korean dicipline; I've been studying around 10-12 hours each day for about 60 days now... only to go to my high school where I'll attemp to take my ap courses... You must be pretty slow if you need to study that intensely for high school AP courses..
On August 21 2008 23:53 Wala.Revolution wrote:
English is my second language.
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EPT
