3/27, 3/28, & 3/31 -- We will be going to computer lab # 438 to work on the Letters Home in-class writing assignment. The project is due April 1st. (Period 8 -- Due to the lockdown and evacuation drills, your paper is due April 2nd. We will go to the computer lab on Tuesday, April 1st.) The assignment is as follows:
INTRODUCTION
In the novel, the characters often discuss their homes and families. They may have had the opportunity to write letters home. You will create one letter home (approximately 3 pages in length) from any of the choices listed below. Be sure to carefully read the directions below.
PROCESS
A letter from a German World War I nurse to her family back home
Although the main characters in the novel are males, women also played an important role in World War I. This letter will let you explore the war’s impact on the women involved. Assume the voice of a World War I nurse who observes Kemmerich or Paul and Albert in the hospital. Write home using first person point of view describing your experiences, feelings, thoughts, etc. This letter should focus on the following theme: Destruction of War.
A letter from Tjaden to his family
Tjaden seemed to be the one who had the most trouble with Himmelstoss. Because the novel is told from Paul’s point of view, we never know how Tjaden is feeling about his experience with Himmelstoss. This letter should focus on the following theme: Corrupting Effect of Power.
A letter from Paul to his friend Mittelstaedt
This letter is in the voice of Paul to his friend back home. This letter is written toward the end of the war. Allow Paul to first reflect on his experiences with the enemy. This part of the letter should focus on the following theme: Shared Humanity. Think about the Duval incident, his experience with the Russian prisoners, and his conversations with the men in his company. The second part of the letter should focus on the theme of Camaraderie. This will give Paul the opportunity to tell Mittelstaedt how important the men in his company are to him.
Evaluation
Your letter must include the following:
Be in first-person point of view.
Follow the letter format: date, greeting, closing.
Discuss the experiences, emotions, and thoughts of the individual.
Structure ideas logically.
Focus on a specific theme.
Defend positions with evidence from the novel.
Include at least three significant quotes from the novel using proper documentation.
Accurately portray events in the novel.
Must be at least 3 pages in length.
Must be typed, double-spaced, 12 size font.
An appropriate font style.
Must have an appropriate photograph enclosed and a description of the picture (use websites to find WWI photos).
4/1 & 4/2 -- We will spend these two days discussing the end of the novel. We will then connect the novel to a poem and a few other short works dealing with war.
4/2 -- Thesis paper rewrites are due today. You must hand in the original graded draft with your revised draft.
4/3 & 4/4 -- We will start the novel Night.
