Class Recap and Homework for 10/4

Class Recap:

• In class today, we discussed pronunciation of Middle English vowels and consonants. Get class notes from a friend if you were absent so that you have the guide for this. Alternatively, you may search online for a ME pronunciation guide and find many audio clips to listen to as examples. 
• We read (orally) the first 50ish lines of "The General Prologue." If you are unsure of which lines you have been assigned, look for a blog posting later today that has everyone's name and the lines for which he/she is responsible. The oral reading of these lines counts as a class participation grade. You are not graded on accuracy, but participation and effort. It is an important part of the class to work with literature in the original texts.
• We discussed the structure of The Canterbury Tales. We also learned the meanings of some new words: "pilgrim," "misogynist/misogyny," and "experience" (ME contexts for all). Important - know the difference between the prologue of each character/speaker and his or her tale. 
• Homework reading assigned (Read before class next Thursday) - "The Wife of Bath's Prologue" and "The Wife of Bath's Tale." Try to gloss over these without assistance on the first reading. Use the footnotes and annotations in the text only. Once you have done this, you may then use NCLive to access an e-book (downloadable) to hear the texts read out loud, if you feel that would assist your reading and comprehension. You may also consult sites like enotes.com and www.sparknotes.com to find summaries and "modern translations" that will help you understand the reading. PLEASE, PLEASE, PUH-LEASE try to read these first before you use any aids.
• After lecture/class, we went to the computer lab to finish final edits on Short Essay #1. I gave out grading rubrics to show how the essays would be graded. I accepted any papers that were completed at the end of class. THE DUE DATE FOR THE FINAL COPY OF YOUR REVISED PAPER IS OCTOBER 11TH. Make sure you have turned in the essay by this date.
• The due date for your essay test is TUESDAY, OCTOBER 16TH. By this time, we will have covered the "Wife of Bath" and Chaucer enough for you to have completed the test. 
• You should have all of your grades back no later than Thursday, 10/18 so that you have an average.
• Please e-mail Ms. O with questions. Remember, NO CLASS ON TUESDAY, OCTOBER 9TH due to student/faculty fall break. :) Enjoy! Also, please continue to check the blog for updates and helpful hints.