Moths, depressing moths

First, we’ll do a some reading.  Earlier (when the snows came), we looked at V. Woolf’s “Death of a Moth.”  In class, we’ll read a more contemporary essay by the same name by Annie Dillard.

While you read, consider the following aspects of the essay:

• the minuteness of the observations
• sensory detail
• the meaning of the insect’s behavior
• writing style
• thesis statement and how it’s presented

After we read, we’ll use a little graphic organizer to compare the two essays and then (insert trumpets), we’ll add a third–Alexander Petrunkevitvch’s “The Spider and the Wasp.” We read, talk, and then add to the organizer.

Finally, we’ll talk a bit about 30 Futures and even get a little work done if possible.

HW:  Read “Women’s Brains” by Steven Jay Gould and write 200-300 words on the purpose, thesis, tone, and strategies of Gould in the essay. Also, comment on what women face in today’s society in terms of the restrictions and prejudices that confront them. Also, come to class with a rough outline of your expository essay and an idea as to what you still need to find out in your research.