Beowulf Exam

Your exam on Beowulf will be on March 8th/9th
You will be developing a literary argument from one of the concepts we have covered over the last three weeks. The topic you receive will be randomly selected for you. You will be expected to develop a literary argument, which will be your thesis. This thesis will address the identification of a literary component/device/aspect and an argument to its significance to the meaning of the text. Look through the requirements of a thesis. . .how to make a thesis arguable. . checklist of a thesis before test date.

THESIS:
What: What do you notice?
How: What literary device makes this happen?
Why: What is the significance of this happening? What are the implications? Why important?

You will then sketch out a rough outline to follow. When you are done, you will construct your argument. I am expecting a small introduction, which essentially addresses the significance of the topic and then your thesis. You will then develop your argument, which must be a thorough examination of the primary text. You will have access to your text; therefore, you will be expected to cite from the text often. (and properly).

You will need to access JSTOR to find TWO secondary sources to integrate into your argument in a thoughtful manner.

Presentation: 
You will work your argument into a 6-8 minute presentation. You will need to introduce your thesis, and the remainder of the presentation will be explaining the argument.

You will utilize a visual aide to support your presentation.

Your presentation needs a works cited page at the conclusion of your presentation.

To ready for the exam, I would: 
1. Review your notes and the assignments we have covered leading up to the test. Ideally, there should be the textual evidence already collected. Examine this.
2. Start thinking of some arguments to be made with each concept.
3. Review MLA guidelines for citing poetry lines in-text citation, article citation.
6. Review the process of developing an argument.
7. Review thesis how-tos and checklist.
8. Familiarize yourself with the login procedures and the navigation of JSTOR.
9. Look over some articles in JSTOR.

Concepts covered:
Beowulf as an epic.
Beowulf as epic hero.
Religious influence on Beowulf.
Characterization in Beowulf. 
The Heroic and Elegiac Traditions in Beowulf. 
Point of View in Beowulf and Grendel 

Step 1: Develop your literary claim from topic provided.

Step 2: Outline your argument: A LOT of textual examples.
Outline template here: Outline Template

Step 3: Review presentation process... tips... etc.

How to prepare and deliver a presentation... (Learn it. Live it)

Strategies for giving an Oral Presentation

Sample presentations... the good.. the bad... the ugly

What not to do.. what to do..presentation video

Spot the errors... presentation video

Step 4: Create a digital, visual aide.  Google Slides is fine. Note- it is a visual aid.. NOT a PowerPoint presentation. This will be made up of your textual examples to assist audience as you reference the text in your argument.

PowerPoint structure-

http://www.bates.edu/ils/2011/how-do-i/software/powerpoint-presentation-tips/

Presentation tips-

http://www.dartmouth.edu/~library/biomed/guides/powerpoint.html?mswitch-redir=classic

http://www.cob.sjsu.edu/splane_m/presentationtips.htm

Step 5: Practice. Practice. Practice.