What have I learned since my last blog post about this? Quite a bit. I think mainly we’ve been talking about Syntax and applying the techniques we’ve learned to The American Dream. We also have been going over vocabulary a little bit.
Syntax applies to the phrases or sentence structure. It can be anything from colons, to Subject-Verb-Object order, or maybe even run-ons or fragments. These different techniques create different affects. Maybe it makes it seem as if the speaker is crazy, or creates a sense of confusion at what is happening in the piece. Long story short, it can do a lot. This is a little easier to handle then the other DIDLS techniques. I don’t quite know why, but this is just easier for me.
We’ve been using the techniques such as close reading and DIDLS to begin looking at The American Dream. Even though we’ve only done a first read I think I’ve gotten better and finding things! It makes me happy to know I’m improving. ☺ I plan on keeping that up too.
This vocabulary is going to kill me. Just saying. There is so much in such little time to memorize it, plus I don’t think memorizing the definition will help me identify them in literature. I have a hard time transferring that information to application. It will take some practice.
I'm jealous that you feel like you have a good understanding of syntax, because for me that's the hardest technique. I do feel like through more discussion I have a better understanding of it, but I can't always keep track of what sentence structure means what. I guess, like everything else, this just takes practice. The vocabulary was a lot to remember...but I agree that with practice it'll be easier to apply the definitions to literature.
ReplyDeleteHaha, you are an inspiring figure that you can find ease and enjoyment in the rote memorization of syntax connations and meanings! Or perhaps you have an easier time with syntax because you find that it makes sense and you can identify it on the go? Perhaps if so, you should mention as such, because my impression of it is that it is a series of bland facts about potential sentence structures.
ReplyDeleteIt is good that you have granted examples of the syntax elements, although you may want to follow them up with quick references to their meanings.
You may also find it useful to expand on what you think of the American Dream's meaning in order to demonstrate what you did not know about meaning analysis in the past as opposed to what you have learned in the present, and though unrefined, you would present a realistic view of your past and present knowledge.