English 112
Group Presentations

• Groups are expected to provide a detailed explanation of the readings for the day.  This does not mean that you will merely summarize what the class has read.
• The group is expected to be familiar with all discussion questions assigned for the reading, though you do not necessarily need to discuss all of them as part of your presentation, especially if doing so will preclude you from adequately explaining the meanings of the texts and addressing the specific issues listed below.
• Not all group members are required to speak during the actual presentation, provided group members agree the work for the presentation has been distributed evenly among the members.
• There should be two parts to the group discussions:

Critical Perspectives Reader-Response The New Historicism Psychoanalytic Feminist Gender Marxist Cultural

Critical Essays Ferguson Modiano Collings Smith Michel Montag Zakharieva

• Group members discussing Critical Perspectives are required not only to explain the essential meaning of the essay, but also to be able to explain and identify all significant terms and figures (culture, materialism, libido, Freud, Marx, Lacan, etc.) associated with the subject, especially those mentioned in the essay itself.
• Group members discussing Critical Essays, in addition to providing a brief explanation of the author's main argument, will explore the theoretical framework that undergirds the argument of the essay and explain how it demonstrates the discipline with which it is associated (New Historicism: Modiano, Psychoanalytic: Collings, Feminist: Smith, etc.).
• An outline / summary of the group's discussion MUST be submitted in written form to the instructor at the BEGINNING of the class period. If you are using power-point (which is not required), please print out all slides to submit at the beginning of the class as well.
• ALL information taken from secondary sources MUST be clearly and accurately documented !! (See Plagiarism Policy  )
• In addition, you will submit a full-length paper following proper MLA guidelines for a documented critical paper.
• What this means is that you will bring in quotes from the essay to support the claims you make about it.  If you refer to (or simply include information from) outside sources, perhaps in your discussion of terms or figures, you must provide parenthetical citation and a reference in the Works Cited page.
• For example, for sections discussing Critical Perspectives, your thesis will be that the essential points of this perspective are "a," "b," and "c." These points are demonstrated "here," "here," and "here," etc.
• For sections discussing Critical Essays, your thesis will be that "x" essay exemplifies "y" critical perspective for reasons "a," "b," and "c."  You will then bring in supporting quotes from "x" essay demonstrating reasons "a," "b," and "c" that it exemplifies "y" perspective.
• Please ask Dr. Mekler any questions about these requirements before the day of your presentation.

In terms of grades, each member of the group will evaluate her/himself and the others, based on a percentage of effort put in.  This is a team effort, so it will require everyone to participate, not only in performing his or her individual tasks, but also in combining all the individuals parts into a coherent unit.  The presentation will be graded by the instructor as a whole, not according to each presenter.  At the beginning of your presentation, each member will hand in his or her grading sheet.  You may get the sheets here .  I will make every effort to maintain a "secret ballot" environment.  I will average the different grades together and return each member's sheet, listing the group grade and the individual grade for that student.

• Please let me know as early as possible what if any electronic/technological accomodations you will require so that I can make the proper arrangements.

Text	Name	Date
Reader-Response		April 1
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New Historicism		April 3
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Psychoanalytic Criticism		April 8
	* Catherine T.
	* Virgo M.
	* Tyra W.
	* Malik M.
	* Krishana D.
	* Sam J.
Feminist Criticism		April 13
	* Skye W.
	* Kimiesha R.
	* Serena N.
	* Kilan B.
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Gender Criticism		April17
	* Courtney R.
	* Daren M.
	* T.J.H.
	* Chanté S.
	* Ryan B.
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Marxist Criticism		April 22
	* Kibeau S.
	* Justin K.
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Cultural Criticism		April 27
	* Timothy R.
	* Obi M.
	* Blair D.
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