Thelenberg 2013 14

Basic Skills & Information

• Writing a diary entry
• Information on homework and oral grades
• Reading and Marking technique - SQ3R Method A useful method to read, mark and annotate texts.
• Working with Cartoons
• A good speech/speaker ...
• Answering questions on the text
• Starting a paragraph
• Starting an Essay/Comment
• Writing an interview
• Mediation
• Translation (E→G)
• Characterization
• Diary
• Building an Argument

The Hobbit

The original idea was that of a "reading-diary". That meant

• keeping a simple log-/scrapbook while reading the novel
• stopping from time (at least after each chapter) to time to think about what you have read!
• thinking about questions like: "Is there anything that puzzles you?" and noting down questions or striking quotations!
• asking yourself if you like or dislike a character + what makes you feel so?
• making notes that you can add to (e.g. one page per character for characterization)!

The scrap book that you have to hand in is part of the coursework (marked!)

These are the minimum reqirements, that is the questions you need to have readable and reasonable NOTES on:

Chapters 1 and 2:

• Characterize Bilbo and one other character (round or flat, relation to each other?)!
• What kind of story and hero do you expect at the end of chapter one?
• Compare your impressions of Bilbo and the dwarves at the end of chapter II with those at the end of chapter I.

Chapters 4 + 5:

• p. 65-70: What rhetorical devices (e.g. symbols, style) and narrative tricks are used to create the special mood, tension and expectations?
• Collect all important information about goblins/orks in a "what travellers ought to know about goblins" profile!
• What are the similarities and differences between Bilbo and Gollum? (NOTES)

Chapters 7 + 8:

• Characterize Beorn!
• How does the mood / atmosphere develop from page 158 – 162 … How is this effect achieved?

• Explain how chapter 8 reveals Bilbo's heroic qualities!
• Compare the different dwarves' (Bombur - Thorin - Kili&Fili) and Bilbo's roles/function in the story in chapter 8! Who are the flat and who the round characters?

Chapters 9 + 10: Compare the endings of chapters 8, 9 and ten.

Chapters 11 + 12:

• Characterize Smaug (NOTES!)

Chapters 14 + 15:

• Characterize Bard
• How can Thorin's reaction to Bard's requests be explained?

Chapters 16 + 17:

• Bilbo fully turns into a modern, everyman anti-hero - very different from an epic hero like Thorin.

• Compare the two types of heroes!
• How do they feel abot the treasure / fighting?
• What does "honour" mean for them?

Chapters 18 + 19:

• Sum up what Bilbo has lost and gained in the end!
• What do you think of Bilbo's development throughout the book and what does it tell the reader?