Torrey Academy Shakespeare

Course Objectives Familiarity with 3 genres and 13 major plays

of William Shakespeare

Exploration of Elizabethan and Aristotelian Dramatic theory

Aesthetic experience of practicing and performing Shakespearean theatre

Familiarity with critical environment of Shakespeare studies

Education through dialectical interaction with the vital themes, characters, and plots of the greatest English playwright

Distinctives from TA Core Classes

No précis, silent summaries, writing labs, or presentations

Pull questions Only 2 reflection essays per quarter Only 1 Term paper per year Mid or Don Rags each quarter Quarter 4 play 1-hour classes

The Pull Question

1-page answer to question provided by tutor (similar to reflection essay in tone/style)

Kept in notebook

1 per class

Checked at Mid Rags and Don Rags

Reflection Essays

700-900 words

Formal, argumentative essay

Synthesizes and critiques major themes, characters, or other critical issues in one or more plays.

2 per quarter

Term Paper

Similar to Faith term paper:

2000-2500 words

Interacts with at least 2 secondary sources

1 per year, due 4th quarter

Mid + Don Rags

Based on the Oxford model

One-on-one meeting

Tutor looks over notebook, including pull questions

Discussion and assessment of student’s class participation, reflection essays, progress on term paper, and knowledge of the semester’s plays

Readers Theatre

Select one text during 3rd quarter

Practice major scenes throughout 4th quarter

Perform major scenes in readers theatre at the end of the 4th quarter

All practice will take place in class.

Finis