Lesson Three - Atrophy
| Site: | MoodleHUB.ca š |
| Course: | ELA 30-1 RVSO |
| Book: | Lesson Three - Atrophy |
| Printed by: | Guest user |
| Date: | Monday, 10 November 2025, 9:01 AM |
Introduction
Lesson Three - "Atrophy"
Duration - 3 blocks (3 x 80 min + homework)
"So why, when we refuse to be drawn or even to listen but choose instead to sit alone, by ourselves, in the dark, at the edge of the open floor, are we supposed to find atĀ length our purplish hearts ave stiffened?" - Julia Copus
To atrophy is to waste away. It is a degeneration, decline, or decrease of something from disuse.Ā We can see our muscles, our organs, our mind,Ā our skills, even a languageĀ we once spoke, atrophy from not being used.
Is there anything in your life that might be in danger of atrophy?
Lesson
You will be presented with "unfamiliar poetry" - that is - poetry you have not studied - on BOTH parts of your ELA diploma exam.
On Part A, you will be presented with three texts: a poem, a prose excerpt, and a visual. Ā You must write your personal response on ONE of these texts.
On Part B, you will be presented with two poems as you move through several reading selections on the multiple-choice reading comprehension exam.
Reviewing the TFC TASTI method of analyzing poetry will help you prepare to deal with unfamiliar poetry.
REVIEW the documents on the Resources page.
STUDY the poem "Atrophy" by Julia Copus.
Assignment 1
Assignment (40 marks)
Open the Word documentĀ - Atrophy TFC TASTIĀ Ā Save it asĀ E301U4L31surnameĀ
Submit this assignment using the Dropbox for U4L3 Atrophy analysis
- Within the table created inĀ Atrophy TFC TASTIĀ document,Ā write point form notesĀ to satisfy each part of TFC TASTI for Copus' poem, "Atrophy".
- Quote from the poemĀ in each category to support your ideas.
- Be sure to explain the purpose of each element that you are able to identify in the poem. That is, why did the poet use this particular element? What was she attempting to achieve? You may want to consider what would be lost to the poem without the inclusion of any particular element.
Assignment 2
(40 marks)
Open a new Word document. Label it E301U4L32surname
In this document, write the good copy of your personal response to text as outlined below.
Submit this assignment using the Dropbox for U4L3 Atrophy personal response
Historically, on the diploma exam, students who write 600 words tend to score around 50%. Those who write closer to the upper range of 1000 - 1200 words tend to reach the Standard of Excellence, which is 80% or higher. View 1200 words as a cap, however, and not as a target. Writing MORE than 1200 words does not necessarily improve your mark. It may, in fact, do the opposite. Choose your words judiciously.
- Consider the themes present in Copus' poem, "Atrophy".
- What does this text suggest to you about the
interplay between optimism and truth in an individual's life
? Support your idea(s) with reference to the text presented and to your previous knowledge and/or experience. - Be sure to review the documents on the Resources page before you begin.
- Use the thesis planner to define and refine the keywords in the question before you begin. This will ensure you are addressing the ENTIRE topic and have given some thought to how you will organize your response.
In your writing you should
- select a prose form that is appropriate to the ideas you wish to express and that will enable you to effectively communicate to the reader
- discuss ideas and impressions that are meaningful to you
- respond from a personal, critical and/or creative perspective
- consider how you can create a strong unifying effect
Your assignment will be marked using the "personal response to texts" rubric.
Conclusion
