Just Mine Now

An AP Lit. teacher learned of this video on You Tube, which he passed on to AP Language teachers.  This provides you with a review of rhetorical analysis in terms of syntax and diction.  If you pay close attention to the analysis given of what Trump has to say in one minute presents an example of the kinds of answers he gives to questions.  It is illuminating.  Note the grade level of his answer: How Donald Trump Answers a Question . I'd suggest watching this more than once and taking careful note each time.  Perhaps some of you might be interested in carrying on a conversation about this here on the blog?  It can prove interesting should you decide to do so. Happy 2016 to all!

Here's a link to a recent article in the New York Times that provides some background info to a test you'll be taking either at the end of this school year, and most definitely during the next school year.  The title of the article says all, " Everything You Need to Know About the New SAT ."  Would it be considered dumbing down?  Only time will tell. 

Here is just a reminder since I see that some of you turned in essays to me, but didn't submit them to turnitin.com.  You were required to do both.  These essays will not be graded as a result.  Don't let this happen with the MC assignment as well.  Make sure you do submit the multiple choice assignment to turnitin.com, and print out a copy to turn in before class begins. If you try to use class time to print, then your assignment will be considered late and can only earn half of the total points.  If you are late to class because you were printing it elsewhere, it will also be considered late and receive the same treatment.  You must learn to respect deadlines . You must follow instructions for submission of assignments.  As far as I'm concerned, if the assignment has not been turned in to the website and in class at the beginning, it will not be graded.  Follow directions, please.

Here begins a list of different examples of syntax that not only will help your writing (you might want to try some of those things suggested just to improve your own writing) but will give you samples as well: cumulative sentences how to write better sentences kinds of sentences  The list of resources may grow as the year progresses.  You might also want to search for these online.  Different universities have posted Adobe Acrobat files. 

For those of you still having problems writing the summary, try reading this particular handout.  This link should take you to it, https://depts.washington.edu/owrc/Handouts/How%20to%20Write%20a%20Summary.pdf .  It is helpful to read.

The word in line 76 should be "feel" not real.  Please note the correction. Best of luck on your analysis this weekend.  I hope that you realize that these essays should be more than two pages, double-spaced.   I look forward to reading them.

If you have a few minutes extra time, you might want to listen to a podcast where Amelia Lester and David Haglund discuss Joan Didion.  Some mention is made of the book you will begin reading tomorrow, The Year of Magical Thinking.   The podcast is not quite 20 minutes long. You may even learn something about the 60s and 70s in San Francisco, which you will study next semester in US History.  Enjoy.

Here's an interesting article to read, " Campaign to Cut the Clutter: Zinsser's Brackets ," that will not only help give your writing more clarity, but will also give you practice writing more succinctly.  The end of the article includes links for practice.  They may be worth your while before the workload becomes too heavy.  More will come in class as well about this very topic. Exploring the link that takes you to the above is worth it as well.  Classic essays are linked here often plus other writing tips.

One text you will be reading this year is one you'll either love or love to hate.  It's the one major text that provides many opportunities to analyze argument as well as to analyze rhetorical strategies.  Both of these skills are needed both when deciphering multiple choice questions as well as two of the essays the exam will ask you to write.   You will find more at Thoreau's Cape Cod .  The book, Cape Cod is described as Thoreau's "sunniest, happiest book."  Possibly  you'll enjoy reading if you have extra time.  You will see more of Thoreau than a man who at times appears to be preaching how you should be living your life, something often found in Walden .  We may read parts in class after our study of Walden .  The website where this text is found also has other works by Thoreau, including an annotated presentation of Walden .  The site may well be worth your perusal. 

Yes, you will be working hard this year.  Some of you may find the time required to excel in this college course in high school a bit overwhelming.  So you might want to read through this particular resource provided by the College Board today through Twitter regarding time management.  It's called " 8 Ways to Take Control of Your Time ."  If you have a Twitter account you might want to consider following AP for Students.  Some good resources are often provided through the tweets for this course and other AP courses. 

Welcome again!  You might want to read the earlier welcome I wrote for last year's students.  What I have said there still stands for this class.  What is presented today is new for this year. Yes, I have been reading, but these are some things new for me.  The first involves an extended essay, How Reading Changed My Life by Anna Quindlen that began with a quote written by Thoreau, someone you will learn to love or hate this year: "How many a man has dated a new era in his life from the reading of a book.  The book exists for us perchance which will explain our miracles and reveal new ones" (Quindlen 1).  Think about what she means here.  Why read?  Because it is true that the more you read, the better you write.  Your reading actually trickles down into your writing. The second book I'm currently reading is Long Quiet Highway: Waking Up in America . While this book can be classified as a memoir, Ms. Goldberg also talks about the process...

Information at these links should help you analyze what you're reading.  You have chosen a difficult novel to digest in a very short amount of time, so I'm hoping the information at these links will help you unravel any queries you may have about what is going on in the novel. An Exploration of Characters and Themes Notes on Ceremony by Leslie Marmon Silko Leslie Marmon Silko's Ceremony and the Effects of White Contact on Pueblo Myth and Ritual

Here's a link to the video.  Hopefully it'll work better at home for you.  Please note how it relates to what you should be considering while writing the synthesis essay, how you can apply the information presented.

Now that I have your researched arguments, it's time to turn your attention to last week's assignments.  I'll expect the questions for be complete for both essays by Friday. You will also be participating in Socratic Seminar that day for both. 

Yes, I have scored all your essays.  Rhetorical analysis still needs work so if you're looking for something to concentrate on, concentrate on that essay over spring break.    If you want to know your scores on today's mock exam, email me at my alternative email address, that is if you can't wait.  You'll receive your score sheets Tuesday, 4/7. 

Here's that link to the lecture we started watching today: Plato's " Allegory of the Cave ."  There are others available (lectures) should you want to search for others. Be prepared to participate in related activities in class tomorrow. 

The following article has recently appeared at the Atlantic Monthly website.  The reason I'm bringing this to your attention?  I have said in the past that the subject of Annie Dillard's master thesis was Walden .  This article expands on that somewhat, " The Thoreau of the Suburbs ."  It is well worth the read.  Possible assignments may arise in the near future related to this article.