Just Mine Now

Here are the questions.  You should finish reading this chapter today. 1. What are some of Thoreau's ideas about solitude? 2. Who are the "visitors" discussed in this chapter? 3. This short chapter contains a number of terse, powerful sentences.  Your job is to read it carefully while noting or marking all sentences that seem quotable. that can stand alone and have meaning and that succinctly summarize Thoreau's key points.  When you finish, choose the ten best -- and most important -- quotes from the entire chapter.  Give the page number of each quotation at the end of each quotation, using MLA format.  

For those of you who have COMPLETED ALL ASSIGNMENTS thus far this semester, which includes making comments on the blogs last week, something many of you did not complete , the following extra credit has been made available to you.  Read the letter that Apple's CEO, T im Cook wrote to customers, presenting Apple's position about creating a backdoor program to allow the FBI to access data in the iPhone used by the San Bernardino terrorist in December.   Think about the information you've gleaned from reading the handout on arguments.  Formulate a question to answer.  Think about the other tips given to you in that handout.  You may also choose to use outside sources, articles that have been popping up since Apple refused to comply.   Your task is to analyze his argument, either defending, challenging or qualifying it. The essay must be typed and double-spaced; it is due no later than 7:30 Thur sday morning, 2/2 5 .  Both classes must comply ...

This question is from another site, and is a good one:  How much and what kind of reading do most people consider enough? How much and what kind would Thoreau think is enough, and why? Give examples.   Something else to consider involves Thoreau's advice found in this chapter on how to approach reading, something a Duke University Reading Guide mentions.  It is an approach that is necessary for understanding and enjoying his writing: "To read well, that is, to read true books in a true spirit, is a noble exercise, and one that will task the reader more than any exercise which the customs of the day esteem.  It requires a training such as the athletes underwent, the steady intention almost of the whole life to this object.  Books must be read as deliberately and reservedly as they were written" (para. 3 89-90).   Here are a couple others you might want to address Friday: What does the image of the veil mean? How can books help us "scale h...

Because it appears that most of you don't understand what you are supposed to be presenting in your blogs (the grades for this week will reflect this), the assignment for next week has been postponed.  I'll try explaining in class again the beginning of next week.  At that time, you need to take notes on what I have to say and ask any questions you may have.  So as it stands now, your focus needs to be prepping the questions for chapter 2 in Walden for the fishbowl which will begin Tuesday.   Also, as a reminder, since there is no school Monday due to President's Day, there will be no tutoring at all next week. 

A page exists with student questions about Walden that can be found at the website I had mentioned before.  In case you haven't seen this particular page, Ask Jimmy , you might want to peruse the questions asked and answers given. You also may choose to ask questions here.  

Friday I was asked if this essay is like the DBQ you write for APUSH.  It's not quite the same thing.  Basically you are writing a researched argument.  To write one of these successfully you need to keep in mind all sides of the question.  That means your argument should address both sides.  Whenever writing one of these just as for any argument, you should concede something to the other side, even if it is something minor.  You might want to review what your text has to say about argument.  You might also want to peruse some websites that can provide you with information that will help you attack this timed writing without fear. Here are some possible sources that may help you: Preparing for the synthesis Question: Six Moves Toward Success Synthesis Essay (YouTube) Another Synthesis Essay (YouTube) Think about some of the other information you've learned in class in regard to this essay.  Also, you might want to review other links in t...