Just Mine Now

A PSA is a public service announcement that is an ad that airs for free. It usually targets a particular social issue that the makers consider important to address.   The link to the PSA for analysis relates to one such issue.  Because one of the required skills for this course involves visual analysis, I'm providing you with this opportunity, plus this may relate to something assigned later this semester. Your task begins with watching a PSA that aired on Christmas during NBA games.  Watch it carefully.  Next, note the argument (the central claim) as well as the appeals present, being sure to analyze their effectiveness.  I'm looking for detailed analysis.  Serious effort should be apparent through what you write, and your analysis should be original in order to receive credit.  This should present your best writing, which includes complete sentences, consistent verb tense, standard English usage.  Be sure to include any necessary documen...

Here's a good video that is good for those of you with time management problems as well as for your parents to view so that they can help you develop these skills.  After all they are your partners in your education, supporting you in whatever way they can so that you can achieve success: time management .  It's a short video that should give you some ideas.  Yes, time management is a key skill to develop that can be difficult to those of you taking advanced placement courses.  You might want to watch this as a refresher as we begin the new semester. You might find some other pointers here through watching these videos .  

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.