Synthesis Essay Information

Some information to help you get started on your synthesis essay is available here. Thank you for being patient and enjoy the rest of your break!

Happy Vacation!

We are still reading through chapter 33 of Huck Finn during break. In a few days, I may activate some forum discussions so we can at least have a place to check in since our discussion was cut short.

The documents for your synthesis essay are available here I will also be posting information in a few days about how to approach writing this style of essay.

The rough draft of the synthesis essay will be due on Thursday 1/5 (instead of Wednesday) due to Chrome book availability. Because of that, let's have the final copy be due on Monday, 1/9. There is not a problem moving the due date, but you need to be aware that there will also be reading responsibilities that weekend, so plan carefully.

Reading for 12/12-12/16

The reading for Huck Finn will be broken down as follows. Many of you will want to read farther than chapter 5 this weekend especially if you tend to be busy during the week.

Due Tuesday: 1-5
Due Wednesday: 6-9
Due Friday 10-18

The following concepts and the role they play are important in understanding the novel. Please read with them in mind, and choose several that you will specifically trace by highlighting or post-it-ing in your text.

Superstition
Parents
Women
Religion
Education
Class Consciousness
Racial Identity
Clothing
Money/Wealth
Self-Identity
Landscape/nature
Protectiveness
Deceptions
Search for approval
Romanticism

Reading due Thursday

Here is a PDF of the reading for tomorrow for those of you who need it. It's a little awkward, but hopefully it works for you.

Reading Due Thursday

For Thursday, you will be reading two narratives. One is by Frederick Douglass and is an excerpt from his autobiography, My Bondage, My Freedom and is the red book from pages 426-430. The other is a handout from Harriet Jacob's autobiography, Incidents in the Life of a Slave girl, and will be read on hand out. If you have the Jacobs piece, please read this first and bring to class tomorrow to exchange. If you did not receive a handout today, please read the Douglass piece tonight, so you will be free tomorrow to read the piece by Jacobs.

Reading over Break--Chapter Clarification!!!

You will be reading Chapters 1-15 of The Scarlet Letter over break. You are going to skip the chapter "The Custom House" and begin with the chapter "The Prison Door". You will be expected to post at least twice to topics in the Turnitin discussion forum. There is a practice topic available now if you want to test it out, but real topics won't be posted until next week. Please make sure that your posts are academic, appropriate, and represent you and your school in a positive way. If you encounter a post that is inappropriate, please email me. If you have no internet access, you can make up this assignment in a different way when you return from break.

Please keep track of vocabulary words that are new to you as you are doing your reading. You will need to demonstrate your new vocab acquisition during the week of December 5th. The method of showing your new vocab is up to you: you may choose to make a list with definitions, flash cards, a quizlet, post-it notes in your book--whatever works best for your brain.

Reading Due Wednesday and Thursday and Friday

Due Wednesday: (White Book) Declaration of Sentiments (393-395)

Due Thursday: (Red Book) Walden (282-288)

Due Friday: (Red Book) Civil Disobedience (290)

Please bring the corresponding book to class on the day it is due.

Due Tuesday

Read the excerpts from "Nature" and "Self-Reliance" in your red book (268-271).

Additionally, research Emerson quotations online and select 5 that you really enjoy. Copy and paste the quotations into a document and format it so that you have a pretty readable font-size (around 20). Cut out each quotation individually, and bring them with you to class.

We will be doing a class activity with these quotations, so make sure to get this done so you don't feel left out.

Wednesday Discussion Questions

Prairie Discussion Questions


1. In what ways does the environment symbolize the action that is taking place?

2. In what ways do the Native Americans in the story demonstrate compassion for Natty Bumppo?

3. What commentary does this story offer about religious beliefs? (Consider by evaluating the religious beliefs presented)

4. What are Natty Bumppo's requests for when he dies, and what do these reveal about his character?

5. What is the symbolism behind the two figures at Natty Bumppo's side during his death?

6. What are some things about this excerpt that strike you as being difficult to believe or unrealistic? (dare I say, even "cheesy")

Weekly reading

Please read the excerpt from "The Prairie" in red book for Wednesday.

Please read "The Fall of the House of Usher" in the red book for Friday.

As you can tell, this will be a red book week, so no need to bring the white book to class.

Devil and Tom Walker Due Monday

Please read the "Devil and Tom Walker" in the Red Book by Washington Irving for Monday. If you forgot your book, an online copy is available here. (The online version makes it seem longer than it really is).

Unit 1 Test Study Guide

You should be studying away for your unit 1 test. A study guide is available here.

Due Monday

Your Colonial Authors Comparison paper is due on Monday. Please see the previous rubrics on analysis and transitions. You will also receive a formative score in conventions which will include things like spelling and punctuation, sentence fluency, quotation incorporation, and formal voice. Unfortunately, I cannot post a rubric at this time. The assignment has been created on Turitin, but please know that the paper copy that you bring to class on Monday is the one that will be considered "on time".

The Edwards powerpoint that we looked at in class is available here. It is a good idea to look at the feedback that you got on your Edward's paper while finishing up your Colonial Comparison.

You should also begin the process of studying for your Unit 1 test which will be Friday, November 4th.

You will not need to bring any books to class on Monday.

Updates

Wednesday will be a full history day so that you have enough time to complete your history test. On Thursday, please bring your white book and a rough draft of your Colonial Comparison Paper. Remember the final due date for your paper is Monday, 10/31.

Colonial Authors Comparison

The powerpoint from class today is available here. As previously discussed, your rough draft needs to be complete by Thursday, 10/27 for peer editing.

Phillis Wheatley Readings

You will be reading poetry, letters, and essays on Phillis Wheatley, an 18th century American poet. They are located in White Book from pages 506-534. You should take notes and gather quotations that help you address, either by support or refutation, what you will develop as your opinion on the question below.

Background Information:

(Please also read the background information on 506-507)

Phillis Wheatley was born in Africa and sold into slavery at a young age. She was brought to America and purchased by John and Susannah Wheatley. In addition to her duties as a slave, Wheatley was taught Latin, mythology, and various other subjects and converted to Christianity. She began writing poems, many of which became quite famous, and she traveled to London where her work was published with support of a local countess, becoming the first African American woman (and only second American woman) to have a book published in this young nation.

Many of Wheatley's poems bear a strong resemblance to the other traditional poetry of her time period and use elevated language, classical allusions, strict rhyme scheme, and rhythm and meter. They often celebrate important American religious and patriotic figures and at times express her gratefulness that she was brought from what she deems "a Pagan land." Understandably, this last idea generates a lot of the controversy about the legacy of Wheatley as many people struggle with a desire to celebrate Wheatley for her accomplishments but struggle to process the notion that she praises and emulates the culture that enslaved her and millions of others.

This brings us to our question which should guide our reading:

To what extent should the legacy of Phillis Wheatley and her poetry be perceived as a triumph or tragedy?

Our discussion on Wheatley will take place on October 25th, so make sure that you divide up your reading appropriately and don't save it all until the last minute.

Colonial Authors Paper Chart

Please create your Colonial Authors Chart. You may either adapt mine to be a template or follow the same basic format in your own way.

Quizzes and Columbus Day reading

Grammar quiz on Thursday. Here is a link to some more practice exercises. Click on the left for what you want to practice.

Your Columbus Day reading project will be due next Wednesday, 10/11.

Our question is: Should the United States celebrate Columbus Day as a holiday?

You will need to read the following passages in the WHITE BOOK!



198- Momaday
286- Image
291- Berliner
293- Mankiller
296- Connell

You will also be creating a chart (for turning in) that identifies quotations or supports for the texts that are in support of Columbus Day as a holiday, opposed to Columbus day as a holiday, and any other interesting ideas or thoughts that the passages generate for you.

Edwards Paper Due Monday!

I have decided on a "dual" turn in for the Edwards paper. So, please bring a print copy (this will determine if it's on "on time") and submit through Turnitin. The course number is: 13702636. You already have the password.


Here are some resources for you:

Analysis Rubric
Quotation Incorporation
Transitional Elements
MLA Formatting

Due Friday

You need to bring a print copy of your complete Edwards introduction and body paragraph for revisions on Friday.

This powerpoint explains the assignment and provides you an example on a different text than the one you are writing on. It is intended to show you the process for your own essay. Again, you are writing on Edwards NOT Mather.

You should have your chart that we worked on in class and at home that has prepared you for writing this paragraph. In addition to this chart, please use your Musings packet and feedback on your antithesis essay to inform your writing.

Debate Transcript and Grammar Info and Sentence Structure Packet

If you are interested in using the presidential debate for your Fallacy/Appeal assignment, there are several variations of the transcript available online. Some are more complete than others, and most offer some type of analysis. Since I want to avoid any perception of bias, I am not going to choose one transcript over others to link to this webpage. However, if you do a search for "Trump Clinton debate transcript" you can choose the transcript that best meets your needs.

Remember, you have many other options for completing your assignment that do not involve the debate.

The sentence structure packet is available here.

Due Wednesday

Fallacies in Contemporary Politics

1. Choose a 20th century contemporary political text of some sort (in many ways, the more recent the better). This may include, but is not limited to, speeches, editorials, articles, or debates. You could watch Monday evening's presidential debate, you might look at the RNC or DNC speeches, you might consider campaign adds, or you could read George Wallace’s “Segregation Now, Segregation Forever” speech that I have posted on the website (I cut significant chunks of the speech out in the interest of brevity, FYI). Or, you could simply do a search on your own.

2. Identify within that text one logical fallacy, and one rhetorical appeal (ethos, logos, or pathos). The paper that you turn in should have a brief paragraph that identifies (through quotation or summary) the fallacy or appeal, and then analyzes the intended effect that this is having on the audience. If you'd like extra practice, follow the "where/what/how/why" progression that you learned from the Musings packet.

Here is the link to the George Wallace speech.

Due Monday

Please add 2-3 more examples to your Edwards chart. Remember you should have a column on the left for "where" and "what" device you're talking about and one on the right where you are writing down HOW that device is creating fear for the audience.

Practice Grammar
Practice Grammar explanations

Fallacy slides and Edwards reading

Fallacy slides from yesterday.

As you do your Edwards reading, pay close attention to how he's using techniques and details to have a persuasive effect on his audience. You should be able to identify what his persuasive goal is and how his techniques are successful for his particular audience.

Due Wednesday

Phrase and Clause information.

Phrase and clause practice exercises.

Due Tuesday and Looking Ahead

Please review the following notes on Parts of Speech. Most likely this is all review for you, but it is necessary knowledge as we move on to more exciting grammar concepts. There is additional information as well as practice exercises (on the left) available here.

For Tuesday, please bring your red books to class.

Looking ahead:

Reading due Thursday: Cotton Mather "Wonders of the Invisible World." Red Book. (75-78)
Reading due Friday: Jonathan Edwards "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God." Red Book (70-73)

Rubrics

The rubric for transitions is available here. Please note that the concept of "transitional thinking" refers to connecting backwards to the previous idea: in addition to my dog, I have a cat. In this example, we assume dog was previously mentioned.

The rubric for antithesis content is available here.

Updates and Upcoming Assignment

Please make sure you will have the Smith and Bradford reading completed for Friday. See previous post for details.

Antithesis/Thesis Practice Writing Assignment

Your first writing assignment is due Monday, 9/19.


Step 1: Select a topic of your choice that you would like to write practice antithesis/thesis paragraphs with. You might consider something from:
 Music
 Movies
 Politics/Policy
 Food
 Hobbies, Sports, activities
 (Anything else that interests you—if you’re unsure about your topic, check with me first)

Note: Sometimes topics like "hamburgers are better than pizza" can be a challenge because people struggle to adequately explain their supports. In that way, a topic with more substance might prove easier. However, if you can elaborate on why hamburgers are better than pizza with sufficient detail, then that topic would be acceptable.

Step 2: Following the guidelines in the “Musings” packet, write an Antithesis/Thesis statement with 2 POA points. Remember to focus on the concept of opposing, not just opposite. (Note that you’re not writing an entire introduction, just the antithesis/thesis).

Step 3: Write a corresponding antithesis paragraph. Make sure to remember your qualifying transition. You should have 3 pieces of evidence to support your antithesis paragraph and use standard paragraph format, which means you should adequately explain each example and have a summary sentence in your paragraph.

Step 4: Write a corresponding thesis paragraph. Make sure to use an appropriate contrasting transition word that acknowledges your antithesis, and clearly state your thesis and POA point for that paragraph. You should have 3 pieces of evidence and use standard paragraph format.

We are not writing a second thesis paragraph.

We are not writing a conclusion

Step 5: Proof read your paragraphs, checking for conventions errors and appropriate transitions and making sure that you match the structure given to you in the packet.

Other information:

I will post scoring guide information about this assignment after we have discussed it in class.
On average, these papers are about 1 1/2 pages, typed and double spaced. If your final paper does not involve a staple, it may be an indication that you did not provide sufficient elaboration of evidence for your supports.

Due Monday, 9-12

Due Monday:

Please read Musings, part II. The link is available in the previous post.

Looking ahead:

Our first reading from the red book will due on Friday, 9/16. Our discussion will be on the passage from John Smith (42-47) as well as the passage from William Bradford (48-54). We will be paying careful attention to what we know about each speaker, occasion, audience, purpose, subject, and tone.

Due Friday 9/9

Please read part of the Musings Packet for Friday and make sure you understand the key ideas. Note that part one ends of the top of page 7. This is a document that we'll be using a lot, so if you do better with a paper copy, you might want to print one out for future use.

Due Tomorrow, 9/8

Please review the syllabus with your parent/guardian and return a sheet acknowledging your understanding of its policies. The link is available here.

Summer Reading and Favorites

Hello incoming Juniors!

We've reached just over the half-way part of summer, and before you go into mourning, just think that you still have half of a summer to enjoy and fill with great reading! I hope you've been making progress on your summer reading achievements, and that you've found books that you've been enjoying. I forgot to post some of my favorites if you are hoping to earn the "Teacher's Pet" achievement, so below you will find a list of some of my favorites. I will intentionally omit those books that we read during junior year or senior AP Lit, so my list might seem very narrow in focus to you. I'll try to get some posted for Mrs. Harris and add any to my lists that I've forgotten.

Some of McElliott's favorite classic novels:

North and South (Gaskell)
Mary Barton (Gaskell)
Jane Eyre (C. Bronte)
Northanger Abbey (Austen)
Persuasion (Austen)
Barchester Towers (Trollope)


Some of McElliott's favorite "lighter fiction" authors: (Many of these are series, so you can choose which titles or series you want.)

Patrick Rothfuss
Brandon Sanderson
Sue Grafton
Estelle Ryan
Jim Butcher
Guy Gavriel Kaye

Alexie Essay

The Sherman Alexie essay is available here.

Faulkner Nobel Prize Speech

Text available here.

(And audio if you're curious)

Oral History Article Information

1. Please read this information on the Oral History Article assignment and come to class with any questions.

2. Don't forget to read "The Bear"

3. See previous post for final exam information.

Final Exam Information

Here is information regarding your final exam. A reading list is available on the left, although there are some differences this year.

Smithsonian Article Assignments

The link to the Smithsonian article is available here as a resource for when you've turned your paper copy in.

The discussion questions and assignment are available here.

Info and Work

If you've been absent, here are some things to help you get caught up and stay ahead of things.

1. Your final book discussion day is Friday, May 20th. On this day, you must have your group novel reading completed.

2. Your due date for your group novel project is May 27th. Remember this is an individual assignment on your "group novel" not a group project. Here is the link to the group novel project.

3. We've been working with some Hemingway stories in class that are not in your book. If you missed Thursday and/or Friday, you will need to make up the reading for:

Hills Like White Elephants
A Clean Well-Lighted Place
Cat in the Rain

I did not check the links to the stories carefully, so hopefully they are okay.

You will also need to check in with a group member to get class discussion notes on these texts.

Reading Due Thursday

Please read "In Another Country" by Ernest Hemingway paying close attention to existential elements. The story is available in your lit book, but an online copy is available here.

Analysis Essay Powerpoint

Available here.

Due Tuesday

Please print the following passages by Lewis and King and bring to class.

Lauren's AP Language quizlets are available here. Refer to the quizzes titled "words about..."

Group Novel Permission Form due Wednesday

Please print out and have your parents sing the permission form for the group novel project and return by no later than Wednesday.

Due Friday

You are going to return to the SBAC link that you used for your practice multiple choice test from a previous post and this time click on "Performance Task". You should see the writing task based on the concept of financial literacy. Please complete the two short answers and chart on a separate piece of paper. This is part 1 of the performance task. We will not be completing part 2 which is the actual writing of the essay.

Due Wednesday

Discuss, research, and choose your group novel. The power point from today is available here.

Due Monday

You are going to complete a practice SBAC computer based test as a "guest". Unfortunately, this means that you won't get results back, but it will be a good experience for you to experience the types of questions that you might be asked to complete. You are also going to complete an assignment based on the questions that you have to respond to. The link for the test is available here. From this link select "sign in". On the next page, select guest and grade 11. You will do the G11 ELA Practice Test. (not the performance task) Please make sure you log in as a guest and that you select the 11th grade test. I used Chrome as my browser and had no problems.

The assignment:

Number your paper for each question (1-30) and create three columns which will be labeled TEXT, QUESTION TYPE, MY REACTION. Your reactions could be done as a simple ranking like "hard, medium, easy." For example, you might have things like:

Text/ Question Type/ Reaction

1. Read about clothing/ Select sentence/ pretty easy



12. Listen about frogs/ Short response/ hard





15. Read sample text/ Revise for organization/ medium


(My apologies that I don't have time to make my chart example look like an actual chart)

When you are done with the chart, please jot down ideas for the following question.

What do I feel that we need to practice most before the actual SBAC test?


This task will take you a while to complete. If you need to break it up into different sessions, when you sign back in you may just want to click past the questions you have already answered by providing fake answers.

Due Thursday and Friday

Due Thursday:

Please print and bring this packet to class.

Due Friday:

Your "genre" practice writing assignment is due.

Due Wednesday

Please finish your Harlem Renaissance poetry reactions. The poems are available here and the notes frame is available below. Remember, you are completing the notes based on author, not individual poem. You should have a reaction for each of the following authors:

McKay
Hughes
Cullen
Johnson
Bennett
Grimke

 After everyone has read the poems at your station, please discuss the STRUCTURE, (poem format, rhyme scheme, line length etc) STYLE (figurative language, imagery, allusions, etc.) and CONTENT (meaning, topics, etc.) of each poem.
 For each station, you must record your observations on a chart resembling the following.

Author(s):
Titles of Poems:

Structure and Style Observations:


Content Observations:


Which poem did you find most interesting/ meaningful/ compelling and why?

Due Monday

You will be writing the introduction and body paragraph of the Harlem Renaissance Synthesis essay. Please choose a body paragraph that allows you to address complex views. In other words, you may have 3 or 4 authors who are all addressing issues of identity, but what they say about those issues is different. This will be primarily a completion point assignment, but there will be some assessment points for how well you use quotation incorporation and elements of strong composition (sentence variety, etc.)

The power points we have looked at in class are available here.

Synthesis Essay Reading Due Wednesday

Please print off the following Harlem Renaissance synthesis essay packet. After reading the instructions carefully, please read and mark the text for quotations that you would anticipate using to help answer the essay prompt. Please do not merely highlight your documents, but remember to include key words or phrases in the margins that will help you when it comes time to organize your essay.

This essay prompt has you juggle some complex ideas which is another reason why you writing your own thoughts in margins is key.

Updates and Due Wednesday

The research paper topics have been updated outside of my room. Please swing by and check if you have recently revised your topic.

The research paper website has been activated and updated with due dates for this year and resources to help you with your checkpoints. See the side bar to the left to go to the research paper page.

For Wednesday, please print out and bring this document to class. You do not have to read it; just print and bring.

Reading Due Tuesday

Please read "To Build a Fire" by Jack London. An e-text is available here in case you didn't take your book home. (The online version begins with some preview questions that you can choose to skip if you wish. Go down to the very bottom of the page and click on "next" to get to the actual story. It also has some interactive words highlighted. Hopefully it's not too distracting, and if you're desperate for a copy, it should get the job done.)

Observation Claims

The powerpoint about the research paper is available here!

Essay Due Friday at Midnight! (apparently)

An electronic copy of the most recent version of the Musings packet is available here.