river oaks [english]

Your assignment is to create a PowerPoint presentation of 16 slides , half text and half images. You can use video and audio, as well, if you know how that stuff works. I'm concerned only with information pertaining to your topic, so organize according to the information you have. Use Google Images , WikiPedia , and any other web-based source you'd like. If you'd like to get "all fancy" and scan some images, then go for it. You should know your topic, but if you don't then please ask. Don't wait until it's due and say "Uh, I didn't know what my topic was." It's DUE ON FRIDAY (11/7).

Juniors : Don't forget to bring your $8 to school next week! Seniors : Don't forget to get the permission slip signed for the Texas Renaissance Festival ! Everyone : Next seek is election week! I'll be setting up voting booths in the library, and we'll vote electronically....

As discussed in class, your next assignment is to write a "This I Believe" essay. The purpose for this essay is explain some core belief or value, perhaps telling a story about why you hold that conviction dear. The publishers explain their rationale below: How Youth Can Get Involved with This I Believe This I Believe encourages thoughtful and respectful sharing of philosophical, spiritual, or civic beliefs by inviting people from all walks of life to write brief essays that discuss the rules they live by. Thousands of young people around the country have embraced This I Believe as a powerful way to explore their beliefs. Our project’s goal is to encourage people of different beliefs to listen to one another. We encourage you to come together with friends, neighbors, and acquaintances to discuss the essays you’ve written. You can get started by reading the essays written by other young people that have been submitted to This I Believe. Click here to access our Youth Essay

The last stage of your research project begins on FRIDAY, October 17th. Your first task is to combine all three drafts into one cohesive document : First, open the "career" file and add the second and third papers to the bottom ( insert file OR copy & paste ) Next, remove MLA headings from papers two and three Make sure the pages are numbered in sequence -- if not, then remove and replace Combine all "works cited" into one list, arranged alphabetically (remove redundant citations) Revise the MLA heading on the first page, and add underlined section headings to each section of the paper (i.e. Introduction, Career, Problem, Solution) Finally, correct any errors that you notice (typos, spelling, punctuation, etc.) Print out the copy and turn it on on FRIDAY. This is the copy I will annotate. After I've added some comments, you will all revise your drafts and create an annotated bibliography for the sources used in your research.

All HONORS students have a paper due on THURSDAY, October 14th. Your assignment, as discussed in class, is to focus on one of the following: A character analysis -- tracing the development of a central character, or discussing specific character traits (whether positive or negative) A thematic analysis -- discussing the development of a central theme An historical analysis -- placing the work in its historical context In any of the above, you must have a clear thesis (central purpose) and developed support , citing evidence from the work. The paper should be at least two pages, formatted according to MLA.

In today's peer-review workshop, I posed a series of questions for you to consider when revising your paper. These basic questions can be asked of any critical paper, and should be kept in mind at all stages of the writing process: First, make sure you have a clear topic and focus, as well as clearly defined paragraph divisions Read the INTRO only, asking the following: Is the topic introduced (the title and author)? Is there a clear thesis? Does the statement make a claim (something that needs to be backed up with evidence)? Does the intro suggest a structure for the argument? Then, look at each paragraph, checking for a good topic/transitional sentence. Within each paragraph, check for unity (make sure you are focused on a single idea) Make sure that each paragraph includes specific support. Refer to the post above ( or here ) for citing quotes. Finally, make sure you have concluded the paper by re-focusing the reader's attention on your thesis. AVOID phrases that begin &

OVERVIEW Your assignment is to write a critical analysis of one of the two tales we read in class – “The Pardoner’s Tale” or “The Wife of Bath’s Tale”. By critical analysis, I mean an essay that looks closely at the text, focusing on a very specific critical point. This is not a summary or a book report. Please focus on one of the following: A character analysis – focus on Chaucer’s characterizations o character types or traits, whether positive or negative o one character’s development over time A thematic analysis – focus on a central theme as represented by one or more of the readings An historical analysis – establish the historical context of an element in one of the readings, comparing that to the fictional reality depicted by Chaucer FORMAT The essay will be between two and three pages long, and will follow the conventions of MLA format. Your only source will be the textbook: you will refer to line numbers if quoting the poem, page numb