river oaks [english]

Contrary to what some have said in class, you can study for this midterm. First, you have a list of vocabulary terms (30 total): I will choose 20 for the exam. The argumentative essay will require you to utilize skills developed in class -- including appeals to ethos, logos and pathos and the use of specifics to support a clear thesis. True, the remainder of the exam will require a good deal of reasoning (vs. memorized information), but there are resources available for you to practice the skills necessary to perform well: AP Central has a downloadable PDF with sample questions and prompts ACT also has an interactive question bank for the Reading section If you spend time reviewing all of this information, then it should help you do well on the exam. Remember that I will curve the multiple choice section based on the class average. The total possible for the multiple choice is 60 points, and I'll curve from the average. The essay is scored 1-9, and I will multiply the score...

As we begin the study of Macbeth , I thought it might be useful to include a list of resources. In addition to the following links, some students have found a side-by-side translation useful. Even better, buy a version of the play with annotations. Although your textbook does include marginal notes, they are not as extensive as they could be. I like the The Annotated Shakespeare series, which includes an introduction and annotations by Burton Raffel and an essay by Harold Bloom. You can find the book locally at Windows. The following sites are related to Macbeth in particular: Internet Shakespeare Edition: Macbeth Backstage with the Royal Shakespeare Company Analysis from Shakespeare-Online "Macbeth: Playing at Witches" Wikipedia: Macbeth As noted in class, we will read and watch portions of the play. There are several good versions of the play on film, including the Polanski version that we are watching in class ; perhaps the most critically acclaimed version of the play i...

Your next assignment is to write a letter to the editor (or an editorial) regarding a local problem. By "local" I mean pertaining to your community -- school, city or state. Please follow the classical model for rhetoric discussed in your book on pages 13 and 14: Introduction - introduces the subject, piques interest of the reader, establishes the authority of the author [appeal to ethos] Narration - provides background, establishes the problem, connects to the audience [appeal to pathos] Confirmation - develops the argument, provides evidence [appeal to logos] Refutation - anticipates the opposition, lends credence, refutes claims [appeals to pathos and logos] Conclusion - brings the essay to a satisfying close, answers the question "so what?" [appeals to pathos] This should be between 400 and 500 words, formatted according to MLA. You may want to look on The News Star 's "Voices and Views" page for recent examples, or to generate a topic. Typed ro...

Your assignment is to write a sonnet , using the Shakespearean form as your model. Please try to emulate the poems we have read: develop an idea with each quatrain, ending with a couplet that comments on the whole poem. Please observe the following requirements: Must be 14 lines Must use iambic pentameter Must follow the Shakespearean rhyme scheme Must develop an idea (usually about relationships or love) Type and double-space your sonnet and format according to MLA. This assignment is due MONDAY 11/17 .

Please study the following authors, poems and terms for your test on Monday: Sir Thomas Wyatt ~ Introduced the sonnet to England (Petrarchan, or Italian), "Whoso List to Hunt" Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey ~ English Sonnet and Blank Verse Edmund Spenser ~ Sonnets 30 & 75, The Fairie Queen William Shakespeare ~ 154 sonnets, sonnet form, Sonnets 29, 73, 116 & 130 Christopher Marlowe ~ "The Passionate Shepherd to His Love" Sir Walter Raleigh ~ "The Nymph's Reply to the Shepherd" Robert Herrick ~ "To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time" Andrew Marvell ~ " To His Coy Mistress" John Donne ~ Metaphysical Conceit, "Song", "A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning" & "Death Be Not Proud" (Holy Sonnets)

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...

Your next in-class essay is on an issue related to the presidential campaign.  Your task is to pick one issue that will (or would) influence you the most in your decision, and to look at what the candidates have to say.   PRINT out a copy of each candidate's position from their websites: John McCain Barack Obama Bring your printouts (and a highlighter) to school tomorrow, and we'll discuss.  To help you decide which issues are most important to you, try filling out one of the following  "candidate calculators": VAJoe -- allows you to research the pro/con positions Vote Help -- will also tell you how the candidates voted (with sources) Candidate Quiz from WQAD -- again, provides the candidate's positions Remember too that the first in a series of debates is on Friday night.  I'll tape it, and we'll watch it in class next week.

Your next paper, the Solutions to your Problem , requires that you evaluate at least two solutions using a set of at least two criteria.  Note that criteria are the basis for your comparison. STEP ONE Write a memo detailing the following: Your solutions -- brief description of each Your criteria -- explanation of your basis for comparison Due ~ Wednesday, 9/24 STEP TWO Write a three-five page essay, using the following as your outline: I. Introduction -- Restate Problem, and introduce Solutions and Criteria II. Solutions (define each of your solutions) A. Solution One -- define with statistics, examples, etc. B. Solution Two -- define with statistics, examples, etc. III. Evaluation A. Evaluation based on Criterion One -- explain why it's a good basis for comparison, then evaluate specifics of your solutions B. Evaluation based on Criterion Two -- explain why it's a good basis for comparison, then evaluate specifics of your solutions IV. Conclusion -- State your conclusion bas...

We will have a QUIZ on "The Prologue" Monday (9/22) This is also when you will be asked to recite (or write) the first eighteen lines of "The Prologue to The Canterbury Tales " in Middle English. For those interested, here's an example of what it sounds like (with music). And, as promised, Dr. Enelow's rap from Head-Royce School in Berkeley, CA. And here's Harvard University's site on Chaucer and the Tales, for those who are interested.

Yes, I know, some of you are sick of politics already. However, the election's not until November! We are taking a bit of a break next week, but we'll come back to it again and again until the election. It's important for you to have specifics when arguing for or against one of the candidates, and that's why we are spending time on this subject. In a larger sense, we are studying persuasive rhetoric -- making an argument, persuading a specific audience, achieving some particular purpose. This will help you prepare for the ACT, the AP test, and college writing in general. Because I've used these sites several times in class, I thought I'd provide links for you to access from home: FactCheck Politifact Gallup So far, we've written (1) a paper comparing the two VP acceptance speeches, and tomorrow we'll write (2) an essay criticizing one of the speeches from the presidential candidates. Next, we'll write (3) an essay outlining one candidate's ...

OVERVIEW Write a two-three page definition and discussion of a specific problem in your chosen field of interest. The problem you discuss here will form the basis for your analysis in Paper #3. Problems can be “academic” or “work-related.” Remember that when I say "problem" I'm referring to problems you will face (and solve) as a professional in your field. The paper must cite at least three credible sources. Format according to MLA. PROCESS (1) Investigate possible “problems” utilizing the following types of sources: Interview –ask a professional Online Resources INFOTRAC @ River Oaks (password = river) Ouachita Public Library Highwire Press @ Stanford University Find Articles from LookSmart (2) Propose a topic via MEMO . Your memo should include a statement of purpose and show an awareness of audience. The memo's body should include at least two 100-word paragraphs -- one on your problem, and one on your research to date Heading should be double-spaced (To, From,...

Your Interview Letter is due NOW. Use the "full block" format discussed in class (as seen on your handout -- ask if you need another or check here for examples ). Please include the following in your letter: Paragraph #1 - Your interview subject's name and credentials, and the time and location of the interview Paragraph #2 - A summary of the relevant information from your interview -- i.e. info not found in your other sources, advice, personal experience, etc. Paragraph #3 - An assessment of the interview -- how useful the interview was, whether or not you "opened a door," etc. Also, don't forget about the thank you note , which should also use full block format, and which should be addressed to your interview subject. Make your thank you short and specific.

Each nine weeks, honors students are required to read ONE book, in addition to their regular course work. This book should be either one that I recommend in class or one that is chosen from the "honors" list. THE LIST: 101 Great Books The list comes from College Board , the folks who write the SAT, CLEP and AP exams. The books listed are frequently used on standardized tests and are generally considered masterpieces. I will occasionally offer suggestions in class, related to the era we are discussing. My only other requirement is that students read books they have not read before. For each book students must: Write a letter telling me which book you have chosen and why; the letter must be written in full block style (discussed in class) Either take a test or write a critical paper on the selected book, depending on the book. I would also like to remind students that you can earn extra point at any time by reading extra books and taking AR tests in the library.