river oaks [english]

Your assignment is to choose ONE of the three in-class synthesis essays you've written to type and revise according to the original assignment. Remember that as a synthesis essay, your goal is to support a central thesis with evidence from at least three sources. Sources must be used and cited . The sources for each paper are included in your book (except for the one you provided for essay #2) on the following pages: Essay One - American High Schools (150-163) Essay Two - Defining Masculinity (408-17) Essay Three - Body Image (482-92) We will focus on the specifics of revision this week. Essays should be typed, double-spaced, and formatted according to MLA. As usual, grammar and mechanics will be a portion of the grade. DUE: Friday, February 13th

First, a HUGE thank you to Dr. Qayyum for his insight into the history of Pakistan (and to Mrs. Qayyum for the samosas!). As we discuss the Middle East these next couple of weeks, as we continue to learn and understand more about the history and current situation, please keep an open mind. I'll try to present information from both sides of these issues. In that spirit, I've given you a handout from Newsweek to read over the weekend that examines the current situation from both sides. Central to the discussion is the "two state" solution. Read the handout and use it as the basis for your current event report over the weekend. Also, I've posted the video we tried to watch in class, from 60 Minutes , which looks at the conflict from the point of view of the Palestinian people (mostly). Watch it and tell me what you think on Monday: Watch CBS Videos Online

Your assignment is to write either a short poem in the style of a mock epic (and based on an argument) or a prose satire piece describing some everyday event. Follow the instructions on page 535, numbers four and five. The writing should be funny, so don't turn into something that's not. Use the techniques for satire that we've discussed in class. The poem should be written in heroic couplets (iambic pentameter) and at least ten lines long. The prose should be at least one page, double-spaced. Again, you have a choice of the two. You do not have to type this assignment, but it would be easier to read if you did.

Obama's Inaugural Address Most of you saw and/or heard the speech LIVE, more or less, and we'll view the speech again in class. I've linked the text above, along with audio from NPR. We will look more closely at the speech in class -- at the rhetoric of the speech, as it relates to past inaugural addresses, and as a piece of history -- and the seniors will write an analysis essay. Juniors, remember to print out your political cartoon (and analysis) for class tomorrow.

We are reading Jonathan Swift, a writer who satirized politics and religion in the 18th century.  Your next paper is to analyze the use of satire in modern political cartoons.   To get us started, you will find one cartoon, analyze it and print it.  Please follow these steps: Go to Daryl Cagle's Political Cartoonists Index and browse Choose one you think is funny and/or clever Copy and paste the cartoon into your Word document Write a 100-word paragraph analyzing the artist's use of appeals, irony, imagery and text to convey his/her message.  Please include a summary of the primary message. Format according to MLA Bring your papers to class on Wednesday, January 21st.

I hope everyone had a great break. Welcome back!

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.