This week in Xtreme, Language Edition, we'll be taking a close look at the elements that go into crafting an effective essay. With a focus on Stephen J. Gould's Just in the Middle, we'll devote each class period to a brief overview of the key components of an essay--components you'll be identifying and employing in our work throughout the year. Think of this week as a sampler of what's to come. While your reading outside of class will be limited this week, there are a few readings and writing assignments to complete, so be ready. The notations in parentheses are references to the Common Core State Standards, for which you will be held accountable this year.
MONDAY, 9/10 Focus on Diction (11-12.RI.4)
• Connotative/denotative
language: figurative and literal use
•
Context in relation to word meaning and intent; technical use
•
Key terms: use and refinement over the course of the essay
TUESDAY, 9/11 Focus on Central idea (11-12.RI.2)
•
Main ideas: SOAPS review with
focus on S & P
•
Supporting ideas: interactions and development throughout
•
Summary: objective vs subjective;
crediting author, using
quotations
(Exercise: Just in the Middle summary—DUE Wednesday, midnight)
WEDNESDAY, 9/12 Guided Practice/Googledocs
• Summary-writing workshop: (Summary Exercise DUE)
THURSDAY, 9/13 Focus on Structure (11-12.RI.5)
•
How Gould presents his case
•
Naming the parts
•
effectiveness—engaging, clear, convincing
FRIDAY, 9/14 Focus on Point of View (11-12.RI.6)
•
Identifying ethos
•
relating ethos to effectiveness/art of text
(Exercise--The Kindness of Strangers--DUE)
We'll finish our party with Jay Gatsby this week, and move back into some more contemporary nonfiction reading, analysis, and argument. The final for Gatsby will be in two parts--a seminar and a written analysis. Speaking of analysis, we'll also take a look at the results of our first AP rhetorical analysis prompt. Ain't we got fun?
Mo Gatsby, mo fun. This week we'll finish reading The Great Gatsby, go to a college fair, write our first AP Prompt response, and have hecka fun. Revisions of your first research essay will be accepted starting on Friday, 10/19. To resubmit, title your document (not your essay) with your period number, last name, and SA2. This will help me with record-keeping. Also, please paste your (fixed) works cited page to your essay, if it's not there already. Shalom!
Well. First essay in, first novel started, first progress report due: looks like this is really happening. This week we'll continue to focus on analysis--literary and rhetorical--tackling our first practice AP prompt and examining the beautiful prose of The Great Gatsby (and Huckleberry Finn). These are the first steps to expertise in critical thinking and reading. Hang on tight; it's gonna be an exciting ride!
While you're continuing to work on your essays, We'll spend class time honing our paraphrasing and rhetorical analysis skills. The readings will all be in class, so you can devote homework time to making your research essay a thing of beauty. You'll be bringing a hard copy to class on THURSDAY for some hands-on revising and editing. Then the final draft will be turned in through Googledocs by Midnight on Sunday. Tempus fugit!
So, now that we have identified an area of interest and crafted a good essential question about it, we can begin our research adventure. With so much information, so many sources, it's imperative we know how to separate the wheat from the chaff. That's where Mrs. Overcash comes in. She'll walk us through the process we'll be using for the rest of the year and the REST OF OUR LIVES!!! Be patient, pay attention, and keep up with each part of the program; you'll be glad you did.
