Intro to Politics and War

Obj:  I can analyze texts by reading closely and answering questions on rhetoric and style and then draw comparisons between these texts.

1. Writing Prompt: What is your position on war? (NEVER! When we must, we will. We shouldn't but...) Write a paragraph explanation.
2. Intro to Cicero
3. Catiline's speech
4. Visual Text analysis

H.W. Create an outline of your synthesis essay--each paragraph lead by a topic sentence/idea with relevant sources indicated.

Sources and Prompt Feedback

LT: I can develop ideas for synthesis essay prompts. I can explain my thinking for multiple choice questions. 

1. Ms. Moore presents on finding valid, reliable sources

2. Round robin topic discussion

STEP ONE: Write your topic (or one you are considering) on a piece of paper. Try to make it AS SIMPLE and NEUTRAL as possible. For example: GLOBAL WARMING, HEALTH CARE, REFUGEES, FREEDOM OF SPEECH, CHARTER SCHOOLS, etc. PASS.

STEP TWO: Add possible subtopics to the topic on the paper--still neutral!  For example: Effects on oceans, effects on weather patterns, PASS.

STEP THREE: Add two more possible subtopics of the original topic. Still neutral. PASS.

STEP FOUR: Add a question for two of the four subtopics. For example: Are the effects of global warming on the oceans reversible?  Is the rise in current temperatures linked to man made causes? PASS.

STEP FIVE: Add two more questions for subtopics--this time they have to be controversial, debatable, arguable. For example: Should we regulate businesses and industries in order to protect the environment? PASS.

STEP SIX: Look over the questions written on the subtopic. Add an extension idea or another subtopic that the original question generates. For example: What effect does regulating businesses to protect the environment have on the economy? PASS.

STEP SEVEN--Back to the original person: Look over your topic paper. What ideas did your classmates add on to your topic? What directions did they take it that you had not yet thought of? Which ideas do you think are the most intriguing to explore?

3. Review multiple choice questions

HW: Continue working on your synthesis prompt- turn in next class!
Annotated Bibliography due Thursday

Midterm Review and Research Intro

LT: I can dissect an AP rhetorical analysis prompt and explain the strengths and weaknesses I see in a sample rhetorical analysis essay. I can develop an AP style prompt to guide my research of a selected topic.

1. Welcome to Semester 2!
2. Dissect speech on Toussaint-Louverture

• What background information is given in the prompt? 
• Put it all together- ask yourself WHY Phillips talks about Louverture in his speech to address audience and purpose. 
• What rhetorical strategy does Phillips rely on most heavily?

• Read the sample essay together. What do you notice?

3. Research Project Intro- Brainstorm topics. Prompt due next class!

HW: Synthesis Prompt

Faulkner's "Innocence at Rinkside"

LT: I can explain what MC questions require of me and demonstrate effective close reading skills.

1. Discuss Reading: what did you notice about message and use of language? 

2.On your own: Multiple Choice Practice

3. Groupwork: Come to a consensus on the answers to each question, then determine what the question is asking. What skills are you implementing when answering the question?

HW: Prep for Midterms! 

Synthesis and MC Review

LT: I can analyze sample synthesis essays for effectiveness. I can explain what MC questions require of me and demonstrate effective close reading skills.

1. Synthesis Review

• Read the sample Synthesis Essay Prompt
• What is being asked of the writer?
• Read the sample essays and give scores

2. Multiple Choice Review: using multiple choice questions to unpack a text

3. Faulkner Says/Does

HW: Complete Says/Does Analysis

Synthesis Essay

Obj:  I can synthesize multiple sources’ viewpoints in order to write a coherent, well-supported essay that takes a stand on A.H.A’s perspectives.


1. Opener: what did you think of the articles? Which one was your favorite and why?
2. Writing Tips:
Introducing Standard Views:

• Many people assume that……
• My whole life I heard it said that….
• Conventional wisdom has it that…
• Common sense seems to dictate that…
• It is often said that…

Explaining/Summaryizing Quotations:

• Basically, ________ is suggesting that…..
• In other words, ________ believes that….
• In making this comment, _______ argues that…
• _______’s point is that….
• The essence of ______’s argument is that…..

Agreeing/Disagreeing:

• Although I agree with _________ up to a point, I cannot accept his overall conclusion that…..
• Although I disagree with much of what _____ says, I fully endorse his final conclusion that…..
• Though I concede (admit) that_______, I still insist that ___________

Agreeing/Adding On:

• I agree that ________ because my experience________ confirms it.
• ____ is surely right about _____ because, as she may not be aware, recent studies have confirmed that….
• I agree that _______, a point that needs emphasizing since so many people believe…

Voice: Adding Confidence:

• X overlooks what I consider an important point about…..
• My own view is that what X insists is a _________ is in fact a __________
• I wholeheartedly endorse what X calls __________

3.Synthesis Essay Rubric
4. Write Essay!

Infidel Discussion

LT: I can select passages to show the intellectual and spiritual evolution of a character and explain their significance.

1. Welcome back!
2. WP: How do our childhood experiences shape or define us as adults?
3. Discuss structure of Infidel: Part I vs. Part II. How does the structure of the novel help shape the book as a whole? Why go into so much detail about childhood/adolescence? Do you think it is relevant?
4. Partner Activity

HW: Review the below sources in preparation for the in-class synthesis essay next class!
Source A: Infidel

Source B: http://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2014/04/16/liberals-islam-misogyny-hirsi-ali-war-women-column/7782657/

Source C: http://observer.com/2016/04/why-ayaan-hirsi-alis-criticism-of-islam-angers-western-liberals/

Source D:

http://time.com/3825345/what-ayaan-hirsi-ali-doesnt-get-about-islam/

Source E:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/nathan-lean/ayaan-hirsi-ali-neither-a_b_5175604.html

Source F:

http://www.salon.com/2015/05/04/ayaan_hirsi_ali_is_dangerous_why_we_must_reject_her_hateful_worldview/

Source G:

http://www.thescavenger.net/feminism-a-pop-culture-sp-9560/feminism-a-pop-culture/387-why-white-people-like-ayaan-hirsi-ali-83967.html
Source H: Source H:https://youtu.be/6NX0MRBFRHE