Thursday, March 23, 2017

Synthesis Essay and New Rhetorical Terms

1. Synthesis Prompt- 45 Minutes
2. New Rhetorical Terms
Divide up rhetorical terms to teach. "Research" definitions and examples. Create a "poster" (could be a keynote) to teach the class!

Rhetorical Terms List:

  1. What is the difference between rhetorical function, strategies, devices, questions, and effectiveness?  
  2. understatement and litotes
  3. extended metaphor and analogy
  4. paradox and oxymoron
  5. metonymy and synecdoche
  6. euphemisms and colloquial language
  7. Antecedent
  8. didactic  

Tone Words:
1. Sardonic
2. Sanguine

Monday, March 20, 2017

In-class Rhetorical Analysis Essay

Obj: I can write an essay that analyzes how a writer's use of rhetoric achieve a specific purpose.

1. No Red Ink: Growth Quiz!
2. Rhetorical Analysis Essay: 40 Minutes
3. Synthesis Prompt for next time:
Synthesis Question: Is war an inevitable element of human existence? Refer directly to MacArthur’s speech, Eisenhower’s Farewell Address and Margaret Mead’s essay. You may use any other texts you see fit, as well.  After considering these sources, as well as the current state of affairs, develop a position on the question and support your position with multiple sources and your own thinking.

Partner up: One Sentence Summaries
  1. Cicero “On Duties”
  2. Catiline “To His Army Before Defeat in Battle”
  3. Eisenhower “Message to Invasion Troops”
  4. Boswell “On War”
  5. Eisenhower “Farewell Address”
  6. MacArthur “Commencement Address”
  7. SIPRI “Patterns of Major Armed Conflicts, 1990-2005”
  8. Margaret Mead “Warfare: An Invention--Not a Biological Necessity”
  9. Jarecki’s “Why We Fight”
  10. Louisa May Alcott’s “Death of a Soldier”
How to prepare? Organize your research, highlight and color code, outline main ideas, find quotes that both support and refute your claims, etc. We will write the essay during class on Friday.

Double Down on Punctuation and Rhetorical Analysis

Obj: I can use scoring criteria to assess the strengths and weaknesses in a rhetorical analysis essay. I can teach the class about rhetorical terms.

1. Grammar growth quiz
2. Death of a Soldier Essay Review

  • Partner up! 
  • Read sample intro paragraphs. What does each of them do? What are the similarities and differences? Which ones do you like best and why?
  • Body paragraphs
    • How do I write about different rhetorical devices?
    • How do I weave in quotes?
    • How do I answer the effect on the reader part of the question?
    • How do I choose what to write about?
  • Putting it all together: Student sample essays
3. Death of a Soldier Self (or peer?) Assessment--defend your score!


Coming up: Rhetorical Analysis in-class essay and grammar growth quiz (Wednesday)
Synthesis in-class essay (Friday- we will discuss prompt and review texts Wednesday).

Thursday, March 16, 2017

Death of a Soldier

Obj: I can read a text closely and outline my ideas for a rhetorical analysis essay

1. More grammar practice
2. Margaret Mead- quick discussion, first reading questions
3. Death of a Soldier- read silently, annotate, create a rhetorical analysis outline

HW: Time yourself (40 minutes) and write a rhetorical analysis for "Death of a Soldier."
Complete Punctuation Practice on No Red Ink- growth quiz next class!

Monday, March 13, 2017

Is war an invention?

1. No Red Ink: We will practice grammar and active vs. passive voice
2. Discuss MacArthur
3. Margaret Mead: Is War an Invention?

HW: First Reading Questions and No Red Ink diagnostic

Wednesday, March 8, 2017

MacArthur's Commencement Address


ObJ: I  can analyze a text for rhetorical strategies and devices (structure, appeals, logic, and language) to understand how an author conveys his meaning.

Opener: STORY TIME!!
Listen to The Butter Battle Book by Dr. Suess. What is the point of this story? How does Suess develop his message?

  1. Read MacArthur’s speech out loud
  2. First reading Q’s
  3. Second reading Q’s
  4. Read Graph
  5. How does it compare to MacArthur’s desire to end war?

HW: Create a thesis sentence and OUTLINE for how you would write a rhetorical analysis of MacArthur's speech. Be ready to discuss next time!


Monday, March 6, 2017

Boswell: On War

I  can analyze the structure of a text and how this structure contributes to the text as a whole by tracing the focus of each paragraph.

Please do both of the following on a separate piece of paper and hand in at the end of class:

1. In partners: Second Reading Questions
2. On your own: Multiple Choice

HW: Write a short essay (1 page or less) that analyzes how Bodwell deliberately structures his essay. Is this structure effective in conveying his position on war? Explain.


The Classical Model for Argument  (remember this?)

  • Exordium/Introduction: the writer gains the reader’s attention
  • Narratio/Background info: the writer gives the context or facts of the case
  • Propositio/Proposition: the writer presents his or her thesis or main idea
  • Partitio/Main headings or topics: the writer outlines what will follow (*)
  • Confirmatio/Supporting arguments: the writer gives evidence to prop up thesis
  • Refutatio/Counterargument: the writer anticipates and refutes any objections the opponents may raise
  • Peroratio/Conclusion: the writer summarizes the chief arguments, calls for a specific response and/or makes an emotional appeal

AP Lang Post Exam: What is satire?

Unit Objective: I can demonstrate my understanding of key techniques of satire in my analysis of the writing of others and in my own writing...