WELCOME TO ENGLISH 12!
Monday, January 11 - Friday, January 15
Monday - at home Last day of classes
Tuesday - Final Exams begin
Wednesday - Final Exams
Thursday - Final Exams end
Friday - PD Day - No school
Monday - at home Last day of classes
- Finish any independent novel study assignments and email or hand them in for assessment.
Tuesday - Final Exams begin
Wednesday - Final Exams
Thursday - Final Exams end
Friday - PD Day - No school
Monday, January 4 - Friday, January 8 Welcome back!
Monday - in class
Tuesday - at home
Wednesday - in class
Thursday - at home
Friday - in class
Monday - in class
- Final exam review - read "Our oceans are turning to plastic...are we?" article and answer questions together.
- View Ocean Cleanup video and discuss current GPGP situation https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/podcast/mar18/nop14-ocean-garbage-patches.html
- Choose your original composition essay topic from the three provided and begin working on the essay outline (see handouts tab for more info on the original composition including tips, assessment rubric and exemplars.
- Hand in any independent novel study assignments that are completed.
Tuesday - at home
- Final exam review - work on the original composition essay outline
- Revision work
Wednesday - in class
- Final exam review - Read "The Anniversary Present" and work in groups to find the rhetorical and literary devices.
- Grammar review
- Original composition/essay outline
Thursday - at home
- Final exam review - finish essay outline, find the literary and rhetorical devices in "The Anniversary Present"
- Revision work
Friday - in class
- Final exam review - literary analysis and synthesis paragraph
- Hand in any independent novel study assignments that are completed.
Monday, December 14 - Friday, December 18
Monday - at home
Tuesday - in class
Wednesday - at home
Thursday - in class
Friday - at home
|
Despite what you see on social media and during some presidential campaigns, a formal debate is not a shambolic shout fest.
Four Types of Conversations
|
Monday, December 7 - Friday, December 11
Monday - in class
Monday - in class
- If you did not present your speech last Thursday, you need to do so today.
- Introduce Argumentative Essay/Debate.
- Outline the format for a formal debate.
- Students choose to write an argumentative essay individually OR to do a debate with a partner or group of students. Students can use the same topic as their speech for the argumentative essay. Just remember to include research from the database EBSCOHOST and add quotations for support. Review the assessment rubric to make sure all criteria are included in the essay.
- Form groups and choose topics for debates.
- Introduce NoodleTools - an online research, notecard and collaboration tool students can use.
- Use laptop computers to conduct research for your argumentative essay or debate topic.
- Link to EBSCOHOST database: https://web-b-ebscohost-com.bc.idm.oclc.org/ehost/search/basic?vid=0&sid=25b3e8c7-22d6-476c-9170-fcb265f52319%40pdc-v-sessmgr04 or see embedded link below (you do not need login credentials).
Tuesday - at home
Wednesday - in class
Thursday - at home
Friday - in class
|
Monday, November 30 - Friday, December 4
Monday - at home
Tuesday - in class
Wednesday - at home
Thursday - in class
Friday - at home
Monday - at home
- Practice presenting your speech. Record it on your phone if you do not want to present it live in front of the class. You will be expected to play the recording for the class and a mark of proficient will be the highest mark you can achieve for the speaking component if you choose this format of presenting.
- Work on the independent novel study - optional assignment.
Tuesday - in class
- If you can present your speech today that is great! For those who need more feedback on their draft before they present, we will devote some class time to doing some fine-tuning and revising. I also advise you to practice presenting your speech with a partner or in small groups.
Wednesday - at home
- Practice your speech!
- Work on the independent novel study - optional assignment.
Thursday - in class
- Speech Presentations are today! Please be ready.
Friday - at home
- Do research for your argumentative essay or debate topic.
- Revision work.
Monday, November 23 - Friday, November 27
Monday - in class
Tuesday - at home
Wednesday - in class STUDENT-LED CONFERENCES IN THE EVENING
Thursday - at home. STUDENT-LED CONFERENCES IN THE EVENING
Friday - NO SCHOOL
Monday - in class
- Introduce speech writing assignment
- Brainstorm topics
- What issues are you passionate about?
- Choose your topic.
- Begin working on speech outline.
Tuesday - at home
- Work on your speech outline.
Wednesday - in class STUDENT-LED CONFERENCES IN THE EVENING
- Finish your speech outline and begin writing your speech.
Thursday - at home. STUDENT-LED CONFERENCES IN THE EVENING
- Finish writing your speech over the next few days.
Friday - NO SCHOOL
- Finish writing your speech over the next few days.
- Work on the independent novel study - optional assignment.
Monday, November 16 - Friday, November 20
Monday - in class
2. Explain what is being done to decolonize Canada? 3. What can you do to assist in the decolonization of Canada?
Tuesday - at home
|
|
Wednesday - in class
"Stand Down"
OR
"Why isn't there a caucasian or white club?"
OR
"Dear Future Generations: Sorry"
OR
"Knock-off Native"
OR
"For Anyone Who's Been Told it's Just a Phase"
OR
"Pause"
OR
"An Origin Story"
- Bring your headphones to class!
- Justice spoken word poetry: Choose one spoken word poem from below and do the Spoken Word Poetry Assignment. Try to hand this assignment in by the end of class; if not then please hand it on Monday.
- "Is justice worth it?"
"Stand Down"
OR
"Why isn't there a caucasian or white club?"
OR
"Dear Future Generations: Sorry"
OR
"Knock-off Native"
OR
"For Anyone Who's Been Told it's Just a Phase"
OR
"Pause"
OR
"An Origin Story"
Thursday - at home
Friday - PD DAY
- Complete any assignments from this unit that are overdue.
- Work on Independent Novel Study - optional assignment
Friday - PD DAY
- NO SCHOOL
Monday, November 9 - Friday, November 13
Wednesday - Remembrance Day
Thursday - in class
|
Friday - at home
- Work on Independent Novel Study - optional assignment
Monday, November 2 - Friday, November 6
Monday - at home
Tuesday - in class
Monday - at home
- Work on the MLK Dream assignment from last week.
- Revision work - I will still accept revisions to any written assignments including the rhetorical analysis assignment and the literary paragraph assignment.
Tuesday - in class
|
|
speech. 3) What is the message of Chief Dan George's speech? 4) Explain the effectiveness of his speech. Hand in this assignment for assessment on Thursday. |
|
Wednesday - at home
Thursday - in class
mandatory - for those students who want to achieve Extending in the course all four parts must
be completed at a level of at least Proficient
definition of prejudice: bias or preconceptions that are not based on reality or experience; types of prejudice include sexism, racism, cultural bias, ageism, homophobia, religious prejudice, classism, nationalism, xenophobia, etc.)
2. What do you know about Canada's history in terms of prejudice? What prejudiced policies
has Canada enacted in the past, or does it have in place now?
3. Choose one of the policies from the previous question. What has been done to attempt to
achieve justice since the policy has been changed (or, if it still exists, what should be done to
achieve justice)?
- Complete the compare/contrast chart and finish the notes/questions on the effectiveness of MLK, Malcolm X and Chief Dan George's speeches from yesterday's class.
- Work on the independent novel study - optional assignment.
Thursday - in class
- Introduce the Independent Novel Study
mandatory - for those students who want to achieve Extending in the course all four parts must
be completed at a level of at least Proficient
- Working in groups of 2-3 discuss the following questions. Record the ideas of your group and hand them in the basket:
definition of prejudice: bias or preconceptions that are not based on reality or experience; types of prejudice include sexism, racism, cultural bias, ageism, homophobia, religious prejudice, classism, nationalism, xenophobia, etc.)
2. What do you know about Canada's history in terms of prejudice? What prejudiced policies
has Canada enacted in the past, or does it have in place now?
3. Choose one of the policies from the previous question. What has been done to attempt to
achieve justice since the policy has been changed (or, if it still exists, what should be done to
achieve justice)?
Friday - at home
|
On February 14, 1973, the Yukon Native Brotherhood, led by Elijah Smith, along with a delegation of Yukon First Nation leaders, presented Together Today for our Children Tomorrow: A Statement of Grievances and an Approach to Settlement by the Yukon Indian People to then Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau.
|
Monday, October 26 - Friday, October 30
Monday - in class
2. It is important to live according to your values. 3. It is always a good idea to speak out for what you believe is right. 4. Dominance of one group of people over another is always unjust. |
Cut-off for Satire Unit assignments and project is Wednesday, October 28
|
The History of Lady Justice
The concept of Lady Justice is very old, dating back to ancient Greek and Egyptian times. Themis, the Greek goddess, represented the law, order, and justice, while the Egyptians had Ma’at, who stood for order and carried both a sword and the Feather of Truth. The most direct comparison, however, is with the Roman goddess of justice, Justitia. Lady Justice bronze statue in the lobby of the Vancouver Law Courts. The artist, Mark Harman, who was against capital punishment, replaced the sword with a scroll.
|
- In small groups (2-3), answer the following questions:
2. What are some ways you know of that people have stood up for what they believe is right? (This could be you, people you know, or people in history.)
3. What factors might contribute to whether people stand up for what they believe is right?
4. What are some ways that people might persuade others to believe in something (good or bad)?
5. Define justice.
6. Give an example from history of something that is unjust and something that is just.
7. Why might rhetoric (the art of using language effectively and persuasively) be important in the fight for justice?
Tuesday - at home
- Read the article "It's Not What You Say..." (see handouts tab) and answer the following questions:
2. What does Tobak think is the most important factor in good communication?
Wednesday - in class
- Watch MLK "I Have a Dream" speech. See second video below. The first video gives historical context and background info on the Civil Rights Movement.
- Review Rhetorical Devices handout.
- Do MLK Dream speech and activity and hand in for assessment. You may work with a partner and complete one copy of the assignment together.
Thursday - at home
- Work on MLK Dream speech assignment from yesterday
|
|
Friday - in class
- Hallowe'en is this Saturday, and to mark this yearly tradition we will look at a couple macabre pieces. I will give a brief overview of Edgar Allen Poe's life, we will view the Simpsons version of "The Raven" and I will summarize his short story, The Masque of the Red Death. Finally, students will view this year's MAD students' video performance and interpretation of Poe's story. Students will provide some positive feedback to the performers as well as identify the techniques used to create tension and suspense in the piece including the use of sound, imagery, music, lighting, pauses and silence.
- Finish MLK speech assignment and hand it in for assessment. This assignment is due on Tuesday, November 3, but I will give you a bit of class time that day to finish it as many students are working collaboratively.
Term One ends on Friday, October 23
Happy Thanksgiving! No school on Monday, October 12
Tuesday, October 13 - Friday, October 16
Tuesday - at home
Wednesday - in class
Wed. Oct. 14 - Project outline is due. Oct. 15 - 21 - Work on Satire Project. Thurs. Oct. 22 - Satire Project is due and presentations to class will occur. Thursday - at home
Friday - in class
|
Monday, October 5 - Friday, October 9
Monday - in class.
The cut-off for handing in all revisions to novel study assignments (except literary paragraph) is today.
Monday - in class.
The cut-off for handing in all revisions to novel study assignments (except literary paragraph) is today.
- Students to write Of Mice and Men novel study test.
Remember to bring your novel to class as you will need it for the open-book section of the test.
Tips for revising your literary paragraph on Lennie and George:
Tuesday - at home
Wednesday - in class
- For the closed-book part of the test you should be able to list all the characters and their roles in the novel. You should also know the plot (events in the novel) and the setting.
- For the open-book part of the test you should be able to apply the techniques to build suspense or tension, find support/evidence for theme statements, find connections to the Robert Burns poem "To a Mouse."
- Review your assignments, make lists of characters and read chapter summaries to refresh your memory of the plot.
Tips for revising your literary paragraph on Lennie and George:
- Avoid using personal pronouns and contractions.
- Write in the present tense and keep the verb tense consistent throughout.
- Provide support for your ideas using examples and quotes from the novel.
- Incorporate or embed quotes into your explanations using proper punctuation.
- Use transition words to connect your ideas into one concise paragraph.
- Make sure your paragraph follows the proper structure: PEE acronym - POINT, EVIDENCE, EXPLANATION (see your notes on writing literary analysis paragraphs/essays).
Tuesday - at home
- Finish revising literary paragraph on Lennie and George.
- The cut-off for handing in revisions to the literary paragraph is tomorrow.
Wednesday - in class
- The cut-off for handing in revisions to the literary paragraph is today.
- Return your novel to me if you have not already done so.
- Begin the Satire Unit.
- View the first video to learn the difference between parody and satire.
- View the next two videos ("Hello" and "Word Crimes") that are parodies. Choose one of the videos and identify the elements of parody in it -- explain what it imitates and how it is humorous. Write your answers on the assignment sheet (see handouts tab).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Thursday - at home
Friday - in class
- Finish parody and satire assignments. They are due tomorrow. See handouts tab if you were absent yesterday or if you have lost your copies.
Friday - in class
- Hand in the parody and satire assignments from Wednesday, as they are due today at the beginning of class.
- Go over the answers to the novel study test written on Monday.
- View satire video "A Modest Proposal" - arguably one of the best examples of satire.
- Work with a partner on the "A Modest Proposal" assignment (See handouts tab for copy of assignment). This assignment is due next Wednesday.
|
|
Reminder: No school on Monday, October 12 as it is Thanksgiving Day. Have a wonderful weekend and Happy Thanksgiving!
This Wednesday is Orange T-Shirt Day in recognition of survivors of Canadian residential schools and those children who who did not survive.
|
|
|
Origins of Orange T-Shirt Day Story of Chanie Wenjak
Monday, September 28 - Thursday, October 1
Reminder: Friday, October 2 is a PD Day - No School
Monday - in class
Reminder: Friday, October 2 is a PD Day - No School
Monday - in class
- Analyze Robert Burns' poem "To A Mouse" and discuss how it relates to Of Mice and Men.
- Finish viewing the movie adaptation of the novel.
- I have re-scheduled the Of Mice and Men Novel Study Test for Monday, October 5.
|
|
Tuesday - at home
Wednesday - in class. School Photo Day
Thursday - at home
Friday
PD Day - No School
- Finish analyzing the Robert Burns' poem "To A Mouse" and jot down notes about how it relates to the novel Of Mice and Men.
- Begin reviewing for the novel study test.
Wednesday - in class. School Photo Day
- Orange T-Shirt Day in recognition of survivors of Canadian residential schools and those children who who did not survive.
- Novel study test is re-scheduled for Monday, October 5.
- Review for novel study test.
- Go over novel study assignments, and class time and computers will be given for you to revise any assignments in which you would like to improve your mark.
Thursday - at home
- Review for novel study test (see top of homework page for format and study tips).
- Finish revising any assignments in which you would like to improve your mark.
- All revisions to novel study assignments are due on Monday. Also, hand in your novel on Monday after you have written the test.
Friday
PD Day - No School
- Review for novel study test.
- Finish revising any assignments in which you would like to improve your mark.
- All revisions to novel study assignments (except literary paragraph) are due on Monday. Also, hand in your novel on Monday after you have written the test.
- Spend some time outdoors enjoying the fall colours this weekend!
Monday, September 21 - Friday, September 25
Monday - at home
Tuesday - in class
Wednesday - at home
Thursday - in class
Monday - at home
- Finish reading the novel Of Mice and Men.
- These assignments are now past due, so finish them if you have not already done so: literary paragraph on the Lenny and George as character foils, Ch. 3 Close Reading sheet about techniques used to create tension and suspense (green), and Ch. 4 Crooks and Curley's Wife Characterization Chart (pink). See the handouts tab if you need another copy.
Tuesday - in class
- Hand in any completed novel study assignments from last week.
- View the video adaptation of the novel Of Mice and Men.
- Make notes on any differences between the novel and the film, as well as any likes and dislikes of the film adaptation. Was the film an accurate representation of the novel?
Wednesday - at home
- Revise any assignments in which you would like to improve your mark.
Thursday - in class
- Theme assignment - write two theme statements for the novel Of Mice and Men as well as providing evidence from the novel to support your ideas (see handouts tab for note)
- Class discussion: What is privilege? View the videos below.
- Privilege Chart - Discuss the concept of privilege in the novel Of Mice and Men in terms of skin colour, gender, socio-economic status, physical/mental ability, culture/religion. Complete the Privilege chart and hand it in for assessment (see handouts tab for note).
- Monday is the cut-off date for handing in all novel study assignments.
- Finish Theme assignment and Privilege Chart for the characters in the novel. These assignments are due Monday, September 28.
- Of Mice and Men novel study test is on Wednesday of next week! There are two parts: closed-book about the characters and plot; open-book about techniques to build tension/suspense, allusions to the Robbie Burns poem "To a Mouse" and themes in the novel. Remember to bring your novel to class!
|
|
If you were not in class for the PCSS Mini Assembly video, please view it below!
|
|
The Terry Fox Run is happening this Friday at PCSS during period 2 or B block!
Monday, September 14 - Friday, September 18
Monday - in class
Tuesday - at home
Wednesday - in class
Thursday - at home
Friday - in class
Monday, September 14 - Friday, September 18
Monday - in class
- If you can, bring a Loonie or a Toonie in this week for the Terry Fox Foundation for Cancer Research. Our school goal is to raise $1000.
- I am available to help you or answer questions in person every day between 11:00-12:45. I am usually in my classroom or in the Learning Support room beside the library.
- Due today: Literary paragraph on Lennie and George as character foils.
- The cut-off for handing in the Rhetorical Analysis assignment and Business Email assignment is Friday, September 18. Please see me if you are having difficulties finishing these assignments.
- We will discuss the first two chapters of the novel Of Mice and Men and students will begin reading chapter 3.
- I will introduce the Chapter 3 Close Reading assignment and you will be expected to finish reading chapter 3 and to complete the assignment (see handouts tab)
- Due Wednesday: Chapter 3 Close Reading assignment
Tuesday - at home
- Finish reading chapter 3 of the novel Of Mice and Men and complete the Chapter 3 Close Reading assignment.
Wednesday - in class
- I will introduce Chapter 4 Crooks and Curley's Wife assignment for the novel study (see handouts tab).
- Begin reading chapter 4 of the novel Of Mice and Men and complete the assignment.
Thursday - at home
- Finish reading chapter 4 of the novel Of Mice and Men and complete the chapter 4 assignment for next class.
Friday - in class
- If you can, bring a Loonie or a Toonie in this week for the Terry Fox Foundation for Cancer Research. Our school goal is to raise $1000.
- Terry Fox Run for students in period 2 or block B. Come to class for attendance.
- Due today: Chapter 4 Crooks and Curley's Wife assignment is due today.
- The cut-off for handing in the Rhetorical Analysis assignment and Business Email assignment is today.
Tuesday, September 8 - Friday, September 11
Tuesday - in class
Tuesday - in class
- Rhetorical Analysis questions are due today.
- Illusion versus allusion - What's the difference?
- Watch the video (see below) about the allusions in the song "American Pie" by Don McLean.
- Match the song lyrics to the allusion - person(s), place or event.
- View PowerPoint presentation (see below) to learn more about the allusions in the song.
- Begin Of Mice and Men novel study - read pages 1-2 and complete setting assignment for homework (see handouts tab for copy of assignment and if you would like to listen to the novel, go to the YouTube audio posted below)
- Homework: Finish setting assignment and read chapter 1 of Of Mice and Men
allusions_in_american_pie_2.ppt | |
File Size: | 1896 kb |
File Type: | ppt |
Wednesday - at home
Thursday - in class
Friday - at home
- Novel study - Complete the setting assignment from yesterday and read chapter 1 of Of Mice and Men.
Thursday - in class
- I will provide background information on the setting and author of Of Mice and Men (see handouts tab for PowerPoint presentation)
- Lesson on writing literary analysis paragraphs and review of embedding quotations (see PowerPoint below for an exemplar)
- Work on character trait maps and character foil literary paragraph (see handouts tab for character trait maps, literary paragraph outline/template, assessment rubric)
- Homework: Finish writing literary paragraph and read chapter 2. If you would prefer to listen to the novel, go to the YouTube audio version posted below or Google "Of Mice and Men free audio" to listen to it on your phone. Here is the link to the pdf version of the novel if you want to read it on your phone: http://giove.isti.cnr.it/demo/eread/Libri/sad/OfMiceAndMen.pdf
Friday - at home
- Finish writing character foil literary paragraph.
- Character Foil Literary paragraph on Lenny and George is due on Tuesday.
|
Monday, August 31 - September 4
Monday - at home
Tuesday - in class
Monday - at home
- Complete the analysis questions for the two articles given last class. Scroll down this page to find the links to the articles and the question.
Tuesday - in class
- Due today: Answers to the analysis questions for the two articles given last Friday.
- Students will share their answers with a classmate in the form of an informal discussion.
- We will discuss the answers as a class and generally go over the successes and failures of each piece.
- Review the term allegory - we will view and discuss the short video below.
- I will introduce the summative assignment that is worth marks. Students will have time in class to begin working on this assignment and they will be given some time on Thursday to work on this assignment as well.
Wednesday - at home
Thursday - in class
- Work on the Rhetorical Analysis Assignment from yesterday's class.
Thursday - in class
- Synecdoche and Metonymy
- Class time to work on Rhetorical Analysis Assignment which is due on Tuesday of next week!
Friday - at home
Have a fantastic long weekend! I will see you on Tuesday. Please email me or bring your completed Rhetorical Analysis Assignment to class on Tuesday.
- Work on Rhetorical Analysis Assignment which is due Tuesday, September 8!
Have a fantastic long weekend! I will see you on Tuesday. Please email me or bring your completed Rhetorical Analysis Assignment to class on Tuesday.
Monday, August 24 - Friday, August 28
Monday - in class
Monday - in class
- Hand in to the basket on my desk your letter of introduction and survey
- Play Kahoot game to reinforce understanding of COVID School Protocols and course information
- Talking Circle to co-create the guidelines for respectful communication and healthy work environment
- Talking Circle to co-create the classroom cell phone policy
- Writing an effective business email
- View video and button texts below
- We will co-create an assessment rubric for writing an effective business email and I will post it in the handouts tab
- Write an effective business email to an employer or teacher and send it to me
- Complete the Poetry Terminology Awareness Chart
- Business email and completed Poetry Terminology Chart are due Wednesday, August 26
Click on the Button Texts for tips on writing business emails and examples
Tuesday
Wednesday - in class
- Complete the Poetry Terminology Awareness Chart given on Monday
- Write an effective business email to a teacher or an employer and email it to me (see Business Email Assignment and Rubric in the handouts tab)
Wednesday - in class
- We briefly discussed the difference between argument and persuasion and then we viewed the Persuasive Techniques Slideshare (See Button text below).
Persuasive Techniques Slideshare
|
- We talked about Aristotle’s 3 Basic Appeals: Pathos, Logos and Ethos. These three appeals sum up – according to Aristotle – the fundamental building blocks of all argument.
We discussed what each ad is supposed to make you think and discussed how effective they are.
After that I gave you a handout with notes on pathos, logos, and ethos.
|
|
|
|
- Next, we discussed influential speakers, both good and bad, talking about advice (both what works and what does not).
- We viewed this commencement address by Jason Reynolds to the graduating class of Lesley University back in 2018.
Here are a few other excellent commencement speeches, if you have the time:
|
|
|
|
- I gave out David Foster Wallace’s This is Water. We started reading it in class and I asked you to finish it for homework. We will be looking at it next class. I want you to be able to answer this question next class:
You also need to complete this analysis assignment for homework:
This is Water Analysis
After reading the speech THIS IS WATER by David Foster Wallace, answer the following questions making point-form notes.
1. Structure: What observations can you make about the overall structure of the speech? Considering things like a) length b) allegory c) repetition d) metaphor e) anything else you observe
2. Language: How would you describe the level of language that Wallace uses throughout the speech. Is it well-chosen considering his audience (recent University grads)?
3. Form: Discuss the hypothetical story (the one about driving to the store) at the center of this piece. What choices does he make as a writer in his telling of the story? What is the desired effect?
4. Content: Why does Wallace feel spiritual worship will not let you down like all other kinds of worship?
5. Content: Do you agree with his assessment that this speech is ‘the truth with a lot of rhetorical bullshit pared away”?
6. Content: The title is THIS IS WATER. What is “this”?
Here are a few pictures and a video of him sharing his thoughts on literature.
If you want the speech read to you, here’s a recording of Wallace giving the speech to the 2006 graduating class of Kenyon College.
|
|
A few years back, actor Jason Segal played him a film called THE END OF THE TOUR.
|
|
Friday - in class
The first is from Samantha Ettus and was published last year in the Washington Post titled What it’s like to win the lottery as a woman
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/what-its-like-to-win-the-lottery-as-a-woman/2017/11/24/c90f67ea-cd69-11e7-9d3a-bcbe2af58c3a_story.html?utm_term=.85a802d39c97
The second is from an anonymous sources and was published in the New York Times two and a half years ago. Sadly, it remains super relevant (click on title below for the full article)
- Think-Pair-Share: You should already have done some thinking about David Foster Wallace's speech "This is Water" and you should have come to class today with some point-form notes based on the analysis questions given last class. Now I would like you to share your ideas with a partner and maybe generate some new ideas or fill in the gaps in your notes.
- David Foster Wallace’s "This is Water" was what is known as a direct appeal, i.e. something with a clear central thesis and overt message. In addition, his speech did not really, in any great detail, make use of his personal experiences.
- Today we will look at people who use rhetoric to share personal experience. Both are opinion pieces that were featured in major publications to much reaction, both acclaim and condemnation.
The first is from Samantha Ettus and was published last year in the Washington Post titled What it’s like to win the lottery as a woman
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/what-its-like-to-win-the-lottery-as-a-woman/2017/11/24/c90f67ea-cd69-11e7-9d3a-bcbe2af58c3a_story.html?utm_term=.85a802d39c97
The second is from an anonymous sources and was published in the New York Times two and a half years ago. Sadly, it remains super relevant (click on title below for the full article)
I Am Part of the Resistance Inside the Trump Administration
September 5, 2018
I work for the president but like-minded colleagues and I have vowed to thwart parts of his agenda and his worst inclinations.
September 5, 2018
I work for the president but like-minded colleagues and I have vowed to thwart parts of his agenda and his worst inclinations.
- Read both pieces and then consider the questions below. Jot down some point-form ideas/answers to the questions below. Please complete these questions for homework and bring them to class on Tuesday of next week.
- Content: What does the author hope to achieve by sharing their story? Do you think the piece does what the author intended it to do?
- Content: Does the story ever state a thesis, either directly or indirectly?
- Content: How much commentary does the author provide on his/her story? How much is left up to the reader?
- Structure/Style: How do the articles differ in the following areas:
- Length (Sentence, paragraph and full article)
- Tone: Does either piece use any humour in dealing with serious issues?
- Language: Does one piece use more sophisticate language than the other?
WASHINGTON — Former President Barack Obama, making a rare public speech rebuking President Trump, said the situation in the White House was “not normal” and even “dangerous,” referring to a New York Times op-ed in which an anonymous writer said an administration “resistance” was preventing the president’s worst impulses.
“That is not a check. I’m being serious. That’s not how our democracy’s supposed to work. These people aren’t elected,” Obama said in a speech at the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign. “They’re not accountable. They’re not actively doing us a service by actively promoting 90% of the crazy stuff that’s coming out of this White House, and saying, ‘Don’t worry, we’re preventing the other 10%.’”
“This is not normal. These are extraordinary times, and they are dangerous times,” he added.
Thursday, August 18 - Friday, August 19
Thursday - first face-to-face class
- Welcome and go over COVID School Protocols
- Go over course syllabus
- Students to begin writing letter of introduction and complete survey
Friday - work at home
- Finish writing letter of introduction and complete survey - both are due on Monday, August 24