Dec 2

Dec 2

Please read the poem "The Powwow at the End of the World" by Sherman Alexie. Follow this link: http://www.poetryfoundation.org/poem/177413

Afterward, choose one of the following responses:

1. Analyze the poem's overall message by discussing Alexie's poetic techniques.
2. Compare the poem to one of the political cartoons we discussed yesterday.

You can receive extra credit by responding to a comment that answers the other question!

Wednesday 11/25

For this reading blog, we will be doing something a little different. Please go to my website and click on the subpage "Blogs" (NOT "Reading Blogs," just simply "Blogs"). Here is where all of your personal blogs are stored and organized for your viewing pleasure.

I would like you to spend time reading the AWESOME things your classmates (both in 1st period and 8th) are doing!

Read your friends', read blogs in the same category as yours, read a person's that you have never met! I am sure you will find something that will interest you!

After you read different blogs, please comment on this blog about what you liked about the blogs. I expect you to write anywhere from 150-250 words.

Enjoy!

Nov 4, 2015

Today you will look for a source about your chosen topic. Remember, you cannot use google as your search engine. Focus on news websites and online databases (think EBSCO, etc.)

After you have found and read one source, answer the following questions:

1. What is the URL for this source?
2. What is the correct MLA works cited citation for this source?
3. What did this source say about your chosen topic?
4. Is this a reliable source? Will you use this source?

First, review the rubric for the definition essay. If you lost your physical copy, I have uploaded an electronic version on the class website in the subpage titled "Definition Essay."

Next, read this student sample definition essay.

After you read the entire essay, determine which grade the essay deserves for each category on the rubric (organization/focus, support, style, conclusion, formatting/mechanics, revision/work time). Add these scores up to determine the final grade you would give this essay.

In the comment section of this blog, please write the cumulative grade you think this essay deserves. To explain the final grade, make sure you discuss in around 150-200 words the scores you gave for the other sections and why you gave them each score.

By the end of your post, I should clearly know why that student deserved the grade you gave.

If you would like extra credit, please comment on someone else's comment.

Today you will read two of the following compare/contrast essays. Pick one essay in each category. Make sure you choose essays that seem the most interesting to you!

Category 1:
History:An Amazing Journey: 100 Years in America
Science: Little Change in Opinion on Global Warming

Category 2:
Sports: Chicago Cubs vs. Pittsburgh Pirates
Education:Compare 5 Top Scholarship Search Engines
Entertainment:Hollywood Gender Gap (if you choose this one, make sure you click on one of the links to learn more about the subject)

After you are finished reading, please comment on this blog in 100-150 words. Make sure you tell me which articles you read and what type of organization for each is. Then, write which one you enjoyed more and why.

Please read at least four This I Believe examples on the thisibelieve.com website. Then, respond to ALL of the following questions about ONE of the examples:

1) List the four examples you read.

2) What types of evidence does the writer use? How effective is the support? (Remember DRAPES)

3) How does the writer relate to the audience? Give specific examples from the piece to explain. Evaluate the effectiveness.

4) What unique qualities do you notice about his/her writing style?

5) What could the writer improve? (Try to come up with at least one piece of advice...all writers can improve!)

Read the two Sandra Cisneros short stories. You have the option to respond to any of the following questions. No, please do not answer all the questions...

Your responses must be 100-150 words and include specific details!

1. Compare DRAPES in either the two Cisneros stories or the Sedaris essay with a Cisneros story - which was more successful and why?
2. Discuss one of the stories - what do you like style-wise? What could you use in your essays?
3. Would you like to read more by either Cisneros or Sedaris? WHY?
4. Does either Cisneros or Sedaris remind you of another author? Why?

Read the Student Sample "Just Say No."
In 100-150 words please compare this sample to either summer essay 2 (the B essay) or summer essay 3 (the A essay).
Use information we discussed in class yesterday and today.
Topics you may address:
-which body paragraph was stronger?
-which was more convincing?
-which appealed more to you as a reader?

Make sure you use at least one piece of specific evidence and explain your answer fully.

You can receive extra credit by responding to another classmate's comment tonight!

This is due at the end of the period!

Week One: August 26

In Chapter Six of Stephen King’s book On Writing, he outlines the importance of using good descriptions in your writing--both “how-to” and “how much to”. Read the excerpt from Cheryl Strayed’s memoir, Wild, paying special attention to her use of descriptions to tell her “story”.

Answer two of the following questions:

1. King says, “Description begins with visualization of what it is you want the reader to experience” (173). Based on the descriptions included throughout Strayed’s passage, what does she want us to experience?

2. Give 2 specific descriptions (direct quotes) from the passage that support your answer for number one and explain how each description helps to tell the author’s “story”.

3. Give 3 specific examples of the author’s use of sensory details (3 different senses).

4. Give an example of a simile used in the passage and explain how it helps the reader connect with the author’s story.

5. Give another example of figurative language (other than a simile) from the passage and explain what it “shows” the reader.

6. What is one descriptive writing technique that you can use in your descriptive essay? (Give a specific example from the passage.)

Your responses must be at least 100 words. If you finish early, for extra credit, you may comment on one of your classmate's responses!