Reading for Variety

Standard 2 in English reads: "Students will read a wide variety of literature from many periods and genres to build an understanding of the dimensions of human experience."

It's a worthwhile standard and one that we hope you continue to build on through your lifetime.

Your Quarter 2 online reading journal, which is due by Jan. 20 (no penalty for getting it done early!), should include a personal reading list of books you have read during high school. It's ok to include a few favorite titles from your earlier years as well. Details, as well as a sample list, are below:
The goal is to list 12 or more titles that you have read in entirety during high school. These can be assigned texts or independent reading. If you have read dozens and dozens of books, it is ok to list only the top most memorable titles in your post. If you have read fewer than 12 books, it is ok to list books that you have read at least in part.

Listing author names is also a nice touch.

Sample List:
The Adventures of Ulysses
Monster
The Outsiders by SE Hinton
To Kill a Mockingbird
Romeo and Juliet by Wiliam Shakespeare
Night
Speak
The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway
After the First Death by Robert Cormier
Where the Heart Is
The Crucible
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
The Scarlet Letter
Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
Where Men Win Glory by John Krakauer --IR
Into the Wild by John Krakauer --IR
Great Heart: The History of a Labrador Adventure --IR
Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race
the World Has Never Seen --IR

*IR= Independent Reading

Beowulf Resources

Beowulf -- Easy to read version

Beowulf -- Hypertext version

Beowulf -- Greene Hamlet Resources 

Beowulf Translations.net

Tim Romano Translation


Beowulf -- Translations.net zip file
(This valuable site with dozens of translations of Beowulf from different time periods is now available in the form of a Google-hosted zip file that can be downloaded, expanded, opened, and then used as a website that will be private to your own computer.  To download, click the link above and then click the download link on the top right corner of the page.)

Do's & Don'ts for the College Essay

Athough we've officially completed the college essay in English 12, many of you are still putting finishing touches on their essays before sending them off to colleges.  In light of that, the following link might be useful.

A source which includes a list of 10 things to avoid in your college admissions essay is at:

www.college-admission-essay.com

A Common Inheritance

Inheriting something is usually thought of as a good thing.  Literature is a common inheritance we receive from earlier generations.  Let's see if we can appreciate and learn from that inheritance.

We'll be reading excerpts from The Things They Carried and Beowulf in the coming weeks.

After that, we'll read some poetry from different time periods and then will move on to Hamlet, which is rather poetic in itself.

Themes we will be discussing include:

• good and evil
• heroes and villains
• courage and fear
• the story of how English came to be what it is today.

Resume and College Essay Humor

An extensive list of resume bloopers and blunders is at jobmob.co

A list of bloopers from actual college admissions essays is at ems.psu.edu/

College Admissions Essay -- Resources & Samples

The College Board has useful section on Essay Skills for the college admissions essay. Included are a section on how to choose a topic and tips on writing the essay itself.

Samples of successful essays can be found at quintcareers.com/ and at
college-admission-essay.com

The Common Application essay prompts are at https://www.commonapp.org/CommonApp/Docs/DownloadForms/2012/2012AppFY_download.pdf

True fact: You can pay as much as $1000.00 to have a professional essay editing service such as EssayEdge help you with your essay. (Or you can just ask me and get help for free).

The College Board suggests you compete the following as part of your brainstorming process:

• Discover Your Strengths: Do a little research about yourself: ask parents, friends, and teachers what your strengths are.
• Create a Self-Outline: Now, next to each trait, list five or six pieces of evidence from your life—things you've been or done—that prove your point.
• Find Patterns and Connections: Look for patterns in the material you've brainstormed. Group similar ideas and events together. For example, does your passion for numbers show up in your performance in the state math competition and your summer job at the computer store? Was basketball about sports or about friendships? When else have you stuck with the hard work to be with people who matter to you?

Building Your Resume

A useful online Resume Builder is at
http://www.resumizer.com/


Another good option for resume templates is via Google Docs.
(If you don't have a Gmail account, see me for the login info for the class Gmail account.  Once logged in on Google Docs, click "Create," select "from Template," and then type the word "resume" into the search field.)

Resume Headings: Activities Activities & Interests Additional Experience Additional Skills Additional Training Affiliations Associations Awards/Recognitions Career Goal Career Objective Certifications Coaching Experience Achievements Community Involvement Community Service Computer Skills Conferences Attended Education Employment Employment History Employment Objective Experience Goals Highlights of Qualifications Hobbies & Interests Honours & Awards Language Skills

Memberships Extracurricular Activities Objective Personal Achievements Presentations Publications Qualifications Related Activities Related Experience Relevant Experience Relevant Skills Scholarships & Awards Skills Special Skills Summary of Qualifications Teaching Experience Technical Skills Training Volunteer Activities Volunteer Experience Volunteer Work Work Experience

Interactive Comma Quiz

mhttp://www2.ivcc.edu/eng1002/practice_comma_quiz.htm

Transitions & Cohension in the Persuasive Essay

See http://www.roanestate.edu/OWL/Connect.html for a list of transitions and for tips on how to effectively use them in your essay.

See http://www.eslbee.com/transitions_connectors_punctuation.htm for a quick review of transitions and their punctuation.

See http://eslbee.com/cgi-bin/quiztest.cgi?transitionsandconnectorsandpunctuation for a 10 question quiz on punctuation of transitions.

Resources for Persuasive Writing

ProCon.org

Issues & Controversies

Writing for Results

and Verbal Self-Defense

Another way to think of persuasive writing (and thinking) is verbal self-defense.  Much like other forms of self-defense such as karate and taekwondo, being good at it requires discipline, skill, and practice.

Being good at self-defense makes you more likely to come out on the winning side of a conflict.  It also makes you less likely to be attacked.

Resources for Persuasive Writing:
Persuasive Essay (Essayinfo.com)
Guide to Writing a Basic Essay 
50 Topics for Argumentative Writing

Sample Essays:
Television Watching
Euthanasia 
Cats 

Topics for Persusaive Writing
Persuasive Writing Prompts
Fun Persuasive Topics

Prove It!

You are a lawyer involved in the case spelled out below.  Your job is to read the facts, think about the facts, think outside the facts, and then develop a logical, well-supported case to prove the guilt or innocence of the accused.  We will not actually conduct the case in class, but your job is to spell out what you would research, what you would aim to find out, and how you would support your case.


The case:

The theft of $2 million has been reported by Bangor Savings Bank in Bangor, Maine.  The bank believes it was an inside job because no doors, windows, or locks were broken during this nighttime robbery.  They believe that whoever entered had a key and also had knowledge of the security camera and alarm system.  .  

The accused is Janet Con, a 32-year old former employee of the bank.  Evidence gathered at the bank included a security camera video that showed a shadowy, hat-wearing figure who seems to resemble Janet Con.  Additionally, a partial fingerprint of Ms. Con was found on the door to the vault.   


Create an outline for your case that looks something like this:

Janet Con is __________________________ (guilty/ innocent)  Choose one.

Issues to Investigate:

--Argument 1 and supporting details:

• We would investigate and aim to show . . .
• We would investigate and aim to show

--Argument 2 and supporting details:

--Argument 3 and supporting details

(The more arguments you can present,  and more more closely you are able to tie the details (evidence) with your case, the better chance you have of winning the case.  Be creative.  Think outside the box.  Leave no stone unturned.

Welcome Class of 2012!

Welcome to the 2011 - 2012 school year. My hope for each of you is that you can arrive in class with enthusiasm, persistence, and a sense of purpose. These qualities will carry you a long way down the road toward graduation -- and a successful life.

Like a lot of things in life, how much you get out of this course will be based on how much you put into it.  Bring your dreams, make plans, and use this course to help you move forward and make those dreams into reality.

This blog will be an important resource throughout the year. Please bookmark it on your browser so you can find your way back later. (Simply google "wirthy english" if using another computer.)

As part if our beginning of the year goal-setting process, you will be completing a practice Accuplacer exam. This exam is used by colleges after you have already been admitted to place you in classes and also to determine if you need to do any remedial work in English or mathematics.

Some students enter their senior year feeling like they really don't need much but a diploma. Taking a practice Accuplacer will help you find out if you are as ready as you think you are.

An useful resource that includes practice questions for the Accuplacer is at:
www.testprepreview.com/accuplacer_practice.htm

Senior year is a springboard to the rest of your life.  So get hopping!

Sample Outline for Future Essay

Template for Outline:

1. Brief introduction:  state your overall view of the future

2. Novel view of ___________ (Aspect A)

3. My view of ___________(Aspect A)

4. Novel view of _______ (Aspect B)

5. My view of _______ (Aspect B)

6. Novel view of _______ (Aspect C)

7. My view of _______ (Aspect C)

Sample Completed Outline:

1. Optimistic view of future, especially in terms of technology, leisure, and government.

2. Anthem view of technology in the future

--primitive technology

--fear of technology

--group control of innovations

3. My view of technology in the future

--advances in technology

--trust in technology

-- freedom for innovations

4. Anthem view of leisure in the future

--limited leisure choices

--limited time for leisure

5. My view of leisure in the future

--expanded leisure choices

--increased time for leisure

6. Anthem view of government in the future

--totalitarian government

--gov. maintains status quo

--leaders not elected

7. My view of government in the future

--democratic government

--gov. reflects changes in society

--leaders not elected

Loaded Words and Your Issue

Section 5 of your report requires you to:

(1) Explain how those on different sides of the issue talk about the issue differently.

(2) Identify loaded words and phrases used by each of the groups.

(3) Explain how this use of loaded words affects the dialogue between the two groups.

A color coded sample Section 5 is here (click link).

Steps to Write Section 5 include:

1. Brainstorm loaded words relating to your topic.  Indicate whether each has a positive or negative connotation.  + / -

2. Use Google News, Procon.org and Issues and Controversies to locate articles about your topic.

3. Skim the articles for loaded words and add them to your list.  You should have 10 words/phrases or more.

4. Write a draft of this section.

5. Double-check your draft with the rubric and checklist.

Instant Pie Charts

Create pie charts for your survey results using instantpiecharts.com

To transfer each pie chart from the site to a word document, simply copy and paste it.

Deconstructing Ads

1. Visit the Deconstruction Gallery and deconstruct some ads together with the class.

2. Complete your own ad deconstructions (see handout)

3. Create your own Counter Ad

• Sample Counter Ads
• websites where you can download cigarette ads

More Resources

• Classic cigarette ads

Resources for Freedom of Speech Issues

ProCon.org

Issues & Controversies

Merchants of Cool

The PBS Frontline documentary, Merchants of Cool, plus related materials can be viewed at:

hwww.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/cool/

Euphemisms, Loaded Words, & Persuasion

A euphemism is a word or phrase used in place of another word or phrase.  Often euphemisms are used in order to mislead, to confuse, or to neutralize the reaction of an audience.  

Loaded words are words used to engage the emotions of the reader or listener.  These are words that have strong connotations.  Some loaded words (especially the ones with positive connotations) are also euphemisms.

Using a thesaurus such as Thesaurus.com is one way to generate lists of words that have similar meanings but different connotations.

If you have used any loaded words or euphemisms in your bumper sticker, please explain this in your paragraph on wording in your critique.

Spoof Ads

spoof (noun)
1. a mocking imitation of someone or something, usually light and good-humored; lampoon or parody: The show was a spoof of college life.
2. a hoax; prank. --Dictionary.com

View the following groups of spoof ads at Adbusters.org and then complete the related thinksheet.

Tobacco
Big Mac Attack 

Absolut Craze

Environmental

Colors & Symbolism -- Campaign Bumper Stickers

Here are links that provide tips on symbolic meaning of different colors:

http://www.princetonol.com/groups/iad/lessons/middle/color2.htm

http://desktoppub.about.com/cs/color/a/symbolism.htm

http://crystal-cure.com/color-meanings.html

Finishing Touches: Title Page, Table of Contents, Media Projects, Presentations

1. Your project should include a standard title page.
2. Your table of contents should include titles and genres.  Page numbers are optional.
3. Media Projects and Presentations have separate rubrics.  Please ask for a copy.


A few resources for presentations include:

--Wordle.net (Creates word clouds that could be used for a cover or as part of a presentation)
--Taxedo.com  (Word clouds and more; a little more involved than Wordle.net)
--Prezi.com  (This is slideshow 2.0)

Genre Pieces -- Developing, Extending, Polishing, Refining

I've spent time reading over your draft genre pieces.  Here are some general suggestions that will help strengthen your pieces:

1. Develop your headings and titles.  A fully developed heading may be 2 - 3 sentences or more.  A title is generally short -- but make the most of it.  "Waris Dirie"  or "Waris Dirie -- One Determined Woman"   The 2nd title is stronger, yet it still doesn't "cost" that much.  Agree?
2. Among your 5 pieces, include at least 3 pieces about specific events or moments in your biography.  General pieces that give an overview of a person and that person's accomplishments can be useful, but don't stop there.
3. Aim for at least one piece from the point of view of a "contemporary" of your subject -- someone who knew your subject and had a relationship of some kind with him or her.  That person undoubtedly had an opinion on your subject and a way of voicing that opinion.

Instant Genre Piece: A 2-Minute Poem to Kick Start Your Week

Use this site to create your own list poem based on your biography:

http://ettcweb.lr.k12.nj.us/forms/listpoem.htm

Notes:

• A list poem may appear random but it is not
• The poem should end with something surprising, insightful, or important.  One way to do this is to move from the literal to the figurative (see example poem below).
• Once you have made your initial list, consider re-arranging the order of the items.  Also consider adding more detail.  Use precise and concrete language as much as possible.  Provide your reader with a clear image of what you see.

Sample below:

________________________________________________

What’s in the canoe
a sharpened axe with a battered wooden handle
a weathered tent green with mold
a bag of pea flour
a plug of tobacco
three long poles with metal boots
four damp wool blankets
a refusal to turn back
a lot of heart 

--based on the book Great Heart:  History of a Labrador Adventure

Recommended Genres

These genres will work especially well for most biography projects:

• Character sketch (definition and sample) 
• Stream-of-consciousness (definition, sample) 
• Diary entry or series of entries 
• Letter (to or from your subject) or series of letters 
• Interview (Rolling Stone interview of Obama; Interview of author JK Rowling, Interview of author Dan Brown; ) 
• Conversation (similar to an interview in format, but less formal; tips) 
• News article (news story or feature article) 
• Speech (before writing identify an occasion and an audience)
• Poem or series of poems

Author & Subject: What is the Relationship?

As you read your biography, it is important to think about the relationship between the author and the subject.  If it is a person writing about his or her own life (autobiograhy), this could be said to be a very close relationship.  If it is a person writing about someone else, he or she must have had a reason for this choice.  Did they admire this person?  Feel compelled to criticize them?  Either way, it is a form of bias. 

What motivations might your author have had for publishing this story?  Money?  Fame?  Respect?  Revenge?  To convince others of a point of view?  Keep these in mind as well.

Read with a cynical eye.  Read with a sympathetic eye too.

Biography Project -- Preliminary Research

The goal is get started on researching topics related to the biography you are reading.  Don't worry about what the research will be used for.  Follow your interests.  Find some sources.  Save the source information so you can easily go back later.

1. Identify topics for research, using the handout

2. Set up a place to save and organize all your bookmarks.  This could be a folder with Safari or Firefox Bookmarks.  Or you may choose to set up an account on Delicious or Diigo.

3. Start identifying sites that are potential resources.  Don't just start with Google. See Wirthportal (right sidebar link) and check out Marvel, Internet Public Library, Google Wonder Wheel, Google News, and Google Timeline.

4. Save your sites you find within your bookmarks folder (or on Delicious or Diigo).

English 12 -- Exam Essay Question

For those who still need to complete the essay portion of the midyear exam, the essay prompt is below:

Part 3:  Hamlet   (33%)                        

Write about a Scene:  Write a 4 paragraph essay in which you discuss the importance of one scene in the play -- and how Shakespeare uses that scene to add to the overall effect of the play.  Your introductory paragraph should include a thesis that introduces 3 main ways the scene is important.  Each body paragraph should provide supporting detail from the text in terms of one of the 3 aspects you are discussing.  (Suggested aspects of literature you might discuss -- choose 3 -- include plot, characterization, theme, mood, irony, symbolism.

(S 1, 2, 3) Meets: Presents plausible well-supported interpretation.  Includes 3 distinct arguments, each supported with detail from the text.  Effectively organizes elements of essay. Exceeds: All of meets, plus:  Examples are well-chosen, specific, and are discussed in detail.  Discussion shows originality and insight.  More than 3 arguments may be included.

English Wide Open Exam -- Online version

Click the link below.  Then copy and paste it into Open Office or Microsoft Word:


https://docs.google.com/document/pub?id=10m03aFg_ghJ3lLCDOa5Y4DG2wg81A_1GzxNcJK4SOLg

Hamlet Quizzes

Sparknotes provides a Hamlet Quiz that provides a good check on your basic understanding of the plot, characters, and background of the play.  A few of the questions are on things we have not discussed, but if you have been paying attention, you should be able to score 20 or more out of 25.  Take the quiz!


Shakespeare Online provides a good quiz that provides detailed answers.  You will end up knowing more than when you started if you take this quiz.  Take the quiz!