Tag Archives: writing

October 16, 2015 · 7:00 am

Lord of the Flies Final Writing

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Now that we have completed our reading of Lord of the Flies, you will be submitting an analytical essay as your final assessment in lieu of an AP-style prompt. The objective is to reveal your knowledge of how Golding uses archetypes within Lord of the Flies to support the larger theme of the work.

In your essay, you will select a focus character from the following and identify his primary archetypal role in the work:

Ralph
Piggy
Jack
Simon
Roger

A good explanation of archetypal roles may be found here or in this Archetypes and Symbols handout. You may also refer to the Archetype_PowerPoint we referenced in class or consult the handouts on archetypes available on the AP Resources page to provide additional background and clarification.

Your essay should show, using appropriate directly quoted or paraphrased support from the novel, how your selected character develops to fulfill his designated archetypal role within the novel and how that role contributes to the work’s overall theme. You may also include references to other archetypal or symbolic information, such as the use of color, shape, etc. as you build your argument. Direct quotations from Golding should be cited according to MLA guidelines.

Archetypal themes to consider—remember that themes must be stated in a phrase, not as a single word!

Hero (good overcoming evil)
Obstacle (struggle with self, struggle with nature)
Quest
Death and Rebirth
Initiation (coming of age, loss of innocence)
Outcast (alienation, isolation, acceptance of atypical)
Your essay of no more than 750 words (three double-spaced pages) should be submitted to Edmodo by the end of the day Thursday, October 22. You will upload your essay to the posted assignment in .pdf format. Other formats do not permit me to make annotations for your review. See me if you have submission issues. Do this ahead of time so you don’t run into problems on the due date.

 

Good luck, and happy writing!

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September 1, 2015 · 11:00 am

Submitting Papers to Edmodo

This year, all of your formal papers will be submitted and marked through Edmodo. Follow all the steps of the process to ensure that your work is submitted on time.

PREPARE YOUR ASSIGNMENT FOR UPLOADING

Edmodo’s internal software allows me to mark your papers electronically. However, it works best with papers formatted as .pdf. If you are using Word Pad, Works, Pages, Open Office, Google Docs, or another text editor to create your papers, you must first convert the file format before it can be uploaded. If you cannot save your file as a .pdf using your software, use Zamzar. Follow these steps to convert your file:

1. Save your file and close the file window (very important!).

2. Go to the Zamzar website, which is listed in the links menu under Simplify Your Life

3. Click “Choose Files” and select your document.

4. Pull down “Convert files to:” and choose .pdf

5. Enter your email address and click “Convert.”

6. Zamzar will email a converted copy of your file. Save it to your computer.

UPLOAD YOUR ASSIGNMENT

1. Open Edmodo and find the assignment post. You may click on your class to bring up our group’s posts and search for it there, or you can click on Assignment under the right hand “Filter posts by…”menu.

Student- turn in Assignment

2. Click the grey “Turn In” button.

3. In the Assignment window, click the page (file) icon. Navigate to your saved file and click to upload. NOTE: If your document is open when you try this, it will not upload! Your document must be saved and closed before you upload.

4. Once your document title appears on the page as an active link, click the blue button to submit the assignment for grading. You may resubmit the assignment as many times as you wish before the assignment deadline; only the newest version will be saved in the system.

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March 30, 2015 · 1:59 pm

3rd Marking Period Reflection: Honors

self reflectionNow that we have completed the marking period, it is time to reflect on your performance as a student in English IV Honors. For this assignment, you will need to review the information in your class portfolio in addition to the writing assignments you have submitted to Edmodo. Your reflection should be thoughtfully written in complete sentences–no bullet points! Be sure to include all three areas in your review.

Consider your completed work, your success on out-of-class items, your participation in class, and your overall work habits (homework, planning, paying attention, etc.) as you complete your reflection.

+ PLUS – In what areas have you succeeded? What are you doing that is working well for you? What kinds of assignments or activities have been the most positive for you and why?

– MINUS – In what areas have you struggled? What did not turn out the way you planned? Do you have habits in or out of class that affect the quality of your work and participation in class?

Δ CHANGE – What do you plan to change or do differently so you can finish the year strong?

Submit your completed reflection to the blue box. You may return your folder to your class box.

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· 1:54 pm

3rd Marking Period Reflection: AP

self reflectionNow that we have completed the marking period, it is time to reflect on your performance as a student in AP English Literature. For this assignment, you will need to review the information in your class portfolio in addition to the writing assignments you have submitted to Edmodo. Your reflection should be thoughtfully written, with an eye toward improving your performance on the coming AP exam.

First, SORT the contents of your portfolio.

SAVE:    Major Works Data Sheets

Timed Writings

MC Practice

Lit Circles Window Notes

KEEP/TOSS: Everything else!

REFLECT: Review your written responses for commonalities. What are the most common issues on your papers? What can you do to address and correct that issue? Compare some earlier papers with papers written more recently. Where do you see that you have grown/improved?

Submit your completed reflection to the blue box. You may return your folder to your class box.

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February 3, 2015 · 12:35 pm

Essay Revision with Highlighters

This revision technique can be very helpful in determining areas of strength and weakness in your AP prompt responses.

You will need four different color highlighters to complete the task. Please mark your response to the “The Black Walnut Tree” prompt as follows:

  • Color 1 – Highlight your thesis statement and the topic sentence of each paragraph.
  • Color 2 – Highlight any specific quotations you have made from the text.
  • Color 3 – Highlight the literary techniques and strategies that Oliver is using in the poem to evoke meaning. In other words, how is Oliver communicating the underlying meaning of the poem with her selected strategies (like imagery, tone, etc.)?
  • Color 4 – Highlight your interpretation of Oliver’s strategies and the meaning they convey. These highlighted lines explain why you derive a particular mood or meaning from the lines or strategies/techniques/language you have chosen (what about the strategy made you think what you did).

After you have finished marking your draft, look for opportunities for improvement. Is one color dominating the essay as a whole? Do you notice a lack of any particular color? Do you need to include more specific evidence from the text? Does your essay need restructuring overall because your thesis only addresses one part of the prompt? Do the topic sentences connect logically with the thesis and provide a logical and coherent flow in your essay? Have you chosen appropriate techniques and strategies to discuss? Are you fully explaining the use of those techniques and how they help to reveal meaning? With answers to these questions in mind, rewrite the essay. Consider what we reviewed in terms of the scoring rubric and plan to create a final version that would bring the score up at least one point from the original draft. If you have been stuck on a score, you should improve and revise to lift this essay out of the rut.

Your completed revision should be stapled to the back of the prompt and in-class draft. You may type it if you wish, but typing is not required. Your revision is due when you come to class Friday, February 6.

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January 20, 2015 · 6:00 am

Semester I Reflection: Honors

self reflectionNow that we have completed the second marking period, it is time to reflect on your performance as a student in English IV Honors. For this assignment, you will need to review the information in your class portfolio in addition to the writing assignments you have submitted to Edmodo. Your reflection should be thoughtfully written in complete sentences–no bullet points! Be sure to include all three areas in your review.

Consider your completed work, your success on out-of-class items, your participation in class, and your overall work habits (homework, planning, paying attention, etc.) as you complete your reflection.

+ PLUS – In what areas have you succeeded? What are you doing that is working well for you? What kinds of assignments or activities have been the most positive for you and why? What are you currently doing that you can confidently say will be of benefit to you at the college/university level?

– MINUS – In what areas have you struggled? What did not turn out the way you planned? Do you have habits in or out of class that affect the quality of your work and participation in class? What skills do you need to focus on to bring them up to collegiate level?

Δ CHANGE – What do you plan to change or do differently to achieve better results in the coming marking period? Consider such tools as task planning, Edmodo use, questioning, participation, etc.

Submit your completed reflection to the blue box. You may return your folder to your class box.

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November 17, 2014 · 9:24 am

The Panther Pilgrimage

pilgrimsTo conclude our study of Chaucer and The Canterbury Tales, you will be working together to create a tale that instructs someone from the modern era on the consequences of one of the Seven Deadlies. Chaucer chose the entire scope of medieval society as his backdrop; we will be using the American high school.

Each group must select a character type found in a typical high school, such as jock, band geek, nerd, skater, etc., as its main character. Once your group has selected a character, you will randomly draw one of the Seven Deadly Sins as the focus of your tale. Each group will create the following:

Description of your pilgrim: You may include clothing, characteristics, physical traits, or whatever will communicate your character. Designate someone in your group to draw or collage your Pilgrim. Original art or images from the internet are both acceptable, but make it colorful!

Prologue to your tale: 10-20 lines introducing your character (you could include some description here) and the scenario that introduces your sin.

Your tale must meet the following requirements:

  • Describe a situation or problem created by your Deadly Sin
  • Tell a story about how your Pilgrim reacts to/confronts/is seduced by your Deadly Sin
  • Deliver a moral or lesson about that Deadly Sin
  • 2 pages minimum (double spaced)
  • Write in couplets!

Your final tale must be typed and submitted with your Pilgrim’s picture. Presentations will occur by random draw. All pictures and tales must be ready to present in class on Thursday, November 20.

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October 27, 2014 · 2:43 pm

Marking Period Reflection: AP

self reflectionNow that we have completed the marking period, it is time to reflect on your performance as a student in AP English Literature. For this assignment, you will need to review the information in your class portfolio in addition to the writing assignments you have submitted to Edmodo. Your reflection should be thoughtfully written, approximately one solid paragraph per section. Be sure to include all three areas in your review.

First, organize your portfolio. It should include the following items:
–>AP Practice Items: timed writings, multiple choice practice
–>Diagnostic Items (Literary Terms, grammar, etc.)
–>Major Works Data Sheets for all works – these will become the backbone of your study guide for the AP exam in May.
Other papers may be discarded or filed.

Now, write your reflection. Consider your completed work, your success on out-of-class items, your participation in class, and your overall work habits (homework, planning, paying attention, etc.) as you complete your reflection.

+ PLUS – In what areas have you succeeded? What are you doing that is working well for you? What kinds of assignments or activities have been the most positive for you and why? Where are you having the most success as a student of AP Literature?

– MINUS – In what areas have you struggled? What did not turn out the way you planned? Do you have habits in or out of class that affect the quality of your work and participation in class?

Δ CHANGE – What do you plan to change or do differently to achieve better results in the coming marking period? What would you like to improve the most over the next nine weeks?

Submit your completed reflection to the blue box. You may return your folder to your class box.

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· 9:19 am

1st Marking Period Reflection: Honors

self reflectionNow that we have completed the marking period, it is time to reflect on your performance as a student in English IV Honors. For this assignment, you will need to review the information in your class portfolio in addition to the writing assignments you have submitted to Edmodo. Your reflection should be thoughtfully written in complete sentences–no bullet points! Be sure to include all three areas in your review.

Consider your completed work, your success on out-of-class items, your participation in class, and your overall work habits (homework, planning, paying attention, etc.) as you complete your reflection.

+ PLUS – In what areas have you succeeded? What are you doing that is working well for you? What kinds of assignments or activities have been the most positive for you and why?

– MINUS – In what areas have you struggled? What did not turn out the way you planned? Do you have habits in or out of class that affect the quality of your work and participation in class?

Δ CHANGE – What do you plan to change or do differently to achieve better results in the coming marking period?

Submit your completed reflection to the blue box. You may return your folder to your class box.

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October 17, 2014 · 12:01 pm

Argument Paper Source List

sources

Once you have completed your paper, you must include a list of the sources you cite within it. Any information you include that is new to you must be cited properly whether you paraphrase it or not! The sources you select should be listed on a separate, final page of your paper called the Works Cited page.

To format your Works Cited page, follow these instructions:

1. Title the page WORKS CITED (use all caps).

2. Double space the page.

3. List the sources you used in alphabetical order by last name. Although on future papers you will be expected to create proper citations, for this paper you may copy and paste from the list below.

4. Your list must be formatted with a hanging indent. The first line should be flush left with the margin. Each successive line should be indented one-half inch. If you use Word, select the entries and move the bottom triangle of the margin indicator over to the half-inch mark.

 

Dweck, Carol S.. “The Secret to Raising Smart Kids.” from Florida Collections Grade 12. 1st Ed. New York: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2014. 21-26. Print.

Gladwell, Malcolm. “Marita’s Bargain.” from Florida Collections Grade 12. 1st Ed. New York: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2014. 3-14. Print.

Gutierrez, R. N. “Why We Need Common Core: “I choose C.” Online video clip. YouTube. YouTube, 27 August 2012. Web. 1 Sept. 2014.

Lively, Penelope. “Next Term We’ll Mash You,” from Collections: Close Reader Grade 12. New York: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. 2014. 11-16. Print.

McRaven, Adm. William. “Admiral McRaven addresses the University of Texas at Austin Class of 2014.” Online video clip. YouTube. YouTube, 23 May. 2014. Web. 18 Sept. 2014.

Robinson, Sir Ken. “RSA Animate – Changing Education Paradigms.” Online video clip. YouTube. YouTube, 14 October. 2010. Web. 15 Sept. 2014.

Tough, Paul. “Kewauna’s Ambition” from How Children Succeed. Qtd. in Collections: Close Reader Grade 12. New York: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. 2014. 3-6. Print.

Wade, Lisa. “10 Things Every College Professor Hates.” Sociological Images. 26 Aug. 2014. Web. 4 Sept. 2014. <http://www.businessinsider.com/10-things-every-college-professor-hates-2014-8>.

REMEMBER: Your in-paper citations should include the last name of the author of your source. If it is a print source, the citation should include the last name and page number.

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