1st through 3rd Periods
Today we need to get focused on what we want to make our argument about and start doing some research on it. In addition to the blog entry for your CWoD, we will have a second entry today providing a tentative outline of your topic. Your tentative outline should provide the following:
Topic: State in BROAD terms what your topic centers on (should be a one or two word answer)
Issue: State, without taking a side, what the issue is that you will be addressing about this topic (this will take 1-3 sentences)
Pros: State 5 possible supports for the PRO side of this issue
Cons: State 5 possible supports for the CON side of this issue
Your Stance: Write a short paragraph explaining YOUR stance on the issue and why you feel that way - what is the basis (emotional or factual) for your argument.
If you need to review the list of possible topics, look back at my entry from yesterday. Remember, that list is from an outside source - it is neither the only options you have nor is there a guarantee that EVERY topic on that list will be a good choice for this assignment. You'll have to discern that as you work and may have to make changes on the fly. What we are doing today, though, should provide you with a solid starting point.
4th Period
Your paper will require you to read the poems "We Real Cool" by Gwendolyn Brooks and "School Rules" by Marie LaCue Booker. You will analyze ways in which the texts use specific rhetorical strategies (or tools) to create an argument. Examples of of rhetorical stratgies include: theme, tone, figurative language, imagery, irony, alliteration, assonance, rhyme, point of view, diction (word choice), etc.
"We Real Cool" by Gwendolyn Brooks
"School Rules" by Mary LaCue Booker (also on pp. 256-257 in the Real Writing textbook.
If you have headphones and want to view some resources on "We Real Cool" you can reach them at the following links:
"We Real Cool" - Video 1
"We Real Cool" - Video 2
And ... if you're bored ... pass your time with the following ...
ZERO HOUR THREAT GAME
SAT Prep Games - Tyrannosaurus Prep
SAT Games
Sat Prep - Vocabmania
SAT Practice Questions
Assorted Word Games and Brain Games
