Friday, January 26, 2018

January 26 ... Brainstorming Research Topics and Narrowing Your Focus



  • If you have turned in your topic request sheet, you will find it in the stack at the front of the room - the broad topic that is circled in blue is your assigned topic.  If you did not get your first or second choice and want to check on other possible options, today is the day for us to look at that.  If you have not turned your request in yet, you need to get that to me today ... available topics will be assigned as they are requested going forward.


  • Spend some time scanning some articles about your topic and considering how you will take your broader topic to a more specific and arguable thesis statement.  We will be writing research proposals in class on Monday and you will need to have at least a general idea of the direction in which you want to go with your topic and research for this.

Wednesday, January 24, 2018

January 24 ... Introducing the Research Paper


  • Intro Research Paper Layers and Requirements

  • Topic Selection - review the list of topics and select 3 you feel like you would be interested in researching.  Everyone within a class period will have their own topic - so, you may not get your first choice.  You list of possible choices is due before you leave today (so that topics can be assigned and returned to you tomorrow).  If you do not get it to me today, you will be able to submit it late ... but the longer you wait, the more limited your options become.
    • List 3 possible topics and 2 possible pro arguments and 2 possible con arguments for each topic
    • If you need help finding Pros and Cons, go to WWW.PROCON.ORG 

  • Finish and turn in "A Modest Proposal" projects ASAP.  Due today.

Friday, January 19, 2018

January 19 ... "A Modest Proposal" Creative Writing Project



  • Read over the instructions and requirements for BOTH options for the project - begin thinking about which option you will select.
    • Once you select an option, use the three questions at the bottom as a prewriting/planning step in the writing process.
      • Identify the problem.
      • Option A - State your satirical proposed solution (similar to Swift's "solution" in "A Modest Proposal") ... Option B - State what Swift's proposed solution was
      • Option A - State your real world solutions to the problem ... Option B - state how you will connect your creative work with Swift's original essay (including the problem presented and his solution to the problem).
    • You will need to create your pamphlet/brochure OR your menu or cookbook in Word so that you can share the finished work with me.  When you open Word Online, scroll down and look for "See More Templates" and click on that link.
      • Search for either "BROCHURE" or "MENU" or "COOKBOOK" to see available templates.
      • BE AWARE that some of the existing templates might not provide adequate space for you to say what you need to say.  You are responsible for making sure all requirements of the project are met and will need to edit or create within the template as necessary.  You do have the option to create it all from scratch as well.  The templates are there to help, but they do not change the requirements of the project,

  • You received the handout in class detailing the information for the two options ... however, in the event you lose the handout, the details are below as well .. 
  • IT MUST TURNED IN OR SHARED ONLINE WITH ME BY Tuesday, January 23.  You will have time in class today, Monday, and Tuesday to get it completed.  I will be out of the classroom but on campus on Monday (in D110 ... down the hall and to the left) if you have questions then.


“A Modest Proposal” Writing Project

OPTION A

Assignment: Write your own “modest proposal” in which you present a problem, the proposal, and the benefits of your proposal.  This will take the form of a pamphlet.  Make sure to use methods of satire: such as hyperbole, understatement, irony, incongruity, and fantasy.  Remember, this proposal is supposed to be satirical and outrageous, but is should be based in facts and statistics about the problem.

Requirements:

____ A specific issue is being satirized
____ At least two methods of satire are used
____ The pamphlet is 2 pages in length
____ Appeals are used to lend credibility
____ Statistics and facts are included to lend credibility
____ Real solutions are offered
____ The pamphlet is neatly organized and constructed
____ The pamphlet has been edited to correct errors in grammar, usage, mechanics, and sentence structure

Some ideas for a “modest proposal”



teenage pregnancy
death penalty
steroids
drug addiction
drunk driving
road rage
weapons in school
insolent students
rude behavior
gang violence
censorship
eating disorders
poverty
starvation
homelessness
immigration
traffic development
gas prices
war 
underage drinking
obesity
older population
harassment
illegal downloads
hate crimes
media influence
credit card debt
global warming
identity theft
Aids
cancer


 

Answer the following questions to help you focus your ideas and get you started on the written portion of the project.

Your problem is: _______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

Your solution is: ________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

Your real solutions are: __________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________


“A Modest Proposal” Writing Project

OPTION B

Assignment: Make a creative addition to Swift’s “A Modest Proposal” by building a menu or cookbook that piggy-backs off what he started with and continues his theme and intent.  Make sure to use methods of satire: such as hyperbole, understatement, irony, incongruity, and fantasy.  Remember, while satire is supposed to be satirical and outrageous, it should still have clear, specific connections to Swift’s original work.

Requirements:

____ Consistent with the issues that Swift satirizes
____ At least two methods of satire are used
____ The menu/cookbook is 2 pages in length
____ Appeals are used to lend credibility
____ Statistics and facts are included to lend credibility
____ Real solutions are offered
____ The menu/cookbook is neatly organized and constructed
____ The menu/cookbook has been edited to correct errors in grammar, usage, mechanics, and sentence structure



 

Answer the following questions to help you focus your ideas and get you started on the written portion of the project.

The identified problem is: _________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

The proposed solution is: _________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

How does your creative take reflect/connect with the original work:  _______________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________


Thursday, January 18, 2018

January 18 ... Welcome Back ... Catch-up Day


  • Make sure you have read "A Modest Proposal," completed the vocabulary study, and answered all the reading questions over this satirical essay.  Review your responses/collaborate with an elbow partner.

  • Be prepared to use your knowledge of satire and of "A Modest Proposal" in class tomorrow and Monday.

Wednesday, January 10, 2018

January 10 ... Beginning "A Modest Proposal"



  • Vocab ... be prepared for a possible vocab quiz tomorrow or Friday.
    • SUSTENANCE - Food and drink regarded as a source of strength; nourishment; the maintaining of someone or something in life or existence
    • RUDIMENTS - the first, most basic, principles of a subject; fundamentals
    • COLLATERAL - something pledged as security for repayment of a loan (subject to forfeit/loss if the loan is defaulted/not repaid); a person of the same descent in a family as another, but by a different line
    • DEFERENCE - humble submission and respect
    • EXPEDIENT - convenient and practical
    • ENCUMBRANCE - a burden or impediment
    • FAMINE - an extreme scarcity or shortage of food
    • PROPAGATION - reproduction by natural processes (in all living things; plant, animal, etc.)
  • Complete the vocabulary study over those 8 words before you begin reading "A Modest Proposal" by Jonathan Swift (pp. 620-631) in the lit book.  Once you have completed the vocabulary study, use the reading questions to guide your reading of the essay.  Keep in mind that the essay is SATIRE .. although it addresses the very real issues of POVERTY and HUNGER that you examined on Monday in your journal.
  • We will look at the essay and finish reading it tomorrow - but you should begin reading at least some of it on your own today.

Monday, January 8, 2018

January 8th ... Welcome Back and Let's Start By Solving All the World's Problems (or at least a couple of them)


Two of the major issues facing the American (and Worldwide) population are POVERTY and HUNGER.  Think about how these issues could be addressed or solved - you may approach the issue from a local, state, national, or international level (or a mixture of these).

Identify the issue and possible causes (you may discuss both or choose to focus only on one or the other).  Then outline your plan or ideas to solve these problems.

300-400 words.  Due today.  Journal/Quiz grade.  Ready ... go.