Syntax Essay

Thursday was a word day on the syntax essay, or an opportunity to create an original rhetorical analysis. During class tomorrow, we will start work on diction and how authors create patterns of phrasing to convey their purpose.

Superman & Me

After spending quality time analyzing the purposes of Sherman Alexie's paragraphs, you will construct a 3-4 paragraph essay (you can do 5 if you feel the urge), on this prompt: How does Sherman Alexis utilize syntax to reflect his purpose in "Superman and Me"?

Syntax

After our last vocab quest -- a team effort, we reviewed our 6 forms of syntax (simple, compound, complex, compound-complex, cumulative, and periodic) by definition, identification of sentences, and creation of sentences. For homework, read "Superman and Me" selection, annotate, and identify the purpose of each paragraph. Be specific with your purposes and do not limit yourself to just "to entertain" or "to explain" or anything else vague.

Rhetorical Analysis

During class, we added three words to our vernacular. We have three left in this unit and for vocabulary in Adv. Comp.

Meanwhile, we began rhetorical analysis - the "what" and the "why" the author uses strategies and writing organization to express a theme or argument. This involves the rhetorical triangle: the speaker, the audience, and the subject. In addition, this brings on the three musketeers of rhetorical appeals: logos, ethos, and pathos. During class tomorrow, we will review standard rhetorical terms, and you will be constructing a rhetorical analysis of your own.

C/C Test

The whole hour was dedicated to the compare & contrast essay prompt writing. If you were absent, you will need to make this up by the end of the week.

C/C Prep

Sorry for the delay in updating the blog. After much grading and Scholar Quiz competition, here is the recap of Friday's class: began our last unit of vocabulary, reviewed Grammar Quest, completed notes for the compare and contrast prompt on Monday. I will be making copies of the group notes for class, and you will use these to help provide evidence for the compare and contrast essay prompt. You will have the entire class time to work on the prompt, so be ready to start immediately. Starting Tuesday, we will begin rhetorical analysis work.

Researching STL

We will start a new round of vocabulary experts on Friday - the last round of your high school English class career! I know the feeling is bittersweet.

Meanwhile, you will have a compare and contrast essay prompt on Monday during class time. In order to have enough ethos to compose a specific, detail-oriented writing, you are working with a group to take notes on 10 locations in the STL area. By the end of the day Friday, I will need the group notes to make copies for all of your group.

Partner C/C

After peer reviewing your paragraph(s) compare and contrast, you were divided into partnerships to create a partner essay -- one partner in charge of the introduction and first body paragraph and the second partner in charge of the second body paragraph and conclusion. We will review and critique this writing during class tomorrow. You will also learn more about your assessment and have time to prepare for the writing prompt next week.

Comparatively Speaking

After reviewing vocabulary -- one more 10 word burst after this one -- we read "Sex, Lies, and Conversation" to contrast the communication styles of the genders and, hopefully, absolve any relationship dysfunction. To continue our practice compare and contrasts, you selected a topic, created a basis, composed an original thesis, and wrote 1-2 paragraphs comparing/contrasting the items. We will use these paragraphs to critique each other tomorrow during class.

The Rest of Third Quarter

On Wednesday, we completed the Grammar Quest, the culminating activity of our Grammar Boot Camp. If absent, you will need to complete this activity as soon as possible.

During Friday's class, we finished our grouping of 10 new vocabulary words and turned in the final draft of the exemplification essay.

Our latest writing style is compare and contrast writing. There are 5 components to this writing style; the basis (brainstorming and figuring out the examples and direction of your essay), the thesis (which should not include the bland "similarities and differences), the organization (block vs. point-by-point), the transitional elements, and the conclusion (the final thought for your reader).

We practiced these components by creating a basis, thesis, organizational outline, and concluding statement for various topics. We identified these components by reading Mark Twain's selection on the change of perspective apparent in all of our experiences.

Readying Our Quest

During Monday's class, we peer evaluated our first drafts of the exemplification essay, which is due on Friday in final format. Remember to include a Works Cited Page for your sources.

Overlapping between Monday and Tuesday's classes, we reviewed for the Grammar/ Mechanics Quest. On the Quest, you will need to revise grammar and explain why, revise punctuation an explain why, answer questions related to rules of grammar and punctuation, identify parts of speech, and differentiate between active and passive constructions. We will complete the Quest during Wednesday's class after our lunch period.